FTON ALPS HOSTS SECOND ANNUAL ‘BREWERS BATTLE’ RACE
Ski teams thirst for glory as craft beer samples flow slopeside—Sat. Jan. 6
WHAT & WHY: Everyone knows the Midwest is home to craft beer-brewing geniuses, and what better way to let them show their competitive fire than by pitting them against each other on the slopes? At the second annual Brewers Battle race, held at Afton Alps and hosted by WCCO’s Kim Johnson, ski teams representing a dozen regional and national breweries will compete for the title of champion. Everyone else at the snow hill—everyone 21 and older, that is!—will enjoy complimentary beer samples from the participating breweries. The winner’s prize? Their beer gets a tap line at Afton Alps for the entire year. Lakes & Legends will be defending the title after its ski team took gold in 2017. Former Olympian Kristina Koznick will take the inaugural first run and offer tips and tricks to the racers.
WHEN: Saturday, January 6, 2018. Race at 10:30 am. Complimentary craft beer tasting from 10:30-1:30 pm (or while samples last) for those with passes or lift tickets.
WHO & WHERE: Participating breweries include: Alaskan, Surly, Lakes & Legends, Utah Brewers Association, Bent Paddle, Sociable Cider, Able Brewing, Milk and Honey, Lift Bridge Brewing, Modist Brewing, and Brewing 56. Sampling only: Lagunitas and Summit Brewing. Afton Alps, the snow fun center within a 30-minute drive of the Twin Cities, is ready to help families fight cabin fever—throwing a morning beer bash —and making the most out of winter. We’ve got the powdery slopes for cold-weather adventure, and the fire-warmed lodge for cozy celebrations. Plus, this spot dear to the winter memories of a generation of Minnesotans (and Wisconsinites) has some new tricks up its sleeve: Epic passes that allow access to world-class mountains across North America, new retro cocktails in the lodge for old-school apres-ski relaxation, and, for those who haven’t visited in the last few years, $10 million worth of renovations from the parent company of Afton Alps, Colorado-based Vail resorts.
