Best Local Beers of 2024 

• Mike Riedel

It was damn hard trying to come up with Utah's five best beers of 2024. There were so many impressive offerings this year, and I'd say that, whether due to time or geography, more than a third never made it past my tongue. But these are five ales and lagers that left a big impression on me—ones for which I kept going back until they were gone. I hope you were able to find your best of 2024 beers; we'd love it if you could share them with us.

Bewilder - Big Crispy: This West Coast pils proves interesting in that there is a lot of citrus character, but it's not juicy per se; it's more about the pithy, rindy, bitter nature of the citrus, bringing a lot of aromatics. There is some juiciness, but not a lot. The beer is pretty simple in its flavors, and everything works well together—a dry, crisp lager with lots of hop character. There's a good deal of bitterness here, but it doesn't linger long on the finish. A subtle peach sweetness comes through from the toasted malt, especially after the quick finish from the hops subsides. It's light- to medium-bodied, nicely carbonated with a clean, crisp, dry finish. Very drinkable and refreshing at 6.0 percent ABV.

Offset - The New Feels: Melon pops out in the palate at first swig, with grass coming up next and berries close behind. Soft and bright pilsner malt dominates the mid-palate, with a burst of citrus breaking out for a bit of extra life as you proceed towards the beer's end. Not overly grassy, light, or diesel-like, this reminds one of a lively, active West Coast pilsner. At 5.0 percent ABV, you have a winner with this beer, as a bit of fruit cocktail and apricot juice emerged once it fully warmed up.

Grid City - Coyote Elvis: This wheat lager is 50/50 wheat malt and pilsner malt. It has a noticeably pillowy feel, kinda like a muffin with 85% of the sugars stripped-out—delicately sweet with little yeast profile. Toasty profiles are subtle and complementary; it's in that realm between German pils and an American wheat ale. The use of wheat malts in this lager seems to enhance the body a little and make the hops stand out in the aroma and the taste. There is an interesting complexity in the contrasting citrus and herbal notes, despite this being only a single-hop beer. It is very drinkable at 4.8 percent. I can't get enough of this damn lager.

Templin Family - Protect Ya Neckta: There's a perfect level of malt for this 8.8 percent beer. It has substance, but also form; it gracefully does not become too heavy and is made lighter by a good carbonation. The mouthfeel is fuller than the typical IPA, but very big. The fruit is ripe and prominent, as the apricot and melon combine to create a sweet fruit sensation. What alcohol there is offers just a mild warmth, as it finishes with a citrus hop bitter that seems much weaker than it really is next to all that sweet fruit. It finishes sticky and sweet but drying on the tongue.

Epic - Big Bad Baptist Black Gold: The taste is immediately bold and rich. Medium sweet dark chocolate and roasted barley jump out at first, then big cold-brew coffee flavors push aside the roasted malts and assert a rich and spicy blast that is equal parts fruity and floral. At the midpoint, the bourbon barrel begins to play its part, adding oak, toffee and vanilla along with a bit of booziness. Toward the end of the palate, nougat creates a toothy Milky Way bar sweetness that plays well with the coffee and bourbon thump. The finish is roasty and slightly dry, as lingering acidic tones from 14.7 alcohol and parched coffee bathe the tongue. The texture here has a weighty yet velvety coating effect in the mouth.

Some of these are still out there, so seek them out! The others? I'm hoping they'll be back in the coming months. Meanwhile, I can't wait to taste what 2025 will bring. As always, cheers!