Straight Outta Ski Country: The Best Mountain Town Craft Beers

People living in the mountains have made their own homebrews for over a century, which is one reason why that to this day, some of the best independent craft beer companies are located close to ski resorts. So to honor that brewing tradition, we've compiled some of our favorite, ski-town-based breweries. From IPA's to lagers, we've got something for all beer lovers.

Publik Skool Pilsner | Hideaway Park Brewing | Winter Park, CO

5.3% ABV | IBU - 26

Hideaway Brewing is home to some funky concoctions, including their Coffee IPA but it's their old school Publik Skool Pilsner that goes down oh so smooth after a day on the slopes of Mary Jane and Winter Park Resort. The space is small yet intimate and is a great place to kick it low-key if you're tired from bashing down all the iconic, nearby mogul runs.

The Arborist - Spruce Tip Saison | Storm Speak Brewing | Steamboat Springs, CO

6.6% ABV | IBU - 26

Steamboat Springs has some great beer and it's very hard to choose between the two local favorites, Storm Peak and Mountain Tap Brewery. However, only one is currently canning beer and that's Storm Peak, whose Spruce Tip Saison - The Arborist is one of our all-time favorites for its unique flavor profile yet high drinkability. It's like no beer you've ever tasted in a very good way.

Family Vacation - Cream Ale | Roadhouse Brewing | Jackson Hole, WY

4.9% ABV | IBU - 15

Roadhouse Brewing, which started as the Q on the West Bank of the Snake River, is now a full-fledged brewery located in downtown Jackson Hole. Not only do they host a great taproom with plenty of TVs for catching the game but in the last year, they began canning and distributing their tasty suds across much of the Western USA. Although it's hard to choose just one, we have never had a cream ale quite as delicious as the Family Vacation.

Get To Tha Choppa - Black Lager | Broken Compass Brewing | Breckenridge, CO

4.5% ABV | IBU - NA

If there's a better name for a beer in ski country, we have yet to taste it. The Get to Tha Choppa - Black Lager from Broken Compass Brewing near Breckenridge is a delicious departure from what you've come to expect from a typical lager. This frothy yet serious brew comes highly recommended and if you're looking to take it to the next level, you gotta channel your inner Schwarzenegger and "Get To Tha Choppa!" By that, we mean Broken Compass Brewing.

Russell Kelly - Mosaic IPA | Telluride Brewing Company | Telluride, CO

6.5% ABV | IBU - 83

Named after a Telluride legend known for his world-class kayaking prowess along with an off-the-charts enthusiasm for sliding on snow, the Russell Kelly Mosaic IPA has become a refrigerator staple for those who love a good, hoppy IPA. The Russell Kelly IPA's mosaic finish allows for a clean yet brilliant taste profile without a bitter aftertaste. Pay tribute and tip one back.

Kachina Peak Pale | Taos Mesa Brewing | Taos, NM

6.1% ABV | IBU - 50

After a day bashing moguls on Al's Run and hiking the magnificent Highline Ridge, take it all in just outside of the pueblo of Taos at the local's favorite, Taos Mesa Brewing. The Kachina Peak Pale, named after the highest peak at Taos Ski Valley, is the perfect day ender and the views at Taos Mesa Brewing will have you coming back for more. Bonus: Taos Mesa Brewing also hosts amazing live shows during normal years and their outdoor venue is nothing short of incredible.

Long Trail Ale | Long Trail Brewing | Bridgewater Corners, VT [Killington]

5% ABV | IBU - 28

Long Trail Brewing has been making beers for a long time, 30 years in fact and one of the oldest taps running is its flagship, Long Trail Lager. What makes this beer stand out is its ability to balance a refreshing quality while retaining a trademark, hoppy finish. Just outside of Killington, VT in Bridgewater Corners, the brewery itself is definitely worth a visit and features tons of awesome merchandise and plenty on tap to keep any hop-head satisfied.

Slayerade IPA | South Lake Brewing Company | South Lake Tahoe, CA

5.3% ABV | IBU - 23

At Ski.com, we've always thought of beer as a sports recovery beverage and the Slayerade from South Lake Tahoe was brewed with that idea in mind. If you need to recover and settle the nerves after a day of slaying the slopes of Kirkwood, might we recommend a pint of this West Coast-style IPA. If you're not a lover of hops, we may recommend checking out something else on the tap list as this robust brew combines three-hop types: Azzaca, Citra, and Ahtanum.

Pub Beer Lager | 10 Barrel Brewing | Bend, OR

5% ABV | IBU - 18

Sometimes the last thing you want is an IPA but so many so-called lagers fall short of their proclaimed drinkability. The Pub Beer Lager from 10 Barrell Brewing in Bend, Oregon is not one of those lagers. Perhaps the best, light craft beer on this list, 10 Barrell took an old school recipe and proceeded to place a new school spin on its highly drinkable and far from watered down, Pub Beer.

Ready to visit one of these fantastic breweries and doing some skiing or riding in between trips to the taproom? Ski.com can plan your entire brewery-inspired ski trip including flights, ground transportation, lodging, lift tickets, and more. Get a free quote today.