Our story
“Brewed with a touch of the tetons”
Albert and Joni Upsher opened Snake River Brewing in 1994. As a former Anheuser Busch distributor in McMinville, Oregon Albert knew the beer business. He took notice of the expanding microbrewery scene in Oregon and decided to open a brewery in his favorite ski town, Jackson Wyoming! Snake River Brewing started as a family owned business, and in 2008 a local family took over the ownership of the brewpub.
Our beginning seemed pretty simple. We bought an old cinder block building that was previously the base of operations for a Coca-Cola distributor. It seemed to be the perfect spot for Wyoming’s first brewpub. We wanted an open industrial look, with lots of light and exposed steel beams. The brewing equipment and wood burning oven would be our artwork.
The concept was to create a restaurant and brewing space that was open to our customers, to draw guests into the process of making beer. We wanted a simple and unpretentious neighborhood watering hole for locals to gather and Jackson Hole tourists to taste beer from the Great State of Wyoming. From the beginning we were determined to create a brewpub building that was both excellent in style architecturally and offered excellent food and beer. We felt strongly about the quality of workmanship in the restaurant, from its beautiful windows and ceiling to its mahogany curved bar.
We decided to plan for quality, substance and longevity. We knew that Jackson Hole’s citizens would judge us on the quality of our beers and food. Our mission statement became- “The world doesn’t need another beer, but a better beer!”
Breweries and Mountain towns go together.
Jackson Hole is widely known for its abundant outdoor recreational opportunities. From skiing to fly fishing, from mountaineering to wildlife viewing and from biking to dog sledding there is no shortage of activity for those who are afflicted with the desire to test their limits in the outdoors.
Activities That make you thirsty.
When word-class athletes in Jackson are drinking our brews then it was only fitting that our beer was world class in its own right. Snake River Brewery has won numerous World Beer Cup medals, Great American Beer Festival medals, and Small Brewery of the Year (twice!).
“2X Winner: Small Brewery of the Year
Our brewery employees generally share two passions: love of the outdoors and a deep enthusiasm for craft beer. The natural environment and the Snake River Brewery working environment have combined to keep our staff pleasantly incarcerated in our little mountain “hole” that we call home.
Seasonal Can Artists Testing
Because we believe in anything that makes our community (be it Jackson or the Northwest) stronger, Snake River Brewing commissions can art from regional artists, designers, and illustrators to adorn our seasonal can labels. Page through our artists below, and see who drew your favorite brew!
Emily Bunnell
Emily Bunnell is a freelance designer and artist living and working in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah with her husband and two dogs. She received a double BFA in Drawing & Painting and Graphic Design, and has since worked as a designer, illustrator, and director in nearly every creative realm. Her favorite work is illustrations, and ideal clients are those who work with social or environmental causes. Emily’s perfect day includes time spent in the great outdoors, kind people, laughing hard, eating something delicious, creating something beautiful, and petting a dog (one of her own, preferably).
Katie Cooney
Katie Cooney is a printmaker, illustrator, and photographer based in Teton Valley, Idaho. A Wisconsin native, Katie grew up close to nature and has long had dirt under her fingernails and twigs in her hair. With her camera, pens, and paints, Katie invites viewers to immerse themselves in a slice of time, place and wildness. Her work is easily identified by its delicate mark-making and richness in color and texture. When she’s not art-ing, you’ll typically find Katie in her garden talking to the bees or recreating somewhere in the mountains with Nick the human and Newt the dog.
Haley Badenhop
Jackson based muralist and illustrator Haley Badenhop combines inspiration from her everyday adventures with bold linework to create exciting, engaging works of art. Haley’s work is inspired by natural elements and street art, and is often sketched on a plane while sipping burnt coffee. Haley’s favorite commissions motivate people to live their best life. Someday, Haley would love to paint a jet – the perfect project for her adventurous spirit. When she’s not painting, you’ll often find Haley in a cute cafe or hopping on a plane with her partner Owen to explore a new corner of the world.
Erick Nelson
Erick grew up in Massachusetts, the son of a Teacher and a Designer, and has been making art since he could eat a crayon. After graduating from Colorado College with a focus in painting and printmaking, he moved to Jackson in 2012 to pursue a life in the mountains. He has shown here in Jackson, and in Denver, Colorado, and has enjoyed working at Teton Artlab, the Art Association, and his kitchen table. In addition to printmaking and design, he guides for Dave Hansen Whitewater. He enjoys getting into the mountains, onto the river, and the company of good-hearted dirtbags.
Jacob Diaz
Jacob Diaz is an Idaho based Visual Artist who works in a number of mediums including Printmaking, Illustration, and Photography. Diaz received his BFA in Printmaking from Boise State University in 2015. Drawing strongly from nature, imagination and early childhood experiences Diaz’s style fuses the philosophical, playful and introspective fluidly. Diaz currently resides in Boise, Idaho.
Jeremy Collins
Jeremy Collins is an artist, athlete, activist, and author. He also does other stuff that doesn’t start with the letter ‘A’. He is a proud dad, globe-trotting rock climber, and ambassador for Zion National Park. His signature parallel line pen and ink work is often based on his own adventures.
