Meet the talent behind the brews at Still West, Snake River Brewing and Roadhouse/Melvin.
Jackson is home to a vibrant craft beer scene, offering a diverse selection of local breweries that showcase the region’s unique spirit and natural beauty. Check out go-to local breweries and meet the talent behind the brewing!
StillWest Brewery
StillWest Brewery & Grill, at the foot of Snow King Mountain, crafts top-notch beer under Head Brewer Mike Agricola. One of Jackson Hole’s newer breweries, StillWest offers flagship beers alongside an ever-changing lineup of creative brews. Agricola started with homebrewing before working as a wine consultant, then shifted to professional beer production with Roadhouse Brewing. He took the helm at StillWest in 2022. “We’re a small brewpub,” he says. “We have core beers, but I love experimenting—bringing back classics and trying new things.” His favorite? The German-style Pilsner, though he also enjoys the brewery’s West Coast-style IPA.
StillWest’s seasonal pale ales support local charities, like the Patrol Pale, which donates $1 per pint to Snow King ski patrollers. Agricola also enjoys crafting unexpected flavors, such as a honey-basil Kölsch for summer. Outside StillWest, he appreciates light beers like Pacifico but enjoys exploring innovative small-batch brews for inspiration. “Tweaking variables, refining each batch—it’s all about the process. ”What sets StillWest apart? “We’re small, local, and hands-on,” Agricola says. “No canning, minimal distribution—just quality beer.”
Enjoy StillWest beer both at the Brewery and Grill, alongside something delicious, open daily. Or if you’re just in the mood to drink, their Tap Room is open Thursday-Sundays. The restaurant is located on the top floor, and the tap room on the ground floor, at 45 East Broadway, at the base of Snow King Mountain. Both locations also make a great meeting spot for you next private event: Inquire here.
Snake River Brewing
For 30 years, Snake River Brewing—nicknamed “Jackson’s Living Room”—has been a go-to spot for pizza, pints, and good company. Led by Head Brewer Rudy Borrego and Assistant Head Brewer Symon Teasdale, the team prioritizes quality over quantity. “We don’t cut corners on ingredients,” Borrego says.
The brewery’s five flagship beers—Zonker Stout, Jenny Lake Lager, Snake River Pale Ale, Pako’s IPA, and Earned It Hazy IPA—have won hundreds of national and international awards, including “Small Brewery of the Year” at the Great American Beer Festival. Seasonal brews like Mexican lagers, Pilsners, and stouts keep the lineup fresh. Inspiration for new beers comes from many places—like fresh spruce tips used in a recent batch. Borrego’s favorite is Pako’s IPA, while Teasdale loves Snake River Pale Ale and his Horchata Cream Ale creation.
In addition to pouring award-winning beers, Snake River Brewing has cultivated a reputation of giving back to the community, further weaving it into the fabric of Jackson Hole. “It’s pretty simple, really,” Borrego says. “Brew beer true to style, and care.”
In the mood to enjoy your brew and play trivia or bingo, or participate in a dart tournament? Check out the Brewpub’s calendar of events to quench your thirst for both beer and competition. Want to take Snake River Brews home with you? Fill a growler at the Pub, or you can find many of their beers at other restaurants in the Greater Jackson area, and canned in most liquor stores around town.
Roadhouse and Melvin Brewing
Under the banner of Pure Madness Brewery Group, Brewmaster Max Shafer guides the beer development for both Roadhouse and Melvin Brewing — brews that are appreciated in Jackson Hole and beyond. While the different labels both craft beloved blends, Shafer explains that his philosophy behind each is unique.
“They’re entirely different breweries that make entirely different beer,” Shafer says. “It’s really cool for me to manage such a diverse brewing profile.” While Roadhouse is brewed in Jackson Hole, Melvin Brewing now calls Alpine home for brewing operations. Both brands are widely available around the area, both at Fine Dining Restaurant Group establishments as well as a wide variety of local vendors.?
“Roadhouse Brewing is characterized by true-to-style German lager-style beer and authentic Belgian beer, but we approach our hazy IPA a little differently,” Shafer says. “Melvin is very classic American-style IPAs, our award-winning double IPA, and classic West Coast IPAs.”
When it comes to how Shafer develops and refines new ideas, he relies on a combination of observing what other breweries in the region are up to and showcasing the flavors he wants. “It’s about what elements we can use to achieve those flavors,” he says. “We can use things like different grains, hops and fruits.”?
Shafer adds that the lifestyle and storytelling elements are key to how he approaches developing and marketing beer. “I think about whether it’s an activity-focused or lifestyle beer, or if it’s a food-forward beer for our partners in fine dining.” ?
When it comes to what Shafer pours himself, he’s got favorites from both Roadhouse and Melvin Brewing. As a graduate of a brewing school in Germany, he’s a fan of the Highwayman Pilsner from Roadhouse. “It’s a German-style Pilsner that has a lot of insane beer geek factors, but at the end of the day, it’s light in alcohol and very refreshing.” His current favorite from Melvin is a brand-new brew called Pils Boutique; it’s a West Coast-style Pilsner that’s hopped like an IPA, resulting in a “super hoppy” beer.?
Enjoy a draft Roadhouse alongside delicious food at Roadhouse Pub and Eatery, open daily at 11:30am, or keep it to just beer at the Roadhouse Tap Room, open 4-9pm Monday-Friday. Melvin beers are poured at Melvin Brewing, in Alpine, WY. Both Roadhouse and Melvin beers can also be found at all of the Fine Dining Restaurant Group restaurants, many other bars and restaurants around the Greater Jackson area, and canned in most liquor stores around town.
