In the language of the Ute Indians, Wasatch means ‘high mountain pass’, so named because it offered them an easy entry into Utah’s Rocky Mountains. Nestled in these beautiful mountains is Deer Valley Resort in Park City — pledged to the Ikon Pass network — which, in recent months, has undergone a massive expansion that has enabled this property to be put into recreational use by the mountain community. Though the state’s signature beverage may be a dirty soda, for over a decade Utah has witnessed a boom in beer culture thanks to a lively annual festival at the resort, and a slew of brewers at the top of their game, drawing a plethora of beer enthusiast to the Beehive State.
Deer Valley Mountain Beer Festival
MOUNTAIN BEER FESTIVAL
Still in its early days, the four-year-old Mountain Beer Festival exclusively promotes Utah-based breweries. According to Josh Hockman, beverage director for Deer Valley Resort, “organizers want to keep it small so that it fits nicely into the space adjacent to Silver Lake Lodge”, he tells me, and “guests leave their vehicles in the Snow Park lot at the bottom of the slope, pick up a wristband and make their entrance to the Fest from a chairlift with a world-class view.”
A total of 24 breweries showcase their small-batch beers here, and give visitors the chance to test new blends that haven’t been widely released yet. Some beers brewed specifically for the festival may be only seven days old. There are two awards up for grabs: Best of Fest, which recognizes the best-tasting beer, and Ale Star Award, which honors guest engagement — essentially judging which tent is decorated for maximum fun and has the most magnetic draw.
Families especially love the festival for the kid-centric activities. An oversized sandbox acts as a magnet for children who want to play with trucks, shovels and plastic molds. It’s where kids line up to have their faces painted and adorned with flashing adhesive gems and sparkly feathers. Festivities are soundtracked by live music on stage, surrounded by low-slung chairs that invite guests to relax with their beverages or over a hearty cup of chili.
Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley
MEET THE BREWERS
Clint Jones from Heber Valley Brewing Company is a two-time Olympic ski jumper. He and his business partner spent their competition years tasting beer in Japan, the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany.
“Every year I used to go to Japan and we’d always make a point of going to the beer garden at the Sapporo Beer Museum in Hokkaido. They have a really cool self-cooking grill-like situation and endless beer. It’s a super-fun way to spend an afternoon or evening,” he says.
“My wife is Belgian, and spending time with her family in Belgium and going to their Trappist breweries was a big influence for me. The brewing I try to do honors those classic beer cultures with authentic tastes without making it seem overdone.”
Clint competed in the 2002 and 2006 Olympic Games and then moved into coaching, which is what brought him to Utah.
“I’d been brewing at home for a long time, and we decided to start this brewery in 2019,” he says. Heber Valley Brewing Company’s contribution to the festival is a Schwarzbier, a dark German lager that tastes light and refreshing yet looks profoundly dark and stout due to dehusked grains (ones that have had their outer shell removed before being processed) and dry-roasted malt used for coloring. It has notes of chocolate and coffee, but without the unpleasant bitterness.
“Customers seem to really enjoy it,” says Clint. “For us, the Deer Valley Beer Fest is a really cool, niche event up where you can enjoy Utah mountain culture and scenery. We’re part of a small community with a craft vibe and Deer Valley does a great job of hand-picking the breweries that participate. We make it a priority to try to be a part of every edition.”
Tim Chappell of Chappell Brewing operates a skier-focused taproom in Salt Lake City, a 30-minute drive from Park City. They brew fast — many beers take 12 days from start to finish — to free up tank space in their limited area. He describes their Crispy Boi Pub Beer with notes of jicama (Mexican turnip) and corn as “a festival beer, and one that you can drink all day”. This blend was 2025’s Best of Fest winner and earned Tim the opportunity to serve it as a pairing at the next Brewmaster Dinner, which happens on the eve of the opening day.
Guardsman Pass during Fall
AN EVOLVING RELATIONSHIP
Alcohol laws have been heavily influenced by the state’s dominant religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). From the 1940s to the 1960s, residents could bring their own beverages to restaurants, where they’d be provided with ice and mixers, but alcohol wasn’t available for purchase. Through the years, pressure to encourage abstention for residents has conflicted with efforts to allow consumption by visitors.
After hosting the winter Olympics in 2002, Salt Lake City organizers fielded complaints about watered-down drinks and cover charges at bars that set the stage for reform. A major adjustment to state law was passed in 2019 raising the limit from 3.2% to 5% alcohol by volume. Now, with 5% as the magic number, draft beers destined for stores, restaurants and bars wield a heavier punch. Even stronger blends — called high points — can be sold in cans or bottles for individual consumption. In exchange for the ground surrendered by the anti-alcohol groups, drunk-driving laws in Utah are some of the strictest in the nation. Drivers are required to be under a .05% blood alcohol content, lower than the average .08% in other many states.
As I grip my beer stein on the Silver Lake Lawn, it’s easy to see why this annual gathering is one of Deer Valley Resort’s most popular events. Beyond the array of pilsners, ales, IPAs and ciders, it’s the joyful celebration of craft beermakers that’ll stay with me long after I get home.
