The connection between skiing and craft beer is undeniable. Travel around the country and you will instantly find that many craft breweries are located in or near ski resorts. Beyond location, the two industries also often overlap in terms of their target audience. Ski culture encompasses a love of the outdoors, adventure, and a communal atmosphere, all of which are also key aspects of the craft beer scene. Throw in some satiating ski food and you have the makings of an excellent day.
Additionally, many skiers enjoy relaxing with a cold beer after a day on the slopes, making it a natural fit for après-ski activities. Some breweries even create special beers inspired by skiing, such as alpine-inspired lagers or winter-warmer ales. Overall, craft beer and skiing share a similar passion for exploration, community, and enjoyment of life, making them a natural pairing.
Are you a ski enthusiast who also enjoys great craft beer? Then look no further! In this blog post, I'll be sharing my top picks for the best craft beer I tried while enjoying some après ski this winter. From easy-drinking Lagers to hoppy IPAs, these brews are sure to delight your taste buds and help you unwind after a day on the slopes. So sit back, relax, and get ready to discover some of my favorite craft beers that I tasted this ski season.
RPM IPA - Boneyard Beer Company
The Boneyard Beer Company's RPM IPA is a well-loved craft beer and it's not hard to see why. This is single-handedly one of the best beers I've had in the past year. As and American IPA that is both hoppy and balanced, it is a must-try for any IPA lover.
Brewed with a unique combination of five Pacific Northwest hops, RPM has a slightly sweet maltiness that complements the bitterness of the hops perfectly. The beer pours a dark amber color and has a citrus, pine, and floral aroma. Its ABV of 6.5% sits right in that IPA sweet spot for me giving the beer a taste that is not too heavy or boozy. Overall, Boneyard's RPM is an excellent example of a West Coast IPA that should definitely be added to your list.
All Day Après Pale Ale - Snow Republic Brewery
It should come as no surprise that my own collab beer with Snow Republic Brewing made the list. It is one of my favorite beers from one of my favorite places to après and I was humbled and honored to work with them on this project.
All Day Après Pale Ale from Snow Republic Brewing is exactly what I am looking for in a beer. A refreshing and light American pale ale it is perfect for unwinding after a long day on the slopes. The beer has a crisp and clean taste that is malt-forward with a subtle hint of hops that provides balance and is not at all overpowering. Its moderate alcohol content makes it a great option for those who want to enjoy a few drinks without feeling too tipsy.
Overall, I would highly recommend All Day Après Pale Ale from Snow Republic Brewing to anyone looking for a great beer to enjoy during their ski vacation. Pay my friends there a visit and try it for yourself. Its refreshing taste and clean finish make it a perfect choice for anyone looking to unwind and relax after a long day on the slopes.
IC Light - Pittsburgh Brewing Company
IC Light, brewed by Pittsburgh Brewing Company, is an American Light Lager that boasts a refreshing, crisp taste. With an ABV of only 4.15%, it's perfect for those looking for a beer to enjoy throughout the day.
IC Light has a light golden color and a slightly sweet aroma with a smooth, balanced flavor, subtle maltiness and a hint of hop bitterness in the finish. IC Light is one of the most popular beers in Pittsburgh due to its crisp taste and it's easy to see why. I enjoyed many of them over a prolonged period at The Foggy Goggle at Seven Springs since this was the local beer of choice.
Beer drinkers who love light lagers will appreciate this beer's smoothness and drinkability. It's a perfect choice for those seeking a refreshing beer without high alcohol content.
The Lifty - Roadhouse Brewing Company
I have been a huge fan of Roadhouse Brewing for quite some time now. When I visited Jackson Hole for the first time this past December I was able to try many of the beers they produce only locally. One of them was an IPA dubbed The Lifty. Once taster from the tap at RPK3 at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and it instantly became my go-to choice for the remainder of that afternoon.
The Lifty, by Roadhouse Brewing, is an American IPA that packs a punch with its hop-forward flavor and aroma. Brewed with a combination of four different hops, this beer has a tropical and citrusy aroma that is a perfect complement to its smooth and balanced flavor. The Lifty has moderate bitterness and a slightly sweet finish that lingers on the palate.
Overall, The Lifty is a great IPA that's both tasty and refreshing, making it a great choice for any drinking occasion, especially apres ski with friends.
Flyway - Henniker Brewing Co.
Flyway IPA is a collaboration beer between Henniker Brewing and Mount Sunapee Resort located in New Hampshire. Whenever I visit a ski resort, I have a rule of drinking local. Well, you cannot get more local than drink a collab beer called Flyway at the base of the trail that bears its name. And, this is precisely what I did while at Mount Sunapee this winter, over and over and over, as I really enjoyed this tasty brew.
Flyway is an American IPA that pours a hazy golden color with a frothy white head. The aroma is citrusy with notes of pineapple, mango, and grapefruit. On the palate, Flyway IPA offers a complex hop profile with a balance of bitterness and sweetness. There are flavors of tropical fruits and citrus and a subtle hint of pine resin. The beer has a medium body and a crisp finish with lingering hop bitterness.
