Photo supplied, Christian Scheller

UTOG Brewing says “cheers to love” with its new beer, Love Punch, released April 14 just ahead of Pride celebrations this summer.

Five percent of all sales of the tropical hefeweizen go directly to support Project Rainbow, a Utah nonprofit that promotes LGBTQ+ visibility through its distribution of rainbow and transgender flags year-round for holidays and events across the state.

Brewery sales rep Christian Scheller approached UTOG head brewer/co-owner Carson Foss with the idea to do a Pride beer for the organization that is “very dear” to him, and the answer was an immediate and enthusiastic yes.

Foss, a former commercial pilot and home brewer who has visited at least one brewery in every state, says he loved the idea because it supports his vision for UTOG: making good beer that helps the community.

With over 300 brews and counting, UTOG just celebrated their third anniversary in March. They’ve had other community collaborations: the Raptor Ale for Ogden’s minor league baseball team (which will be back again this season), another for the local hockey team, a “Tell Tale Heart” ale for the independent local film screening, and a FireFighter brew in conjunction with Ogden Fire Department is in the works that will support a cause.

Deann Armes, Special to the Standard-Examiner

Learning from what he did and didn’t like from other breweries, Foss set out to make UTOG a place where everyone feels welcome. That’s why, he said, there is a playground for kids on the dog-friendly patio — so people can have a beer with friends and not have to worry about getting a babysitter. “We want (UTOG) to be good for everyone.”

The making of Love Punch was a combined effort with Foss, Scheller and other team members. Thrilled that he and his husband, Nathan, were able to be a part of the process, Scheller expressed thanks on social media to Brett Walker for the “perfect flavor,” Jazmin and Chase for the can design and “huge thanks to Carson for believing in my vision and letting me run with it!”

In contrast to his last place of employment, Scheller expressed what it’s like to be working for someone who fully accepts and honors who he is: “It feels like I could never find a job anywhere else,” he said, adding that it makes him never want to leave Utah. “Part of the pay is getting to be here. You can’t leave that.”

After over 40 different mixes, the hefeweizen was the clear winner. “The yeast helps the flavors shine through,” said Foss. Like most UTOG beers, Love Punch stands out because of its drinkability, he said — it’s light enough that, rather having to stop at one, you can enjoy three or four.

Soon you can have as many pints of Love Punch as you’d like on the UTOG patio, with its clear view of the Lindquist stadium, while watching a Raptor’s game. The patio opens May 1 and will have live music on Tuesdays again this season. Reservations are available for Raptors home games on the patio for a fee of $5 per person, 100% of which goes to the Raptors.

Deann Armes, Special to the Standard-Examiner

Love Punch will be available in over 40 bars in Ogden, Salt Lake, Park City and across the state. Look for it on draft and by the can at Lighthouse Lounge, Harp and Hound, The Yes Hell, Angry Goat Pub and other Ogden locations.

You can purchase six packs of Love Punch at the UTOG Beer Store, which is open seven days a week. It is also available at the Salt & Hops beer store in Ogden.

For more information about UTOG brewery, visit utogbrewing.com.

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