SNOWY RANGE SKI AREA ADDING BASE-LODGE BREWERY

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SNOWY RANGE SKI AREA ADDING BASE-LODGE BREWERY

SAM Magazine—Centennial, Wyo., Feb. 20, 2013—Downhilling and drinking, more or less in that order, have long gone hand in hand. But it’s still notable that Snowy Range Ski Area here has received final approval from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to operate a microbrewery as a part of its base lodge operations. This is believed to be the first microbrewery at a U.S. ski area.

The State of Wyoming and Albany County had approved the microbrewery permit in late 2012; the USFS permit was the last requirement.

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“As a small ski area, we are always looking for ways that we can improve the guest experience in new, creative ways,” said Aaron Maddox, owner and GM of Snowy Range. “The USFS has been very receptive and adaptive in their response to our request to operate a brewery."

The Snowy Range Brewery will begin brewing immediately, and beer will be for sale “as soon as the fermentation is complete,” said brewmaster Hunter Maddox. The various beers and ales will be named after the area’s ski runs, which include the tasty-sounding Crazy Horse, Gunbarrel, Rattler, Gunslinger, and Sundance, among others. But whatever they are called, the handcrafted brews will be available only in the base lodge bar.