Mormons and Ardent Spirits

Park City Museum will host a lecture titled Mormons and Ardent Spirits, presented by Sandy Brumley and Troy Dryer on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 5-6 p.m., at the Education and Collections Center at 2079 Sidewinder Drive. More information is available at www.parkcityhistory.org.

In 1847, when the Mormons arrived in Utah, ardent spirits were part of the local craft which was enjoyed by all, Mormon and gentile alike. In 1851, Brigham Young had a revelation that The Saints should no longer imbibe. He also monopolized the liquor trade in a highly successful revenue-generating scheme for himself and his church.  The Dryer family was awarded the Idaho franchise of the monopoly.

Troy Dryer and Sandy Brumley will describe the history of local spirits distribution, including a whisky known as “Valley Tan,” from early Utah through the Park City Silver Rush. Troy will provide insights from his perspective as a 5th-generation Latter-day Saint, while Sandy will share research on the early Utah distribution trade in eastern spirits and beers. Who were the prominent characters to produce, distribute, and own saloons?  Where is Whiskey Street?  Which temple has a bottle of wine stored in the cornerstone? Why were the practices different from the observance of early Latter-day Saints?

A mountain host and hiking guide at Park City Mountain Resort, Sandy Brumley is a descendant of iron miners in Minnesota and an avid student of Park City History. This will be the fifth in a series of presentations he has made for the Museum. He is a hike leader for the Museum and a member of Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History.

Troy Dryer grew up worldwide as a military child, though he maintains strong connections to Utah. His ancestors settled near Brigham City in 1862 before moving to Idaho. Troy graduated from Bountiful High School and earned a finance degree from the University of Utah. As a financial planner, Troy helps companies and institutions establish and monitor retirement plans. He divides his time between Dallas and Park City, while several interests occupy much of his schedule. Troy enjoys tennis, hiking, mountain biking, genealogy research, wine tasting, and traveling with his wife, Margaret.