Some people hear that Great Smoky Mountains is America鈥檚 most-visited national park and think it鈥檚 a reason to stay away. The opposite is true. There鈥檚 a reason it鈥檚 so popular: This spectacular wilderness is packed with diverse ecosystems, plants, and animals鈥攁nd it鈥檚 easy to avoid the crowds if you know where to look.

What will you find? In the park鈥檚 higher elevations, peregrine falcons soar over 6,000-plus-foot Appalachian peaks, and blooming rhododendrons decorate mountaintop balds. Waterfalls careen from rocky points, feeding streams full of salamanders and native brook trout. The lowland hardwood forests provide wild habitat for black bears, saw-whet owls, and elk. The Smokies are a beloved refuge for hundreds of species鈥攈ikers included.

How do we ensure it stays that way for generations to come? Support and protect the park. That鈥檚 why is celebrating Great Smoky Mountains this spring. The brewery is featuring a of its flagship Pale Ale dedicated to four national parks, Great Smoky Mountains included. (The other three are Big Bend, Yellowstone, and Yosemite.) The beer hasn鈥檛 changed, but the artful limited-edition packaging shines a spotlight on these iconic parks.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is backing that up with a donation to the to support wildlife and habitat conservation. 鈥淥ur national parks are a jewel that we need to preserve,鈥� Sierra Nevada founder Ken Grossman says. 鈥淐onnection to nature is really critical. I think it鈥檚 our legacy to preserve those places forever.鈥�

Amie Engerbretson, professional skier and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. ambassador, agrees. 鈥淭he national parks are where you see the very best that Mother Nature has to offer,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd they鈥檙e so accessible, it makes it possible for all people to see some of the coolest places in the world.鈥�

With so many options on the table and 848 miles of trails, it can be hard to decide exactly where to spend your time in the park. Plan the perfect trip with this guide to the Smokies鈥� can鈥檛-miss spots to hike, camp, explore, and 鈥渃heers!鈥� a day well spent.

Best Waterfall Hike

Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop

This quiet day hike in the lush jams three cascades into just 2.4 miles: dramatic 90-foot Juney Whank Falls, flowy 25-foot Indian Creek Falls, and lacy 60-foot Tom Branch Falls. Start on the steep Juney Whank Falls Trail, then connect to Deep Creek Horse Trail, Deep Creek Trail, and Indian Creek Trail to reach waterfall number two. Loop back on Deep Creek Trail to reach Tom Branch Falls and continue on to the trailhead. Hot-weather tip: Carry a tube to the first two falls (plenty of rentals are available nearby), then hop into Deep Creek and float past Tom Branch Falls en route to the takeout near the park boundary.

Pale Ale moment: Back at the trailhead, head to the picnic area and dip your toes in Deep Creek while you savor an ice-cold Sierra Nevada.

Best Overlook

Charlies Bunion

Sample the famed Appalachian Trail to reach this big-view overlook. Starting from the nearly mile-high Newfound Gap, follow the AT east through the spruce-fir forest, enjoying plenty of mountain views along the way. There鈥檚 no mistaking at mile four: Grab a perch on the rocky knob and revel in the panorama of peaks and valleys radiating beneath your boots. If you鈥檙e not in the mood to share this justifiably popular overlook, hit the trail early or in late afternoon, or target the off-season.

Pale Ale moment: Head back down the mountain to Collins Creek Picnic Area, a shady refuge along a burbling creek perfect for sipping.

Best Peak Hike

Mount LeConte

Five different trails lead to LeConte鈥檚 6,593-foot summit, the park鈥檚 third-highest peak. Our money is on the ten-mile round-trip Alum Cave Trail, with highlights including a hike-through rock arch, the cliffy overhang of Alum Cave Bluffs, and narrow ledges to traverse (equipped with metal cables to grab for stability). Up top, spin-around views of the park await.

Pale Ale moment: Say 鈥淐heers!鈥� from the rocking chair on your cabin鈥檚 porch at the rustic , the only hotel in the park (typically open March to November).

Best Overnight

Gregory Bald

The Smokies鈥� 鈥渂alds,鈥� or open, grassy mountainside meadows, are botanical wonderlands when the flame azaleas bloom鈥攁nd gorgeous viewpoints when they鈥檙e not. Rangers keep in its historically open state with string trimmers and a lawnmower, one of only two such maintained spots in the park. Researchers think the wide-open balds were created by grazing animals, first by mastodons and woolly mammoths, and later by deer and elk. Several trails will get you there, but the 6.8-mile one-way Wolf Ridge Trail from the Twentymile area is less traveled than the rest.

Pale Ale moment: Raise a toast from backcountry campsite 13, which lets you bunk right on the bald.

Best Bike Ride

Cades Cove Loop Road

Truth #1: Cades Cove is an idyllic valley filled with wildlife, historic buildings and cemeteries, and wildflowers. Truth #2: It can be a total mob scene, with backed-up traffic. Truth #3: You can beat the crowds鈥攁nd enjoy a world-class bike ride on the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road鈥攂y visiting on in summer. Hop on your favorite two-wheeler (Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are OK; bike rentals available on site) and cruise the rolling route, allowing time to stop and explore spots like Cable Mill and John Oliver Cabin.

Pale Ale moment: Go for a creekside table at either Abrahms or Green Branch creek, both of which border the area, in Cades Cove Picnic Area at the loop鈥檚 start.

