NHL’s newest franchise gets a custom beer

An NHL beer for Utah

By Mark Stock Published September 27, 2024

Nic Antaya — Nic Antaya/Getty Images

The Utah Hockey Club is the toast of the southwest and Salt Lake City is celebrating with a sporting new brew. Local outfit Epic Brewing has released the aptly-named Hip Check Ice, an imperial lager coming in at 7% ABV. That’s a winter-warmer beer that’ll surely keep fans warm as they take in the action from the ice.

The brew offers a lot of appealing bread-like flavors thanks to the use of a traditional lager yeast. Epic hopes it will appeal to sports fans, who tend to gravitate towards lagers. And the higher-octane build of the beer will no doubt greet the chilly Rocky Mountain air in style.

Beer outside — monica di loxley / Unsplash

It’s not the first time an NHL squad has been honored by a brewery of the same town. Goose Island of Chicago and Devils Backbone Brewing Company release special beers for their hometown hockey clubs, the Blackhawks and Capitals, respectively. And it’s spread to not only other pro sports but collegiate athletics too. Increasingly, craft beer and the NCAA have linked up.

Recommended Videos

The Utah Hockey Club was formed this spring and is the 32nd team in the National Hockey League. If you think the name is vague, you’re not alone. Much like when the Washington Commanders was known as the Washington Football team, the name is meant to be a placeholder. Utah will have a full-on mascot and new name in time for the first puck drop of the 2025-26 season.

In the meantime, fans can enjoy both a new franchise and a celebratory beer crafted by one of Salt Lake City’s top breweries. Utah’s first regular season game is on October 8th and the team will play host to the Chicago Blackhawks.

We’ve got all the pertinent beer news. Check out our news stories on Cheers to the Land and Sierra Nevada’s delicious new Oktoberfest festbier, ideal for autumn.

Topics

Liquor, Beer, Wine & Drinks

Contributor

Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…

Food & Drink

Stay ultra-focused with STōK Coffee’s newest coffee energy drink

Get an extra kick of caffeine

STōK Cold Brew Energy Coffee

STōK Cold Brew Coffee is entering bold new territory with the brand's latest coffee energy drink: STōK Cold Brew Energy cans. This hybrid between a cold brew coffee and an energy drink packs a potent mix of smooth, quality coffee, focus-boosting caffeine, B vitamins, ginseng, and guarana into a single can. Perfect for when you need that extra boost of caffeine but want a classic flavor, this energy coffee comes with the same bold, smooth taste fans have come to expect from STōK Cold Brew. However, this variation has the added benefit of a trio of additional energy-boosting ingredients that can help you through the longest days.
This newest coffee energy drink is available in three delicious varieties: Mocha Cream, Vanilla Cream, and Caramel Cream. Each flavor is creamy, bold, and cold, with convenient ready-to-drink packaging that is easy to enjoy anywhere. As ready-to-drink coffee continues to increase in popularity, STōK's Cold Brew Energy adds another go-to option for convenience, flavor, and caffeine all in one can. "Keeping a close watch on how coffee trends are changing, we're thrilled to bring STōK Cold Brew Energy to the boldest coffee drinkers out there – delivering the coffee-forward flavor our brand fans love, with a boost of caffeine," said Brittney Polka, Vice President of Ready to Drink Beverages at Danone North America.

"STōK fans have long loved enjoying our multi-serve format at home, but we also know that their lives are busy, and they are constantly on the go. Each can of the latest and greatest from STōK is packed with smooth flavors and 195mg of caffeine to help support their focus — wherever their day takes them." These new drinks are available at various retailers and convenience stores nationwide.

Food & Drink

Get to know Clairin, the Haitian rum that’s blown up in the Caribbean

The rum-like spirit of Haiti

Rum

Rum is all about where it's made. While the ingredients don't differ a whole lot, the process does, so much so that a Belizean rum likely won't taste anything like one from the Dominican Republic. Turns out, many of the best rums come from Haiti, where the production levels are unlike anything else in the Caribbean.

Meet clairin, the rum-esque of Haiti. In the Caribbean, it's a big deal. While an estimated 50 or so rum producers exist elsewhere in the tropical region, Haiti is home to something to the tune of 600. These small clairin makers focus on small-batch rum, made in the traditional Haitian way.

Food & Drink

Sierra Nevada brews up two limited-time beers

New IPAs from the craft leader

Sierra Nevada Hop Tropical IPA.

Sierra Nevada has released a pair of new beers this month. The west coast brewery officially debuted Rad Little Thing and Hop Tropical IPA.

Rad Little Thing is a continuation of a popular series and, stylistically, a west coast hazy IPA. Meanwhile, the Hop Tropical IPA is pretty much what it sounds like: a seasonal winter release evoking a getaway to paradise.