After a good day hiking, any beer that’s still cold is usually good enough—especially when the day ends at a campsite miles from the trailhead. But (SYMG), a 34-year-old outfitter specializing in the California wilderness, doesn’t think you should settle just because you’rein the backcountry. The companyteamed up with the one of its favorite breweries, (SGBC), to launcha four-night camping trip that takesbeer aficionadosdeep into the Golden State’s ,along with a trove of choicy beer.Ales and Trails, as the adventure is named,involvesa moderate amount of day hiking, plush camping, and a brewmaster who pairs gourmet food with craft beer.
How It Works
On day one, youhike six miles from the trailhead to a gin-clear lake where you set up camp. By evening, the SGBC brewmaster brings out handcrafted brews—includingone made specifically for this trip, and then you eat a gourmet meal (SYMG is known for its quality cooking) that’s been paired specifically to the flavor of that evenings suds. On one of the nights, you’ll be downing (and potentially naming)a brew that SGBC will release this fall.
Afterward,you mellow out around the campfire on comfy chairs before crashing out on sleeping pads in comfytents.
“The theme of the trip is beer, from start to finish,” says Colby Brokvist, senior backcountry guide for SYMG,but this isn’t the kind of trip for the beer-bellied. For example, on day four, you have the option of summiting a 10,000-foot peak on the border of Yosemite National Park.SYMG says you shouldbe in goodathletic shape andeven recommendsa few go-rounds on hilly, rocky trails with a daypackin the weeks before you head out.
The trip is supported western-style with a mule teamthat packs everything into camp, including all gear and custom-made bear-proof panniers built to carry coolers. “That translates to daypack-only hiking, and cold beer and fresh ingredients for our meals at camp,” says Brokvist.
More Information
Duration:Fivedays/four nights (fourdays/threenights in the backcountry)
Group Size:Three to12 participants, plus twomountain guides and a brewmaster from South Gate Brewery
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Price: $1,495 perperson. Guests are responsible for travel to and from Oakhurst, California.
2015 Trip Dates: July 15–19