Colder mornings and changing leaves don’t just signal the start of autumn in Park City. It also means it’s time for the Mountain Beer Festival at Deer Valley Resort. But Director of Beverage Josh Hockman has been thinking about the festival, set for Sept. 18-20, all year long. It’s his baby, an event he dreamed up and brought to life five years ago as a festival that not only brings beer lovers to beautiful Park City, but puts them in front of the brewers themselves. “It was to be a two-way street for the guests or the attendees that are coming,” Hockman said. “Take the time. Like, ‘What hops did you use? Why are you proud of this? Where did the name Pie Hole come from?’”  It was also created with an emphasis on Utah beers to reflect the resort’s values in supporting local businesses, said Hockman. “All of our draft towers at Deer Valley have supported local Utah breweries … coming up on 30 years now,” he said. “We don’t want the Budweisers of the world and the White Claws of the world. They’ve got their place, but it’s not on our property.” Nothing major is changing for this fifth iteration, Hockman said. The “meat and potatoes” of the festival should be familiar to returning attendees. As in years past, festivalgoers park at Snow Park and ride the Silver Lake Express chairlift to the event at mid mountain on Silver Lake lawn. It’s family-friendly with a kids area that has face painting, balloon animals, a sand pit and the Deer Valley Creamery ice cream truck. Guests over 21 can purchase taster tokens, the required currency to sample the breweries’ 4-ounce beer pours. So far, there are 20 confirmed breweries or cideries from across the state, and each is bringing four drink options — full-strength beers are very much included. “I didn’t want the stigma of the festival to be like, ‘Oh, a Utah Beer Fest, and it’s only 5% beers,’” he said. “When folks … from around the world come, we need to be putting our best foot forward, or at least allowing the breweries to put their best foot forward because they’re the ones in the spotlight.” With at least 80 different options, Hockman said there should be something for everyone. The event is beer-centric, of course, with plenty of brews ranging from pilsner to IPA. But there will also be Utah-made seltzers, a build-your-own-shandy concept from Moab Brewery, hard ciders, a mead from Etta Place and even two wines by Mountain West Cider’s winery business, MWCellars.  “There’s definitely going to be plenty of beer, but then there’s also going to be those gluten-free options and those more fruit-forward options for folks,” Hockman said.  New this summer is a change to the Deer Valley Pilsner, sold as the resort’s house beer. To start, it was made in partnership with Proper Brewing Co., which is based in Salt Lake City.  This May, Hockman brought the beer even closer to home. Offset Bier, which originally opened in the Iron Horse district and now operates out of a bigger space near Quinn’s Junction, is the pilsner’s new brewer. Owner and beermaster Conor Brown will be at the festival and pouring samples for attendees to try. “I think he is the best beer maker in the state of Utah, and he now has the capacity in his new location to make a crap load of beer,” said Hockman of the new partnership. A few things have grown, like the number of retail vendors for people to peruse, and plans for a hammock lounge, but the biggest effort has gone into entertainment, Hockman said. Live music has always been part of the festival, but this year they’re bringing in two headliners. Rising Florida singer-songwriter Dylan Cotrone, who is currently touring with Sublime, will perform on Saturday, and Philadelphia American rock band G. Love Special Sauce will headline Sunday. “He was like my generation’s hipster in the late ’90s, early 2000s … brings a cool, funky vibe,” said Hockman about G. Love. “He does some stuff solo, but the big draw is when he gets with his guy Special Sauce, and they’re a duo. So we’ve got the creme de la creme of those guys on day two.” Chris Templin, left, and his son, Emmett, manned the Templin Family Brewing booth at last year’s Deer Valley Mountain Beer Festival. Credit: Park Record file photo by Jonathan Herrera As always, the main goal is to showcase the talent of Utah brewers, said Hockman. “There are folks that are down to the nitty-gritty. Like, this is a passion project. I love it. There is no corner cut,” he said.  Last year the festival grew by a day with the addition of a Brewmaster Dinner. Held the Friday evening before the weekend event, the five-course dinner pairs a beer from fan-favorite brewers with the creativity of the resort culinary team.  This year, the dinner will be from 6-9 p.m. on Sept. 18. It features Offset Bier, Chappell Brewing, Moab Brewery, Roosters and Second Summit Cider, the five who won last year’s fan vote, said Hockman. Deer Valley’s pilsner by Offset Bier will be used as the toast beer. To welcome guests, Dendric Estate will serve its Dry Cut cider. Tickets are $180 per person. “This is the one event where I get to actually choose what I want to offer. So I selfishly pick (beers) from the breweries,” Hockman said. “We want to up the decor in that room so it feels like when you walk in, it feels like a German pavilion at Oktoberfest.” On Saturday and Sunday, when festivities will run from noon to 5 p.m., Hockman can be spotted in his Tyrolean or Bavarian hat, a felt hat decorated with beer festival pins he’s collected from around the world. The confirmed participating breweries: Epic Brewing Company Etta Place Cidery Taproom Uinta Brewing Company SaltFire Brewing Co. Offset Bier Co. Chappell Brewing Bohemian Brewery Heber Valley Brewing Company Rabbit’s Foot Brewing Bewilder Brewing Co. Talisman Brewing Co. Moab Brewery Mountain West Cider UTOG Brewing Templin Family Brewing Second Summit Cider Co. Salt Flats Brewing Co. Roosters Brewing Co. RoHa Brewing Project Festival pricing is tiered so people can customize their experience: a $20 non-drinker package gets access to the event, but no drink tokens can be purchased. General admission alone is $45. The $70 Session Package includes admission and three taster tokens, while the $90 Reserve Package has five tokens and a commemorative mug. The $155 Imperial Package includes eight tokens, a mug, a festival T-shirt and VIP barbecue access. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit deervalley.com/things-to-do/activities/mountain-beer-festival. The post Fifth annual festival celebrates Utah beer in the mountains of Deer Valley appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less