Looking for a good beer in Southern Utah? Give these gems a shot.

I know what you are thinking. Isn't Utah a dry state? Do they really drink alcohol there? Yes. Yes, they do. After living in Southern Utah for almost five years on-and-off, I learned that the drinking culture in Southern Utah is on the rise since it has become such a desirable place to live. Who doesn't want to live in a place where you can ski, hike, bike, and pretty much every other action verb you can think of? If you are thinking about coming to Southern Utah for a visit, there are two breweries that are worth checking out that have a beer that connects you to the outdoorsy lifestyle.

Zion Brewery (St. George, UT)

Located right in front of the entrance of Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah, you can find one of the most picturesque places to have a beer in the world. The views from their beer garden patio make it the perfect place to go on a date with a loved one. Zion Brewery's modest selection of beers makes it a bit difficult to choose, but two in particular really stand out.

Red Altar

Acquiring its name from the Altar of Sacrifice at Zion National Park, which stands over 7000 ft tall and looks as if someone was actually sacrificed at its summit, provides a rich and light citrusy taste that is definitely worth giving a try. It goes down smoothly and even has a bit of a buttery taste that makes you want more and more. This is a go-to for people who are looking for a bit of adventure in their beer and aren't scared to go away from their IPA's and light beers.

Ascender Hefeweizen

Right when you put the glass up to your mouth, the aroma of sweet bananas is unreal. I look at the Hefeweizen in two ways: it is not too filling and is the perfect complement to the food that Zion Brewery has to offer. It goes especially well with one of their signature burgers. The Ascender Hefeweizen is for people looking for something light but also something that is as refreshing as drinking a glass of lemonade in the desert heat.

(Red Altar and Asceneder Hefewizen)

Policy Kings (Cedar City, UT)

Policy Kings is still relatively new to the area but they have quickly become the place to go if you want to grab a beer after hitting the slopes at Brian Head. They bring in a very diverse crowd and host fun trivia nights, as well as live music on the weekends from local musicians. The atmosphere at Policy Kings is unique and a great place to have a good time in a town that does not have much to offer in terms of nightlife. Policy Kings is really good about putting out new beers and seeing if the public approves but also stays consistent in their beer quality. One beer really stood out on my visit to Policy Kings.

The Greenwood PB Porter

Talk about a beer that can wake up your taste buds. The PB Porter, a dark beer that delivers a hint of chocolate but a big punch of peanut butter into every sip is the perfect beer to have in a place like Cedar City, UT. While Policy Kings does offer a few other dark beers like the Empire Express Brown and the Vanilla Pumpkin Stout that don't have a peanut butter taste (for peanut butter haters) the Greenwood Porter is a beer that you can't get anywhere else in Southern Utah. A must-try beer for anyone who likes dark beers in general and a great dark beer to try first if you have never had one.