Epic--What's Brewing--Now

Pretty Busy Since May Last Year

2011-02-12T18:17:00.002-07:00

I guess most of our followers are locals and a few pals from afar, so most of you already know the growth story of Epic Brewing. The rapid increase in fermentation tanks and building expansion and the many awards already won, including being named the number three top new brewer in the world by Ratebeer.com just a few days ago. How many months ago did we start this? About nine; really can't believe it.

We are now up to 26 beer styles brewed and we distribute in Utah, Idaho, Virginia, Washington DC and parts of Colorado.

How can a small company like this do something like that. I think it is first from the support of community as well as a buy in from all involved in the vision of the project. Most people thought the idea was crazy but when customers, cities, employees, our contractor, distributors, suppliers, other craft brewers and many others buy into that vision with a drive and passion things happen. Thanks to all of you!

We are well beyond our year five business plan and making so many tasty beers I really cannot decide which one I will have with dinner tonight. It is a weekend at home between two weeks of launch efforts in Virginia, Washington DC and Colorado. We never dreamed that we would be on tap in our Nations Capitol at one of the top beer bars in the world, or on draft in Charlottesville, VA, just a stones throw away from Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, within a year of operations.

Can't wait to see what happens next week.

Make Beer, more Beer; then Blog

2010-05-30T11:51:00.002-06:00

Thanks again to everyone for your patronage. We thought the nine brands of beer we had built up would meet demand for at least a couple of months. WRONG! We stepped up our game and purchased a used 40 barrel tank which should arrive next week and three new tanks due to arrive in 4 to 8 weeks. We released three Exponential beers this week (Imperial Red, Sour Apple Saison and Brown Rice Ale) and put a forth one in casks, which should be ready in about two more weeks.

We have re-brewed the Cross Fever Amber Ale (estimated restock 6/4), Hopulent #2 (6/14), Spiral Jetty, Copper Cone, Brainless and will get the Stout and others going next week. Pfeifferhorn Lager will be in the cold case sometime next week and if the Feds approve the formula on the Belgian Wit we already have bottled that could be in the cold case as well.

It has been a long road to Today

2010-05-17T11:22:00.001-06:00

It was a Grand Day, it started with an early read of morning beer from Mike’s blog http://utahbeer.blogspot.com/: “The biggest of the weeks events has to be the grand opening of Epic Brewing Company's brand new brewery in downtown SLC.” A kind way to start the day!

We had some television interviews, we got the new signs out and a lot of old friends came by helping us get ready, to celebrate and wish us well. We had the chance to share the beer passion with loads of great people coming from all over; it is great to see that kind of support.
THANK YOU!!!!!

Whiskey Wood and First Sales

2010-04-30T19:36:00.004-06:00

It is a good week when you get some sweet casks to age your beer, get your retail sales point finally in place (thanks to Mike at www.justaddwater.us, Mark Fisher and Brent) and you make your first sales to The Bayou, The Beerhive and Smokin’ Blues Barbeque.

We cannot wait to open for direct to the public sales in just a few days.

Chocolate Malts, Wheat Malts, Smoked Malts and Spices

2010-04-23T08:16:00.003-06:00

Kevin has been brewing like a mad man. We did a double batch of Hefe (Wheat beer), a nice Chocolate malt dominant Porter, a Cherry Smoked Malt Belgian Strong Ale (we are going to age this fine beer in special wood casks) and yesterday we brewed a Sour Apple Saison. In a weeks time we have filled the brewery and neighborhood with some nice aromas that has some around here completely baffled. The Sour Apple Saison was the kicker for aromas. Spices form Spain, Morocco and other near and far locations added to the end of the boil made that brew something special in the air. We may age some of this one in wood cask too.... If you have never tried this style of beer the first Epic version will be a very lively and approachable ale great for the spring and summer season.

Oil Gusher!!

2010-04-14T19:44:00.002-06:00

Yesterday we bottled our first batch (it was the Oatmeal Stout that was ready first) through the new bottling machine. At one point, it was like an oil gusher back in the bottling area! Some even cried over the spilt beer. Getting the set up right took a while but now we know how the damn thing works and are another step closer to getting that Epic brew out to the thirsty.