Best Campground

Balsam Mountain Campground

Campsites in the Smokies tend to be verdant, peaceful, and, in summer, wicked hot and humid. Not so up at 5,310 feet at , which enjoys a much cooler climate. The flat Balsam Mountain Nature Trail, a 1.2-mile out-and-back, leaves right from the campground and makes for a nice leg stretcher.

Pale Ale moment: Snag one of this quiet campground鈥檚 43 sites, gather 鈥檙ound the campfire, and toast your good sense to be here.

Note: It鈥檚 always smart to check the for current conditions before your trip. And when planning a Pale Ale moment of your own, check the park鈥檚 .

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., founded by Ken Grossman in 1980, is a pioneer in craft brewing. With breweries in California and North Carolina, it鈥檚 known for quality ingredients, innovation, and sustainability. Popular beers include Pale Ale, Hazy Little Thing, and Torpedo. Learn more at .

The post The Beer Drinker鈥檚 Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Some parks get drive-by visitors stopping on their way somewhere else. Not Big Bend. From the Wild and Scenic Rio Grande to the sky islands of the Chisos Mountains and all the canyons, Cretaceous-era fossils, and stretches of Chihuahuan Desert in between, Big Bend National Park is always the main event.

This Texas national park sits at the state鈥檚 southern tip, forming a desert refuge where peccaries, great horned owls, and spiny lizards make their homes. People are drawn to Big Bend to paddle the Rio Grande between sheer canyon walls, hike mountain trails thousands of feet above the surrounding desert, look for the park鈥檚 450-plus bird species, and camp under a dazzling night sky.

was drawn to Big Bend for the same reasons: It鈥檚 a special place that serves up nature and adventure in Texas-sized doses and deserves support to match. That鈥檚 why this summer, the brewery is featuring a of its flagship Pale Ale dedicated to four national parks, Big Bend included. (The other three are Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, and Yosemite.)

The beer hasn鈥檛 changed, but the artful limited-edition packaging shines a spotlight on these iconic parks. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is backing that up with a donation to the to support wildlife and habitat conservation. 鈥淥ur national parks are a jewel that we need to preserve,鈥� founder Ken Grossman says. 鈥淐onnection to nature is really critical. I think it鈥檚 our legacy to preserve those places forever.鈥�

Amie Engerbretson, professional skier and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. ambassador, agrees. 鈥淭he national parks are where you see the very best that Mother Nature has to offer,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd they鈥檙e so accessible, it makes it possible for all people to see some of the coolest places in the world.鈥�

So put Big Bend on your must-go list鈥攜ou won鈥檛 get there any other way鈥攁nd start planning with this guide to the park鈥檚 can鈥檛-miss spots to hike, camp, paddle, and 鈥渃heers!鈥� a day well spent.

Best Mountain Day Hike

South Rim Trail

Big effort is rewarded with big views on . With 12.5 miles of hiking and almost 4,000 feet of elevation gain and loss, it both tests and rewards hikers with expansive vistas over desert wilderness, canyons, and peaks stretching into Mexico. And up at 7,000-plus feet, the air is slightly cooler compared to the desert below. (Still, be prepared for intense sun; skip this one in the heat of summer.) Start by hoofing it up the steep Pinnacles Trail, then connect to Boot Canyon, South Rim, and Laguna Meadows trails for an all-day loop across the top of the park.

Pale Ale moment: Back at the trailhead, continue on to the Window View Trail, an easy .3-mile loop, and grab a bench to savor the sunset.

Best Desert Day Hike

Mariscal Canyon Rim

If standing on the edge of a sheer 1,400-foot drop to the Rio Grande sounds more thrilling than terrifying, put on your list. From the remote Talley Trailhead, follow rock cairns through patches of cholla and rock cactus before steeply climbing to the tabletop of Mariscal Mountain. Tiptoe to the overlook for a peek into the tight folds of Mariscal Canyon, where the Rio Grande begins its swing to the north. Retrace your steps for a 6.6-mile day.

Pale Ale moment: Set up camp at one of the near the trailhead for a beer with a side of stargazing.

Best Paddle

Santa Elena Canyon

The westernmost river canyon in Big Bend is the stuff of legend: 1,500-foot rock walls, peregrine falcons and red-tailed hawks soaring overhead, gravel beaches, and鈥攖his is big in southern Texas鈥攂lessed shade. Tackle the 20-mile float from Lajitas to the Santa Elena River Access Point for a rejuvenating two- or three-day trip, camping on gravel bars (). Check river levels, as the canyon鈥檚 Rock Slide rapid becomes a Class IV obstacle at certain flows. Or skip the long driving shuttle and get straight to the heart of the canyon scenery by doing it 鈥渂oomerang鈥� style: Paddle upstream from the take-out, an option available when the river is flowing 200 cubic feet per second (CFS) or lower, then retrace your strokes when ready.

Pale Ale moment: Pick a beach, any beach.

Best Soak

Boquillas Hot Springs

Pale Ale moment: Alcohol isn鈥檛 allowed at the hot spring itself, but that鈥檚 fine, because after soaking, when you鈥檙e good and relaxed, is the perfect time for happy hour. For that, grab a permit for one of the nearby primitive drive-in campsites at or (high-clearance vehicle required) and toast your good fortune. (Alternate overnight spot: The down the road has more amenities.)

