Day on the Slopes

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After an action-packed day of pow shredding, you deserve to rest those snow boots up on a table and sip on some delectable brews. Nothing keeps you warmed to the bone after a day out on the snow quite like a cozy fire and these Michigan ski-themed beers.

By Mary Siobhan Brier

The Best Michigan Beers to Drink After a Long Day on the Slopes

MIBREW TRAIL MAGAZINE

WINTER 2024

Check out Hearst’s newest brand showcasing Michigan Breweries at MiBrewTrail.com.

Ah, Alber Orchard & Cider Mill—a place that's as much a part of my childhood as Thanksgiving dinner. Imagine a car packed to the brim with kids, cousins, and maybe even a neighbor or two. Seatbelts? Are you kidding me? I didn’t even know they were an option. My mom would navigate us down winding country roads, and we'd spill out of the car like apples from an overturned bushel. She’d head for the same building they still use today to sell apples. She’d look over the apple options, and the kids would look over the candy options. She bartered and debated with the farmer’s wife and finally hauled a bushel to the car. If lucky, we’d get a sucker for the ride home. Fast forward to 2023, and we are back at Alber's, this time securely fastened in my seatbelt. The unpaved country road is still there, framed by trees just starting to show off their autumn hues. Bees were doing their afternoon dance in the warm sun, and—all though a different one, there was a farmer's wife, presiding over an apple empire that boasts over 100 heirloom varieties. Alber Orchard & Cider Mill in Manchester has grown up! Pumpkins have joined the party—you can either wander down the farm lane to the pumpkin patch or choose one from bins near the barns. Hayrides are on the menu, too, from noon to sunset, provided the tractor driver isn't otherwise engaged (he was at a funeral the day we visited). And for the little ones? Solve the hidden clues in the corn maze and earn an apple of your choice as a reward. The highlight of my visit was their Freedom Winery tasting room, the newest addition to the orchard. Theresa Bossory, the farmer’s wife, shared they made 7,000 gallons of cider from a medley of heirloom and cider-specific apples the Bossory Family has nurtured and grown. Michael Bossory, the owner of Alber Orchard, was repairing the cash register when we stepped into the beautiful tasting room. The Farmhouse cider they were serving had a fizz, reminding us of prosecco. There was a slight oaky taste, a hint of chardonnay, but the finish reminded me of a Pilsner. We enjoyed our cider while admiring the view of the orchard. Some trees are over 100 years old, planted when the mill started in 1890. Alber Orchard’s website promised a trifecta of tastes: the sweetness of their cider, the unique flavor of a rare apple, and the kick of their hard cider. Let me tell you, they delivered. But what you also get, which isn't advertised, is a genuine, down-to-earth, apple-scented slice of orchard life.

Alber Orchard & Cider Mill

Ski Patrol

Brewery Vivant | Grand Rapids | Witbier | 6.1% ABV | 20 IBU Ski Patrol is a warming, spicy winter wheat ale with a golden pour and refreshing orange peel and cardamom notes. This drink is dynamic and fresh, making it a great choice after a chilly, adrenaline-filled day. VIEW BEER

Short’s Brewing | City | German Style Hefeweizen | 4.5% ABV | 15 IBU Brewed with ski warriors in mind, Snow Wheat blends flavors of bananas and cloves with a classic malted wheat base. It’s light, frothy, and clean, perfect for an evening wind-down or a ski lodge powwow with friends. VIEW BEER

Snow Wheat

51st State Brewing Company | Kingsford | Imperial / Double IPA | 7.6% ABV | 68 IBU Each year, the Ski Jumping Continental Cup, the second level of international ski jumping in the world, takes place at Pine Mountain. Inspired by the Pine Mountain Ski Jump, this is 51st State’s tribute to the iconic competition. Ski lovers worldwide rejoice over this brew for its tropical fruit flavors and woodsy citrus aroma. VIEW BEER

Ski Jump IPA

Big Lake Brewing | Holland | IPA | 8% ABV | 50 IBU This non-hazy IPA goes down nice and easy. Beer purists will love its smooth, light taste. It’s brewed with Simcoe, Columbus, and Amarillo hops for a nuanced finish that will leave you feeling toasty. VIEW BEER

Snow Machine

Bell’s Brewery | Kalamazoo | Wheat Ale | 5% ABV | 21 IBU Bright White Ale is a classic winter Belgian wheat ale with a medium-light body and a unique taste. Its Belgian ale yeast strain and a blend of barley and wheat malts create a fruity, spicy aroma – all without the need for any actual spices. VIEW BEER

Bright White Ale

Light-bodied and drinkable brews, unique flavors, and spiced aromas mean these ski-themed beers will feel euphoric after a day out on the slopes. Whether it’s a drink or two to unwind while you stretch the leg muscles, or your one-way trip to an unforgettable lodge party, picking up one of these beers will be the ideal choice.

Warm Up With A Refreshing Michigan Ski Beer