Dry Hop, Dry Hop, we all Hop for Dry Hop

2010-04-07T21:24:00.001-06:00

Monday we dry hopped the massive yet to be named IPA (Brew One) with 9.6 pounds of hops, almost a pound per barrel! Wednesday we dry hopped one of the pales and even more dry hoping planned for tomorrow and Friday. The Stout is finishing up, wonder if it is jealous with all the other beers in the house getting the DH action…

IPA Ready to Dry Hop

2010-04-04T15:19:00.003-06:00

We have six full fermentation tanks...on Friday we brewed an Oatmeal Stout to finish out the week. Today, I had to go down and check some gravities, hard work but so satisfying! The IPA is chilling away, Kevin will add the dry hop charge on Monday. Photo: getting a sample off the tank for analysis.

Brew Two

2010-03-28T06:27:00.004-06:00

On Saturday, we knocked out our second brew. Things went much smoother.

Brewed:
Deep copper colored Pale Ale
Malts: Nearly 80% Maris Otter with CaraMunich I and II and some Light Munich in the mix.
Hops: Columbus, Centennial and Amarillo
O.G. of 17.9 degrees Plato.

Peter promptly let me know that yesterdays IPA came in at 20.7 and not 19.3 degrees Plato. It should be a strong one when done fermenting.

(looking into the kettle, start of the boil)

"First First Wort" the Capt'n 3/26/10

2010-03-26T22:17:00.004-06:00

Our first brew is fermenting away. It wasn’t totally smooth sailing, but Kevin got it done. Overall, it was a great day of brewing. Many thanks to all of our pals who stopped by to say hi, lend a hand, fix a pipe and snap a few shots too! Pretty cool how a boiling kettle can bring people together.

We brewed an IPA born from boatloads of Maris Otter, Briess two row, Caramel 20, and Munich premium malts. The hops: Columbus, Chinook, Centennial, and Simcoe in the kettle. OG: 19.3 degrees P, if I recall correctly. Planned dry hop: Chinook and Centennial.

Fire It Up Already!

2010-03-23T22:56:00.001-06:00

We leapt through the last giant regulatory hoop o’ fire, we can now make and sell beer (Heavy Beer, High Point Beer!) right here in Utah, Downtown SLC no less. No burns, no bumps, it was a clean dive! Next post: What Really is Brewing Now!

Thanks to the Commission and all those at the Division that helped us for over a year and a half to get through the process.

Time to make some tasty craft beer on State Street.

Luck of the Irish and Green Stuff

2010-03-18T09:59:00.002-06:00

Yep, this post is a day late. We were hopeful of getting the last documents we need from the City as a birthday present for Peter, sure enough turns out he is a Patty’s day born Swede who is now waiting for a belated b-day gift. We need some luck today so we can have those papers and get in front of the commission next week.

Next year, you will not see green beer although don’t rule out something special released on that day. If you want to see something green, check out our siding material made from recycled paper and plastic material and the LED lighting we installed throughout the building. LED fixtures are costly but good for the environment and as an added bonus; the light they produce won’t quickly “skunk” the hoppy beers.

A Long Satisfying Day

2010-03-08T23:46:00.005-07:00

All the Tanks arrived today and we got all but 3 of the 11 set in place.

In the morning we got the brew house started and after lunch we had it in. Then we got started on the 20 barrel (620 gallon) Fermentation tank. We were done for the day around 7:00 pm as evidenced by the shot of Epic Stainless now gracing State Street!

“Dad, this place is a piece… “

2010-03-04T21:14:00.003-07:00

The thing about kids is, when they are feeling free they tell you like it is. This guy in the picture here, Josh, just a few months ago, told me how lame the place was. Sure, it was a dive then when I tried to sell him on the potential. I took him by yesterday and he said he couldn’t believe the change, “it is pretty cool now, Dad.” Made my day.

BTW, rumor has it that the are tanks coming Monday, so take a look if you drive by.

Thanks to Salt Lake City!

2010-03-01T23:47:00.002-07:00

In these times of stimulus packages, massive bailouts, job programs and plenty of talk, I can tell you where the local action is: Salt Lake City’s Office of Economic Development. Government that works, you had better believe it! These people really help local business with many aspects of getting a new business started in their town.

