Utah Brewery Makes Political Statement With New Beer

Wasatch Brewery isn’t known for shying away from political issues. The Park City-based brewery and pub has come out with such beers as the 1st Amendment Lager, produced in protest of a beer tax, and Evolution Amber Ale, aimed at the teaching of intelligent design in the state’s classrooms.

Now, a new beer in support of gay marriage is available, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Wasatch Founder and President Greg Schirf, said the new beer, titled “Live and Let Live”, is a pale ale with pairings of two types of malts, hops and yeasts.

“This beer will have a short life, we’ll have it out as a specialty beer for a month or two and then we’ll move on,” Schirf said. “It’s just a chance to give our gay community, our gay brothers and sisters, a little support and let them know that they’re not standing alone and that we’re trying to draw attention to the issue and that they have our full support.”

The beer was developed after a discussion about the December marriage ruling.

Schrif said the beer may not be for everyone, but he doesn’t plan to force it on people who prefer more tradition types of the beverage.         

“We don’t want to come across as too serious. Like I said, it’s a fine line; we’re trying to have fun but also draw attention to a serious issue. If we can possibly do that at the same time then we’re being successful,” Schirf said.

Live and Let Live’s label features an outline of two people riding a ski lift together.