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10 Awesome Ski Town Craft Breweries You Need To Visit

If you love the mountains, you really should know about these microbreweries...

Photo: iStock

Fresh powder and beer – is there any better combination in the world? When the sun is shining, the only thing you want at the end of a hard day snowboarding is a nice cold pint of beer.

If, like us, you’ve developed a taste for beer that isn’t just your standard bland lager, then you are in luck.

23 Reasons Why You Should Never Go Skiing or Snowboarding in France

There are dozens of ski resorts across the world with microbreweries on the doorstep, making fresh, home-brewed ale, stout and more right on the mountain.

Well, where are they? I hear you cry. Read on and find out…

MICROBRASSERIE DE CHAMONIX, FRANCE

Photo: chamonet.com

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

Photo: kulinarium-austria.at

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.

MAMMOTH BREWING COMPANY, CALIFORNIA, USA

Photo: Mammoth Brewing Company

The west coast of America is jammed with craft breweries. In fact, there are so many in the US, we didn’t know where to start.

The Mammoth Brewing Company is located bang-slap in the centre of Mammoth Ski Resort, ideal for an après-ski pint. It claims to be the highest brewery on the West Coast of the USA at over 8,000 feet above sea level.

Grab a tasting paddle and get a sampler of all the fresh beers on tap.

BEC JAUNE, MORZINE, FRANCE

Photo: moremountain.com

Amongst the plentiful fondue restaurants in the French Alpine town of Morzine, you’ll find a microbrewery and restaurant where raclette is not on the menu.

The Bec Jaune was opened up in 2013 after ski-fanatic owner Chrigl left The Kernel Brewery in London to set up his own joint in Morzine.

Since then, the Bec Jaune is one of the most popular places to eat and drink beer in town – they regularly switch the fresh beers on tap, and everyone raves about the homemade scotch eggs.

WANAKA BEERWORKS, NEW ZEALAND

Photo: Wanaka Beerworks

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

Photo: Brasserie La Marmotte

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

Photo: Gassan Meisuikan

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

Photo: La 21 Biere

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

Photo: Local Wanderer

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

Photo: BierVision Monstein

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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