Note: It鈥檚 always smart to check the before your trip for conditions and safety information, as well as where alcohol consumption is permitted.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., founded by Ken Grossman in 1980, is a pioneer in craft brewing. With breweries in California and North Carolina, it鈥檚 known for quality ingredients, innovation, and sustainability. Popular beers include Pale Ale, Hazy Little Thing, and Torpedo. Learn more at .

The post The Beer Drinker鈥檚 Guide to Big Bend National Park appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Yosemite National Park is many things, but subtle ain鈥檛 one of them. This gem of a park straddling the crest of California鈥檚 Sierra Nevada hits you over the head with its scenic grandeur. Yosemite鈥檚 towering granite domes, thousand-foot-tall waterfalls, wildflower-dotted meadows, and skyscraping sequoias are the stuff of national park dreams. And even though it鈥檚 one of the country鈥檚 most popular parks, Yosemite鈥檚 vast wilderness holds plenty of quiet escapes.

Count among Yosemite鈥檚 biggest fans. This spring, the brewery is featuring a of its flagship Pale Ale dedicated to four national parks, Yosemite included. (The other three are Big Bend, Great Smoky Mountains, and Yellowstone.)

The beer hasn鈥檛 changed, but the artful limited-edition packaging shines a spotlight on these iconic parks. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is backing that up with a donation to the to support wildlife and habitat conservation. 鈥淥ur national parks are a jewel that we need to preserve,鈥� brewery founder Ken Grossman says. 鈥淐onnection to nature is really critical. I think it鈥檚 our legacy to preserve those places forever.鈥�

Amie Engerbretson, professional skier and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. ambassador, agrees. 鈥淭he national parks are where you see the very best that Mother Nature has to offer,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd they鈥檙e so accessible, it makes it possible for all people to see some of the coolest places in the world.鈥�

With 1,200 square miles and more than 750 miles of trail, it can be hard to decide exactly where to spend your time in this park. Here鈥檚 our guide to Yosemite鈥檚 can鈥檛-miss spots to hike, camp, explore, and 鈥渃heers!鈥� a day well spent.

Best Alpine Lake Hike

Cathedral Lakes

Tuolumne Meadows, a mountain-ringed meadow at 8,600 feet, is the picture of high-country heaven and the jumping-off point for superlative hikes to lofty lakes and peaks. This seven-mile round trip to a pair of is Engerbretson鈥檚 top pick to see a lesser-visited, bigger-views area. Hop on the John Muir Trail and start gently climbing southwest. When the trail forks, head right to Lower Cathedral Lake for views of Cathedral, Echo, and Tressider Peaks reflected in the water. Make it a double by taking the .8-mile side trip to Upper Cathedral Lake on the way back.

Pale Ale moment: Post up at a quiet spot at , near where you started, and you might wonder why you went anywhere at all.

Best Yosemite Valley Day Hike

Mist Trail鈥揓MT Loop

This route tracing the Merced River past two huge waterfalls is no secret鈥攏othing this beautiful could be. But like many iconic hikes, it鈥檚 totally worth doing鈥攋ust start at sunrise to avoid the conga line. For an unforgettable 8.5-mile loop, hoof it a mile along the to the first major viewpoint at the Vernal Falls Footbridge. If you think the 317-foot waterfall is impressive now, just wait until you continue 600 steps up to the top. (This section is steep and can be wet and slippery.) Press on to the even larger Nevada Fall, a 594-foot tumbler, before looping back down to the valley via the John Muir Trail, which offers views of Half Dome and Liberty Cap en route.

Pale Ale moment: Nothing beats El Cap Meadow, where you can spot climbers on the face of El Capitan or just cool your feet in the Merced River, ice-cold Pale Ale in hand.

Best View

Taft Point

Get a golden eagle-eye view of Yosemite Valley at Taft Point, a 7,500-foot outcropping that stands more than 3,000 feet above the valley floor. Taft is like its more famous neighbor, Glacier Point, but without the crowds (or guardrails). It also serves up one of the best sunset views in the park. Reach Taft Point on a mellow 2.2-mile hike (round trip) that starts on .

Pale Ale moment: The nearby , on Glacier Point Road, is the perfect spot for a pine-shaded happy hour. The campground is located at more than 7,000 feet elevation, so the season is short (mid-July to September). Sites are reservable two weeks before arrival and go fast.

Best Campground

North Pines Campground

Engerbretson recommends pitching a tent in Yosemite Valley for its spellbinding mountain views, and there鈥檚 no place better than this ponderosa pine鈥搒haded campground on the Merced River.

Pale Ale moment: Build a campfire (if ), pull up a camp chair, and you know the rest. Note:, like all Yosemite Valley campgrounds, is in high demand. Go for the the fall before your intended trip for a better shot at snagging a spot.

Best Big Trees Hike

Guardians Loop Trail

is where it鈥檚 at if you want to hike among the largest trees in the world. More than 500 mature sequoias grow here, some prominent enough to sport names like Famous Couple, Grizzly Giant, and Three Graces. Tour the goods on this 6.5-mile lollipop loop from the main trailhead to the upper grove.

Pale Ale moment: After the hike, choose a bench under a sequoia and enjoy feeling very, very small.

Best Peak Hike

North Dome

Want sweeping, dome-top views of Yosemite Valley without the vertigo (and permit logistics) of Half Dome? North Dome is your granite monolith. Half Dome鈥檚 slightly shorter northern cousin鈥�7,540 feet versus 8,839 feet鈥攐ffers a similar panorama with a close-up look at Half Dome itself and a walk-up approach, no cables required. Take the south through conifer forest to the airy dome, a 10.4-mile round trip.

