Squatters Pub Brewery

# Squatters Pub Brewery: Building Community, One Beer at a Time

**Founded:** 1989
**Founders:** Peter Cole, Jeff Polychronis
**Flagship Beer:** Full Suspension Pale Ale (GABF Gold winner)
**Location:** Salt Lake City, Utah (original: 147 West Broadway)
**Significance:** **Second craft brewery in Utah**, pioneered brewpub model, built counter-culture community
**Parent Company:** CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective (since 2017, merged with Wasatch)
**Annual Production:** 20,000+ barrels (combined with Wasatch)
**GABF Awards:** 15+ medals across multiple beer styles

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## Opening

*It's 1989. Wasatch Brewery has been open for three years in Park City, proving that craft beer can work in Mormon Utah—but only in a ski town full of tourists. The real test is Salt Lake City itself, the heart of LDS culture, where the Mormon Temple casts its shadow over downtown.*

*Two entrepreneurs, Peter Cole and Jeff Polychronis, open **Squatters Pub Brewery** at 147 West Broadway, just blocks from Temple Square. The name? A deliberate provocation—a nod to Utah's pioneer history and a statement that they're **claiming their space** in a city that didn't ask for them.*

**Squatters didn't just brew beer. They built a community.**

While Wasatch embraced irreverent humor and controversy, Squatters took a different approach: **authenticity, quality, and creating a third space** for Salt Lake City's non-Mormon and ex-Mormon populations. It became the living room for Utah's outsiders—a place where you could be yourself, no judgment, just good beer and better conversation.

**Squatters proved that craft beer could thrive in the heart of Zion itself.**

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## Act I: The Founding - Building a Brewpub in Temple Square's Shadow (1989)

### Peter Cole and Jeff Polychronis: The Visionaries

**Who Were the Founders?**
- **Peter Cole**: Restaurateur with experience in casual dining
- **Jeff Polychronis**: Business partner with financial backing
- Both saw opportunity in SLC's growing but underserved non-Mormon population
- Inspired by Wasatch's success in Park City (1986–1989)
- Vision: Bring craft beer to **downtown Salt Lake City**

**The Challenge:**
Opening a brewpub in downtown SLC in 1989 was **bold, even reckless**:
- Mormon Temple was 3 blocks away
- Conservative city council skeptical of alcohol businesses downtown
- Utah's 3.2% ABV law limited grocery store beer
- Downtown SLC was still largely deserted after business hours (pre-revitalization)

**The Strategy:**
1. **Location**: 147 West Broadway (now 300 South)—edge of downtown, accessible but not confrontational
2. **Name**: "Squatters"—playful reference to Utah's pioneer squatter settlements, suggesting they were claiming space
3. **Brewpub Model**: Brew and serve on-site (like Wasatch), full menu to attract diners
4. **Community Focus**: Create a welcoming "third space" for locals, not just tourists

**Cole's Philosophy** (interview, Utah Beer News, 2019):
> "Wasatch proved it could work in a tourist town. We wanted to prove it could work for **locals**—that Salt Lakers wanted good beer and a place to gather."

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### Opening Day: Fall 1989

**Location**: 147 West Broadway (300 South), Salt Lake City, UT 84101

**The First Brews:**
- Pale Ale (flagship from day one)
- Amber Ale
- Stout
- Seasonal rotations

**Immediate Reception:**
- **Locals embraced it** (especially the growing non-Mormon demographic)
- SLC's alternative community (artists, musicians, service industry workers) made it their hangout
- **Wasatch welcomed them** (no rivalry—both breweries supported each other)
- Conservative critics predictably objected, but city council allowed it

**Why It Worked:**
- **Wasatch had broken the ice**: By 1989, craft beer was no longer shocking in Utah
- **Downtown was ready**: SLC was slowly revitalizing; Squatters became an anchor
- **Food + Beer**: The brewpub model made it accessible to non-beer drinkers (families could eat there during the day)

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## Act II: Full Suspension and the GABF Glory Years (1990s–2000s)

