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UPDATED! Beers or Bust: The Best Ski Town Breweries, April '14

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It's been almost four months since we've updated our picks for the best ski town breweries and although there's something magical about skiing and drinking a pint at après, the spring and summer months are perfect for suds on the patio. Bring on the t-shirt weather and long sunny days, because we have picks from Deschutes Brewery in Oregon to Vermont's Magic Hat Brewing Company and everywhere in between. Please welcome the newcomers to the list: Breckenridge Brewery, Missoula's Kettlehouse Brewing Co., Sun Valley's Sawtooth Brewery, and Bozeman's Madison River Brewing Company. Without further adieu, here is your summertime mountain beer guide (road trip anyone?) listed from West to East.

Upset that your favorite spot for suds didn't make the cut? Let us know in the comments or send us a tip.


· Dirt Bags, PBRs, and Shot Skis: The Best Ski Town Dive Bars [Curbed Ski]
· The Ultimate Après Ski: The Best Ski Town Distilleries [Curbed Ski]
· All Eater Ski Coverage [Curbed Ski Archives]

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Deschutes Brewery & Public House

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Photo from Deschutes Brewery

10 Barrel Brewing Company

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This may not be the working brewery of 10 Barrel Brewing Co, but the Bend Pub is still a great place to sample some tasty suds. 10 Barrel brewers ski hard on powder days and will be more than happy to help you put back a few. The digs are stellar with a great outdoor fire pit, patio, and locals swear by the pizza. See their second location in Boise, ID.

Fiftyfifty Brewing Company

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Photo from FiftyFifty Brewing

Mammoth Brewing Company

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After a day of turns on the hill, head to Mammoth Brewing Company for a flight that includes everything from IPAs to Blonds. There's also a bunch of gear so you can rep the Mammoth Brew Co brand with trucker hats, bike jerseys, or even a coozie. Kegs and growlers are available so you can keep the party going at home.

Sawtooth Brewery

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Sun Valley has pretty much everything you could ask for (sunshine, great skiing, and a great town) so it makes sense that there is a kickass brewery too. Whether you head to their tap room in downtown Ketchum or grab a pint on tap at one of area's many bars, Sawtooth delivers stellar beer options throughout the year. Highlights include the low-hop Ketchum Cream Ale and the well-balanced Freeheeler Rye IPA. Stop by after skiing or biking, this place is a must visit.

Kettlehouse Brewing Company North

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With two locations in Missoula (called Southside and Northside), Kettlehouse is a powerhouse of beer, brewing award winning suds like the Double Haul IPA and the Bong Water Pale Ale. Hit the tasting room after a powder day at Montana Snowbowl, or look for Kettlehouse in other Montana ski towns like Big Sky. State law only allows you to have three pints at the tasting room, so choose wisely. Our go-to pick (in almost any town in Montana) is Kettlehouse's famous Cold Smoke Scotch Ale. A dark smooth ale with a slightly sweet coffee finish and a reasonable 6.5% ABV, we could drink this beer all day (and we have!).

Madison River Brewing Company

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There are quite a few breweries in Bozeman, but the Madison River Brewery is top notch. Don't come for the ambiance or expect a fancy patio (the brewery is located in a warehouse near the airport), but if you want a good beer, this is your spot. The Irresistible Amber is a balanced, sessionable beer, and we also love the Salmon Fly Honey Rye. While there, check out the local's collection of glass mugs.

Snake River Brewery & Restaurant

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Photo from Snake River Brewing

Grand Teton Brewing Company

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Since 1988 Grand Teton Brewing has been pumping out quality brews 30 minutes from the world-class ski resorts of Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee. Beer lovers can visit the 11,000 square foot brewery and enjoy daily specials (and killer views) at their tasting room. There's no food sold at the pub, so bring your own.

Wasatch Brew Pub

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Photo from Wasatch Brew Pub

Ska Brewing Company

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Photo from Ska Brewing

Telluride Brewing Co.

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Located in an unassuming business park, visitors don't come to Telluride Brewing Co for the view, but the beer is dang good. Try the Face-Down Brown, which won the Gold Medal at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival for "American Style Brown."

