Feb 5, 2020
RoHa Brewing Project celebrates its three-year anniversary in April 2020. RoHa may be part of the new-brewery boom in Utah. But its brewer is no stranger to the state’s beer scene. Chris Haas — the Ha in RoHa — arrived in Utah 24 years ago to work for Squatters. Then he spent several years at Desert Edge Pub & Brewery in Trolley Square.
That’s where he met Rob Phillips — the Ro in RoHa. Rob, an engineer by trade, attended a beer school event taught by Haas and asked the brewer if he needed any volunteers to help around the brewery.
Haas said sure. Phillips showed up the next day — that was about 15 years ago now. And the rest, as they say, is history. A third partner — Josh Stern, affectionately known as “The Project” — is a real estate agent who sold Phillips his house when he moved to Utah. The two quickly became drinking buddies.
Utah Beer News visited with Rob Phillips and Chris Haas to learn more about how the RoHa Brewing Project came to be and what the future holds for the Salt Lake-based brewery.
During our conversation:
- We discuss the early days — the years of planning and plotting and why Haas describes Opening Day as “living inside a tornado.”
- We talk about certain decisions RoHa made initially that are paying off for the three-year-old brewery.
- They share thoughts on the beers available year-round and hint at a few that are in the works (including more in their seasonal lineup).
- And they each talk about their ultimate goal when it comes to RoHa Brewing Project long-term.
Thanks to Rob Phillips and Chris Haas for taking the time to talk with Utah Beer News about RoHa Brewing Project. And thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy the episode.
For an accompanying article about RoHa Brewing Project, please visit UtahBeerNews.com.
Enjoy the episode!
Episode 30 | Feb. 5, 2020