Allagash Ski House 6Pk

Allagash Ski House 6Pk is a 7.5% ABV winter white ale brewed with fresh ginger, available in a 6-pack of 12 oz bottles from Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine. Scoring 89 on BeerAdvocate, this seasonal witbier takes Allagash's celebrated Belgian wheat beer tradition and layers in warming ginger spice for a cold-weather expression with real character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: Portland, Maine, USA  |  Style: Winter White Ale  |  Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Allagash Brewing Company was founded in 1995 by Rob Tod with a singular focus on Belgian-inspired ales — an unconventional bet in a craft beer landscape then dominated by hop-forward American styles. Ski House builds on the same Belgian witbier DNA as the brewery's flagship White, using a grain bill of Allagash 2-Row Malted Barley Blend, Red Wheat Malt, Raw White Wheat, Oats, and Carapils. What distinguishes this seasonal release is the addition of fresh ginger during brewing, which gives the beer an extra layer of warmth and spice that sets it apart from the standard White and positions it squarely as a winter sipper.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh ginger arrives first, followed by bright citrus peel and woody coriander. Subtle clove and a faint floral sweetness round out the nose, signaling the Belgian yeast character underneath.

Taste: The entry is soft and wheaty, with bready malt sweetness giving way to a mid-palate burst of ginger and citrus. Coriander and a whisper of banana from the yeast emerge as the flavors develop, balanced by the light creaminess from oats and raw wheat. The spice never overwhelms — it complements the grain rather than competing with it.

Finish: Medium in length with a dry, gently peppery close. Lingering ginger warmth and a trace of citrus zest keep the finish clean and inviting.

How to Drink Ski House

Ski House drinks best at cellar temperature, around 45–50°F, poured into a tulip glass or wide-mouthed goblet to release its aromatic ginger and coriander notes. It is a straightforward drinking beer rather than a cocktail ingredient, but its versatility extends to several beer-based mixed drinks. A Beer Shandy made with fresh lemonade amplifies the citrus character into warmer months. A Ginger Radler pairing Ski House with ginger ale doubles down on the spice for a refreshing long drink. And a Wit & Cider blend — half Ski House, half dry apple cider — creates a sessionable fall-to-winter crossover.

Best For

• Après-ski gatherings and winter cabin weekends
• Gifting to fans of Belgian-style wheat beers who want something seasonal
• Pairing with hearty cold-weather dinners like stews and roasted meats
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to spiced winter ales beyond the usual holiday porter

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ski House taste like? Ski House delivers a soft, bready wheat ale base accented by fresh ginger, citrus peel, coriander, and a faint banana note from Belgian yeast. The overall impression is warm and spiced but balanced, never heavy.

How does Ski House compare to Allagash White? Both share a Belgian witbier foundation and similar grain bills, but Ski House adds fresh ginger that gives it a noticeable warming spice absent from the classic White. Ski House also comes in slightly higher at 7.5% ABV compared to Allagash White's 5.2%, making it a fuller, more winter-weight beer.

Is Ski House good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the balanced interplay of wheat, citrus, and ginger makes it an engaging standalone pour, especially at cellar temperature where the aromatics fully open up.

Where is Ski House made? Ski House is brewed at Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine, a brewery founded in 1995 that specializes exclusively in Belgian-inspired ales.

What foods pair well with Ski House? Roasted root vegetables and squash soup complement the ginger warmth. Mussels in white wine broth echo the Belgian wit tradition. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the wheat sweetness. Thai coconut curry aligns with the ginger and coriander spice notes. Apple-based desserts like tarte tatin mirror the beer's subtle fruitiness.

What sizes does Ski House come in? Ski House is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz bottles, the standard retail format for this seasonal release.

Is Ski House worth the price? Ski House positions as a mid-range seasonal craft beer from one of America's most respected Belgian-style breweries, and its 7.5% ABV and distinctive fresh ginger profile deliver strong value relative to comparable winter specialty ales.

Why Ski House?

What separates Ski House from the crowded field of winter seasonals is restraint. Where many cold-weather beers lean on roasted malts or excessive spice, Allagash takes a proven witbier framework — the same grain bill underpinning one of America's best-selling Belgian whites — and simply adds fresh ginger for seasonal depth. The result, validated by an 89-point BeerAdvocate score, is a winter ale that drinks with the approachability of a year-round wit while delivering enough warmth and complexity to stand up to a January evening. It is a rare seasonal that earns repeat purchases rather than curiosity-driven one-offs.