Visiting Jackson Wyoming

Disclaimer: I go to JH to ski or ride bikes, not so much to drink beer, so my knowledge is somewhat limited. I've only been to a handful of places.

I personally like Streetfood at the Stagecoach Bar, in Wilson. The Stagecoach is just a bar, really, kind of divey and local-oriented but generally has some decent stuff on tap IIRC. Streetfood is the restaurant inside the bar, and it has a different owner. Really good (like OMG really effing good) street style tacos, and good bahn mi sammies, and other things.

Snake River Brewing is decent, they've got some tasty brews and it's right there so if you have the time you might as well. I like Pako's IPA, I can't get it down here in Colorado so it's always a nice little treat when I'm up that way. I see on the Googles that SRB is currently closed for renovations, but you should be able to get their stuff anywhere in the area.

Melvin sort of officially moved their main production to Alpine, WY if I am not mistaken. I've never been so I can't speak to it's ambiance or whatever. I also like Thai Me Up, which you've been to. Fun little spot. Actually got to visit before Melvin became it's own thing, it was kinda rad to see that beer get so good and popular that the brewery spun off of the restaurant.

If you can get over the pass to the Drictor area, there's a couple nice spots there...

Wildlife Brewing has tasty pie, it's been a minute but I recall the beers being pretty good.

Tatanka Tavern had a killer tap list and amazing food. Again, it's been a few years since I've been but I liked this place a lot.

Grand Teton Brewing Company is also on the spud side, stopped in once and I dug the experience. The tasting room is small and rustic, not super fancy or anything.

 

Oh... and I prefer the Mangy Moose to the Cowboy Bar, and the waffles at the top of the tram don't suck.

 

Never been but I would recommend Roadhouse Brewing. Solid lineup of beers and their food menu looks interesting.

 

Ah yeah, forgot Roadhouse is up there. I also have never been, but can confirm the beers I’ve had if there’s are solid.

And no, I’ve never driven back to Jackson after Tatanka, when I’ve been there it’s because I’m staying with friends in Driggs and skiing the ‘Ghee.

 

I was gonna say go to Grand Teton. One of the places John Kimmich of The Alchemist brewed at in his early days. And I love the little town of Victor despite the heavy Mormon influence. But the east side of Teton Pass does demand your full attention. I drove over it too many times in the winter and it was often pretty frightening. So maybe not.

 

Roadhouse is fine. Some of the worst service I’ve ever experienced at their spot in town. Standard brewery started by folks looking to make a buck IMHO. Never had a bad beer, never felt the need to buy much of it either.

TMU/Melvin pre Alpine brewery was magic. I have to go there all the time and used to drive straight to TMU. Had some amazing beers there. Truly amazing. Hasn’t been the same since all the “issues” and Kurt left. I still think they make really great, very shelf stable hoppy beers but the beer magic isn’t the same. For the Mountain West those guys were pushing the envelope much more than anyone else for a while. Sadly times have changed. Pretty sure they’re actually selling the TMU brewing equipment. Hands down the smallest commercial brewing footPrint I’ve ever seen. They won a lot of hardware on a 3.5bbl system.

I enjoy Snake River. It’s standard “old school” craft beer and their space reflects that but is still really cool. I think they make solid beer.

I have a rental property about .5 miles from Grand Teton in Victor. It’s fine. Generally solid beer. Kimmich did help them open up but that’s about it. Knotty Pine is a staple and really shouldn’t be missed. The drive to Victor/Driggs is eventful if you’re not used to it but is worth it. Time slows down in that Valley and it’s on the edge of not being that way for much longer. Driggs has two breweries. C33 and a tiny brewery that’s basically inside Teton Thai.

 

The first time I saw the valley over 30 years ago, I went into all the county offices and several businesses, asking "is there any way I can move here and have a decent job nearby?". Sadly, the answer was " not really". Maybe not so sadly in the long run because I'm very happy living on a VT mountain side with my wonderful wife who I met here, but the Teton Valley is a special place.

 

I hope you got to try Zonker while you were in the area @John_M

Jenny Lake lager is another solid offering from Snake River.

Roadhouse was solid imo but nothing special.

The Melvin location in Alpine is a must visit in the summer fwiw