The Best Salt Lake City
Breweries and Distilleries

A Better Scene Than You Might Expect

Salt Lake City has a better beer scene than many people, especially non-residents, might expect. A lot better. And this review of the best Salt Lake City breweries and distilleries proves it.

Most visitors come here thinking about ski resorts, national parks, downtown Salt Lake City, or a weekend in Park City. Then they get here and realize something else.

There are some very good breweries and distilleries in this part of Utah. And not just one style.

You’ll find crisp lagers, Pale Ale, Czech Pilsner, bold IPAs, sour ales, imperial stout, seasonal beers, cider, whiskey, and more.

Add in better-than-expected food and the whole thing starts to look a lot more interesting.

That’s why this guide matters. It’ll show you what the best Salt Lake City breweries are and where they’re located.

Some are downtown. Some are in south Salt Lake. Some are in Sugar House.

Others are worth a short drive to Midvale, Lehi, West Valley City, or even Park City.

Why the Scene is Underrated

Utah’s beer history runs deeper than many people think.

In Park City, the Top of Main Brew Pub sits in the historic building that once housed the Wasatch Brew Pub. That was Utah’s first-ever brew pub.

Back when Park City was a lot less crowded (and a lot more fun in my opinion), my wife and I spent many a Friday night at the Wasatch.

I’d enjoy a cold one (or two). We would eat some good food. Watch some sports on TV. And just spend some time hanging out.

Most of the time we didn’t know anyone else there but it was a fun place to get away from work, family obligations, and the city.

On the spirits side, in 2006, High West opened also in Park City becoming Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870. Really.

As for Red Rock Brewing in Salt Lake City, it’s been around since 1994 and has won more than 100 medals. These include honors from the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup.

That helps explain why the current beer scene feels more mature than outsiders expect. It didn’t appear out of nowhere.

There’s history here. There’s local culture here. And there’s more depth than the old stereotypes would lead you to believe.

Why Are Microbreweries So Popular?

If you’re newer to craft breweries, here’s the short version.

Microbrewers work smaller. They rotate more. They experiment more.

That’s why one stop might pour a clean lager made with Munich Malt while the next one leans hard into a hazy IPA, stout, sour, or seasonal release.

That range is one reason Salt Lake City breweries are so fun right now. You don’t have to like one specific style.

You can keep it classic. Or you can try something a little offbeat. Either way, there’s a good chance you’ll find a good spot.

Best Breweries in Downtown
Salt Lake City

Proper Brewing

Proper Brewing is one of the easiest picks in the city.

The downtown location is at 865 Main Street in Salt Lake City. Proper says its lineup ranges from crisp lagers to bold IPAs and it highlights Balkansko, a Balkan-style lager.

That gives you a feel for the place. Serious enough for beer people. Easy enough for everybody else.

The food helps too. Proper Burger is tied right in and it’s one of the best burger-and-beer combinations in town.

If you want something a little more polished, Avenues Proper at 376 8th Avenue in Salt Lake City gives you another option with “fresh ingredients” and small-batch house beer.

Red Rock Brewery

Red Rock still belongs on any list of the best breweries in this area.

Its downtown location is at 254 South 200 West in Salt Lake City. Red Rock says it’s won more than 100 beer medals.

That kind of track record matters. This isn’t a trendy flash-in-the-pan stop. It’s a long-running downtown staple.

It’s also one of the better brewery restaurants in the city. You’ll find wood-fired pizzas, burgers, pretzels, fish and chips, salads, and more.

If you want draft beers, real food, and a place that works for almost anybody in your group, Red Rock is a very safe choice.

Epic Brewing

Epic Brewing feels a little different.

Its Salt Lake City tap room is at 825 South State Street. Epic says the space carries dozens of styles and offers tasters.

That makes it a strong stop if the beer itself is the main reason you came.This is where stronger flavors start to show up.

Bigger stouts. Bolder hops. More variety. If you like to sample and compare, Epic is a good place to do it

Fisher Brewing Company and Desert Edge

You can’t really do a Salt Lake brewery roundup without mentioning Fisher Brewing Company.

They’re located at 320 West 800 South in Salt Lake City. They were originally founded in 1884 as one of Utah’s first breweries

The same goes for Desert Edge at Trolley Square. My wife and I still return there … somewhat nostalgically … having frequented this establishment since just after it opened during our college days.

If you want to read more about it, visit my page here – Desert Edge Brewery.

It’s a favorite of ours because of its history and location. Plus, it has a pretty consistent menu serving pub fare and a small variety of cold beers.

Best Breweries in South Salt Lake
And Sugar House

TF Brewing

TF Brewing, also known as Templin Family Brewing, is one of the best pure beer stops in the metro. Its taproom is at 936 South 300 West in Salt Lake City.