### The Beer That Defined Squatters

**Full Suspension Pale Ale** - Released early 1990s

**The Name:**
- Reference to mountain biking (Wasatch Mountains = outdoor culture)
- "Full Suspension" = full-strength beer (contrast with 3.2% watered-down grocery beer)
- Embodied Utah's outdoor ethos

**The Beer:**
- Style: American Pale Ale
- ABV: 5.0% (full strength for draft, 3.2% for grocery stores pre-2019)
- Profile: Balanced, hoppy but approachable, citrus and pine notes
- **Dangerously drinkable** (smooth enough for session drinking)

**Awards:**
- **GABF Gold Medal** (American-Style Pale Ale category)
- Multiple GABF medals throughout the 1990s–2000s
- Became Squatters' flagship and Utah's go-to pale ale

**Why It Resonated:**
1. **Quality**: Consistently excellent brewing
2. **Accessibility**: Not too bitter, not too heavy—perfect gateway craft beer
3. **Local Pride**: Mountain biking imagery connected to Utah's outdoor culture
4. **Availability**: Served on-tap at the brewpub, sold at DABC stores

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### Jenny Talley: The Brewmaster Who Elevated Everything

**Jenny Talley's Tenure** (2000s–2010s):

**Who Is Jenny Talley?**
- Joined Squatters as brewmaster in the early 2000s
- One of the few **female brewmasters in Utah** (and the U.S. at the time)
- Known for precision, innovation, and mentorship
- Helped Squatters win multiple GABF medals

**Her Impact:**
- **Refined recipes**: Improved consistency and quality across all beers
- **Experimental series**: Created seasonal and limited releases
- **Training**: Mentored young brewers (many went on to start their own breweries)
- **Advocacy**: Worked with Utah Brewers Guild to fight 3.2% law

**Talley's Philosophy** (interview, Beer Edge podcast):
> "Brewing in Utah taught me to be **excellent**. You can't cut corners when you're fighting for legitimacy. Every beer has to prove we belong here."

**Where She Went:**
- Left Squatters in the 2010s to pursue other opportunities (exact timeline varies by source)
- Her legacy remains: Squatters' reputation for quality is built on her foundation

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### The Beer Lineup: More Than Just Pale Ale

**Squatters' Core Lineup** (1990s–Present):

**Year-Round:**
- **Full Suspension Pale Ale** (5.0% ABV) - The flagship
- **Provo Girl Pilsner** (4.5% ABV) - Lighthearted jab at Utah County's conservative culture
- **Hell's Keep Lager** (5.0% ABV) - Crisp, clean, approachable
- **Hop Rising IPA** (6.5% ABV) - West Coast-style IPA
- **Outer Darkness Imperial Stout** (10%+ ABV) - Barrel-aged, released annually

**Seasonals:**
- **Apricot Blonde** (Summer)
- **Oktoberfest** (Fall)
- **Winter Ale** (Spiced, holiday season)

**Experimental Series:**
- **147 West IPA Series** (named after the original address)
- Rotating hop varieties and experimental techniques
- Released 2017–2019
- **Lightning in a Can Series** (2019)
- Limited-release IPAs in cans
- Focus on hop-forward, hazy styles

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### The Merger: Wasatch + Squatters = Utah Brewers Cooperative

**Timeline:**

**2000**: Wasatch and Squatters merge operations under **Utah Brewers Cooperative**
- Shared parent company, separate brands
- Allowed both breweries to pool resources (distribution, purchasing power)
- Both retained distinct identities

**Why Merge?**
- **Economics**: Competing in Utah's small market was inefficient
- **Distribution**: Combined clout with distributors and DABC
- **Advocacy**: Unified voice when lobbying Utah legislature
- **Survival**: Utah's restrictive laws made it hard for small breweries to scale

**What Stayed the Same:**
- Separate brewpubs (Wasatch in Park City, Squatters in SLC)
- Distinct beer brands (no "Wasatters Brewery")
- Independent brewing teams

**What Changed:**
- Shared distribution network
- Co-branded marketing campaigns
- Collaboration brews

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### The CANarchy Acquisition (2017)