Pale Ale moment: A day like this deserves a night to match. Reserve a site at , just a mile from the trailhead (open mid-July to mid-October).

Note: It鈥檚 always smart to check the before your trip for conditions and safety information, as well as where alcohol consumption is permitted.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., founded by Ken Grossman in 1980, is a pioneer in craft brewing. With breweries in California and North Carolina, it鈥檚 known for quality ingredients, innovation, and sustainability. Popular beers include Pale Ale, Hazy Little Thing, and Torpedo. Learn more at .

The post The Beer Drinker鈥檚 Guide to Yosemite appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Night Before the Trail Run

Nonalcoholic IPAs deliver punchy hop flavor with none of the hangover, and an explosion of new NA beer brands over the past five years means there鈥檚 more variety and quality than ever. Whether your preferred IPA tastes classic and bitter or hazy and tropical, store shelves are full of booze-free options that are ready to help you carb up and tackle the mountain feeling fresh.

• Athletic Brewing Company
• Best Day Brewing
• Brooklyn Brewery

Morning of a Big Hike

Even at breakfast, these beers won鈥檛 set you back. Reach for nonalcoholic golden ales when the day鈥檚 plans call for an easy-drinking crowd-pleaser with bright, refreshing carbonation. Hemp-derived THC and CBD have recently found their way into NA beers, offering a low-dose boost without the buzz. (Throw an extra in your pack for a midday, top-of-the-mountain treat.)

• Easy Man
• Sierra Nevada
• Patagonia Provisions x Deschutes Brewery

Midday on the Water

Stay even-keeled with a four to five percent ABV craft lager. For decades, American craft brewers largely shied away from so-called 鈥測ellow fizzy beer,鈥� preferring to leave pilsners to the world鈥檚 biggest brands. Thankfully, they鈥檝e finally seen the light and are now brewing ultra-crisp, characterful lagers with manageable alcohol contents that make them easy to reach for.

• pFriem Family Brewers
• Threes Brewing
• Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Afternoon Mountain Biking Break

A mix of beer and carbonated lemonade, radlers have long been associated with German cyclists. It鈥檚 easy to see why: They鈥檙e sweet-tangy enough to toe the line between beer and juice. Today, radlers鈥攁nd their British cousin, shandies鈥攃ome in a rainbow of citrusy flavors from grapefruit to orange. Their thirst-quenching power, however, remains steadfast.

• Stiegl
• Shiner
• Von Trapp

Back at Base Camp

Wind down with the new and improved world of West Coast IPAs. After years of hazy, fruity New England鈥搒tyle IPA dominance, the West Coast version has made a triumphant return. But today鈥檚 versions aren鈥檛 tongue-scrapingly bitter; they expertly blend classic hops鈥� pine, dank, and subtle citrus notes for a prismatic sip that eases you out of a hard day鈥檚 work at six to seven percent ABV.

• Breakside
• Upslope Brewing
• 罢谤枚别驳蝉

Campfire Nightcap

Once you鈥檝e debriefed the day鈥檚 challenges and successes, it鈥檚 time to drink dessert. Reach for a slightly sweet stout that incorporates chocolate, peanut butter, hazelnuts, or other other culinary ingredients. The best of these indulgent beers maintain a coffee-like roast that helps balance those confectionary additions. Feeling extra bold? Look for a version that鈥檚 been whiskey barrel鈥揳ged.

• Mother Earth
• Samuel Smith
• Left Hand

The post There鈥檚 a Beer for That appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If you subscribe to the notion that national parks are America鈥檚 best idea, you need to visit ground zero. Not only is Yellowstone the country鈥檚 oldest national park, it鈥檚 also still as wild as they come.

In this 2.2 million-acre park鈥攍arger than some states鈥攖he very ground bubbles and steams, fueling the highest concentration of geysers in the world. Wildlife like grizzly bears, moose, bison, and wolverines endure here, thanks to the park鈥檚 vast protected habitat. Mountains overlook enormous waterfalls, trout-filled rivers, quiet lakes, and the most remote landscapes in the lower 48. You could spend a lifetime exploring Yellowstone National Park and still discover something new every time you visit.

No wonder is among Yellowstone鈥檚 biggest fans. A respect for wild places has been part of the brewery鈥檚 DNA since founder Ken Grossman named it after one of the country鈥檚 most iconic mountain ranges. That legacy continues this spring as the brewery features a of its flagship Pale Ale dedicated to four national parks, Yellowstone included. (The other three are Big Bend, Great Smoky Mountains, and Yosemite.)

The beer hasn鈥檛 changed, but the artful limited-edition packaging shines a spotlight on these iconic parks. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is backing that up with a donation to the to support wildlife and habitat conservation. 鈥淥ur national parks are a jewel that we need to preserve,鈥� Grossman says. 鈥淐onnection to nature is really critical. I think it鈥檚 our legacy to preserve those places forever.鈥�

Amie Engerbretson, professional skier and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. ambassador, agrees. 鈥淭he national parks are where you see the very best that Mother Nature has to offer,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd they鈥檙e so accessible, it makes it possible for all people to see some of the coolest places in the world.鈥�

With so much to see and more than 1,100 miles of trail, it can be hard to decide exactly where to spend your time in the park. Here鈥檚 our guide to Yellowstone鈥檚 can鈥檛-miss spots to hike, camp, explore, and 鈥渃heers!鈥� a day well spent.

