Written by Michael Flynn
It might just be impossible to have a conversation with Jeremy Baxter that doesn’t leave you thirsty for a pint. Baxter is the new brewmaster at the Zion Canyon Brewing Company in Springdale, and his passion for his job in infectious.
“Well, you have to love it,” he said. “You have to love the work. You have to love beer – not just the fun feeling you get from drinking but actual love for craft beer, delving into the depths of the beer, appreciating the intricacies, the different notes.”
“It’s subtle,” he added. “But then, sometimes, it’s not so subtle.”
Baxter discovered the art of brewing beer 14 years ago in Moab after one of his camping buddies shared some home-brewed beer that he brought along.
“I was hooked,” Baxter said. “It was just this super fun hobby. It’s hands-on, and you get to drink the rewards.”
Baxter immersed himself in the hobby until someone offered to pay him to do it for a living in Telluride. He took a sizable pay cut without a moment’s hesitation.
“I didn’t even waver,” he said. “I made a life-changing decision and said ‘Yes.’”
Since becoming brewmaster at Zion Canyon Brewing Company in November, Baxter has been busy creating his own signature brews. He said he is thrilled with his newest IPA, Redemption, but he also recommends The Lodge, another delicious new beer (see if you can taste the rye) as well as the familiar Springdale Amber beer, which Baxter has tweaked to make it a bit darker and truer to its name.
Baxter suggests, with more than a hint of pride, heading down to the Zion Canyon Brew Pub in Springdale, where all six taps are now serving beer he brewed himself. And when you do try them, you’ll understand why he’s proud.
