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Cheers!
by Emily Mieure
IT WASN’T THAT long ago that local beer lovers could only find light lagers and hoppy IPAs being brewed in Jackson Hole. But in a short amount of time, new breweries have opened and with that has come more creativity. Some of the funkier beers don’t get canned or bottled so this summer is the time to belly up to the bar and try a fruited pale ale, a sour, a malty red ale, a chocolate stout, or a 9.3% Belgian Tripel. Cheers!
CITIZEN THIRTY THREE BREWERY
ORIGIN STORY: Driggs, Idaho, locals Kelly Williams (of Tatanka Tavern) and Christian and Lisa Hanley (of Forage) opened Citizen 33 in May.
CALLING CARD: The newest brewpub in the area doesn’t just do beer, but also kombucha and cider. The food is made with local ingredients.
SIGNATURE BREWS: It’s a surprise—they weren’t yet open at press time.
LOCAL TIP: The poutine is made with local cheese curds.
WHERE TO FIND IT: 364 N. Main St., Driggs, Idaho; not available outside the brewery.
GRAND TETON BREWING
ORIGIN STORY: The oldest brewery in the region, Grand Teton Brewing was founded in 1988 as Otto Brothers’ Brewing Company. It changed its name in 1998.
CALLING CARD: The pub’s dog-friendly front yard often has a food truck on site serving tacos, paninis, fried artichokes, fried pickles, and more.
SIGNATURE BREWS: The smooth, complex and malty Teton Amber has been around since 1989. Sweetgrass American Pale Ale is dry and hoppy.
LOCAL TIP: There are free brewery tours at 5 p.m. on weekdays and 3:30 p.m. on weekends.
WHERE TO FIND IT: 430 Old Jackson Hwy., Victor, Idaho; also available at The Liquor Store, West Side Wine and Spirits, Lucky’s Market, and Plaza Liquors.
MELVIN BREWING
ORIGIN STORY: Jeremy Tofte founded Melvin in 2009 by brewing small batches of beer in the back of his restaurant, Thai Me Up. In 2015, Melvin opened its Mothership Taproom and dedicated brewing facility.
CALLING CARD: Melvin won the brewery group of the year at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival and is the only local brewery to open outposts outside of the area, in San Diego, California, and Bellingham, Washington.
SIGNATURE BREWS: Ch Ch Cherry Bomb, which is both sour and sweet (and, with 8 percent alcohol, strong!), won gold at the 2018 World Beer Cup; Heyzeus, a fresh, flavorful take on a Mexican-style lager is refreshing.
LOCAL TIP: Thai Me Up often serves experimental Melvin beers. In January, you could get a sweet stout that came with the option of a scoop of ice cream. Yes please!
WHERE TO FIND IT:Brewery/Mothership Taproom, 624 County Rd. 101, Alpine, Wyoming; Thai Me Up, 75 E. Pearl Ave.; most local liquor stores.
ROADHOUSE BREWING CO.
ORIGIN STORY: Founded in 2012 by home brewer Colby Cox and restaurateur Gavin Fine, Roadhouse opened a brewery/tap toom in West Jackson in 2017. Roadhouse Pub & Eatery opened last winter.
CALLING CARD: Sixty taps featuring thirty unique beers including Roadhouse’s own brews and beers from several other local breweries. An on-site five-barrel system is for session and experimental beers.
SIGNATURE BREWS: Wilson IPA is Roadhouse’s best-selling beer. Close seconds are Loose Boots Après IPA and the Mountain Jam Hazy IPA rotational series.
LOCAL TIP: Roadhouse’s taproom is super low-key: It only has a few bar stools, you bring your own snacks, and the dogs of locals are often running around.
WHERE TO FIND IT:Taproom, 1225 Gregory Lane; Pub & Eatery, 20 E. Broadway; most local liquor stores.
SNAKE RIVER BREWING
ORIGIN STORY: Touted as “Jackson’s living room,” Snake River Brewing was the valley’s (and Wyoming’s) first brewery. It opened, in the same space it is today (a former Coca-Cola distributor), in 1994.
CALLING CARD: The family-owned brewery’s ten brewers are not a group that rests on its laurels. They have won hundreds of national and international awards but are always working on new recipes.
SIGNATURE BREWS: Hops fans rejoice over Pakos, which carries a hoppy, full flavor. Jenny Lake Lager is slightly sweet and malty, with a smooth, caramel flavor..
LOCAL TIP: Get your pint for outside: The front lawn here includes a firepit, cornhole, and plenty of benches and chairs. It’s kid friendly, and the firepit is lit all year-round.
WHERE TO FIND IT: 265 S. Millward St.; select cans and bottles are sold at the brewery; most local liquor stores.
STILLWEST BREWERY & GRILL
ORIGIN STORY: Don and Chaney Hankins opened Stillwest late last summer after relocating to the valley. Don is the brewer and Chaney the chef.
CALLING CARD: Location, location, location. The valley’s newest brewery serves great beer (and food) right at the base of Snow King Mountain.
SIGNATURE BREWS: The Irish Red Ale features a big malty flavor with a hoppy finish; Kolsch is light and smooth. The seasonal (winter) King Cake is brewed with habanero peppers.
LOCAL TIP: Skip the ground-floor sports bar with big-screen TVs and head to the upstairs bar where a deck looks out on Snow King; order a $5 half-flight to try several beers.
WHERE TO FIND IT: 45 E. Snow King Ave.; you can get crowlers to go of all the beers on draft.
TETON THAI
ORIGIN STORY: Driggs, Idaho’s first brewery only opened last summer when Teton Thai started brewing beer in a 110-square-foot space behind the restaurant.
CALLING CARD: This is a legitimate craft brewery: They’ve only got the capacity to brew 31 gallons.
SIGNATURE BREWS: The British pale ale and Mexican lager are both smooth and complement the food at Teton Thai.
LOCAL TIP: Grab one of the dozen barstools and enjoy your beer with a small plate like red curry with naan, wings, or fries.
WHERE TO FIND IT: 18 N. Main St., Driggs, Idaho; not available outside the brewery and adjacent Teton Thai restaurant.
WILDLIFE BREWING
ORIGIN STORY: Ric Harmon started brewing beer in his garage and founded Wildlife Brewing in 2003.
CALLING CARD: The pizza here is as good as the beer. The dough and sauce are Harmon’s own recipes.
SIGNATURE BREWS:
The Mighty Bison Brown Ale is malty, with a hoppy finish.
LOCAL TIP: Mug club members get discounts on certain nights.
WHERE TO FIND IT: 145 S. Main St. Victor, Idaho; beers also available at Bin 22, Jackson Whole Grocer, Mangy Moose Market, Victor Valley Market, and Broulim’s.
