We weren鈥檛 actually there when Richard Bass summited Mount Everest on April 30, 1985, becoming the first to bag the highest mountain on every continent. But we鈥檒l guess what he said as he began the trek back to Base Camp: 鈥淚 could really go for a beer.鈥
To toast the anniversary of Bass鈥 accomplishment, we鈥檝e assembled a list of the best brews to pair with every peak on his list鈥攎ost are named after the peak and made in a brewery nearby. Note that unlike the current list, Bass counted Australia鈥檚 Mount Kosciuszko, not Indonesia鈥檚 Puncak Jaya, as Oceania鈥檚 highest peak. While Puncak Jaya is now most commonly accepted in the Seven Summits list, we went with Kosciuszko to honor Bass鈥 choice (and because there is no beer named after Puncak Jaya). Many of these beers aren鈥檛 available stateside, but they are an excuse to go straight to the source.
Everest Beer
Mount Everest Brewery; Kathmandu, Nepal
This Kathmandu brewery started producing an Everest-themed beer in 2003 to mark the 50th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay鈥檚 summit. The , which shows a historic image of Norgay on Everest. What鈥檚 inside the bottle is pretty standard: a light, somewhat grainy lager without much in the way of oomph.
Andes Red Lager
Quilmes; Quilmes, Argentina
For Aconcagua, we chose Argentina鈥檚 version of macrobeer鈥攖he Quilmes brand is the most ubiquitous bottle in the country. Still, the offers a sturdy hit of malt and just enough bitterness to make it interesting. If you鈥檙e feeling extra inspired, its deep amber color is reminiscent of watching the sunrise over the Andes.
Denali Schwarzbier
Denali Brewing Company; Talkeetna, Alaska
On your way to the base of the mountain, make a pit stop in Talkeetna, Alaska, to pick up a six-pack of . Each can encapsulates the perfect blend of Nobel hops with Pilsner and Munich malts. At 5.1 percent ABV, it won鈥檛 knock you on your ass after your grand adventure, but it will give you a good buzz.
Kilimanjaro Premium Lager
Tanzania Breweries; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
We officially chose the beer , but if we were judging on taste, we鈥檇 choose Serengeti by Serengeti Breweries instead, based on the intel of a local guide. 鈥淜ilimanjaro beer is undoubtedly popular; I think it鈥檚 the bestseller in Tanzania, and you have to try it at least once,鈥 says Henry Stedman, who wrote the bestselling guidebook . But, he says, 鈥淚 personally prefer either Serengeti or Ndovu. I find Kili beer a little bland鈥攁ll gas and little flavor鈥攚hereas the other two are positively tasty.鈥
Elbrus
Night Shift Brewing; Everett, Massachusetts
Last year, the Massachusetts-based Night Shift Brewing named its barrel-aged beers for epic peaks. For the Russian imperial stout, the natural choice was Elbrus. It鈥檚 a that, like climbing Russia鈥檚 highest peak, you won鈥檛 soon forget. It was released only to those in Night Shift鈥檚 Barrel Society, a paid program that rewards members with special-edition beers. But if you鈥檙e lucky, you might be able to find a bottle rattling around somewhere on the internet or a kind friend who will share theirs with you.
Kosciuszko Pale Ale
Kosciuszko Brewery; New South Wales, Australia
On your way to the peak鈥檚 trailhead, you鈥檒l pass the Banjo Peterson Inn, which houses the Kosciuszko Brewing Company. is the brewery鈥檚 flagship, and lots of work has gone into perfecting it. The pale and Munich malts work in perfect balance with Tasmanian-grown hops. If you鈥檝e got extra time, take a tour of the brewery, which is in the same building as the taps.
Antarctic Nail Ale
Nail Brewing; Perth, Australia
Yes, we cheated here鈥攖here is no Vinson beer. Hell, there鈥檚 not much (official) beer to found in Antarctica: despite a , shipping beer off the continent is almost impossible. But since you鈥檙e shelling out $40,000 to fly to Antarctica and climb Mount Vinson, may we suggest bringing a bottle of the world鈥檚 most expensive beer with you? In 2010, Nail Brewing decided to make its with water from an Antarctic iceberg. The oversized ice cube was sent to Perth, Australia, where it was turned into an Australian-style pale ale. Thirty numbered bottles were auctioned off, with one fetching $1,850. We鈥檇 say it tastes best cold, but honestly, there won鈥檛 be any other choice in how you drink it.