Moab Brewery: Craft Beer, Savory Bites, and Community Spirit in Utah's Desert

In Moab, where the desert stretches toward the sky and the red rock glows like something sacred, there’s a place that feels like an oasis, not just for the thirsty, but for the hungry, the tired, the curious. Moab Brewery isn’t just a brewpub. It’s a landmark. A gathering place. A temple of hops and hospitality.

Founded in 1996, tucked along South Main Street, Moab Brewery has become the largest private employer in town and one of the most beloved institutions. Walking in, and the scent hits you first, a blend of smoked meat and fresh hops, the kind of aroma that makes you forget what time it is. The space hums with conversation, clinking glasses, and the quiet satisfaction of people who’ve just come from the trails.

The Brewhouse Burger is a ritual: Hatch green chile, applewood smoked bacon, Jack cheese, aioli, and fries, paired with the Dead Horse Amber Ale, a smooth, balanced beer brewed on-site. The Fish ‘n’ Chips arrive golden and crisp, the kind of dish that holds its own against the Moab Pilsner, brewed with traditional Saaz hops for a clean finish. Every pint here carries the signature of Master Brewer Jeff Van Horn, who’s been crafting ales in Moab for years, Raven Stout, Derailleur Red, Scorpion Pale, each one tuned to the desert’s rhythm.

The menu is broad and intentional: beer cheese soup, buffalo wings, smoked salmon dip, and a giant Bavarian pretzel that’s perfect for sharing. There’s a sense of care in the cooking, a respect for the ingredients, and a nod to the landscape that surrounds it.

But Moab Brewery isn’t just about food and drink. It’s about place. It’s where locals gather after work, where hikers land after Arches, where families come to feel grounded. The brewery supports the community, hires them from within, and keeps its doors open to anyone looking for a seat and a story.

If you’re in Moab, go. Order the burger. Try the amber. Sit near the glass wall and watch the desert light shift. And know that some places don’t just serve, they anchor. Moab Brewery is one of them.