Top 7 Breweries in Salt Lake City
You’re here to find the top breweries in Salt Lake City, and we’re going to tell you what they are, and what makes each place unique. Salt Lake City boasts an exciting beer scene and many breweries that offer a wide range of tasty ales. If you’re new to the craft beer world, or a seasoned brewery tour-er… here are my top rec’s for breweries in SLC.
1. Epic Brewing Company
825 S State St.
Salt Lake City, UT, 84111
Epic Brewing Company, situated in Salt Lake City since 2009, has quickly earned recognition for their award-winning beers. They have earned medals both domestically and abroad, becoming a favorite with both locals and visitors alike.
Epic has maintained their commitment to small-batch, artisanal beer despite their rapid expansion and increase in production volume. Each batch released as part of their Elevated or Exponential series is numbered, stamped, and the release information is published online.
In 2012, Epic opened a second brewery in Denver to accommodate their expanding national distribution and expand their popular barrel aged beer program. The brewery was a staple in the RiNo Arts District, however it closed in 2022, and they are seeking out a new location. Epic has also introduced an array of sour beers, including one of my favorite unique flavors: The Tart ‘n Juicy Sour IPA.
Epic is one of my favorite Utah breweries because of they are always introducing new beers to their lineup. Some stay and some go, but they are committed to providing a quality line of beers for Utah.
2. Uinta Brewing Company
1722 South, 1722 Fremont Dr. #2
Salt Lake City, UT, 84104
Uinta Brewing Company is a Utah brewery founded in 1993 by Will Hamill with an aim towards sustainability and community involvement.
The company produces a range of beers, from hoppy and refreshing to bold and sour. Additionally, they produce seasonal ales such as Sum’r Organic Summer Ale and Punk’n Pumpkin Ale.
The brewery is renowned for its Cutthroat Pale Ale and Detour Double IPA beers. It consistently ranks among the Top 50 craft breweries, earning awards for its award-winning techniques. This is definitely a classic SLC brewery you don’t want to skip.
3. Desert Edge Brewery
273 Trolley Sq.
Salt Lake City, UT, 84102
Desert Edge Brewery, situated in Trolley Square, is the perfect place to unwind with a cold drink after a long day. Since 1995, they’ve been serving up craft beers and delicious food that will leave you feeling refreshed and contented. In 1995, Desert Edge expanded into craft beer business, and won Utah’s first Great American Beer Festival gold medal for their Happy Valley Hefeweizen.
Desert Edge is renowned for their Latter Day Stout (an Irish dry nitro stout) and Happy Valley Hefeweizen mentioned above. They also have a selection of rotating taps sure to please any beer connoisseur. Their latest innovation is small-batch canned beers which will soon make an appearance in bars and restaurants around town.
4. Level Crossing Brewery
2496 S W Temple St.
South Salt Lake, UT, 84115
Level Crossing Brewing, located in Salt Lake City’s downtown core, has become a favorite destination for locals since opening its doors in 2017. They offer an extensive selection of beers on tap.
The 2,500 square foot taproom at Brooklyn Brewery is designed to be a convivial gathering spot, where beer enthusiasts can socialize with their buddies. Mark Medura and his partner Sean Flanagan hope to foster an “emotional connection” among those who frequent its establishment.
Level Crossing opened its doors in March under the iconic West Temple water tower. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. They offer food from an uncomplicated menu offering wood-fired pizzas.
One of my favorite things about Level Crossing is the local community feel. They have trivia on Mondays. Board Game Night on Tuesdays. And Bingo on Wednesdays. It’s a great place to socialize and meet some fellow beer drinkers. They have some very fun seasonal beers. I recommend trying their “In The Pines” hazy pale ale. It’s one of my favorites.
5. GRID CITY BEER WORKS
333 W 2100 S Expy
Salt Lake City, UT, 84115
Grid City Brewing, located in an old Tile for Less building on 2100 South in Salt Lake City, is a craft beer destination whose name comes from how the founders of Salt Lake named and numbered their streets. Its brewing tanks sit behind an inviting bar and dining room that brings the brewery into the public spotlight.
Grid City Brewing Company prioritizes taste, balance and finish when crafting their beers. They don’t shy away from a challenge or pushing the limits of brewing to achieve perfection. Whether you’re looking for a high ABV beer, or a easy drinking lager, Grid City focuses on brewing approachable beers that you can drink all day. And in the summer time, you can hang out on their roof deck and enjoy one of their seasonal crafts. I recommend trying the Honey Cream Ale for a unique brew that you can’t get at other SLC breweries.
6. SALT FIRE BREWING
2199 S W Temple St
Salt Lake, UT 84115
Salt Fire Brewery is one of many that have sprouted out of the home brewing community in South Salt Lake. They’re located within a creative cluster with other notable breweries like Beehive Distillery and Shades Brewing Company.
They offer a selection of beers such as IPAs, pilsners, blonde ales and stouts. I recommend trying one of their most popular beers: the Dirty Chai Stout which combines chai spices and coffee flavors in an intensely roasty stout.
They offer a selection of fruit-infused beers. Their Mobius Trip Prickly Pear is one such example – it’s a sour ale fermented in a 20HL foeder and then aged on top of prickly pear. One of the things I like about Salt Fire (other than their unique brews) is they brew a good number of high ABV beers which is unique in SLC, because of the 5% ABV draft rule. Beers on draft must be 5% of less in Utah.
7. Bewilder Brewing
445 S 400 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Bewilder, one of Salt Lake City’s newer breweries, opened in 2019. Perfect for grabbing a beer after work or before watching the Jazz game. Bewilder is committed to providing quality and classic brews. They have won multiple awards for various beers, including best local beer with their Bewilder Kolsch.
They have an extensive tap list, and some unique beers that you can only get by visiting the tap room. If they still have it, the “Wee Heavy” is a Scottish style ale they collaborated with Strap Tank Brewerh on, and it won gold at the North American Brewers Association National Beer and Cider competition in 2022! Definitely worth a taste when you stop in.
Final Thoughts
Salt Lake City’s beer scene is growing fast. There are some breweries that you’ve probably seen in your local store, such as Uinta or Epic. The up and coming breweries are a joy to stoop in, and grab a cold beer after a hike in the summer. I hop e this list of the top breweries in Salt Lake City helps give you an idea on your next brewery stop. I’d love to know what breweries you’ve tried, and any new ones that I missed.
Want a bite to eat after sipping a few of Utah’s craft beers? Check out Salt Lake City’s top restaurants.