This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
When David Cole and Peter Erickson launched Epic Brewing Co. in May of 2010, they boasted about being the only Utah operation to make "big" beers, or those with an alcohol content higher than 4 percent by volume. (In Utah speak, that's the same as 3.2 percent by weight).
That is changing this month as the owners of Epic will soon start selling lower alcohol beers under the name Unsacred Brewing. Cole and Erickson would rather not let fans know that Unsacred's low-alcohol beers are connected to Epic. In a news release sent out Monday announcing the launch of Unsacred Brewing, the owners didn't include their names or mention the Epic brand.
"Lifetime full strength beer drinkers, the owners and brewers of Unsacred wish to remain somewhat anonymous considering what a shameful act they believe this to be," the release states. "However, they acknowledge that their foray into 3.2 percent beer goes against everything that they initially set out to accomplish in the brewing industry. Utah regulations prevent the selling of full strength beers in grocery stores or on tap, and have forced them to set aside their principals and succumb to Utah's antiquated laws as a necessary evil."
An "in-the-know" beer friend sent me this trademark link that shows the Epic/Unsacred connection.
Hopefully, by the time Unsacred's brews are released later this month, Epic owners will feel more inclined to talk about their four new brews, three of which have names that poke fun at Utah's conservative culture: Priesthood Pale Ale, The Vision Lager and Unfaithful IPA. Unsacred also will offer Rimando's Wit, named after Real Goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
Unsacred's draft beers will be available on Jan. 30 in Ogden and Jan. 31 in Salt Lake City, according to the release. Bottles will be available in grocery stores by late February or early March and will only be sold through Golden Beverage Company from Ogden.