Aspen Brewing Company

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Photo from Aspen Brewing Company

Breckenridge Brewery & Pub

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Breckenridge Brewery opened its doors in 1990 as Colorado's third craft brewery. It wasn't long until this ski town favorite expanded to Denver, but we still think that Breck beer staples like the Agave Wheat and the Avalanche Ale taste the best in the mountains. The crowds can get a bit overwhelming at the brewery/pub/restaurant in downtown Breckenridge, but know that you can always find a sixer at most Colorado liquor stores.

Dillon Dam Brewery

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Photo from Dillon Dam Brewery

Long Trail Brewing Company

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Photo from Long Trail Brewery

Magic Hat Brewing Company

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Photo from GreatBrewers.com

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Deschutes Brewery & Public House

Photo from Deschutes Brewery

10 Barrel Brewing Company

This may not be the working brewery of 10 Barrel Brewing Co, but the Bend Pub is still a great place to sample some tasty suds. 10 Barrel brewers ski hard on powder days and will be more than happy to help you put back a few. The digs are stellar with a great outdoor fire pit, patio, and locals swear by the pizza. See their second location in Boise, ID.

Fiftyfifty Brewing Company

Photo from FiftyFifty Brewing

Mammoth Brewing Company

After a day of turns on the hill, head to Mammoth Brewing Company for a flight that includes everything from IPAs to Blonds. There's also a bunch of gear so you can rep the Mammoth Brew Co brand with trucker hats, bike jerseys, or even a coozie. Kegs and growlers are available so you can keep the party going at home.

Sawtooth Brewery

Sun Valley has pretty much everything you could ask for (sunshine, great skiing, and a great town) so it makes sense that there is a kickass brewery too. Whether you head to their tap room in downtown Ketchum or grab a pint on tap at one of area's many bars, Sawtooth delivers stellar beer options throughout the year. Highlights include the low-hop Ketchum Cream Ale and the well-balanced Freeheeler Rye IPA. Stop by after skiing or biking, this place is a must visit.

Kettlehouse Brewing Company North

With two locations in Missoula (called Southside and Northside), Kettlehouse is a powerhouse of beer, brewing award winning suds like the Double Haul IPA and the Bong Water Pale Ale. Hit the tasting room after a powder day at Montana Snowbowl, or look for Kettlehouse in other Montana ski towns like Big Sky. State law only allows you to have three pints at the tasting room, so choose wisely. Our go-to pick (in almost any town in Montana) is Kettlehouse's famous Cold Smoke Scotch Ale. A dark smooth ale with a slightly sweet coffee finish and a reasonable 6.5% ABV, we could drink this beer all day (and we have!).

Madison River Brewing Company

There are quite a few breweries in Bozeman, but the Madison River Brewery is top notch. Don't come for the ambiance or expect a fancy patio (the brewery is located in a warehouse near the airport), but if you want a good beer, this is your spot. The Irresistible Amber is a balanced, sessionable beer, and we also love the Salmon Fly Honey Rye. While there, check out the local's collection of glass mugs.

Snake River Brewery & Restaurant

Photo from Snake River Brewing

Grand Teton Brewing Company

Since 1988 Grand Teton Brewing has been pumping out quality brews 30 minutes from the world-class ski resorts of Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee. Beer lovers can visit the 11,000 square foot brewery and enjoy daily specials (and killer views) at their tasting room. There's no food sold at the pub, so bring your own.

Wasatch Brew Pub

Photo from Wasatch Brew Pub

Ska Brewing Company

Photo from Ska Brewing

Telluride Brewing Co.

Located in an unassuming business park, visitors don't come to Telluride Brewing Co for the view, but the beer is dang good. Try the Face-Down Brown, which won the Gold Medal at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival for "American Style Brown."

Aspen Brewing Company

Photo from Aspen Brewing Company

Breckenridge Brewery & Pub

Breckenridge Brewery opened its doors in 1990 as Colorado's third craft brewery. It wasn't long until this ski town favorite expanded to Denver, but we still think that Breck beer staples like the Agave Wheat and the Avalanche Ale taste the best in the mountains. The crowds can get a bit overwhelming at the brewery/pub/restaurant in downtown Breckenridge, but know that you can always find a sixer at most Colorado liquor stores.

Dillon Dam Brewery

Photo from Dillon Dam Brewery

Long Trail Brewing Company

Photo from Long Trail Brewery

Magic Hat Brewing Company

Photo from GreatBrewers.com