Best Day Hike

Lone Star Geyser

It鈥檚 not just the 鈥攁 45-footer erupting from a 12-foot-high mineral cone every three hours or so鈥攖hat makes this five-mile round trip such a pleasant way to spend a few hours. It鈥檚 the flat, shady trail that traces the Firehole River through a conifer forest. The trail is partially paved (you can even bike most of the way to the geyser) and a welcome break from the crowds just down the road in Upper Geyser Basin. But yeah, catching a water show in relative solitude is a nice perk.

Pale Ale moment: From the trailhead, walk next door to the Kepler Cascades overlook and tip one back while listening to the triple-tiered waterfall.

Best Backpacking Trip

Heart Lake

Kick back on the pebbly beach surrounding this out-there lake for a day or two, scoping for trumpeter swans, elk, grizzlies, and wolves in the daytime hours and getting dazzled by the stargazing at night. The out-and-back from the is a shade over 17 miles total, but you鈥檒l want to tack on the seven-mile round-trip side hike to the summit of 10,308-foot Mount Sheridan. From the top, you鈥檒l spy Heart Lake, as well as Yellowstone, Lewis, and Shoshone lakes, with the Absaroka Range rising regally on the skyline. Tip: For the best shot at your preferred itinerary, sign up for the.

Pale Ale moment: Evening in camp, fire crackling in the foreground, Heart Lake just beyond.

Best Peak Hike

Avalanche Peak

Short, sweet, and steep is what you get on this 4.2-mile round-trip hike on the park鈥檚 east side. huffs up 1,000 feet per mile, traversing talus slopes and narrow ridgelines en route to a dizzying view of Yellowstone Lake. Target July or August for this strenuous trip. Before then, the trail will probably be snow-covered; after that, grizzly bears start to show up looking for whitebark pine nuts (always be bear alert and carry bear spray in Yellowstone National Park).

Pale Ale moment: Post-hike, from the trailhead, cross the road and grab a picnic table next to pretty little Eleanor Lake.

Best Campground

Slough Creek Campground

The Lamar Valley in the park鈥檚 northeastern corner is wildlife central, with excellent chances of spotting resident wolf packs, bison, elk, and bears. Animals are early risers, and you should be, too鈥攁n easy task when you鈥檙e sleeping right in the thick of the Lamar. This quiet 16-site creekside also offers trout fishing and easy access to the Slough Creek Trail.

Pale Ale moment: Pop up your camp chair on the rocky beach and enjoy a creekside happy hour.

Best Ski

Riverside Ski Trail

Tour through quiet conifer forests, along the wide Madison River, and across meadows with views of the Madison and Gallatin ranges on this 7.7-mile out of the gateway town of West Yellowstone. From the park boundary, glide through the woods for one mile, then turn right to ski the shorter Upriver Loop. When you return to the junction, continue north to explore the Downriver Loop鈥檚 waterfront views.

Pale Ale moment: Hang out under the evergreens east of the trailhead鈥攋ust make sure not to step in the ski track.

Best Old Faithful View

Observation Point

From this overlook above Upper Geyser Basin, just a short distance from the boardwalk, you can watch Old Faithful erupt, far removed from the geyser鈥檚 famous crowd scene. Walk the first part of the boardwalk, then peel off on the to the switchback a half-mile up the hill. Return the way you came for a 1.6-mile round trip.

Pale Ale Moment: Yellowstone offers overnight options for every budget and preference. Relocate to a lodge, cabin, or campground (make reservations early), and 鈥渃heers鈥� America鈥檚 first national park.

Note: It鈥檚 always smart to check the before your trip for conditions and safety information, as well as where alcohol consumption is permitted.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., founded by Ken Grossman in 1980, is a pioneer in craft brewing. With breweries in California and North Carolina, it鈥檚 known for quality ingredients, innovation, and sustainability. Popular beers include Pale Ale, Hazy Little Thing, and Torpedo. Learn more at .

The post The Beer Drinker鈥檚 Guide to Yellowstone appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Celebrating a good day outdoors requires just a few key ingredients: friends or family, a scenic spot to gather, and a just-right wine to toast the adventure. What makes a wine just right for the occasion? An approach that prioritizes balance, terrain, flavor profile, value, and an unfussy connection to the way moments like these make people happy. That鈥檚 the formula follows in making wine from western Oregon鈥檚 diverse vineyards. Tim Jones, Acrobat鈥檚 winemaker, was born in Oregon and says he loves the challenge鈥攁nd reward鈥攐f making wines from the state鈥檚 varied terrain. Here鈥檚 what he has to say about making wine that pairs with everyday outdoor adventure.

国产吃瓜黑料: Why are Acrobat wines such a good match for people who enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle?

Tim Jones: Acrobat wines are known for being crisp, refreshing, and versatile. This makes them perfect for pairing with friends around a campfire or with a wide range of foods, whether you鈥檙e enjoying a casual picnic or a more elaborate outdoor meal. These wines are designed to be approachable and easy drinking. Acrobat wines come from vineyards that emphasize sustainable farming practices鈥攐bviously a big plus for everyone who loves nature. They offer excellent quality at a reasonable price point, which makes it that much easier to enjoy a bottle of wine while camping or hiking or after a long day of outdoor activities. Overall, this balance of refreshing taste, affordability, and sustainable practices makes Acrobat wines a great choice for those who love to stay active and spend time outside.

