Showing up on taps across resort towns, craft beers are becoming a staple for après-ski drinks. Hometown breweries are gaining popularity among residents and visitors alike for their quality products and local homage. If your ideal post hoc session stars a local, handcrafted brew in hand, head to these U.S. destinations.
Photo: Aspen Brewing Company
Top microbreweries in Colorado Ski Country
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen Brewing Company
Aspen Brewing Company has a passion for craft beer and ‘the mountain lifestyle’, which is successfully evident in their fresh, local, small-batch microbrews. From the year-round Silver Queen Series to the Seasonally Inspired Series, their craft beer fits any and every occasion. For the winter months ahead, try the 10th Mountain Imperial Stout.
Vail, Colorado
Vail Brewing Company
Photo: Vail Brewing Company
Specializing in artisan, hand-crafted ales brewed in small batches, VBC is a must drink while in the Vail Valley. They handcraft their beers with locally sourced hops and mountain-fed water. Try their malty, sweet Alpenglow Amber Ale or Gore Creek IPA, brewed with mountain water from Eagle River.
Crazy Mountain Brewing Company
Photo: Crazy Mountain Brewing Company
Using unique recipes in every brew, Crazy Mountain produces crowd-pleasing staples and seasonal offers. Their namesake Crazy Mountain Amber Ale is ‘crazy good’, but their seasonal Bridge Street Holiday Ale is not to be missed.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge Brewery
Photo: Breckenridge Brewery
Breckenridge Brewery has been a staple on Main Street since 1990, reigning in as the third oldest craft brewery in the state. They have a wide range of selections, from their Main Line classics to their Nitro Series and Seasonal brews. The Avalanche Ale, Breck IPA, and Vanilla Porter are among their most popular.
Broken Compass Brewery
A newer microbrewery in Breckenridge, Broken Compass offers fun experiments in their craft beer selections. Patrons rave about their robust Coconut Porter, smooth Chili Pepper Pale Ale, and classically crisp Helles.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Storm Peak Brewing Company
Photo: Storm Peak Brewing Company
Promising ‘bottomless artistry’ in each beer, Storm Peak Brewing Co. has high standards for their beer quality. And you can taste it in each of their dimensional brews. Their robust lineup of beers range from light brews such as the Dirty Shovel Double IPA to dark brews like the I Like The Way She Moos Milk Stout, so even a picky drinker can find something to sip on.
Butcherknife Brewing Company
Bring your own Stein on Thursdays to get $1 off your beer at Butcherknife. | Photo: Butcherknife Brewing Company
Thriving on experimental brewing, exploration in beer is one of Butcherknife’s fundamental beliefs. The key to their unique brews: pure, unadulterated water right off the Continental Divide. To really experience the ‘craftiest’ beer on the planet, stop by their taproom to taste their British Dark Mild Buzzcock or Decapitator Double IPA.
Telluride, Colorado
Telluride Brewing Company
Made from premium malts, hops, yeasts, and Rocky Mountain snowmelt, Telluride Brewing Company creates rich aromas and smooth flavors in their ‘bad-a** artisan brews’. Their three-time award winning Face Down Brown Ale is deserving of all the accolades, and their on-tap collection offers a great variety of other suds to sample.
Top microbreweries in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah
Epic Brewing Company
Photo: Epic Brewing Company
Self proclaimed ‘beer geeks’, Epic Brewing goes ‘all out’ in their making and drinking of ales. Currently brewing 39-plus beers, they create a variety of small batch, artisan beers and have earned medals for brews both domestically and internationally. Check out their Escape to Colorado IPA and Lil Brainless Raspberries.
Red Rock Brewing
Photo: Red Rock Brewing
With a reputation as one of the most creative breweries in the country, Red Rock Brewing is a staple in Salt Lake City’s downtown dining scene. Their high quality craft brews have won them more than 100 domestic and international awards. Their draft classics, such as Honey Wheat and Hibernien Ale, exemplify their brewing techniques and taste standards.
Top microbreweries in California Ski Country
Mammoth, California
Mammoth Brewing Company
This ‘brew with altitude’ brewery has been producing award-winning beers since 1995. Their cozy Double Nut Brown boasts a few awards, as does their Wild Sierra Session and IPA 395. Don’t forget to check out their Sour Series, which showcases their Elderberry Sour, Gooseberry Sour and Forest Nymph Sour.
Black Doubt Brewing
Considered a nano-brewery, Black Doubt Brewing creates a one-of-a-kind beer experience. Specializing in Belgian-style ales, sour beers and barrel-aged creations, they offer brews not usually available anywhere else. The Charmer IPA showcases some aggressive hops, while the Mountain Wookie is brewed with crystal and rye malt.
Top microbreweries in Vermont Ski Country
Stowe, Vermont
The Shed Brewery
Photo: The Shed Brewing
The Shed is one of the first brewpubs in Vermont, serving fine ales and rich history to the Northeast ski region. The Mountain Ale, ’steeped in folklore’, and the hoppy Profanity Ale are among local favorites. Served on an antique ski, the tasting flight lets you mix and match their daily brew offerings.
von Trapp Brewing
Photo: von Trapp Brewing
Nestled in the world-famous Trapp Family Lodge, von Trapp Brewing offers an array of Austrian inspired lagers. Their smoky Trösten Lager, wheat Weissbier, and award winning Bohemian Pilsner are among their daily offerings. Enjoy these brews in the newly opened von Trapp Brewing Bierhall, a gathering place to enjoy ‘a little of Austria, a lot of Vermont.’
Ready to sample the suds and skiing at these mountain destinations? Book your trip today. 70+ Mountain Travel Experts are standing by at 800-610-8911 to book your complete vacation package. You can also get started by filling out a form for a free, custom quote.
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