The official beer list includes Jarda Czech Pilsner, München Helles, Granary KellerBier, Ferda DIPA, Squirrel Juicy IPA, and more.

If you love crisp lagers, this is one of the best breweries in town. If you like hops, it still delivers.

TF is also a good example of what modern craft breweries do well. Precision on one end. Creativity on the other.

Plus food trucks. That’s a pretty strong combination.

Shades Brewing

Shades Brewing brings a different energy.

It offers award-winning beer brewed on-site, scratch-made food, and a lively brewpub atmosphere. The address is 1388 South 300 West in Salt Lake City.

This is a good stop if you want something more playful. Less traditional. More modern. If your group likes trying new things, Shades is a good spot.

Hopkins Brewing Company

Hopkins Brewing Company is a good Sugar House stop at 1048 East 2100 South.

Beer listings tied to Hopkins include Chili Mangose, Pine Mountain Pale, Locals Only, and Winter Ale.

That tells you a lot right there. This is a neighborhood brewery with some personality.

Grid City Beer Works

Grid City Beer Works is another name worth knowing.

Current listings place it at 333 West 2100 South Expy in South Salt Lake. It also shows up on local patio roundups. This feels like a local place. And that’s part of the appeal.

Salt Flats Brewery

Salt Flats Brewery is a nice wild card. It is located at 2020 Industrial Circle in Salt Lake City.

It specializes in easy-drinking beers. Not every brewery stop has to be intense.

Sometimes approachable beer is exactly what you want.

Worth the Short Drive From Downtown

Bohemian Brewery

If you love European styles, Bohemian Brewery in Midvale deserves a look.

It is located at 94 E Fort Union Blvd. in Midvale. Reviews highlight its 1842 Czech Pilsener Lager along with European fare.

If Czech Pilsner sounds good to you, this is a very good spot.

Strap Tank Brewery

Heading into Utah County?

Strap Tank Brewery in Lehi is a solid stop. It is located at 3661 North Outlet Parkway in Lehi.

It works well for groups, casual meals, and people who want beer without overthinking the whole thing.

And, it’s a brewery in Utah County. That’s an anomaly in itself.

Wasatch Brewery and the Old Squatters Pub Connection

Park City still matters to this story.

Top of Main Brew Pub at 250 Main Street in Park City sits in the building that was once home to the Wasatch Brew Pub. They have always claimed to be Utah’s first ever brew pub.

As I said above, my wife and I spent many a fun Friday night there trying to be incognito and enjoying some free time.

Current listings also still connect the place to the Squatters Pub family. If you care about Utah beer history, this is one of the key stops.

It’s still Main Street in Park City. And yes, iconic Wasatch beer like Polygamy Porter still helps keep that identity alive.

Best Distilleries in Salt Lake City
And Park City

I don’t drink much anymore. And I’ve never been a distillery guy. But, if you are, here are some reputable choices.

Sugar House Distillery

Sugar House Distillery is one of the main spirit stops in Salt Lake.

It is located at 2212 South West Temple Unit #14 in Salt Lake City. It focuses on handcrafted, small-batch spirits.

If you want to mix whiskey or vodka into your brewery day, this is an easy add.

Beehive Distilling

Beehive Distilling is another strong Salt Lake option.

You’ll find it at 2245 South West Temple in Salt Lake City. It’s got a reputation for being a good tasting room stop when you want something beyond beer without leaving the city.

High West Distillery and Saloon

If you’re heading to Park City, High West Distillery and Saloon is one of the anchor stops.

The saloon sits at 703 Park Avenue in Park City. In 2006, it became Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870. That makes it one of the biggest … and few … names in the state’s spirits story.

Alpine Distilling

Alpine Distilling gives you another strong Park City option.

It is located at 7132 Silver Creek Road in Park City. Its Park City Social Aid & Pleasure Club bar is at 364 Main Street in Park City.

Alpine highlights gin, bourbon, and whiskey. It’s a polished stop and a nice counterpoint to the brewery side of this guide if that’s what you like.

Final Thoughts About
Salt Lake City Breweries

The best Salt Lake City breweries are not all trying to do the same thing.

That’s a good thing.

Some are built around burgers and beer. Some lean into lager precision. Some push modern releases.

Some work better for dinner. Some are better for a tasting room stop.

Some blend right into the broader local culture of Salt Lake and Park City. And even Utah County.

So start downtown if you want convenience.

Head toward South Salt Lake if you want range.

Add Sugar House for neighborhood flavor.

Take the short drive to Midvale, Lehi, or a little further to Park City if you want more.

If you live in Utah County or are visiting that area, you have an option there, too.

Visit any of these places and you’ll see why this beer scene is better than it gets credit for.