Paul Gorsuch
Paul Gorsuch is a professional graphic designer, and amateur musician, who’s managing to pay rent in Jackson (for now). Paul’s forte is digital illustration, but as an aspiring Luddite, he draws inspiration from illustration methods that involve wood blocks or copper plates, and still begins most illustrations in his sketchbook. In his free time, he participates in stereotypical Jackson activities, as well as testing how long he can practice the banjo before his wife kicks him out of the house.
Respect The River
The Snake River, and its surrounding environs are both our namesake, and our lifeblood. We are always looking for ways to limit our environmental impact, whether it’s using cans instead of bottles, running our canning line using solar power, or supporting local organizations who do the hard work of protecting our waterways.
Cans: Green Choice and Better Beer
Lighter Weight and Smaller Size than bottles mean Less Fossil Fuel usage & CO2 emissions during transportation
More Recycle-Friendly than Glass
Our cans are made in Worland, WYOMING
Cans are better:
For the beer
- No UV Light Degrading Quality
- Airtight lid keeps can oxygen-free
- Longer Shelf Life
For packaging
- Portable, Packable, Compactable
- Better Taste: Think “Mini-Keg”
- Great for Rivers, Mountains, Sporting Venues
When you stack up aluminum cans versus glass bottles, the environmental benefits are clear.
Our Team
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Bryan Boynton BrewerHe loves hunting everything (elk, deer, moose!, pheasants) and fishing here and in Bahamas (or anywhere). His favorite beer is his own signature brew, the Golden Buck.
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Cameron Hieronymus Brewer and Barrel Master
He comes from a serious brewing family- he has relatives who are brewers, brewery owners (Sun King Brewery) and beer writers (the famous Stan Hieronymous). His favorite beer is the Earned It.
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Eric Navratil Sous Chef
He loves to go rafting (and getting sunburned), has two dogs, is a very proud Texan and will never turn down barbecue. His favorite beer is Pako’s or whatever fun seasonal happens to be on tap.
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Faraday Melchior Front of House Manager
She worked her way up from a host and has worked every front of house position. Her nickname is Felony and she is a very talented Rolfer! Her favorite beer is the Snake River Pale Ale.
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Jason Fariss Brewer
He enjoys economics and playing outdoors when he’s not brewing. His favorite beer is his own signature brew, the Schwarz- a black lager.
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Lisa Pelletier General Manager
She has worked every position in the place, including dish-washing! She has an infectious laugh that can be heard anywhere in the Brew Pub when she is in the building. Her favorite beers are the sours released every 3rd Sunday of the month!
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Ryan Brogan Executive Chef
Working at SRB was his 2nd kitchen job ever! His nickname is Mambo because he used to dance around other players in soccer with his fancy footwork. His favorite beer (and the only beer he drinks…) is Snake River Pale Ale.
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Melissa Kryger Front of House Manager
She has psychic ability and a thing for fine champagne. Her favorite beer is the Snake River Pale Ale, but she always loves whatever specialty sour is on tap!
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Mitch Rowe Head Hop Counter
Over 300 months on the job. He is passionate about horses, rodeo and roping. His favorite beer for special occasions is the Cherry Serpent, but he loves the Pako’s IPA for day-in and day-out drinking.
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Rudy Borrego Head Brewer
He enjoys teaching pottery and building things with his hands when he’s not brewing. His favorite beer is his own signature brew, the Blank Czech Pilsner, but he loves all of his children/beers!
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Tommy Arena Sous Chef
His favorite animals are squirrels… and he loves to cuddle while drinking beer. His favorite beer is Pako’s IPA and he would love a beer shot of that now please!
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John McCarthy Brewer
He loves fishing, mountain biking and skiing. His preferred nickname is Handsome John. His favorite beer is his own signature St. Patrick’s Day brew, McCarthy’s Red Ale.
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Christine Schnier Front of House Manager
She has her first level of cicerone completed and is a passionate dart competitor. Her favorite beer is Pandamonium, which is our Belgian Quad.
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Rachel Mazari Longtime Bartender
Rachel has been with SRB since 1994 slingin’ approximately 1,000,000 beers since day 1. She LOVES Great Danes and the Caribbean Islands. Her favorite beer is the Gold medal winner Speargun Coffee Milk Stout.
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Josh Wilkinson Brewer
He is a brewer by day and DJ Das Vader by night. Josh was a military brat and has lived all over the world. From traveling, he’s become a huge music and beer enthusiast. His favorite beer is the Hoback Hefeweizen!
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Rachel Hansen Brewer
Also known as FNG. She was a vintner in the wine industry and decided to try some beer one day. Since then, she’s become an avid beer and trivia enthusiast and she can do a mean Australian accent. Her favorite beer is the Earned It New England style IPA!
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Luke Bauer Director of Sales
Luke has lived in 11 states not counting Wyoming 3 separate times. After brief stints manufacturing hair care products, training birds at a raptor rehabilitation center, and being the 35th fastest bike courier in North America (in no particular order), Luke found himself in Jackson, WY for the first time. He is definitely a summer guy but can cope with Jackson winters by ice climbing with his favorite beer, the Snake River Pale Ale.
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Ariel Koerber Director of Marketing
She is our go to computer savvy person whether it be marketing related or tech related, she can fix everything! Her first job was at an aquarium coincidentally and realized she didn’t want to be the little mermaid. This is fierce mama of twos favorite beer is the Nothing Rhymes with Orange Milkshake IPA. Beermosas anyone?