Ultimately, Henniker Brewing and Mount Sunapee Resort created a very drinkable beer that offers a unique balance of flavors and aromas. This makes is an excellent option for any IPA-loving skier.
Wasangeles - Uinta Brewing Co.
Last winter, I attended Deer Valley's Brews and Tunes apres ski series, where I had the chance to try Wasangeles from Uinta Brewing. I was immediately drawn in by the brewery's catchy name, which combines "Wasatch" and "Los Angeles," two regions that heavily influence the company's culture and identity. But it was the beer's flavor that really impressed me.
Wasangeles is an American Lager-style beer with a clean, gold appearance. Its crisp and refreshing flavor is perfect for those who enjoy classic lagers, but it also has a subtle sweetness that sets it apart. The beer has a light hop profile, making it easy to drink and refreshing, especially after a day of skiing in the Wasatch mountains. The low ABV also makes it a great choice for casual drinking and social occasions.
Overall, I highly recommend giving Wasangeles a try if you're a fan of lagers. The unique name adds personality to an already great beer, and its easy-drinking and refreshing qualities make it a perfect addition to any occasion. As a bonus, it's interesting to note how West African visual art has managed to influence the modern art and culture we know and love today.
Jalapeno Cream Ale - Wasatch Brewery
Cream Ales are an interesting style of beer. Of course, there is the legendary Genesee Cream Ale, the standard by which all other Cream Ales are judged. However, lately, craft brewers are bringing this style back and it can be a bit hit or miss. Jalapeno Cream Ale from Wasatch Brewing is definitely a hit for me.
This unique and flavorful beer is perfect for anyone who enjoys a crisp light beer with a little bit of spice in their drinks. Upon taking a sip, the creamy ale flows smoothly over your tongue, with a well-balanced flavor and texture. After a moment, you'll experience a subtle yet noticeable spiciness from the jalapeno peppers, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the ale.
Overall, the ale itself is well crafted and has a pleasant taste and mouthfeel. It pours a beautiful golden color and has a slightly hoppy aroma that is as inviting as the taste.
However, the Jalapeno Cream Ale might not be for everyone especially if you don't enjoy a spicy kick in your drink. However, if you are a fan of jalapeno and are looking for a beer that is both unique and satisfying, then I highly recommend giving Jalapeno Cream Ale a try.
Golden Pilsner - Fremont Brewing
Being from the Northeast, it is not often that I get to drink anything from the acclaimed Fremont Brewing Company. So when I saw this one of tap at The Clearing Rock Bar at Mount Bachelor I simply had to give it a try.
Fremont Golden Pilsner is a classic Czech-style lager that impressed from the first sip. It pours a beautiful golden color and has a crisp, refreshing taste that is perfect after working up a sweat on a spring day at Bachelor. The combination of Bohemian Pilsner malt Czech Saaz hops delivers a well-balanced flavor profile that is slightly sweet and slightly bitter.
Fremont's Golden Pilsner is light, refreshing and incredibly easy to drink. It has a clean, crisp finish that is not too bitter nor too sweet, making it a great beer for pairing with The Rock's Mountain Nachos.
Warm Your Bones - Treehouse Brewing Company
En route to Mount Sunapee this winter the crew and I needed to make a pit stop. Fortunately for us, the wildly popular Treehouse Brewing's Charlton location was on the way making it the perfect place for a quick pint and a bathroom break. Still almost two hours from our destination, we relied more on our to-go order which included the aforementioned Warm Your Bones.
Tree House Brewing's Warm Your Bones is a delightful winter warmer that is sure to do exactly what the name suggests. The ale has a deep brown color with a rich aroma of caramel, toasted malts, and hints of spice.
Upon first sip, the beer begins with a sweet and malty taste that is quickly followed by a warming blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, giving it a distinct and delicious flavor that is reminiscent of the holidays. Despite the melange of spices, Warm Your Bones is very well-rounded. It has a perfect balance of sweetness and spiciness that does not overwhelm the palate.
Not necessarily a beer you'd drink multiples of in one sitting, Warm Your Bones is a beer that is best enjoyed in smaller sips by the fire while savoring the delightful flavors.
The Best Après Ski Beers Requires the Best Après Ski Clothing.
After a long day of hitting the slopes, you want to be properly dressed for your après-ski activities, and our line of clothing offers some great options. Whether you prefer our popular If You Don't Après Ski T-Shirt or Sweatshirt, you will be dressed to impress while enjoying some of the quality beers from above.
Craft beer and skiing go hand in hand, and our clothing line captures the essence of this perfect pairing. You're sure to start conversations with friends, new and old, about the great day you had on the mountain while sporting our apparel and sipping on some fantastic brews.
If you're passionate about après-ski shenanigans and love craft beer, don't forget to subscribe to our craft beer blog for regular updates on new and exciting brews to try.
