Wasatch Beers Unleashes “The Devastator”

Salt Lake City — Thundering out of the rugged mountains of Utah comes The Devastator—a brawny Double Bock from Wasatch Beers. “This is an 8 percent alcohol by volume (abv) beer to make Utah proud,” says Wasatch Beers founder Greg Schirf. The Devastator landed in state liquor stores during the holidays and practically flew out the door when word got out that this toasty local brew has a kick that warms you down to your toes.

In the tradition of the original German bocks—which brewing lore claims were created for enjoyment during Lent when Monastic brewers had to forgo bread—The Devastator has a fluffy white head, a bready malt aroma and a rich body. “True, it’s huge and robust,” says Schirf, “but it’s also deceivingly smooth. We’re advising drinkers to enjoy it with care and caution.”

Schirf, a 22-year veteran of Utah brewing, says he is not and never has been an “apologist” for Utah beers, as the state is a major national and international award winner of carefully crafted, balanced brews whose alcohol is slightly lower then in other locales. “But,” he says, “brewers and bartenders all over Utah are weary of uninformed visitors who dismiss Utah’s ‘weak beer’ and ask for something ‘full strength.’ We’ve explained this weight versus volume thing 9,000 times. If they don’t get it, we can just say ‘hey—see if you can handle The Devastator.’ It’s yet another superb Utah beer everyone can brag about.”

The Devastating Facts

The Devastator is available in Utah liquor stores, at Wasatch and Squatters pubs in Park City and Salt Lake City, and in the best resorts, private clubs and restaurants in Utah.

- Wasatch Beers’ first roll out of 1,200 cases of The Devastator sold out in 3 weeks.

- Word of mouth created such a demand for the beer, the production cycle that started at 40 barrels is now up to 250 barrels.

- That’s a Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep, a relative of the goat, on The Devastator label. Traditionally, Bock labels feature goats, as the term “Bock” means billy-goat in German. It may also refer to the “kick” of the Bock style, too.

- Before Prohibition in America, many of the breweries turned out colorful poster art showing beer-drinking goats doing everything from bellying up to the bar to floating in a hot air balloon. Basically, this beer was a symbol of better times to come and moving away from winter (Old World tales claim that Bock was only to be brewed during the sign of the Capricorn goat.)

ABOUT WASATCH BEERS:

Wasatch was formed when Greg Schirf found his way to Utah from Milwaukee, America’s beer capital, only to discover that his newly adopted home state did not have a brewery of its own. Recognizing a need and an opportunity, he committed to rectify this situation. In 1986, Schirf opened the first brewery in the resort town of Park City and named his beers after the majestic Wasatch Mountains that rise just east of Salt Lake City. In July 1989, Schirf Brewing opened its new company headquarters and the first brew pub in Utah at the top of historic Main Street in Park City. For more information about Schirf Brewing Company visit our website at www.wasatchbeers.com

Wasatch bottled and draught beers are brewed by Utah Brewers Cooperative located at 1763 South 300 West in Salt Lake City. They are available in the best restaurants, clubs, hotels, resorts, grocery and convenience stores throughout Utah and in some locations in Idaho, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada and California. Their popular India Pale Ale (6% alcohol by volume) is available at Utah State Liquor Stores.