Name: Uinta Brewing Company

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

Type: Production brewery

Available in DC Market: Yes

What you need to know: Here’s what we said last year: “So many neat little facts about Uinta. The brewery is 100% wind-powered and also OU Kosher certified. The brewery opened in 1993 and expanded in 2001 to its current facility. Uinta makes a number of different beers, including beers in three different series, the standard series, the Four+ series, and the Crooked Line series. Uinta distributes to 20 states and the District.”  This go around, they’re bringing back Labyrinth, a big hit from their Crooked Line series, as well as their year-round IPA, Hop Notch.

Sponsorship

Beer #1: Hop Notch IPA (American IPA / 7.3%)

Notes: Uinta’s starting things off with an unabashed IPA – no frills, no bells or whistles.  At 7.3% and 82 IBU, it approaches imperial category without crossing the line.  A thin yet sturdy cap of foam rests atop a hazy marmalade (that’s a color, right?).  It’s citrus and pine from the first whiff to the final swig, despite the best attempts of the sweet malty base.

Beer Advocate: 89 (139 reviews)
Rate Beer: 96 overall, 94 style (180 reviews)

Beer #2: Labyrinth (Black Ale / 13.%)

Notes: Given the positive response at SAVOR 2011, Uinta was wise to bring back Labyrinth, which we described thusly: “A 13.2% imperial porter with lots of roast, coffee, chocolate, and licorice notes, the Labyrinth is aged in rye barrels to give it another level of flavor. The imperial porter isn’t a style that’s too prevalent; most breweries tend to just go with the imperial stout. The fact that it’s oaked is also a neat addition. This should be very tasty, but will also pack a big punch.”

Beer Advocate: 92 (174 reviews)
Rate Beer: 99 overall, 95 style (251 reviews)

Summary: Labyrinth is clearly the star in this lineup, and rightfully so; it’s a monster.  That said, Hop Notch is a beer worth meeting, especially because it’s a member of their “Classic Line” and therefore more likely to show up in your daily travels.

This profile is a part of the DCBEER.COM SAVOR Brewery Profile series. For more information, follow the link to see profiles of all 2012 SAVOR participants.

Beer Review Disclaimer: The beer reviews found on Beer Advocate and Rate Beer do not represent the opinions of this site. We provide these in the hope that they will serve as a resource showing what some craft beer fans have thought of the beers. These reviews can be a helpful guideline, but are not the be-all end-all about a beer’s strengths or weaknesses.