Utah Speakeasy

ALDS Game 3

2008-10-05T21:18:00.000-07:00

It's the ALDS so I had to make some tough decisions. I had to be in Salt Lake first thing on 10/6 for some meetings with the State but the Red Sox were playing on 10/5 at 5:30pm. I'd rather arrive in town early and watch the game than catch the 6am game on Monday.

I was told the "best sports bar in town" is a place called the "Sky Box" in the Gateway Center. I walked over there but found out they close at 8pm. No good if the game goes late.

As a "Plan B", I was told to go over to Iggies. Unfortunately, they only show football on Sundays. The game was to start just 10 minutes later, so I figured I'd head back to the hotel. To save time, I figured I'd walk across Pioneer Park to get back to the hotel. Bad idea. Sure I grew up in Boston, but these guys are hardcore. I had a bunch of guys in dark clothes and hoods following me, a few guys asked what I was looking for, and several "normal" looking people were whiping their noses uncontrollably. Bad idea.

I did manage to make it back to the hotel room in time to catch the game and grabbed a six pack of Uinta Cutthroat Pale Ale on the way. At least I could sample some local brew while watching the game.

Turns out the beer was labeled as 4% Alcohol by Weight which equals 3.2 Alcohol by Volume. At least now I know the conversion.

12 innings later, the Red Sox loose. More of the same tomorrow.

The Virgin

2008-09-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

As they say, it's all about the Virgin.

I ended up in Springdale last week on vacation with the old lady. She recommended a place to eat called "Zion Pizza & Noodle". It was described as a great place to eat with an excellent selection of microbrews. No problem.

I'm told they have the best selection of microbrews south of Salt Lake, so there was no choice but to check it out.

The Mrs. had the Squatters Amber- good but described as your "standard, nondescript amber". Excellent color and head retention. She also tried the Squatters "Chasing Tail", unique aftertaste that combines with subtle hops and sweetness.

I had the Provo Girl Pilsner for the first time. The poster stating "I may be from Provo but I'm not a saint" brings the message home. I found it to be easy drinking with a unique hoppy bitterness.

I'm told that the "Full Suspension" has the most hops of any UT microbrew. What a bummer as this seems to be fairly mild compared to Front Range breweries.

Overall, the food was better than expected. The old lady and I both had pizza. I enjoyed the jalapeno, sausage, and mushroom pizza which was pleasing to the soul. The Mrs. had "The Virgin"- white pizza with zucchini, carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic, asiago, feta, mozzarella, cheddar, and Romano cheese. Described as "sounds good on paper, but usually bland and inexperienced". You choose for yourself.

Zion Pizza & Noodle
868 Zion Park Blvd
Springdale, UT
Open 4pm Daily

Yes, you can buy beer on Sunday- sort of!

2008-09-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

While I still don't have the t-shirt that says "my other family lives in Denver", I'm officially onboard as the new Utah guy. The boss and I took an early morning flight to Vegas and made the 2 hour drive over to Saint George. The drive was amazing, going through the destert and up through the canyon into the city.

We arrived far too early, but with plenty of extra time to hit Iggy's Sports Grill here in town. It's one of the boss' favorite joints in town and with the Bronco's on, there was no way around it. Being the responsible one, I passed on the lunch beers but got a kick out of the advertisement for Polygamy Porter...

Dinner was another story. Players Sports Grill (not bar) is right next door to the hotel and provided an opoortunity to try some local brew. I had some kind of Fully Suspended Ale (house brew) and a Chasing Tale Golden Ale from the Salt Lake Brewing Company. Both were decent, but seemed a little lite. Part of the problem is that I'm told many establishments sell 3.2 beer only, but there is no way to tell. Just a guess on my part, but I think it was 3.2.

A few other things I noticed:
*It seems you can buy beer on Sundays if you go to a gas station or grocery store. Too bad it's 3.2 beer.
*I'm told there are state liquor stores in Utah, but I'd be damned if you could find one.
*Restaurants that sell liquor can not display full bottles. Liquor bottles are either displayed empty or have colored water inside.
*Many restaurants have "drinking sections". You are only able to drink in these sections. The rest of the establishment is dry.
*Liquor and beer can only be ordered with food.
*It doesn't seem bars exist, only restaurants that sell beer or liquor.

And so the adventure begins.

The Uneasy Speakeasy

2008-09-17T17:20:00.000-07:00

Well, not sure where this blog is going to take me. I'm a junior sales guy for a major software company and am taking on a new role- as the Utah sales rep for our company.

This Sunday I'll be flying to Utah for the first time on business and have no idea what to expect. This may be a challenge for a guy who loves beer. I hear it's a totally different world trying to hussle hooch. A whole new culture with all new rules.

Some of the rumors I've heard:
-I need to be a member of a bar or restaurant before I can buy a beer
-I need to order food when ordering booze
-Most bars have a jar of pickles on the bar (which counts as food)
-You will frequently be cut off after 2 beers
-You can only buy 3.2 beer
-You can buy beer in grocery stores- but it's 3.2 beer
-Bars and restaurants have drinking and non-drinking sections

Just my luck I fly in on a Sunday- this complicates things.