How did you become a winemaker?

I first became interested in winemaking while a student at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. My dad was a forester, and I grew up with a connection to the outdoors, and I loved the way winemaking blends nature and honest craftsmanship. On weekends, I would go wine tasting in the Yamhill and Dundee regions, but as a college student, I had way more enthusiasm than money to buy wine! A bachelor鈥檚 degree in Spanish and history gave me the opportunity to study wines abroad in Chile and Argentina. My growing passion for wine continued and led me to working harvests in Sonoma and Napa counties in Northern California. Later, I studied viticulture and enology at UC Davis. (I met my wife while pouring at a wine event in Davis.) In 2018, I jumped at the opportunity to go back to my roots and return to Oregon to make wine for Acrobat. I love the challenge of winemaking in Oregon, the diversity of the wine regions here, and the wildly varying landscape. I find that it satisfies my varied interests, including the outdoors, chemistry, and cooking.

What鈥檚 the origin story of Acrobat Wines?
Acrobat was established with the intention of creating wines that are both active and balanced. We began with the goal of making wine that complemented the Oregon region. We focus on striking a balance between quality; sourcing from sustainable vineyards throughout the Willamette, Umpqua, and Rogue valleys; and affordability to give people an approachable wine that fits easily into an active, outdoor lifestyle. Our winemaking philosophy is dictated by being true to the place and true to the varietal. Oregon is a unique and exciting wine-growing region, and Acrobat aims to capture the freshness and complexity of our local wines.

Why are Acrobat wines sourced from a spectrum of Oregon vineyards?聽

Oregon is a challenging but rewarding place to make wine. Our top varietals, pinot gris and pinot noir, are also famously difficult to grow. They are thin-skinned and susceptible to every influence in the vineyard and winery. But when you get them right, they can make incredibly compelling expressions that reflect the time and place they were grown. With Acrobat, we source grapes from several regions to create blends that deliver a consistent and balanced flavor profile that is classically Oregon.

Where are Acrobat wines made?

Acrobat wines are harvested typically from late August to October and produced at our winery in Oregon. We also work with some smaller local custom-crush facilities throughout the region. A new technique we鈥檝e begun experimenting with for our pinot gris is pressing the grapes in the vineyard within minutes of harvesting. This reduces skin contact and preserves freshness. Then we transfer the juice to our production facility for fermentation and bottling. This approach allows us to maintain meticulous control over the winemaking process from vineyard to bottle, keep the juice crisp, and lock in as much freshness as we can to ensure that our pinot gris captures the essence of Oregon.

Established by Bill Foley in 1996, (FFWS) is a portfolio of highly acclaimed wines and spirits from some of the world鈥檚 greatest estates. The company owns more than 24 wineries, including Acrobat Wines, and a distillery, each with a distinct style, legacy, and approach to hospitality.

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When it comes to adventure, there鈥檚 nowhere more exciting than our planet鈥檚 oceans. There鈥檚 also nowhere more imperiled. The threats come from so many fronts鈥攆rom overfishing to plastic pollution to warming temperatures鈥攖hat you need to ask more of your marine adventures. You need salty trips that pull double duty: putting you into the wildest depths of this dynamic environment and providing actionable ways to give back.

What鈥檚 more, experiencing this kind of cause-driven adventure can change you for the better, too. The right amounts of adversity and awe grant you a new perspective鈥攐ne you should celebrate with a wine to match. Juggernaut Wines also intentionally seeks out challenges when it comes to growing conditions, whether it鈥檚 hillside vineyards with thin, well-draining soils where vines burrow deep in search of moisture, or coastal vineyards where fog, wind, and limited sunlight create stress鈥攕eemingly hostile conditions that bring out the best of each vine. Under duress, a hardy vine diverts resources into the grapes, ensuring that the resulting fruit yields complex and flavorful wine.

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鈥淭his was one of the first recipes I brought home from France,鈥� Alecia Moore says, offering me a pour of ros茅. 鈥淚n 2015, I went to Scamandre, in the south. It鈥檚 fully sustainable, regeneratively farmed. It鈥檚 beautiful. It鈥檚 wild.鈥�

While she was at the vineyard, a grower named Franck Renouard gave her a glass of delicately colored, aromatic grenache ros茅. 鈥淚 did not want to put out a pink wine,鈥� Moore quips. 鈥淭hough Costco would鈥檝e really liked that!鈥� She asked Renouard about his process. 鈥溾�夆�榃ell, you鈥檙e American, you鈥檙e a woman, and you鈥檙e a pop star,鈥欌�夆�� he said, skeptical of her ability to master it. 鈥溾�夆�楢bsolutely!鈥欌�夆��

鈥淪o he gave me the recipe,鈥� Moore says. 鈥淚鈥檓 like, 鈥極K, fucker, watch this.鈥欌�夆��

We take a moment to go through the steps of tasting the wine: tilting the glass in the sunlight to assess color (not pink, but more like white with a blush of peach); swirling to release aromatics from the liquid (basil, citrus peel, and piecrust); and then taking a small sip while inhaling, to experience the acidity, body, and flavor passing over our tongues. One sip and I鈥檓 stunned. Alecia the winemaker is not messing around.

Moore and I are sitting under an outdoor pergola, next to a small reservoir on her 25-acre vineyard, which is situated on rolling land just outside Santa Ynez, California, in Santa Barbara County. She鈥檚 on a two-week break from her world tour, , and she鈥檚 come home to throw herself into the September wine harvest. 鈥淲inemaking is not as physically grueling as performing, but it鈥檚 still laborious enough to be fun,鈥� she says.

