Well it was Christmas time, and the family decided to pile in the family station wagon and head out. Okay not really, but we did head to Salt Lake City for Christmas, and you know we had to fit in a brewery. Utah has some highly unusual alcohol laws that I did not know about prior to the trip. Anything over 5% ABV is considered liquor and must be canned in order to be inventoried and taxed. So the majority of craft beer made there is 5% just for the ease of brewing, and not everyone has canning equipment. But we still found a really cool little place called Kiitos Brewing.
Pulling up to Kiitos, you kind of wonder if you’re in the right place. It’s in SLC’s Granary District, but it’s more of a few blocks of warehouses. There’s a decent amount of parking, but there’s not really any outdoor space for the smokers, which was a little bit unusual. As you enter, immediately to your left is the to-go fridge with almost every brew they make, and the merch area. Farther to the right is the bar with the menu behind, and the bathrooms are towards the back of the that side. Turn to the left and there’s a ton of seating with some TV’s to catch a game. And then in a room further back to the left there’s about 10 pinball machines, a very unique addition. Through that room sits the brewery, but there’s not much of a view. It’s nice to be able to see the brewery, but being in a connecting room further cuts off the aura of sitting near the equipment that produces the beer you’re sipping on. The taproom has a wooden cabin type of feel with a ton of wood and beams exposed, appropriate for a Utah brewery. They promote their High Efficiency Brewing System, which uses less energy, water, and grain, which is a cool edition. They have some snack options, but they don’t serve food, just food trucks on busy days. Kiitos has a very relaxed vibe, which we love, and overall the aesthetic is great. We just wish the brewing equipment was more a part of the design.
It’s definitely stout season, and more so in the colder weather of Utah. One of my favorite variations of a stout is coconut. The 5% ABV Coconut Stout they make is a killer one. There’s just the right amount of chocolate and caramel sweetness with the natural coconut flavor, and a little bit of milk sugar to fill out the taste. It’s an excellent example of a stout, and absolutely delicious.
They have a beer that they claim is unlike any other, so of course we have to try and talk about it. Through a program with Sustain-A-Grain, they use a grain called Kernza, and a hop called Audacia to create a beer never produced anywhere before. Known as Kernza, it’s a 4% ABV beer closely resembling an IPA mixed with an ale. They describe it as subtle fruity and nutty notes with huckleberry and lavender. It reminds me of a smooth, not as bitter IPA, and I definitely get the fruit and lavender notes. It’s such a unique brew, and very smooth and crisp. A really surprising and good beer.
Our favorite of the day was the Winter Ale, which is actually a 5% ABV stout with cacao nibs, cinnamon, and chili peppers. It’s got the perfect amount of cinnamon to remind you of a winter brew, and there’s just a hint of spicyness on the back end with the peppers. Obviously with the Utah alcohol laws it makes it easier to brew this at 5%, but I wish it was higher to reflect what a true stout usually is. And I’m not sure why it’s a Winter Ale but actually a stout, Winter Stout sounds even better. But the taste is fantastic. Side note, we took some home and it was missing the cinnamon and winter flavors, so I’m not sure what happened there.
I don’t know how much blame to assign to the specific breweries for their states alcohol laws. I will say it’s very strange drinking 5% stouts. The inside of Kiitos Brewing is very much the vibe we like, very relaxed. It’s got a mountain cabin type of feel which fits well in SLC. The make some fantastic beer, and their unique brewing styles and grains are very interesting and innovative. The only downfalls are not always having food, not having a true outdoor space, and the very odd beer that lost some flavor profile after taking it home. Overall we are giving Kiitos Brewing 8🍺. Definitely a great place to visit if you find yourself in Salt Lake City, and Always Drink Local!
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