Tieton Cider Works
The moment I’ve been waiting for, craft cider joins the ranks of craft beer! Tieton Cider Works, a Washington State craft cidery, has just announced their arrival in Utah. Tieton’s award-winning ciders, should now be starting to hit shelves in SLC (details below).
Tieton Cider Works was founded in 2008 by Sharon and Craig Campbell on the fruitful land that Campbell’s grandparents homesteaded nearly a hundred years ago. They now have the largest orchard of cider varieties in Washington.
With the creativity and skill of cider maker Marcus Robert, Tieton produces over 10 varieties of naturally gluten-free hard cider. A true farm family, the Campbells oversee the entire process, from growing the apples to pressing and fermenting the juice to blending and bottling the cider. The result is a true taste of the land and of the long tradition of craft cider. “Made with apples from the orchards surrounding the cidery, our ciders really provide a true taste of Washington,” says cider maker Robert.
The Campbells and the whole Tieton team are especially excited to share their craft ciders with Utah too. “Utah already has a taste for great craft beer,” said Sharon Campbell. “I know our craft cider will be a big hit too!” Here’s a little info about Tieton’s ciders, some of the awards they’ve received and their spiel:
Wild Washington is made with wild apple cultivars and was winner of a silver medal at the 2012 Denver International Wine Competition.
Tieton Blend is a crisp English cider that was noted as “Highly Recommended” at England’s 2010 Three Counties Awards—and those Brits know their cider!
Blossom Nectar is a sweet, crisp medium-bodied apple cider that won a silver medal at the 2011 Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition.
Apricot Cider is a bright cider infused with the tartness of fresh apricot juice that was Readers’ choice for the Best Cider in the Northwest in Northwest Brewing News in 2012.
Cherry Cider is a tart-sweet stunner that won Best in Cider at the 2010 Great International Beer & Cider Competition.
Yakima Dry Hopped Cider is a unique cider blended with traditional and exotic fresh local hops that won a silver medal at the American Wine Society’s 2012 Commercial Wine Competition.
Cidermaker’s Reserve is a limited release two-year bourbon barrel aged bittersweet cider that was honored at the American Wine Society’s 2012 Commercial Wine Competition.
Precipice Perry is a limited release cider made with the traditional Perry pears grown on Tieton’s orchard—the largest orchard of Perry pears in the nation. The Perry cider is similar to champagne — and in 2012 was awarded a gold medal at the Great Lakes International Cider & Perry competition.
Tieton Frost is a late harvest dessert cider with a slightly higher alcohol content that won the gold for Best Dessert at the 2013 Seattle Wine Awards.
Tieton Wind is a dessert cider fortified with custom-distilled brandy and aged in bourbon barrels that won silver at the 2013 Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition.
No word yet on which specific ciders will hit our local DABC stores, when or where, but as I find them, I’ll let you know. And hey, you let me know too, ok? Deal.
Log Haven *
The romantic Millcreek Canyon restaurant kicks-off Dog Days of Summer with an inaugural event to make tails wag. On Sunday June 1, Log Haven will host the Dog Days of Summer Shake-Off cocktail contest to benefit the Humane Society of Utah. Now in its seventh year, Dog Days of Summer is a summer-long al fresco dining event for well-mannered dogs and the humans who love them.
Libation lovers and their canine companions are invited to Log Haven’s Hillside Amphitheater to shake paws and cocktails alike with acclaimed bartenders and mixologists Brenda Gomez and Ian Cobb of Log Haven, Jesse Garrett of BTG, Scott Gardner of Finca and Todd Gardiner of Taqueria 27. Each mixologist will create a canine-themed cocktail with an eye to winning “Best in Show. “ A panel of judges including Scott Beck, President of Visit Salt Lake; Mary Brown Malouf, Editor, Salt Lake magazine; Ted Scheffler, Food & Drink Editor, City Weekly will select the their favorite, based on originality, flavor, presentation and relevance. Price for admission will be $20 and includes hors d’oeuvres, tax and gratuity. Cocktails priced a la carte. Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Utah who will be in attendance with dogs for adoption. Arrive early to meet these adorable adoptable pets. Doors will open at 5:30pm, and the contest will begin at 6:15pm. Reservations are highly recommended.
While the Shake-Off is one day only, well-behaved canines and their human companions can escape the hot valley and visit the restaurant for Dog Days all summer long. Starting May 31 and continuing through September as weather permits, dogs and their owners can take a hike in cool, green Millcreek Canyon (one of only two Wasatch Front canyons that allow dogs), and then enjoy a refreshing beverage and a delicious snack or meal in Log Haven’s outdoor amphitheater. Log Haven provides fresh water and doggie treats for Fido; owners can reward especially good pups with menu items, including K-9 game kabobs.
6451 E Millcreek Canyon Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
(801) 272-8255
www.log-haven.com
Epic Brewing Co.
In further boozy news, Epic Brewing just announced the release of Escape to Colorado IPA and Hop Syndrome Pils Lager in 12 ounce cans. Canning will commence the middle of May with distribution in all 15 states where Epic’s beers are sold (Hint: that’s Utah too folks). Customers can expect to see cans on retail shelves sometime in June. The introduction of cans continues Epic’s philosophy of providing quality craft beers for every occasion.
“We are a bunch of outdoor adventure junkies who love to drink great beer almost anywhere and the 12 ounce can is the perfect outdoor container,” says Co-Founder David Cole, “I am looking forward to kicking back some easy drinking cans this summer and I’ll save the bombers for dessert.”
Escape to Colorado IPA was brewed for Colorado natives to commemorate Epic’s move to the east side of the Rockies. It features Mosaic and whole leaf Apollo hops which together impart a light fruitiness and pleasing bitterness. The hops are balanced with a straightforward malt profile and a moderate alcohol level of 6.2% ABV. Escape to Colorado is the perfect summer adventure companion, whether you’re rafting, climbing, biking or just looking for an afternoon’s escape.
Hop Syndrome Pils Lager, the 2012 and 2013 Silver Medal Session Beer winner at the LA International Beer Competition, is a quaffable 4.5% ABV lager with the attitude of an IPA. Hop Syndrome is brewed with premium German Pilsner malt and a unique blend of rare hops that offer notes of light citrus and hints of “sweet tart candy.” It is light and refreshing with just the right amount of hop bitterness and is great for relaxing after lawn work or at a Sunday BBQ.
“We want our great brews to fit smoothly into people’s lifestyles and be able to go where bombers can’t. People love the bomber format but are always asking us for cans because they want a very portable Epic beer,” explains national sales manager Michael Malachowski.
Epic plans to continue expanding its 12 ounce selection with future seasonals and unique brands. The primary goal will be to develop new beers that fit the 12 ounce format and have a place among Epic’s wide 22 ounce boutique bomber selection.
* Gastronomic SLC is a proud local partner of Log Haven.
Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC. I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.
I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV. Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.
Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.
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