If you鈥檙e one of the millions of people who attended a concert in 2023, you know that she鈥檚 physical onstage, and that she makes singing upside down鈥攚hile being hurled through the air, attached to a harness, over a stadium full of fans鈥攍ook easy. The appearance of effortless grace requires an enormous amount of conditioning and grit. Being home at the vineyard means decompressing from that intensity, even if doing so involves waking up before dawn to pick grapes with the crew. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 remember to breathe until I get to the end of the driveway,鈥� she says. 鈥淭his place reminds you to just stop.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檒l start picking Block 2 tomorrow,鈥� Moore continues, pointing to a defined, hilly section of neatly organized sauvignon blanc vines that are always the first to ripen. Moore bought this place in 2013. She鈥檚 kept most of the 17 acres of certified organic grapes鈥攊ncluding cabernet sauvignon, grenache, graciano, syrah, petit verdot, grenache blanc, and cabernet franc鈥攖hat were planted here before she arrived. She鈥檚 since added eight acres and introduced s茅millon and merlot to the mix; in all, her crew will harvest over 55 tons of grapes, yielding about 2,500 cases of red wine and 500 cases of white.

Moore opens a 2022 graciano, made from an inky Spanish grape that typically produces a rich, tannic, almost savory wine. As an experiment, she fermented the grapes in whole clusters, using a process called carbonic maceration. The result is fresh and bright, with notes of crunchy tart cherries.

鈥淚 got demo-itis on this vineyard,鈥� she says, borrowing a term from her musical life. 鈥淎s a musician, when you make a demo, if you listen to it more than five times, you鈥檙e never going to record the actual song, because you鈥檙e now in love with the demo.鈥� She takes a sip. 鈥淚f you listen to some of the acoustic deep cuts on my records, sometimes I鈥檓 not saying the right words. The person doing the harmonies is drunk. I think it鈥檚 perfect, because it鈥檚 a vibe.鈥�

She tries to bring a vibe to her wines, which are all single varietals. 鈥淲hy blend?鈥� she says. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 care what the French say. Grapes have their own personalities. They don鈥檛 necessarily play well with others.鈥�

鈥淭his is my home, this is my place,鈥� she laughs. 鈥淭his is how I express myself in plants.鈥�

The graciano goes perfectly with a panzanella salad Moore made. She came to this interview from her home garden on a Polaris UTV, with two kids along for the ride and a large ceramic bowl cradled in her lap. Her husband鈥攑rofessional motocross racer Carey Hart, who helps with winemaking tasks but mostly leaves it to her鈥攊s also on hand. Their son, six-year-old Jameson, harvested the salad鈥檚 heirloom tomatoes; their daughter, 12-year-old Willow, picked the sweet basil. Moore made sourdough bread using freshly milled flour from the famed baker Josey Baker, of the in San Francisco. (They became sourdough pen pals during the pandemic.) She used a starter named Quarantina, which is kept going by wild local yeast.

Over time, Moore has gotten intimate with the land and its microclimate. 鈥淲e wake up in a cloud every morning,鈥� she says. The vineyard is next to the western slope of the San Rafael Mountains, whose 6,800-foot peaks trap moisture from the Pacific, and the fog hovers until the sun burns it off.

Makes sense. If I were a mist, I鈥檇 want to stick around here, too.

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If summer is the season of refreshing drinks by the water, then fall is the seasons of cozy beverages by a bonfire or curled up in a quilted blanket. Whether you鈥檙e warming up at home after a long hike or settling in for an evening by the campfire, the perfect beverage pairing is essential. While we鈥檒l never say no to a flask of Knob Creek, mixing it up a little can feel celebratory (and taste delicious).

For outside-the-box recommendations on what to sip this fall, we tapped four food and beverage professionals to get their take on the ideal fall cocktails.

Farm and Fish House Punch

Danny Childs, the bar manager at New Jersey鈥檚 Farm and Fisherman Tavern and the mind behind , an Instagram account that chronicles Childs鈥� constant exploration of the region鈥檚 foraged and farmed products, offered an Applejack-centered bourbon and rum punch. This sip should be prepared ahead of time, as the base requires overnight steeping. Oleo-saccharum is made by steeping lemon peels with sugar and spice overnight, or for at least eight hours. It has a strong taste of apple cider vinegar, albeit sweetened with sugar, and can be served hot or cold.

Get the recipe

Ivy Mix鈥檚 Fall Cranberry Spritz

Ivy Mix, who runs Leyenda, a pan-Latin bar, and Fiasco Wine and Spirits, both in Brooklyn, offered a cranberry gin spritz that somehow lands both refreshing and cozy, perfect for those still-a-little-warm fall afternoons. This spritz is like a spiced lemonade with a hint of tartness and a lot of cranberry. It’s intentionally low in alcohol, but you can add more gin if desired.

Get the recipe

Fall Espresso Spritz & Mezcal Negroni

Cybille St. Aude-Tate and Omar Tate, the husband and wife team behind Honeysuckle Provisions, a trailblazing culinary concept in Philadelphia, have opposite approaches to the autumn drink. Tate recommends an espresso spritz lightly sweetened with apple cider, which has a bit of caffeine so he can keep up with his kids. This drink mixed unfiltered apple cider with sparkling water so it’s still bubbly but the espresso gives it a nutty, lovely taste. On the other hand, St. Aude-Tate prefers to sip on a mezcal negroni during a rare quiet moment at the end of a busy day. Even though an ice-cold negroni isn’t what most people think of for a cozy fall drink, this classic cocktail is spiced up by using mezcal rather than gin.

