Low Expectations Makes Some Good Beer At Moab Brewery

Moab Brewery

686 S. Main St.

Moab, UT

“Not to be smart, but…………”

I realize that’s probably not the best way to begin a conversation with someone new.

But other than bringing me a few brews and some food, my relationship with my server at Moab Brewery was going to be pretty short-lived anyway.

You have to understand, I was just taken aback by what he told me.

“By state law, all the draft beer we brew is 3.2 percent,” he said.

That’s 3.2% alcohol content by volume. Like, even your watered down American puke beers have a higher ABV. Miller Lite is at least 4.5% and Budweiser is 5%.

A good microbrew can certainly climb into the double-digits. Heck, I got a bottle of Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA at home that boasts a whopping 20% ABV. Definitely a beer you save for special occasions.

So who the heck wants to waste their time with 3.2 ABV?

Other than a few forgettable trips to Tulsa, Oklahoma, I’ve never run into this crisis. I sure wasn’t expecting here at a microbrewery of all places.

“Not to be smart, but what’s the point? I mean why bother building a microbrewery if you can’t brew real beer?”

I think I offended my server. Something about the look on his face.

He explained that when he worked in Salt Lake City for Uinta Brewing, they competed against breweries from all over the world – and won. With a 3.2% beer.

He assured me that the low alcohol content would not affect the taste. I assured him I was pretty uncertain.

But what could I do? I tried Moab’s “Merrimack Steamer,” a pale ale with a crisp, hoppy flavor.

No, it isn’t going to make the Beer Hall of Fame, but I was impressed.

My second brew, the “Raven Stout,” seemed like a good choice because stouts tend to be low in alcohol anyway. Maybe I wouldn’t miss it.

Unfortunately, it tasted watered down and was not as good as the Steamer.

The good news is, unlike the beer, the food at Moab Brewery is free from any restrictions imposed by the Utah legislature.

My “Chili Verde Pork Burrito” came stuffed with tender pork simmered in a green chili sauce. Topped with cheese and a chili of beans, onions, olives, peppers, and tomatoes, it went well with my beer.

On the side came two generous pieces of cornbread with diced jalapeño peppers, and after a slathering of sweet butter, I was in cornbread heaven.

So I know you’re dying to know. My server was too.

Had I converted to handcrafted, low-alcohol beer? Well, I’ll tell you what I told him.

I was impressed. Moab Brewery moved me from “Why bother?” to “Hey, this is actually pretty good.”

Now, I’m not gonna go pour my bottles of 120 Minute IPA down the drain or anything. But I am impressed that Moab Brewery was able to overcome such an ABV handicap and yet still rise to the occasion.