The Best Ski Town Breweries and Distilleries
The Best Ski Town Breweries and Distilleries
Drinking and ski culture goes as far back as combining the words après and ski.
Although COVID-19 safety guidelines and mandates have changed how people are enjoying the slopes this season, ski town breweries and distilleries across the country are adapting on the fly and making it possible to enjoy an ‘adult beverage’ or cultured cocktail alongside the downhill. From local brews, to barrel aged cocktails, ultra-distilled vodkas, limited production schnapps, and more visiting these spots to taste their wears makes for the perfect “off-mountain” activity.
I am happy to report that many of our favorites are still alive and well. Next time you visit make sure to show your support (and be sure to call ahead of time to confirm opening hours & policies).
California
Alibi Ale Works
Location: Truckee, CA and Incline Village, NV
Nearest Ski Resort: Northstar California
Year Established: 2014
Signature Beverage(s): Alibi IPA, Pale Ale, Kolsch, Porter, and the new Key Lime Crescendo
Notable Awards: Porter 2019—Best of Craft Beer Awards
Opening info: Primarily outdoor-only dining and drinking
Brewmaster/Distiller: Kevin Drake
Good Wolf Brewing
Location: Truckee, CA
Nearest Ski Resort: Northstar California
Year Established: 2019
Signature Beverage(s): Diving Bell (honey lager with yarrow)
Opening Info: Select days, to-go only
Brewmaster/Distiller: Matt Peyto
Colorado
Aspen Brewing Company
Nearest Ski Resort: Aspen/Snowmass
Year Established: 2008
Signature Beverage(s): Independence Pass IPA, This Season’s Blonde, 10th Mountain Imperial Stout
Notable Awards: World Beer Cup Gold Medal(s)—Independence Pass Ale IPA & Cloud 9 Saison
Opening info: To-go only
Brewmaster/Distiller: Jeff Moreland
Woody Creek Distillers
Location: Basalt, CO
Nearest Ski Resort: Aspen/Snowmass
Year Established: 2012
Signature Beverage(s): Colorado Straight 100% Rye Whiskey, 100% Potato Vodka
Notable Awards: Colorado Straight 100% Rye Whiskey - 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Double Gold
Opening info: Tour by appointment only
Brewmaster/Distiller: David Matthews
Marble Distilling
Nearest Ski Resort: Aspen/Snowmass
Year Established: 2013
Signature Beverage(s): Espresso Vodka
Notable Awards: Denver International Spirits Competition—Gold (Marble Vodka)
Tour/Experience info: To-go only, tasting room closed (reopening TBA), Distillery Inn open
Brewmaster/Distiller: Connie Baker
Ska Brewing
Nearest Ski Resort: Purgatory Resort
Year Established: 1995
Signature Beverage(s): Euphoria Pale Ale / Steel Toe Stout
Notable Awards: Oktoberfest lager: 2018 Great American Beer Festival, Gold—Vienna-style Lager category
Opening info: To-go and curbside pickup only
Brewmaster/Distiller: Kurt Randall
Telluride Distilling
Nearest Ski Resort: Telluride
Year Established: 2013
Signature Beverage(s): Chairlift Warner Peppermint Schnapps
Tour/Experience info: Tasting room open 7 days a week
Brewmaster/Distiller: Abbott Smith
Vail Brewing Co.
Nearest Ski Resort: Vail and Beaver Creek
Year Established: 2014
Signature Beverage(s): Gore Creek IPA and Pete's Stash Pale Ale
Notable Awards: Australian-Style Pale Ale—Bronze, 2019 Great American Beer Festival
Tour/Experience info: Beer on tap and to-go seven days a week
Brewmaster/Distiller: Garrett Scahill
10th Mountain Whiskey
Nearest Ski Resort: Vail
Year Established: 2014
Signature Beverage(s): 10th Mtn Rye Whiskey, Bourbon, and Vodka, + the Alpenglow Cordial
Notable Awards: 10th Mtn Bourbon—92 rating, Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2019
Tour/Experience info: Started a barrel investment program.
Brewmaster/Distiller: Shawn Hogan
Idaho
Warfield Distillery & Brewery
Nearest Ski Resort: Sun Valley
Year Established: 2015
Signature Beverage(s): Ketchum Kolsch, Magnanimous Boho Lager
Notable Awards: Organic Single Malt American Whiskey—2020 American Craft Spirit Awards, Gold
Opening info: Full service, seven days a week, tours by request and limited to groups of nine or smaller
Brewmaster/Distiller: Kieran Burns (Head brewer)
Michigan
New Holland Brewing
Nearest Ski Resort: Bittersweet Ski Resort
Year Established: 1997
Signature Beverage(s): Dragon's Milk Stout, Cabin Fever Brown Ale, Tangerine Space Machine IPA, Golden Sails Lager
Notable Awards: Pilgrim’s Dole (barleywine-style ale) - 2018 World Beer Cup, Gold (old ale category)
Opening Info: Tours are currently closed. To-go and delivery only.
Brewmaster/Distiller: Brewmaster: Jason Sales, Head Distiller: Brad Kamphuis
Montana
Tamarack Brewing Co.
Nearest Ski Resort: Blacktail Mountain
Year Established: 2007
Signature Beverage(s): Hat Trick Hop IPA
Notable Awards: Core Shot Copper, 2015 North American Beer Awards, Gold (English-style Pale Ale category)
Opening info: Beer and food to-go only
Brewmaster/Distiller: Kyle Carson
Beehive Basin Brewery
Nearest Ski Resort: Big Sky Resort
Year Established: 2015
Signature Beverage(s): Working Guys Cream Ale
Notable Awards (1): Don’t Hassle the Hef (hefeweizen)—2019 Montana Brewers Association’s Fall Rendezvous
Tour/Experience info: Open daily for growlers fills and limited outdoor seating
New Mexico
Taos Mesa Brewing
Nearest Ski Resort: Taos Ski Valley
Year Established: 2012
Signature Beverage(s): How Now Brown Ale
Opening info: Daily limited beer and food for takeout only
Brewmaster/Distiller: Max Davis
New York
Oregon
Bend Brewing Company
Nearest Ski Resort: Mt. Bachelor
Year Established: 1995
Signature Beverage(s): Tropic Pines IPA, Old Normal (porter)
Notable Awards: Old Normal—2020 Great American Beer Festival, bronze (Brown Porter category)
Tour/Experience info: Outdoor dining and to-go available daily
Brewmaster/Distiller: Zach Beckwith
Utah
Vermont
Lawson’s Finest Liquids
Nearest Ski Resort: Mad River Glen and Sugarbush
Year Established: 2008
Signature Beverage(s): Above the Clouds (golden ale), Hopzilla (double IPA)
Tour/Experience info: Beer and food available for drive-thru pick-up
Brewmaster/Distiller: Sean Lawson
Wyoming
Roadhouse Brewery
Nearest Ski Resort: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Year Established: 2012
Signature Beverage(s): Loose Boots (Session IPA), The Walrus (Hazy IPA)
Opening info: Open regular hours with added options for to-go and family style meals
Brewmaster/Distiller: Max Shafer
The ultimate guide to wetting your whistle in between runs.