MICROBRASSERIE DE CHAMONIX, FRANCE

Four Canadians set up this joint in Chamonix in 2002 with the aim of bringing good homemade beer to the valley.

The beer at MBC is made with glacial-fed water straight from Chamonix’s mountain peaks. Try the Granite Pale Ale – or the Seasonal Brew which changes from season to season, depending on what the brew master is feeling.

ASITZBRÄU, LEOGANG, AUSTRIA

Saalbach, Hinterglemm and Leogang all make up the largest ski area in Austria called Ski Circus. In Leogang, you’ll find AsitzBräu, the oldest brewery in East Tyrol.

It’s now a brewing museum as well as a working brewery making their signature beverage. Après is a fairly rowdy affair here. Think oompah bands and folk in lederhosen, proper Austrian style.

WANAKA BEERWORKS, NEW ZEALAND

If Queenstown is the party destination of New Zealand’s South Island, Wanaka is the cooler, more chilled sibling.

Wanaka Beerworks is a microbrewery in the ski town that produces 100,000 litres of beer per year. It’s owned by Jabberwocky Brewery which is based in Central Otago and started off as three friends who started home-brewing in a shed many years ago.

Their beers are named after the local landmarks in the area, ranging from the smooth biscuity Cardrona Gold lager to the rich Black Peak coffee stout.

BRASSERIE LA MARMOTTE, CRANS MONTANA, SWITZERLAND

Right in the centre of Swiss ski resort Crans-Montana, you can find a microbrewery hidden away in the Hotel du Lac called the Brasserie La Marmotte. It has a great terrace with views over the Lac Genon.

Make sure you try their best-selling Blonde beer – it’s also stocked in lots of local shops and bars in the area.

Former James Bond actor Roger Moore has a chalet in the town, so keep your eyes peeled for him.

GASSAN MEISUIKAN BREWERY, JAPAN

Gassan is world-renowned for being the ski resort that doesn’t open during the winter because it gets too much snow (I know, right?)

Located on Japan‘s main island of Honshu, Gassan’s lifts open from May until late July for those wanting to catch a late season shred.

Not only is it powder heaven, but they have their own awesome micro-brewery called Gassan Meisuikan which make its own local Pilsner in nearby town, Nishikawa.

LA 21 BIERE, ALPE D’HUEZ, FRANCE

OK, so it’s not a microbrewery you can visit exactly, but French ski resort Alpe d’Huez have released their own beer. It’s called the ‘21‘ and it’s a new craft lager thought up by three co-workers who live in Alpe d’Huez.

Brewer Vincent Gachet of La Fabrique in Saint Martin d’Heres concocted the recipe, which was brewed for 21 days. The number ’21’ also refers to the number of bends in the road from Bourg d’Oisans up to Alpe d’Huez.

You can buy it at many of the local bars and stores in the town.

WHISTLER BREWING COMPANY, CANADA

The Whistler Brewing Company has been a long-standing member of the craft beer scene in British Columbia. Established in 1989, Whistler Brewing Company it’s a epicentre for skiers and snowboarders in the winter and mountain bikers in the summer.

The Tap House can be found on the south side of Whistler – serving eight different beers on tap plus custom six-packs that you can buy and take home with you.

BIERVISION MONSTEIN BREWERY, DAVOS, SWITZERLAND

Posh ski resort Davos is a well-known haunt for the rich and famous – it’s also home to BierVision Monstein, the highest brewery in Switzerland. The beer is brewed using mountain spring water, Swiss hops and organic malt.

It’s housed in the former village dairy, a building that was built over 100 years ago. Alongside beer, they also make their own whiskey and sell locally-produced chocolate and cheese. Sounds like a good day out, eh?

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