While at the festival, I was on a quest to find new mountain breweries. Skiers have been one of the major beneficiaries of the craft-beer boom. These days, almost every ski town has it's own brewery. The Great American Beer Festival is the best place to try beers from all over ski country at the same time. Here were a few of my favorites:

Whiteface Black Diamond Stout by Great Adirondack Brewing Company, Lake Placid, New York.

Bootjack IPA by Icicle Brewing Company, Leavenworth, Washington.

Bridal Veil Rye Pale Ale by Telluride Brewing Company, Telluride, Colorado.

IPA 395 by Mammoth Brewing Company, Mammoth Lakes, California.

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