Red Rock Brewing Company - revisited (Salt Lake City, UT) - 17 DEC 2014

It seems like tempting fate to revisit something that was deemed perfect previously, but how can you not?  Perfection is uncommon and how can you not want the experience again?

That is how I felt returning to Red Rock Brewing Company, home to the World’s Greatest Fish Sandwich, discovered earlier this year while in Salt Lake City for work.  I was tempted to avoid possible disappointment and order something else, but when the Fish Sandwich special this day was different than before, I decided to go for it.  Though not as good as the World's Greatest Fish Sandwich, this version was nearly as good.  It consisted of blackened salmon, serrano pepper sauce, lettuce, tomato, and Munster cheese.  Damn it was good.

Second best fish sandwich in the world.

Red Rock Brewing Company is located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, a few blocks from Temple Square.  It is a little confusing to find because it is basically at the intersection of West 200 South and South 200 West - those crazy Mormon city founders.  Once there however, you are welcomed into a nearly perfectly designed brewpub.  It has an extensive bar with views into the kitchen as well as a substantial dining area on two levels separated by a few steps which gives a feel of isolation while also being part of something bigger.  My single colleague deemed it a perfect first date spot.

View from rear of the brewpub facing the entrance, bar on right.

As with most brewpub operations in Utah, Red Rock Brewing Company serves both draft beer meeting the legal requirements of 4% (ABV) and higher alcohol beers by the bottle.  I tried the 20th Anniversary Imperial Red from the bottle.  This beer was an appropriate one for commemoration.  It was full of flavor with an alcohol punch that neither dominated or left you feeling cheated.  I followed that with a draft Sunshine for Dark Times.  This Belgian Ale was flavorful with a hint of cherries, but tasted watery at only 4%.  What a great beer this would make at more true to style alcohol levels.

Wall full of metals attest to the quality of the beer. Food items are equally deserving of praise.

The first time that I visited Red Rock Brewing Company I never even saw the brewery.  This time I discovered it looking for the bathrooms (N.B. It seems like bathrooms in Salt Lake City brewpubs are located in the front rather than in the back).  It's a neat setup with the windows and "old timey" look to the space.

Brewery easily missed in the back of the brewpub.