Although many of my East Coast counterparts are still lapping the Superstar Glacier at Killington Ski Resort, ski season ended for me over a month ago. It was time to hang up the sticks and transition into summer mode.
Overall, despite the fact that Mother Nature forgot to produce snow during the winter, this ski season was a good one. I skied later into the season than I ever have before and was able to establish a new ski day total high of 20 days.
That may not seem like a lot, but given my tight youth sports schedule, it was for me. Not to mention, 20 ski days means 20 après ski days.
With great après-ski comes great responsibility. This new record-high après ski days allowed me to conduct extensive research on the best new ski beers of the season.
After all, what is après ski without a beer ski or three?
From the West Coast to the East Coast and everywhere in between, here are 7 ski beers that I tasted this season, you absolutely must try.
My 5 Favorite Skiing Beers From Winter 2021-2022
Do You Even Après Ski IIPA - Stowe n Sail Brewing Co.
Photo Credit: @stowensail Instagram
How could I not lead with this one? The beer name is synonymous with our mantra here at All About Après. This Double IPA is like the Double Diamond of ski-themed beers. From the looks of the can you might think it is an easy-drinking day sipper similar to the way a trail looks a lot easier riding up the lift than when standing at the top looking down. However, at 8.5% ABV, you better have your din setting on high.
Do You Even Après Ski is packed with an aggressive dose of Magnum Hops then dry-hopped with Mosaic, El Dorado and Galaxy hops. The result is a Double IPA that is loaded with tropical sweetness that may seem easy to drink but can hit you like a cliff drop if you're not prepared.
Fresh Corduroy IPA - Old Schoolhouse Brewery
There is not doubt that when it comes to ski conditions, fresh pow reigns supreme. However, Old Schoolhouse Brewery might just have you thinking otherwise once you taste their West Coast IPA dubbed Fresh Corduroy. It is honestly that good! Juicy notes of mango and citrus produce a taste of the tropics prior to giving way to the slightly bitter finish that you'd expect from a West Coast IPA.
PSA: Neon Onesie is strongly recommended during consumption.
Side Business IPA - Green Empire Brewing
Vermont has so many good breweries and Green Empire is definitely right near the top. Side Business is my newest favorite IPA from the Green Mountain State. On the menu this winter at Mount Snow's Canned, I tasted it for the first time when I went up in early December. From that point forward, it became my go-to IPA when drinking there.
I love how it was packed with citrus flavor yet still well-balanced and very drinkable. At 7% ABV it is a little on the higher side and not a beer I would drink too many of while still having to drive home. But if you're looking for one or two, then this Side Business is the way to go.
Cliff Drops IPA - Outer Range Brewing
Photo Credit: Outer Range Brewing
Not to take anything away from the other beers on this list but Cliff Drops might be the best damn beer I've had in a while. This New England Hazy IPA looks and drinks lighter than you'd expect from this style of beer. Strata, Simcoe and Mosaic hops come together like Voltron and produce flavors that are fruity like papaya yet still dank and resinous.
Perfectly balanced and quite tasty, drinking Cliff Drops is as smooth as watching Kai Jones send it off a cliff in a TGR film.
Granary Kellerbier - Templin Family Brewery
Photo Credit: @tfbrewing Instagram
Templin Family Brewing out of Salt Lake City is arguably my favorite brewery in the state of Utah. Granary Kellerbier is an excellent example of why. This beer was so refreshing and tasty, I must have had about 10 of them while hanging at the Sitzmark Club at the Alta Lodge.
Very true to style, it is exactly what you would expect from a German-style pilsner. Crisp and clean with a slightly bready sweetness it is the perfect choice after a hard-charging day of skiing.
Borderland IPA - 42 North Brewing
When you're standing at the bar and shout back to your buddy that you are going to grab two Borderlands and the bartender responds, "Yeah you are!" you know you are ordering correctly. That exact scenario turned me onto this beer when visiting Holiday Valley this winter and I'm thankful for it.
Borderland IPA has a thicker mouthfeel which is interesting because it is actually quite an easy-drinking IPA. That's because it is tropical without being too tropical. Notes of pineapple and mango are well balanced by the malts making for a beer that you'll want to drink all day long.
Green Fountains Vermont Style IPA - 10 Bends Beer
There must be something about beers from the Green Mountain State with Green in the title. They seem to turn out just right. Green Fountains is another must-try IPA from the land of haze. And, trust me, Green Fountains is definitely hazy.
Beyond its lush looks emerge clear aromas of passion fruit, melon and orange that give way to flavors that are almost identical. Green Fountains is complexly juicy yet subtly sweet all at once and another favorite from Vermont.
The Best Après Ski Clothes for My Favorite Ski Beers
When it comes to tossing back a few beers skis after a day on the mountain you will want to choose the right thing to wear. Our line of après-ski clothing is filled with excellent choices like our popular If You Don't Après Ski T-Shirt and Sweatshirt.
Good beer and skiing go hand in hand. Our famous ski t-shirt is the essence of this. Shirt on and beer in hand you are certain to turn heads and start conversations with friends, new and old, about the day you just had on the mountain.
If you have a passion for après ski and enjoy craft beer, be sure to subscribe to our craft beer blog. With regular updates, you are sure to find something new and exciting to whet your whistle.
