When it comes to post-slopes imbibing, not all drinks are created equal.

The long-beloved tradition of après ski is changing, as curated experiences and educational opportunities become more popular from Aspen to Jackson Hole to the Dolomites in Italy. Whether the brew comes to you (a pop-up champagne bar) or you go to the source (a ski-in distillery with tours and spirits geeks to answer all your questions), après ski is becoming more engaging and cerebral.

Take your ski vacation this year with a side of spirits knowledge at the following spots.
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Kate Krader (@kkrader on Twitter) is Food & Wine's restaurant editor. When she tells us where to find our culinary heart's desire, we listen up.

As some of us know from first-hand experience, it’s not hard to get into trouble at a bar. In some states, it’s surprisingly easy to go one step further and break the law. In Indiana, for instance, apparently it is illegal to carry a cocktail from the bar to a table; only the server is allowed to do that. Likewise, in Hawaii, you can legally order only one drink at a time. Your friends have to buy their own, and any minors who were hoping you’d get them a cocktail have to go to Plan B.
 
And now, some bars are imposing their own sets of rules, from no suits to 25 or older to drink.
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As holiday parties get into full swing, most hosts already know that their guests will end up in the kitchen. Yes, yes, the kitchen is where the action is, the star of the show.

But for many homeowners, it's not the kitchen that stirs their pride. It's the bar, said Jennifer Kopf, home editor for Southern Living magazine. After all, December 5 marks 80 years since the end of of Prohibition, and Americans have learned to enjoy that legal tipple at home.

When people move into a new home, especially in the South, she said, "The first question is, where are we going to put the bar?"
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The British love a good argument over a pint, and what could be a better topic than which pub deserves to be called the nation’s oldest?

It’s a touchy subject - there’s possibly no more cherished symbol of Britain than a snug pub with a fire crackling in the corner.

And if it’s ancient, well, that’s really the froth on the ale.

There are several contenders for the crown of Britain’s oldest inn.

The problem is how to judge them.
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