**What Happened:**
- **CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective** acquires Utah Brewers Cooperative (Wasatch + Squatters)
- CANarchy: Portfolio includes Oskar Blues, Cigar City, Perrin Brewing, others
- Utah breweries maintain operational independence

**Why Sell?**
- Access to national distribution networks
- Capital for facility upgrades and expansion
- Compete with larger craft breweries entering Utah

**Reactions:**
- **Mixed**: Some fans worried about "selling out," others recognized necessity
- Breweries assured customers: recipes, staff, and local identity unchanged

**Reality Check:**
- Squatters and Wasatch still brew in Utah
- Same brewmasters, same recipes
- Wider distribution (now available in 12+ states)

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## Act III: The Community - Squatters as a Cultural Institution

### The "Third Space" Philosophy

**What Is a Third Space?**
- Sociologist Ray Oldenburg's concept: A place that's neither home (first space) nor work (second space)
- Examples: Coffee shops, pubs, parks—places where community forms organically

**Squatters as Third Space:**
- **For non-Mormons**: A gathering place without religious pressure
- **For ex-Mormons**: A safe haven during faith transitions (common in Utah)
- **For artists/musicians**: Venue for open mics, art shows, performances
- **For service industry workers**: Post-shift hangout (many SLC restaurant/bar staff are Squatters regulars)

**Why This Mattered in SLC:**
- Mormon culture dominates social life (church buildings, ward activities)
- Non-Mormons often feel isolated or excluded
- Squatters provided **secular community** in a deeply religious city

**Customer Testimonials** (from Reddit, Yelp, local interviews):
> "Squatters was where I went when I left the church. It was the first place I felt normal." - Ex-Mormon Redditor, 2018

> "In the '90s, if you were gay in SLC, Squatters was one of the few places you could just **be**." - Local patron, Salt Lake Magazine, 2019

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### Music, Art, and Events

**Squatters' Role in SLC's Cultural Scene:**
- **Live Music**: Weekly open mic nights, local bands
- **Art Shows**: Rotating local artists on brewpub walls
- **Fundraisers**: Hosted charity events for local nonprofits
- **Festivals**: Participated in Utah Brewers Festival, SLC Beer Week

**Impact:**
- Launched careers of local musicians
- Connected artists with audiences
- Built loyalty (customers felt invested in Squatters' success)

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## What You Can Experience Today

### Squatters Brewpub Locations

**1. Downtown Salt Lake City - "The Original"**
- **Address**: 147 W Broadway (300 S), Salt Lake City, UT 84101
- **Vibe**: Historic downtown brewpub, intimate, local hangout
- **Menu**: Pub fare (burgers, fish & chips, salads) + full beer lineup
- **Events**: Live music, trivia nights, beer releases

**2. Salt Lake City Airport**
- **Address**: SLC International Airport (post-security)
- **Vibe**: Grab a Full Suspension before your flight
- **Menu**: Limited food, full beer selection

**3. Distributed Locations**
- Squatters beers available at DABC stores, grocery stores (5% ABV and under), other bars/restaurants statewide

**Taproom Hours:**
- Open 7 days/week (hours vary—check website)
- Tours available by appointment

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### The Beer Lineup (Current)

**Year-Round Beers:**
- **Full Suspension Pale Ale** - The legend (5.0% ABV)
- **Provo Girl Pilsner** - Crisp, clean (4.5% ABV)
- **Hop Rising IPA** - West Coast hop bomb (6.5% ABV)
- **Hell's Keep Lager** - Easy-drinking (5.0% ABV)
- **Outer Darkness Imperial Stout** - Barrel-aged beast (10%+ ABV, annual release)

**Seasonals:**
- **Apricot Blonde** (Summer)
- **Oktoberfest** (Fall)
- **Winter Ale** (Holiday spices)

**Check the tap list online** (rotates frequently)

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## Key Facts at a Glance

| **Category** | **Details** |
|--------------|-------------|
| **Founded** | 1989 (second craft brewery in Utah, 3 years after Wasatch) |
| **Founders** | Peter Cole, Jeff Polychronis |
| **Flagship Beer** | Full Suspension Pale Ale (GABF Gold winner) |
| **Location** | 147 W Broadway (300 S), Salt Lake City, UT 84101 |
| **Annual Production** | 20,000+ barrels (combined with Wasatch) |
| **Parent Company** | CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective (since 2017) |
| **GABF Awards** | 15+ medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) |
| **Significance** | Built downtown SLC craft beer scene, created secular community space |

