Ski Town Brews

Back in the winter of 2021 I spent five days in Bend, Oregon, skiing Mt. Bachelor and checking out some of the best craft breweries in town. The competition is fierce, in a place that's home to both Deschutes and 10 Barrel Brewing. But one of the best of the best is a little place called Boneyard Beer, owned by Tony Lawrence. He's an OG pro snowboarder from back in the '90s, and he's spent the past couple decades making some of the most unique and best-tasting beers in a state that's absolutely jammed with amazing beer. He met me at the Boneyard Pub down on Division Street for some appetizers and a sample that included some of my favorite beers of the whole season.

Snake River Brewing is the oldest craft brewery in Jackson. Maybe six blocks or so away from the center of town, where you can see all the elk antlers. When you go for a beer at Snake River and you look out the window, you see one of the best-kept secrets of the Rockies: Snow King, also known as the "town hill." This is where the powder hounds go when all the tourists are in line at Jackson Hole. It's a small place, but the tree skiing is fantastic, and the prices are stuck in the 1990s.

Back in January 2021 I had a great conversation with Elliott Wilkins about Snake River's history, the best beers in their lineup, and how the brewery is wrapped up in the history and culture of the town of Jackson and its two great ski hills.

Back in the winter of 2021 I spent five days in Bend, Oregon, skiing Mt. Bachelor and checking out some of the best craft breweries in town. The competition is fierce, in a place that's home to both Deschutes and 10 Barrel Brewing. But one of the best of the best is a little place called Boneyard Beer, owned by Tony Lawrence. He's an OG pro snowboarder from back in the '90s, and he's spent the past couple decades making some of the most unique and best-tasting beers in a state that's absolutely jammed with amazing beer. He met me at the Boneyard Pub down on Division Street for some appetizers and a sample that included some of my favorite beers of the whole season.

Snake River Brewing is the oldest craft brewery in Jackson. Maybe six blocks or so away from the center of town, where you can see all the elk antlers. When you go for a beer at Snake River and you look out the window, you see one of the best-kept secrets of the Rockies: Snow King, also known as the "town hill." This is where the powder hounds go when all the tourists are in line at Jackson Hole. It's a small place, but the tree skiing is fantastic, and the prices are stuck in the 1990s.

Back in January 2021 I had a great conversation with Elliott Wilkins about Snake River's history, the best beers in their lineup, and how the brewery is wrapped up in the history and culture of the town of Jackson and its two great ski hills.

Grand Teton Brewing has been doing craft beer in eastern Idaho longer than just about anybody else. Their 208 is one of the tastiest session ales you'll ever find. That one friend that everyone has who just can't get interested in craft beer -- the 208 is the one that will get them hooked. Join me for some day drinking with Director of Operations Chris Furbacher.

Citizen 33 sits on State Route 33 in Idaho, a little way down the road from Grand Targhee, which might actually have the best skiing dollar-for-dollar of any resort in the country. It's less than half the price of Jackson Hole, and gets all the same snow, and has MORE acreage. And better views of the Tetons from the hill.

Back in January 2021 I talked to head brewer Nick Farney about how he came to the area, what he likes to do for fun in the Teton Valley, and how he keeps making beers that are worth driving all the way out to Driggs for. One of his secrets: he sources ALL his hops from local farms in Idaho.

Grand Teton Brewing has been doing craft beer in eastern Idaho longer than just about anybody else. Their 208 is one of the tastiest session ales you'll ever find. That one friend that everyone has who just can't get interested in craft beer -- the 208 is the one that will get them hooked. Join me for some day drinking with Director of Operations Chris Furbacher.

Citizen 33 sits on State Route 33 in Idaho, a little way down the road from Grand Targhee, which might actually have the best skiing dollar-for-dollar of any resort in the country. It's less than half the price of Jackson Hole, and gets all the same snow, and has MORE acreage. And better views of the Tetons from the hill.

Back in January 2021 I talked to head brewer Nick Farney about how he came to the area, what he likes to do for fun in the Teton Valley, and how he keeps making beers that are worth driving all the way out to Driggs for. One of his secrets: he sources ALL his hops from local farms in Idaho.

The premiere episode of Ski Town Brews, from my visit to June Mountain and June Lake Brewing on December 20, 2020. Everybody knows Mammoth and Tahoe, but if you come to the Eastern Sierra and you skip June Mountain, you're missing out on one of California's best-kept secrets. Two of them actually, because June Lake Brewing has been putting out nothing but winners since it opened seven years ago. Join me and JLB co-owner Justin Walsh for a super-flight of seven beers and a hard seltzer, plus a whole lot of reasons why you need to get to June on your next vacation. Summer works just as well as winter!

The premiere episode of Ski Town Brews, from my visit to June Mountain and June Lake Brewing on December 20, 2020. Everybody knows Mammoth and Tahoe, but if you come to the Eastern Sierra and you skip June Mountain, you're missing out on one of California's best-kept secrets. Two of them actually, because June Lake Brewing has been putting out nothing but winners since it opened seven years ago. Join me and JLB co-owner Justin Walsh for a super-flight of seven beers and a hard seltzer, plus a whole lot of reasons why you need to get to June on your next vacation. Summer works just as well as winter!