In our previous aquaculture business – some 10 plus years ago – SLC Economic Development provided us with an equipment loan for product line expansion, creating long-term jobs and helping us grow our business. This time, the Office of Economic Development has provided Epic Brewing with a clear understanding of City requirements for our start-up, as well as financing to jumpstart job creation and to remodel an old eyesore on State Street. Salt Lake City has something that works well, creates jobs, and improves the city for all. Many thanks to: Bob Farrington, Mike Akerlow, Bob Gore and the Loan Committee for their support and assistance.

It Takes More Than Stainless

2010-02-19T08:38:00.003-07:00

A chiller, the grain mill, the boiler and the retail refrigerator…base stucco with color coat likely to go on the building today.

More Sleek and Sexy Stainless

2010-02-09T22:31:00.004-07:00

Kevin went out to Oregon this week to inspect the JVNW brew house and cellar items. Looks good, Kevin says it is beautiful in person. I am getting excited about those tanks giving off the new shine on State Street next month.

Proof of Life in Stainless Steel

2010-01-27T21:16:00.003-07:00

JVNW (OR, USA) sent us some photos today of our tanks being finished up. Too bad we didn’t get more photos of the brew house tanks, somewhere here you can see a part of one of them… some shots of the fermentation vessels, 10 barrel and 20 barrel tanks.

A Few Progress Photos...

2010-01-25T16:20:00.004-07:00

Wednesday the 20th, the crane helping with the shear walls.

Today, Mark and Peter checking out the trench drain placement in the main brew house area. The windows are coming later this week.

Cold Beer

2010-01-19T21:08:00.002-07:00

Today I went to visit and pay for our new walk-in, glass front cooler. It arrived to the supplier’s warehouse without any damage to the panels and doors. Can’t wait until Mark assembles it in place, beautiful with all its cooling and beer friendly lighting. What a sight to see, when it is finally filled with wonderful beer, cold “heavy” Epic beer.

2010 Starting Out Right

2010-01-08T14:54:00.003-07:00

So… the City decided to give me a birthday present and it was a good one. We received approval for our building permit on December 30th! Our pal and GC, Mark, wasted no time getting busy. I took this picture on January 5th, and sorry to all those hoping that Epic could deliver Utah’s first drive thru, it just couldn’t happen for so many reasons…

The front of the building was lopped off so we can make an extension to the west and increase the ceiling height to allow for the brand spanking new brew house and some of the fermentation tanks right up front. The storefront glass that graced the front previously will not be taking up space in a landfill since it will be reused in another local business.

TTB [Alcohol & Tobbaco Tax & Trade Bureau] Gives Epic the Go!

2009-12-15T09:35:00.005-07:00

We received the email below today and it made us happy.

“Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 8:56 AM
To: Peter Erickson
Subject: Your Brewery has been approved and is in the mail!

[our contact], TTB Specialist”

This is the Federal approval of our brewery application. If we have some luck, we might finally get our building permit in the coming days. Nothing is easy, so we just have to keep pushing.

Cheers!

14 Concepts

2009-12-02T21:08:00.008-07:00

14 different concept brews in two different cellars! We have been working hard on brews, building issues, equipment layouts, labels and loans.

Kevin and I are off to Carlsbad, CA on Friday for some R&D with many others from Utah. It is going to be a great time tasting strong ales and hanging out in the old SDSU stomping grounds.

Wheat Beer at Sunset

2009-11-09T16:30:00.004-07:00

More concept brews with the small pilot system underway at about one a week. The Stout got going last week and is looking good. This week we hope to do a very special barrel aged Belgian style strong ale. If the flavors work out, all I can say is look out, it is going to be a treat. We will be shooting for about 10% ABV with this one and if the concept is proven to be tasty, ask to see the full size cask once we get underway at the brewery.

We have been at the City a lot these days. Support for the project is very encouraging and we hope to have the building permit in three weeks or, hopefully less. Next week we have our first visit from JVNW to discuss the install of our brew house with our contractors. Things are moving but never fast enough.

Something special that just says spring beer to you? Since our projected opening date is early spring, it would be great to have some comments as to what readers here might enjoy brew wise in the springtime.

Quick Update

2009-10-21T09:03:00.002-06:00

The test brews are getting off to a good start. Brewed so far: two versions of Wheat, two versions of Porter, two Pale Ales, one Lager, two versions of Amber Ale and this week the first IPA will be brewed in duplicate too. The Wheat and Porters are bottled up and in the cellar. The Pales received a healthy dry hopping a few days ago.