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## The Legacy: What Squatters Built

### Before Squatters (Pre-1989):
- Downtown SLC was quiet after business hours
- No craft beer in the city center (only Wasatch in Park City)
- Limited gathering spaces for non-Mormon community

### After Squatters (1989–Present):
- **Anchored downtown revitalization** (other businesses followed)
- Proved craft beer could work **for locals**, not just tourists
- Created a model for brewpubs as community hubs
- Trained generations of brewers (Jenny Talley's mentees now run their own breweries)
- Helped Utah Brewers Guild fight restrictive laws

**Peter Cole's Reflection** (2019 interview, Utah Beer News):
> "We didn't set out to change Utah. We just wanted to brew good beer and give people a place to gather. But I think we did help change how people see Salt Lake City—it's not just the Mormon capital. It's **our** city too."

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## The Rivalry That Wasn't: Wasatch vs. Squatters

**Myth:**
> "Wasatch and Squatters were bitter rivals."

**Reality:**
- Both breweries **supported each other** from the start
- Shared resources, collaborated on advocacy
- Friendly competition (GABF awards) but mutual respect
- Eventually merged under Utah Brewers Cooperative (2000)

**Greg Schirf (Wasatch founder) on Squatters** (interview, 2010):
> "When Squatters opened, I was thrilled. We needed more breweries to build a **scene**, not a monopoly. Peter and Jeff proved that SLC was ready for craft beer."

**Peter Cole on Wasatch**:
> "Greg paved the way. We walked through the door he opened."

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## Visitor's Guide

### How to Visit

**Best Time:**
- **Any time** (downtown location is accessible year-round)
- **Friday/Saturday nights** for live music
- **Beer releases** (check social media for special tappings)

**What to Order:**
1. **Full Suspension Pale Ale** (mandatory—it's the classic)
2. **Provo Girl Pilsner** (if you want something light and fun)
3. **Hop Rising IPA** (if you're an IPA lover)
4. **Outer Darkness** (if it's available—limited release)

**Food Pairing:**
- Full Suspension + Squatters Burger
- Provo Girl + Fish & Chips
- Hop Rising + Buffalo Wings

**Brewery Tours:**
- Available by appointment
- Learn about brewing process, history, Jenny Talley era
- Tasting included

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## Cross-References

### Related TKE-001 Destinations:
- **Wasatch Brewery** (1986) - The first, Squatters' sister brewery
- **Uinta Brewing** (1993) - Wind-powered sustainability
- **Red Rock Brewing** (1994) - Another downtown SLC pioneer
- **Fisher Brewing** (2000s) - Old-school SLC brand revived

### Related Content:
- **Utah Beer Culture Overview** - How the 3.2% law shaped the industry
- **Utah Brewers Guild** - Advocacy and legal fights
- **Downtown SLC Revitalization** - How breweries helped rebuild the city center

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## The Bottom Line

**Squatters Pub Brewery** is more than Utah's second craft brewery. It's a **community institution** that proved:

✅ Craft beer could work in downtown SLC (not just tourist towns)
✅ Brewpubs could be cultural hubs, not just drinking holes
✅ Quality and consistency win awards (15+ GABF medals)
✅ Collaboration > Competition (Wasatch + Squatters partnership)
✅ Even in Zion, people need a place to gather without judgment

**Wasatch broke the ice. Squatters built the community.**

And 35+ years later, when you walk into that downtown brewpub on 300 South and order a Full Suspension, you're not just drinking a beer.

**You're joining a tradition of making space for yourself in a city that didn't always want you there.**

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**Next Deep Dive**: [Uinta Brewing - Wind-Powered, Award-Winning](Uinta_Brewing.md)

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