Peaks & Pints leaned to ski during our years at Hudtloff Jr. High in the 1970s. The Clover Park School District arranged the buses to Crystal Mountain, which we boarded in the wee hours with our sack lunches and donning fitted jackets, tighter pants, and lots of color — all made from that reliable nylon. We strapped tree trunk-like skis to our feet, doggedly steering them like great monoliths across entire mountain. Back then, we had to ski uphill, both ways, in the snow. And we were grateful. It was the time of our lives. And we want to pass along that wonderful experience. Today, from 4-8 p.m., Peaks & Pints will donate 15 percent of the proceeds to Hunt Middle School’s Ski and Snowboard Club for a five-week learning experience at Snoqualmie Pass. The club needs to earn funds for transportation costs. In conjunction, Peaks & Pints presents an all-day winter beer flight that we’re calling Peaks and Pints Beer Flight: Hunt Ski Bus. Reminder: Peaks & Pints is a 21 and older establishment so the underage skiers and snowboarders will need to stay home and wax their boards while the parents eat and drink for the ski bus.
Peaks and Pints Beer Flight: Hunt Ski Bus
Kulshan Last Chair IPA
6.5% ABV
There is nothing else in the world you need when the snow is good, the lift is running, and you have your health. You ski or ride to the very last second taking the last chair up and head down quite often with the whole hill to yourself. Kulshan Brewing knows this feeling. The Bellingham brewery teamed up with the Mt. Baker Ski Area to brew Last Chair IPA, a West Coast IPA bursting with hop notes of citrus, berry, and tropical fruits.
Rainy Daze Frosty Chairlift
6.9% ABV
Flick, acting on a triple-dog dare, stuck his tongue on a frosted school flagpole. Years later, Harry Dunne’s tongue met the same fate when he went for a refreshing ski-chairlift pole. No, doubt there are thousands of other cases when frost foiled fun, but Peaks & Pints be damned if we didn’t warn you to put that frosted pint glass back in the freezer. Pouring Rainy Daze Brewing’s Frosty Chairlift winter warmer into said glass would foil fun, watering down the hoppy, piney, brown sugar and cedar notes.
Bale Breaker High Camp Winter IPA
7.3% ABV
Named for the ski lodge atop of White Pass Ski Resort, High Camp IPA takes Bale Breaker’s signature hop-forward style to a darker side with the addition of chocolate malts for malty backbone of spice and chocolate. Dry-hopped with Cascade, Centennial, an
ScuttleButt 10 Degrees Below Ale
7.4% ABV
Our flightologists were moved to tears by the picture of poor Frosty running here and there all around the square, frantically trying to have some fun before he melted away. If you listen carefully to the song, you realize Frosty is not quite the jolly, happy soul he was made out to be, condemned as he is to melt away, the sun being hot that day. While 10 Below Ale’s name suggests this imperial dunkelweiss from ScuttleButt Brewing Company could keep Frosty from melting, the 7.4 percent winter warmer with its deep, rich malt notes and subtle hint of orange peel is exactly what one needs to keep warm. It’s a malty beast with just enough hops to make it drinkable and make Frosty’s fate forgettable.
Icicle Darker Persuasion Tiramisu Stout
9% ABV
This imperial pastry stout in Icicle Brewing’s Dark Persuasion family is brewed with locally roasted coffee, Ecuadorian cacao nibs, and Madagascar vanilla beans that evoke flavors of delectable tiramisu. Revel in rich coffee, decadent chocolate and creamy vanilla notes and aromas while you envision your kids careening out of control on the slopes.
LINK: Peaks & Pints beer and cider cooler inventory