The building clean up is on its third dumpster and we are off to the city with our plans today.

It's About Time!

2009-10-12T08:18:00.003-06:00

Epic Brewing finally has a home. It is not much to look at yet. We will start the clean out this week and demolish the building in part as soon as we can; followed by reconstruction and a major face lift. Architect and engineers are getting busy and we finally feel like we are off the starting line looking for the hole shot!

Location, Location, Location

2009-08-18T15:49:00.008-06:00

It is not easy in SLC to find the right location to meet the needs of the thirsty. Epic is doing something that hasn't happened in Utah since prohibition; you can imagine the zoning issues along with State and local laws that complicate the issue of where we will brew and sell our "Heavy Beer" from. We can't be too near a park, church, school, playground, etc. It is not impossible but it has taken way too long.

At any rate we have two possible downtown locations in the works and we hope at least one will play out this week. Do us a favor and make a toast to success if you will!

Poll results: Only 7 people noticed and took the poll regarding Favorite Beer Styles. India Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, and Double IPA's take the podium.

Survey Facts and OBF visit

2009-08-05T14:26:00.000-06:00

Some fun facts from the survey…

The average survey taker bought 36 beers in the previous month.

Some of you might need to step up your game or share more of your beer with your friends since….The winner bought 144 in the previous month!

The more beers a person bought, the more likely they were to want to try an Epic made brew. Good beer, in moderation, can make you smart or at least a potential Epic Brewing Customer…

People were most interested in trying Epic for:

1. Its expected taste
2. Being a craft beer
3. Range of styles being offered
4. Alcoholic content...hmmm

Under…behavior modification: a number of people who typically DO NOT purchase beer from the state liquor store said they would start shopping there once Epic is on the shelves!

Oregon Brewers Fest Update

Kevin (Epic’s Brewer) said he needed to go out to this great beer festival over the 23rd to 26 July for work. He said it was “hard work drinking all the different styles of beer in the heat wave” in the Pacific Northwest.

We got some good leads for hops, malts and hard goods. Kevin found some new experimental malt that seems just up Epic’s creative alley. We can’t wait until we are brewing with these small batch, limited release, specialty malts, the flavors should push the envelope.

Kevin also saw our good pals at Ninkasi Brewing to help on the bottling line since they use a similar system to the one we will use; which was a good hands-on experience.

Thanks to those of you who took the time to complete the survey before it closed.

Beer Survey Says....???

2009-07-13T17:58:00.001-06:00

Yes, we have been silent on the Blog! Maybe too much “liquid” research and cycling getting in the way of the postings….

We need your help if you live in Utah and drink beer. Peter (co-founder of Epic) is a former MBA student and via his connection to the University of Utah, found a couple of undergraduate marketing students willing to help us out with a market survey. We are honored to have a Professor Bill Moore from the David Eccles School of Business help guide them in the process survey writing, data collection, and analysis.

If you are a beer drinker living in Northern Utah, could you please spend about 5 minutes filling out this survey? Obviously, we are interested in your true feelings and not just answers that make the guys at Epic feel good.

Take the Epic Brewing Marketing Survey

Cheers!

Brewhouse Update

2009-06-05T09:21:00.000-06:00

We have been busy working on the final details of our brewhouse system. Kevin traveled to Ohio see a never installed system, but it had several issues that made it just as costly as a new system in the end. Used equipment was the initial plan, but we believe in the support of beer aficionados in the beehive, so we have increased the budget and narrowed our plans down to three suppliers of NEW systems. Yes, a brand new 10 barrel brewhouse is coming to Salt Lake City and we plan to place the order by next week.

It will take about 8 to 12 weeks for the system to be custom built and ready to travel to our location. I hope to be able to share more location information next week.

Sisters & Bend

2009-05-21T21:09:00.000-06:00

Three Creeks Brewing, more good people; Dave (the brewer) was very open and full of great advice! Wade, GM and Founder of the pub, let Peter and I pepper him with business questions for hours. Finally, Peter and I had the chance to have an Entrepreneur “geek out session” while Kevin kept up a steady pace of beer geeking with Dave. Dave has connections to SLC so we hope to see him at the Brewery later this year.

