It is hard to deny the shot of adrenaline one gets when it comes to sliding down snow-covered trails on skis or a snowboard. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t really matter how you’re getting down the hill or if it even has snow on it. There is just something about the idea of going full send that gets your heart pumping. That’s why we do it, right?  That and for the post ride beers, of course.

There is nothing more satisfying than an ice cold beer after the rush you get from a day of riding. That’s why skiers, snowboarders, mountain bikers…whomever, are always down for a good beer after they ride. 10 Barrel Brewing has taken this mantra and run with it. Their newest beer, “All Ways Down,” brewed in conjunction with Rome Snowboards, reminds drinkers that no matter what their adrenaline filled pursuit is you’re always down for a beer at the end.

From Small Batch to Award Winning Beer

Photo Credit: 10 Barrel Brewing

When it comes to their beer, 10 Barrel Brewing is no stranger to winning awards. “All Ways Down” is just the latest recipe from 10 Barrel in a long list of beers that have won countless accolades prior to being canned for consumer enjoyment.

Like most of 10 Barrel’s beers, “All Ways Down” started out as a small batch experimental beer. “Originally, it was for an annual party at our Denver Pub during the Winter Outdoor Retailer show,” says Grady Skelton 10 Barrel Brewing’s Sr. Creative Brand Manager.

Prior to his position at 10 Barrel, Skelton also happened to be a former employee of Rome Snowboards. So too was Ben Morse, 10 Barrel’s current trade marketing manager. Aside from the whole employee swap thing that they have going, 10 Barrel and Rome have worked together on special activations for events like Outdoor Retailer over the past three years. However, despite all of these common threads, 10 Barrel knew this Double IPA had to be special to get Rome Snowboards to come on board.

Getting Rome Snowboards to Sign On

Photo Credit: 10 Barrel Brewing

Rome Snowboards is based in the mecca of Double IPAs, Vermont. In fact they are not too far from the Alchemist Brewery, brewer of the famed Heady Topper, the Double IPA that what is widely attributed to having started this whole craze. Brewing a beer to match some of the big boys from Rome’s home state was no easy task. Kay Witkiewicz, head brewer at 10 Barrel’s Denver location, knew he had to win over the Vermonters who agreed to share their name with his beer.

How did they pull it off? Trial, error and dedication to their craft.

Over three years, head brewer in Denver, Kay Witkiewicz tweaked the recipe and got it ready to make a big splash with Rome and the rest of the beer drinking adrenaline junkies out there. This effort was awarded at the 2021 Oregon Beer Awards with a gold medal in the Imperial IPA category and Rome was all in. There’s even a tiny Rome Snowboard on the can to prove it.

“This beer was originally created with the Rome Snowboards crew in mind,” said Skelton. We adopted Rome Snowboards’ tagline as the name of the beer and to pay homage to the feeling of sliding down hills sideways.”

Eventually, “we kept drinking it after doing fun stuff, mostly downhill, so we expanded the idea to all the other gravity sports we enjoy.

How Does it Taste?

Once you give it a try, you’ll understand why they like “All Ways Down” so much. It’s a taste explosion. The heavy dose of Simcoe, Azacca and Mosaic Cryo Hops is evident not only in the taste but also the 9% ABV. All Ways Down is a heavy hitter that is bursting with citrus flavor. Yet despite all of the hops 10 Barrel poured into this bad boy, it’s is very well balanced and surprisingly drinkable.

With flavor and drinkability this good, it’s no surprise that All Ways Down lead to this post adrenaline rush beer in the end.

Rich Stoner

Rich Stoner is the founder of the après-ski lifestyle clothing and media brand, All About Après and the co-host of the Beyond the Après podcast. No stranger to the ski and après-ski scene, Rich has been a long time contributor for many publications on topics like skiing, gear, beer and food. However, his passion is on the slopes and enjoying good times with good people. You can find him perfecting his craft carving turns and drinking beers in the Green Mountains of Vermont.  @allaboutapres

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