Salt Lake City has a reputation for being a bit "dry" that it honestly hasn't deserved for a long time. If you wander into the South Salt Lake area—specifically the "Granary District" adjacent spots—you’ll find a place that basically ignores the standard rules of how a brewery should look and act. That’s Grid City Beer Works. It isn't just another industrial warehouse with a couple of IPAs and a metal chair that hurts your back. It’s an obsession with physics and carbonation disguised as a neighborhood hangout.
The first thing you notice when you walk in isn't the beer; it's the light. They’ve got this massive rooftop deck that offers one of the best views of the Wasatch Front, and on a Friday night, the energy is electric. But the real magic is happening at the tap.
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The Science of the "Triad" Pour
Most breweries pick a style and stick to it. Grid City decided to make things difficult for themselves by mastering three distinct ways to serve the exact same beer. They call it the "Triad."
You can get their flagship brews served on CO2, Nitro, or via a Cask.
Why does this matter? Honestly, it changes everything. Take their Pale Ale. If you drink it on CO2, it’s crisp, bubbly, and cuts through the fat of a burger. Switch to the Nitro version, and it’s a creamy, velvet-textured experience that feels more like a Guinness but with the bright hop profile of a West Coast Pale. Then there’s the Cask. This is the traditional, "real ale" way to do things—served at a slightly warmer temperature with natural carbonation. It’s soft. It’s subtle. It’s how people drank beer for centuries before we started forcing gas into kegs at high pressure.
It’s rare to see a brewery commit this much line space to different serving methods. It requires a massive amount of technical skill to balance these systems. Most places won't touch cask ale because it’s finicky and spoils quickly. Grid City embraces it. They aren't just brewing beer; they’re engineering an experience of mouthfeel.
Not Just for the Hop-Heads
There’s a weird elitism in craft beer where people think if a beer isn't 9% ABV and tasting like a pine tree, it doesn't count. Grid City ignores that. They’ve gained a massive following for their "Pilsner" and "Light" offerings, which are shockingly hard to make well. When you make a light beer, there’s nowhere for flaws to hide. You can’t mask a bad fermentation with a pound of Citra hops.
They also lean heavily into the "session" side of things. Since Utah law has historically been tight on draft ABV (though things have eased up to 5% for draft), they’ve learned how to pack an incredible amount of flavor into lower-alcohol beers. You can actually have two or three and still enjoy your hike the next morning.
The Food is Actually... Good?
We’ve all been to the brewery where the "kitchen" is just a toaster oven and a bag of pretzels. Grid City went the opposite direction. The menu is surprisingly thoughtful.
- The Beet Slider: Even if you hate beets, this thing is a revelation. It’s earthy, sweet, and savory all at once.
- Vegan Options: They are quietly one of the best vegan-friendly spots in the city. They don't just offer a sad salad; they have house-made vegan proteins that actually hold their own.
- Chicken and Waffles: A staple that they manage to make feel elevated rather than greasy.
The kitchen works in tandem with the brewery. They understand that a heavy, cream-based Nitro ale needs something acidic or salty to balance it out. It’s a symbiotic relationship that most gastropubs fail to achieve.
Why the South Salt Lake Location Works
South Salt Lake has rebranded itself as "Creative Industries Zone," and you can feel that vibe. Grid City is surrounded by murals and other craft neighbors like SaltFire and Slackwater. It feels like a community. It’s not the polished, corporate feel of Downtown SLC. It’s grittier, more authentic, and arguably more fun.
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The rooftop is the crown jewel. In the summer, it’s the place to be. In the winter, they’ve got heaters and a vibe that makes you want to hunker down with a Brown Ale on Nitro. They’ve managed to create a "third place"—that spot between work and home where you actually feel like a regular, even if it’s your first time there.
The Technical Edge: Justin Power and the Team
You can't talk about Grid City Beer Works without mentioning the expertise behind the glass. Justin Power, the brewery’s co-founder and brewmaster, didn't just stumble into this. There is a deep, almost academic respect for the brewing process here. They talk about water chemistry and pH levels with the kind of intensity usually reserved for NASA engineers.
They use a state-of-the-art system that allows for incredibly precise control. This is why their Nitro is so consistent. Most breweries struggle with "thin" Nitro beers, but at Grid City, the head is thick enough to stand a penny on (don't actually do that, it's gross).
Misconceptions About Utah Brewing
A lot of travelers come to Salt Lake City thinking they’re going to be stuck drinking "3.2 beer." Let’s clear that up. That law changed years ago. Draft beer in Utah is now 5% ABV. Anything stronger is sold in cans or bottles (which they have plenty of).
Grid City leans into this. They don't see the 5% limit as a hurdle; they see it as a challenge to create the most flavorful "session" beers in the country. And honestly? They’re succeeding. You’ll find more nuance in their 5% Nitro Cream Ale than in many 8% Double IPAs from out of state.
How to Do Grid City Right
If you're planning a visit, don't just show up and order whatever is at the top of the list.
- Start with a Triad Flight. Ask the server which beer is currently being featured on all three lines (CO2, Nitro, Cask). Drink them side-by-side. It will change the way you think about carbonation forever.
- Check the Rooftop Status. If it's open, go up. The sunset over the Oquirrh Mountains is spectacular.
- Don't Skip the Specials. They often experiment with seasonal casks—think flavors like vanilla, coffee, or even specific fruit infusions that are added directly to the cask.
- Bring the Dog. Their outdoor spaces are generally very pet-friendly, which adds to the neighborhood "backyard" feel.
The reality of the craft beer world in 2026 is that it’s crowded. Every city has ten breweries that all look the same. Grid City stands out because they cared about the "how" as much as the "what." They bet on the idea that customers would care about the difference between a bubble produced by nitrogen versus one produced by carbon dioxide.
It was a nerdy bet. But it paid off.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Visit
- Parking: It can get tight in the South Salt Lake lot during peak hours. If the main lot is full, there is usually street parking a block over.
- Crowds: Thursday through Saturday evenings are packed. If you want a quiet experience to actually talk to the brewers or staff about the tech, go for a Tuesday lunch.
- Merch: Their branding is some of the cleanest in the state. If you’re a collector of brewery shirts, theirs are actually soft and well-designed.
- The "To-Go" Factor: They have a cold case. Grab a six-pack of the light beer for your next trip to Southern Utah or the mountains. It's the perfect "adventure beer."
Grid City isn't just a place to get a drink. It’s a testament to the fact that even in a state with "quirky" liquor laws, passion and technical excellence can create a world-class product. Whether you're a local or just passing through SLC on your way to the ski resorts, it’s a mandatory stop.