Jackson, WY – Snow King Mountain and Snake River Brewing Company in Jackson Hole have announced the creation of Snow King Pale Ale to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Snow King, Wyoming’s first ski area. Snow King Pale Ale is an American/English hybrid inspired by hoppy U.S. pales and uses very classic English hops along with U.S. hops in generous quantity. The new beer is available in limited-edition cans at local liquor stores and will be on tap at Snow King Resort’s new restaurant, Hayden’s Post.
“Snow King Mountain called us this summer, asking whether we’d be interested in doing a special beer for the 75th Anniversary of Snow King Mountain,” said Chris Erickson, Snake River Brewing Company’s Director of Brewing Operations. “Not a week goes by when we don’t get a similar request and our standard answer is no, because we are just a small brewery, after all. However, every Jackson Hole skier has a special spot in their heart for ‘The King.’ It’s where we learned to ski, it’s where we ski night-time powder under the lights and it’s the whole town’s uphill climbing gym. So, how perfect is it that this will become our first-ever custom can? There was just no way to say no to this one.”
Snake River Brewing Head Brewer, Cory Buenning, was inspired to combine two of the UK’s most classic hops, Challenger and Fuggle, with a U.S.-grown, High Alpha Magnum. Dry hopping brings out the beer’s delicate flavors and aromas. The result is a copper-colored, fully hop-flavored and moderately bitter beer for skiers. In addition to the beer, Snake River Brewing and Snow King Mountain will produce special pint glasses, t-shirts and other swag to commemorate the occasion.
Snow King Mountain plans to launch its 75th Anniversary festivities on Saturday, December 14 with a Free Ski Day & Party. After a day of free skiing on the Mountain, Snake River Brewing invites those who are 21 and older to the Lodge Room at Snow King Resort to taste test the new beer beginning at 3 p.m. The event will then move to Hayden’s Post at 5 p.m., for the official tapping of the restaurant’s inaugural keg of Snow King Pale Ale. A plethora of Snow King swag and raffle prizes will be awarded, including a season ski pass to Snow King Mountain.
In addition to the beer and Free Ski Day event, Snow King Mountain will host a 75th Anniversary Grand Celebration on February 8th, 2014, complete with a snow bike race, randonée race, and free concert at the base area.
Snow King Mountain began with a single cable tow in 1939 and established Jackson’s reputation as a ski town. Seventy-five years later, the “Town Hill,” one of the steepest little mountains around, remains a vital part of the community, cultivating generations of world-class skiers.