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Weakness of Utah beer greatly exaggerated

Warren Rosenbaum | 11:26 p.m. March 27, 2008

Sitting here sipping a Utah beer (3.2%) reminded me to check Utah's beer on Google. I typed in "Utah alcohol content of beer", hit "enter" and got 388,000 hits! I'm not the only one interested in this subject.
I just arrived from California 4 weeks ago and the "30" I brought in to Utah, ran out. There I was getting a nice ale "Ice" brew with 5.9% printed on the box.
A person could spike his brew, I guess, but that would surely alter the taste and beer enjoyment wouldn't be the same. The sad case of 3.2 beer is enough to drive a man to drink.

Anonymous | 9:37 p.m. June 5, 2008

Is this typical reporting for the Deseret News?
How about the truth?
Beers come in a variety of ABV's.
Utah only allows 4.0%
Here are some of the ABV's you failed to mention in your editorial:
Budweiser is 5.0%
Miller High Life is 4.7%
IceHouse is 5.5%
AmberBock is 5.2%
etc.,etc.,
most beers are sold in the U.S.A.at more
ABV than Utah (the Mormons) allow.
Please try to be more accurate in the future.

Anonymous | 12:14 a.m. July 31, 2008

I agree with the above commentators...this far from factual reporting. Most commonly available beers aren't allowed in Utah grocery stores with standard formulae. Also, sorry to say it but locally produced beers just don't cut it. Mildly flavorfull at best - almost always without body and too often served(made) at least somewhat skunky. It won't last forever - hang in there Utan beer drinkers.

Comments continue below

Justin | 1:17 a.m. Oct. 5, 2008

I don't understand this story. Is it pure apologetics, designed to make supporters of Utah's idiotic liquor laws feel better about imposing their morality on their sinful neighbors? Or, is it just a faulty argument? If the author is correct, and the differences between "Utah beer" and the beer available elsewhere are not really significant, then why do we have the restrictions at all?

Please, stop telling me what I can and can't do. I'm an adult. I'm responsible for myself. I vote. I'm seriously getting sick of the way this state is run, and the people who are running it. I know I'm not alone.

anonymous | 10:46 p.m. Oct. 7, 2008

Juntin, if you are that sick of it all and drinking means that much to you just leave. Problem solved.

Dave | 7:01 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

The story was very poorly done and contradictory. It would not have made it into most college newspapers with the lack of facts and vagueness. And doesn't anonymous sound like one of those people that would tell you to leave the country if you disagree with something the Government does?

bingedrinker | 9:42 p.m. Oct. 22, 2008

I lived in Utah most of my life. I have also drank abroad. I am pretty sure twelve beers from anywhere will get you drunk. I suppose its mostly mental when people claim they cannot get drunk off of LP brew. I suppose ten beers in utah is like eight outta state beers; Big deal... you can always homebrew if you want good beer.

Los | 6:56 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

bingedrinker, homebrewing is illegal in the state of Utah. At least for now. It's legal to sell the ingredients and such, but it's illegal to actually make beer. There's a bill in the state legislature to remedy the situation. An attempt last year failed, but there is a serious chance for it to pass.

Los | 7:01 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Oh, and just to add some clarification, in case anyone was concerned: The vast majority of homebrewers do not brew to make stronger beer. They do it to make a beer they like to drink for taste/flavor reasons. And also because the hobby is extremely fun and very rewarding on a "do-it yourself" level.

Nicole | 4:36 p.m. March 22, 2009

I agree with Los. If everyone is so worried about getting drunk off of beer, go grab a bottle of whiskey. A truly good beer is brewed with precision and made for an acquired taste not for "loadies." Utah alcohol laws are changing slowly but surely. Give it time.

Matt | 5:59 a.m. April 3, 2009

Justin has some excellent points in his post. And just because he is not part of the religious majority in Utah, doesn't make anything he says any less valid.

This country is not a pure democracy. It was created with a constitution because its makers were worried about the inevitable partiality and persecution brought on by pure majority ruling in its own selfish interests.

It's too bad Utah forgot that and won't let people freely live their own lives. You'd think that from the way they mourn their terrible "persecution," in the 1800's, they would have learned that they shouldn't take away peoples' agency.

Besides, isn't that what Satan wanted?

Andrew | 3:46 p.m. Aug. 24, 2009

- los - home brew is NOT illigal, to sell would be.

Trevor | 11:59 a.m. Nov. 11, 2009

Ok sorry don't like bud light! lets see, IPA's usually about 5-7%, imperial stouts usually about 7-9%, trappist ales range from 5-11%, doppelbocks 7-11%. I would rather drink 2 beers, get a buzz than drink 6-7 Utah beers. Will move when I graduate, until then will waste money at the liquer store or buy horrible beer at the grocery store. I mean in Seattle where I am from the grocery store has wine, and a rediculous amount of shampane style beers (not miller) from Belgium and the rest of Europe!! I HATE UTAH, wish I would have never started school at the U.

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2 photos

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Jason Stock, assistant brewer at Squatters pub, mashes in grains during beer brewing process. Utah and three other states have a 3.2 percent alcohol limit for beer.

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Reader comments Weakness of Utah beer greatly exaggerated

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Weakness of Utah beer greatly exaggerated