Mark Medura started in the alcoholic beverage industry in 2008 as a founding employee of High West Distillery in Park City. “Beer and hospitality have always been a substantial passion of mine,” he says. “So there was never another option. There was no hesitancy that I wanted to start a brewery and have a taproom component and hospitality piece to it.” Level Crossing Brewery was founded in 2017 and opened its doors in 2019.
The name comes from Mark’s Pennsylvania Roots. “It’s an old time-worn railroad expression. You need a level crossing to get over the railroad tracks. And I grew up near one that was right next to an old family cottage. It was the place where all the family reunions, graduation parties, and gatherings took place. So a level crossing to me is a place to meet.”
Setting up meeting places and gathering people together is why Mark wanted to open up so much more than just a brewery. It’s part of his heritage, literally in his blood. The red feather in the Level Crossing logo is a daily reminder of the priorities. “The red feather is an old family tradition of mine, an old Polish tradition.
My grandmother would leave an empty place setting at the dinner table,” he reminisces. “And this was for ‘red feather.’ It was symbolic to leave an empty place setting at the dinner table just in case somebody knocked on the door. It meant they were always welcome to sit and get a warm meal. It wouldn’t matter if it was a relative, neighbor or stranger.” Everything about Level Crossing Brewery, the culture and the values of the company comes down to inclusion and hospitality.
When it came time to expand to a second location, the Post District was a natural choice. Mark valued being part of a local-focused development rather than a chain-heavy retail space. He loves the community partnerships with other local businesses like Urban Hill, which are a natural byproduct of proximity. Hospitality and customer service are paramount to Mark and his team at both locations. “I want to wow every customer that comes through, whether it’s with a warm greeting or service, our food, and the hope that everything will mesh well together.”
Level Crossing is known primarily for its American ales. Its IPA game is strong, with four or five different versions always available. They offer a range of beers including sours, German lagers, barrel-aged beers and seasonal limited-edition beers.
The barrel-aged program is particularly robust. With Mark’s connection to High West, they often have really delicious whiskey barrels and have even played around with wine barrels. They also have their Red Feather series.They brew one type of unique beer every other month, and once it sells out, it is out until next year.
Instead of traditional bar food, Mark opted to focus on high-quality wood-fired pizzas and delicious sandwiches. This is a natural extension of his Philadelphia roots and the strong connection between pizza and beer. Plus, there’s something interactive and engaging about the wood-fired oven, creating a unique dining experience. The Level Crossing team makes dough and sauce fresh every single day.
With strong support of community, Level Crossing can be found around town supporting local artists, partnering with restaurants for pairing dinners and even hosting the Downtown Salt Lake City Farmers Market beer garden this summer.
When You Go
Level Crossing
The Post District | 550 S. 300 W., Suite 100
South Salt Lake | 2496 S. West Temple
levelcrossingbrewing.com
See more stories like this and all of our Food and Drink coverage. And while you’re here, why not subscribe and get six annual issues of Salt Lake magazine’s curated guide to the best life in Utah?
