Utah gets its first organic beer

Jenny Talley (right) has at least two things to her credit that no other woman has in combination. She is a brewmaster and she has created her state's first organic beer.

Talley is the brewmaster who created Squatters Organic Amber Ale, made from organic pale and caramel malted barley and aromatic hops that results in a caramel-like maltiness with a hint of sweetness. She told the Salt Lake Tribune that the barley is grown from organic seeds, using natural methods of pest control such as lady bugs and composting rather than chemical fertilizers. At the brewery, organic ingredients are stored separately and tanks must be scrupulously cleaned.

The Salt Lake Brewing Co., where Talley works, is known for its "earth-friendly philosophy." It operates three restaurants in Utah: Squatters Pub Brewery at 147 West Broadway Street, Squatters Airport Pub at Salt Lake City International Airport and Squatters Roadhouse Grill in Park City.

According to the Tribune story, "At the restaurants, bread is cooked with spent grain from the brewing process. All paper products have recycled content, light bulbs are energy efficient, napkins are cloth and a portion of the power is wind generated. The pubs also serve locally grown and organic food."

Talley's creations have paid off. Her Full Suspension Pale Ale accounts for half of all the company's beer sales. Her Squatters India Pale Ale won a gold medal at the 2006 World Beer Cup, and her Provo Girl Pilsner took gold at the 2004 Great American Beer Festival.

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