Get the recipes here and here

Whatever your needs for a fall-weather drink, we鈥檝e got something to suit your fancy all season long.

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Think about the most rewarding experiences you鈥檝e had outdoors, the ones when you had to dig deep and fight for every mile: that rocky summit scramble, stormy hike, or sweltering bike ride. As conventional wisdom goes, the tougher the adventure, the sweeter the payoff. And it鈥檚 not some empty bromide meant to make you feel better about suffering. Psychological research demonstrates that struggle is over time. When you push yourself, you. Thus adversity has the power to make you stronger, bolder, and better able to unlock your true potential.

With wines, it鈥檚 much the same. Steep slopes and challenging growing conditions create beneficial stress, forcing vines to work harder and develop more character. The result is a wine with deep, complex flavor鈥攏ot to mention a pretty heroic backstory. That鈥檚 why harnesses the power of nature, making wines that pair perfectly with an adventurous spirit.聽聽聽聽

3 Reasons Wine Is the Best Post-国产吃瓜黑料 Drink

Toasting the end of a long day outdoors is a beloved ritual. It鈥檚 about celebrating the good things and acknowledging the bad. It鈥檚 about beginnings, endings, and hopes for the future. So it only makes sense that your choice of drink should reflect your values and adventure philosophy. Through that lens, , which invites seemingly hostile vineyard conditions to bring out the best of each vine, quickly emerges as the best choice.聽聽

1. Wine Grapes Thrive in Challenging Conditions, Just Like You

Most alcoholic beverages are distilled from grains, which require pretty cushy conditions (rich soil, flat ground, and mild temperatures). Wine grapes, on the other hand, are versatile. They can adapt to their surroundings. Give them fertile soil and plenty of sun and rain, and they鈥檒l grow simple root systems, thick foliage, and fat, water-filled fruits. Stick them on dry, rocky slopes where water is scarce, or inhospitable locations lashed by wind and fog, and they鈥檒l transform. The best coaches don鈥檛 coddle you; they make you push harder to reach your full potential. With more stress, the vines expend more energy to survive, undergoing a beneficial level of struggle, forcing the plant to get scrappy, fighting for moisture and nutrients. When it’s in survival mode, the vine diverts resources into the grapes, ensuring that the resulting fruit yields complex and flavorful wine.

2. Good Wine Imparts a Deep Sense of Place

We鈥檙e all shaped by the landscapes we explore. It鈥檚 often easy to distinguish a climber from a cyclist at a glance, or a swimmer from a distance runner. Likewise, a wine鈥檚 flavor is a direct reflection of the terrain, sun, and rain it lives in鈥攜et another reason to feel a kinship to wines from Juggernaut.聽聽

3. Wine Is Easy to Pack

Unlike carbonated beverages, wine is easy to repackage and store. It offers a great ratio of alcohol and flavor to volume鈥攚hich means it鈥檚 not too heavy, and it鈥檚 not too potent. It鈥檚 also easy to drink with a variety of foods and in a variety of settings. Pack a chilled chardonnay into an insulated bottle for your campfire after a rewarding desert hike, or enjoy a red in the lodge after an epic powder day. Wine always pairs well with tired muscles, belly laughs, and tall tales at the end of the day鈥檚 accomplishments.

The Best 国产吃瓜黑料 Wines

Myriad grape varieties are grown in diverse climates around the world, and not every winemaker pays meticulous attention to identifying the ideal location for each specific varietal. Many choose to plant vines where they will thrive and produce the maximum tonnage of grapes each season. That means not all wine grapes are grown in the best place for them to reach their true potential.

Juggernaut, however, puts terroir front and center. A premium California winemaker, Juggernaut seeks out vineyards with growing conditions that challenge the vines and bring out their strongest flavors.聽

The is a case in point. Grown on hillside vineyards in premium California growing regions, these cabernet vines have to survive in nutrient-scarce, well-draining soils where they have to dig deep and fight for every drop of moisture and every inch of purchase. As a result, their grapes are small but intense and bursting with complex flavors. (Think: anise and black currant, with a rich, velvety feel.)聽

闯耻驳驳别谤苍补耻迟鈥檚 is also a solid bet. Grown amid the foggy weather and dry soil of Northern California鈥檚 Russian River valley, this red balances graceful notes of cherry and vanilla within a powerful oaky finish.聽聽

If you鈥檙e more into whites, try the Juggernaut . These grapes reach their peak potential thanks to the rugged California coast, where they鈥檙e constantly buffeted by fog and cool winds. But year after year, they prove their resiliency, turning meager sunlight and nutrients into a bright, balanced wine. This chardonnay features flavors of vanilla, apple, and pear鈥攚hich makes it perfect for toasting on summer nights.聽

Now go find a challenge out there and after a day of adventure, raise a glass to reward your determination and accomplishments.

Juggernaut Wines believes that overcoming challenges builds character, for both people and grapevines. Founded in 2018, Juggernaut Wines grows grapes in extreme conditions to create wines of untamed character and unrestrained complexity. Juggernaut Wines harness the power of nature to produce wines as expressive as the powerful alpha-predators adorning the labels. Visit.

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