The town of Sisters is a good time, just like the IPA Dave is hopping up at Three Creeks Brewing! If you want to impress the locals at Three Creeks order a Squirrel, it is not on the beer list but Pete and Kevin sure enjoyed it. This pub has good family friendly dinning too. Sisters is a mountain town just 20 miles east of Bend. Bend is the site of the 2009 Cyclocross National Championships and Sisters could be an interesting alternative to staying in Bend for you Utah Cross fanatics.

USAC doesn’t mention Bend as home to Deschutes Brewery but seems like they should since beer plays a major role in cross history here and across the pond. Bend’s Deschutes Pub was packed on Wednesday night and from the photos you see they earned some medals...we enjoyed Obsidian Stout, some pales, and how can we not mention ALL SIX IPA's on tap...schizzle! Six IPA’s in the small town of Bend and some say the 801 can't handle 3 at one shop, don't despair because we're bringing it!

Then somewhere in East Oregon, we nearly rear-ended this guy! We were not sure if we should just write him off as insane or negotiate our distribution and trucking contract on the spot…seems he has survived going 3 mph on this highway for years!

Oregon Road Trip, Day Two

2009-05-18T08:57:00.000-06:00

Today we went south to Conby and visited JV Northwest, an impressive manufacturer of major brewing equipment. Phil gave us a great tour and reviewed our plans with us.

Then off to Eugene to hook up with Paul, who does some consulting for us. He is at Ninkasi now helping with a major expansion project. They where adding a dedicated whirlpool kettle when we visited and we saw the plans for even more. They just do local distribution in bottles and kegs!! Paul let us tap a few fresh draft pints since it was pretty close to noon we had to say yes…the IPA was fantastic. (Robyn, Paul, Peter, Kevin in front of Ninkasi)

(Fermentation room, keg prep, and loading up)

More great brewers in OR! Thanks to Paul and Robyn for the tour and great discussions.

And check it out $18 beers at a special shop in Eugene!

PORTLAND BREW BIZ ROAD TRIP!!

2009-05-13T00:07:00.000-06:00

Here you can skip the business plan details and other boring crap and head out for the first EPIC ROAD TRIP in search of brewing equipment and inspiration in Portland which just happens to have a 130 year plus, truly American Brewing History!

...drive 10+ hours from SLC, and stress out drafting up the ass end of trucks for 20+ miles when Kevin and Peter thought the Honda was joking about 0 miles of gas in the tank...then crash in The Dalles after a great cod meal and some Bridgeport IPA, Mirror Pond Pale Ale among others...

Wake up to meet the owner, Paul and crew at AAA manufacturing. Great guys, fantastic stories of projects for breweries from UT to ROGUE and see shining tanks.

Down the road in Hood River, Kevin talks his way into Full Sail at 9 AM!! They don't open till lunch but we get the private tour with Marketing guru Sandra after Kevin won't let her escape from the front door to do real work. She had an inspirational story about pushing vendors to offer recycled paper for certain packaging materials, F.S. stayed firm and moved a lot of the industry in the right direction. To end the tour, Peter is Swedish so he asks for free samples of the Sessions Lager they are bottling...guess he was ready to session drink at 10:00 am...

Drive from Hood River to meet dedicated and driven Charlie from Metal Craft Fab. and get treated to a lunch and beers at New Old Lompoc Brewing, 5Q salad...brewing and the executive barrel aged display decision is made on the spot.

Then to see a salesman but he's got no junk in his trunk and is missing so we go...

...thankfully, and as luck would have it, to HUB (Hopworks Urban Brewery) 'cause Charlie found out I love bikes, says he used to wrench b4 building beer tanks and did some cool stuff for this pub in the NEQ that is about bikes and beer. Not to mention Green as Green, like bio diesel fired kettles, organic and other progressive stuff. The owner and brewer, Christian was way inspirational and as all good brewers, out of his way friendly.

BTW, this guy can lay down an IPA fresh like UT powpow sprinkled with hops on top and resin dripping down to re-crystallized layers. We got to see his just installed 6 head machine running, the kind we hope to install. Awesome stuff. He even has chain links printed on the bottles of his Pale Ale!

Thanks Christian!!!

Check out the beer board, 12 styles on draft and the video of the filler running!

More on the First Epic Road Trip to come...