by Kenny Flannery
From nationally awarded IPAs and barrel-aged beers, to crispy lagers that set the tone in Wyoming decades ago, Jackson has become a bonafide beer-lovers destination.
In between your outdoor adventures and scenic moments of awe in the majestic beauty of Jackson, why not have a world-class beer? Local offerings can be found at most any shop in town, as well as on-site at the unique breweries that each provide a distinct vibe that’s well worth a pint or two. Pair your beer with an array of food ranging from traditional pub fare to elevated gourmet. People-watch at the famous Jackson Hole Town Square, take in the views of Snow King, or get your pub-vibes on.
Here are the three breweries in town—and one a quick drive south of Jackson—and what to expect. Choose one, or choose them all — I recommend the latter.
Snake River Brewing
Wyoming’s oldest brewery and a longstanding local’s hangout in town, the newly renovated Snake River Brewpub has been cranking out great beers since 1994. Pako’s IPA is a Jackson classic that you’ll find all over town, as well as their Zonker Stout and the Jenny Lake Lager.
The iconic firepit is a welcoming sight as you enter the grassy front area, surrounded by seats, tables and people playing cornhole. Past the outdoor patio, you enter the two-story building with more games upstairs and a full view of the brewery operations behind the bar.
Enjoy the timeless Snake River standards, as well as some special seasonal brews to go with your traditional pub fare and renowned pizza from their brick oven. This place gets jumping—you may just find yourself there all night.
Roadhouse Brewing
Looking for rotating hazy IPAs, sessionable pilsners, and a slew of other fun beers? Roadhouse is your spot.
With a deck overlooking the classic Town Square in downtown Jackson, you really can’t ask for more. Well, there is more, as they take just as much pride in their food as they do their beer. Their evolving menu highlights local ingredients like bison, elk, and duck fat tots. Yes. This is where you want to be.
The Pub & Eatery is the place to try the latest beers, and around town you’ll see cans of “The Walrus,” an 8.3% Hazy IPA favorite, as well as select others. Can’t decide which beer to choose? Getting a flight is highly recommended—sample them all!
StillWest Brewery
StillWest is the newest brewery in town, boasting enviable views of Snow King in a big beautiful space. This 10-barrel brewhouse pushes out some traditional styles with a fresh twist, ensuring there’s a solid beer choice for everyone coming in to enjoy the view.
Besides beer, StillWest offers a full bar and takes pride in its cocktail expertise as well. Pair your favorite drink with anything from the food menu, ranging from artisan salads to Wyoming ground beef burgers to wild-caught salmon.
The arrow is pointing up at this family-run brewery, and you’re bound to meet some friendly people both behind the bar and beside you.
Melvin Brewing
Take a scenic 35-minute drive south of Jackson along the Snake River to the Melvin Brewery “Mothership” for a particularly incredible experience. Their production brewery offers memorable burgers, other great bites and absolutely world-class beer while overlooking the Palisades Reservoir in Alpine, Wyoming.
This highly awarded brewery first struck gold with its 2x4 double IPA and hasn’t slowed down since. While known around the world for their proficiency in IPAs, they’ve got a bit of everything, all the way to their (also award-winning) Ruckus Imperial Stout.
If you’re a true craft beer lover, the pilgrimage to Melvin from Jackson Hole is a rite of passage. Otherwise, you’ll find many of their beers at bars and in six-packs around the Jackson area, from the standard goodness to their Rotating Imperial IPA (RIIPA) series, and other great seasonals. You can’t go wrong with Melvin.
About the writer: Kenny Flannery has been living out of his backpack, traveling around the world since 2007, with an obsession with breweries. He’s visited over a thousand in his travels and has a show called “Hopping: The Backpacking Beer Adventure” that shows off some of these adventures. One such episode was filmed right here in Jackson Hole, which you can watch here on YouTube.