Beer of the Weekend #644: Wasatch First One Down

The beer tonight is Wasatch First One Down, brewed by the Utah Brewer’s Cooperative of Salt Lake City, Utah.


Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. “ENJOY BY 03/18/15” is printed below the label at the bottom of the bottle. I do not think I have ever seen a freshness date printed in that spot.

Appearance: It pours a medium mahogany color into a pint glass. Two fingers of fluffy, tan-colored head dissipates unevenly into dense pockets, leaving lacing stuck to the glass.

Smell: The first whiff is a nice bouquet of citrus, tropical fruit, and malt. Grapefruit, pineapple, a little kiwi, toasted malt, caramel, cocoa, a hint of toffee, earthy hops, rye, a little dark fruit, and maybe a touch of arboreal spice.

Taste: The mouthfeel is velvety smooth. The flavor mostly mirrors the aroma. Grapefruit, a hint of pineapple, earthy hops, lemon zest, toasted malt, caramel, a hint of coca, and dark fruit. Arboreal spice comes into play after the beer has warmed.

Drinkability: This is outstanding and tasty stuff. It makes me ashamed of the fact I have not had too many beers from the Beehive State.

Fun facts about WFOD:

-Style: Winter warmer.

-Price: $1.79/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.

-Alcohol content: 7.1 percent ABV — which is a little surprising because I did not think brewers in Utah could brew anything over 5 percent or so.

-Speaking of the Beehive State, I read today that Utah increased the speed limit on the stretch of Interstate 15 from Leeds to Provo to 80 mph. Whoa. In a strange way, it gave me the urge to visit the west again.


The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.

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