List of breweries in Alaska explained

Breweries in Alaska produce a wide range of beers in different styles that are marketed locally, regionally, and nationally. In 2012, Alaska's 21 breweries, importers, brewpubs, packagers, and wholesalers employed more than 250 people directly in brewing activities, and another 2200 in related jobs such as wholesaling and retailing.^[1] Including people directly employed in brewing, as well as those who supply Alaska's breweries with everything from ingredients to machinery, the total business and personal tax revenue generated by Alaska's breweries and related industries was more than $73 million.^[1] Consumer purchases of Alaska's brewery products generated another $23 million in tax revenue.^[1] In 2012, according to the Brewers Association, Alaska ranked 4th in per capita craft breweries with 22.^[2]

For context, at the end of 2013 there were 2,822 breweries in the United States, including 2,768 craft breweries.^[3] In that same year, according to the Beer Institute, the brewing industry employed around 43,000 Americans in brewing and distribution and had a combined economic impact of more than $246 billion.^[4]

Since the turn of the century, the number of craft breweries in Alaska has increased dramatically, reflecting a nationwide trend in the United States.^{[5] [6] [7] [8]}

Alaskan breweries struggle with strict liquor regulations that keep their onsite sales limited to 36 ounces per person per day, closing times at 8pm and disallow TVs, gaming and live entertainment. Some breweries like the 49th State Brewing Company, Matanuska Brewing, and now Anchorage Brewing have picked up more extensive liquor licenses to get around the red tape^[9]

Breweries

Operating breweries

• 49th State Brewing Company (est. 2010)^[10] – Healy and Anchorage
• Alaskan Brewing Company (est. 1986) – Juneau
• Anchorage Brewing Company (est. 2010)^[11] – Anchorage
• Arkose Brewery (est. 2011)^[12] – Palmer
• Baleen Brewing Company (est. 2018)^[13] - Ketchikan
• Barnaby Brewing Company (est. 2017)^[14] - Juneau
• Bawden Street Brewing Company (est. 2018)^[15] - Ketchikan
• Bearpaw River Brewing Company (est. 2015)^[16] – Wasilla
• Black Spruce Brewing Company (est. 2018)^[17] - Fairbanks
• Bleeding Heart Brewery (est. 2016)^[18] – Palmer
• Brewerks (est. 2021)^[19] - Anchorage
• Broken Tooth Brewing (est. 1996)^[20] – Anchorage
• Cooper Landing Brewing Company (est. 2017)^[21] - Cooper Landing
• Copper River Brewing (est. 2022)^[22] - Cordova
• Cynosure Brewing (est. 2016)^[23] – Anchorage
• Denali Brewing Company (est. 2009)^[24] – Talkeetna
• Devil's Club Brewing Company (est. 2018)^[25] - Juneau
• Forbidden Peak Brewery (est. 2019)^[26] - Juneau
• Gakona Brewery & Supply Company (est. 2015)^[27] – Gakona
• Girdwood Brewing Company (est. 2017)^[28] - Girdwood
• Glacier Brewhouse (est. 1996)^[29] – Anchorage
• Grace Ridge Brewing (est. 2016)^[30] – Homer
• Growler Bay Brewing Company (est. 2020)^[31] - Valdez
• Haines Brewing Company (est. 1999)^[32] – Haines
• Harbor Mountain Brewing Company (est. 2020)^[33] - Sitka
  • Homer Brewing Company (est. 1996) – Homer HooDoo Brewing Company (est. 2012)^[34] – Fairbanks
• Icy Strait Brewing (est. 2015)^{[35] [36]} – Hoonah
• Kassik's Kenai Brew Stop (est. 2006)^[37] – Nikiski
• Kenai River Brewing Company (est. 2006)^[38] – Soldotna
• King Street Brewing Company (est. 2010)^[39] – Anchorage
• Klondike Brewing Company (est. 2018)^[40] - Skagway
• Kodiak Island Brewing Company (est. 2003)^[41] – Kodiak
• Last Frontier Brewing Company (est. 2010)^[42] – Wasilla
• Latitude 65 Brewing Company (est. 2021)^[43] - Fairbanks
• Lazy Mountain Brewing Company (est. 2019)^[44] — Palmer
• Matanuska Brewing Company (est. 2018)^[45] - Palmer
• Midnight Sun Brewing Company (est. 1995) – Anchorage
• Midnight Mine Brewing Company (est. 2019)^[46] - Fairbanks
• Odd Man Rush Brewing (est. 2015)^[47] – Eagle River
• Olds River Brewing Company (est. 2020)^[48] - Kodiak
• Raven's Ring Brewing Company (est. 2022)^[49] - Anchorage
• Roughwoods Inn & Café (est. 2013)^[50] - Nenana
• Seward Brewing Company (est. 2014)^[51] – Seward
• Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Company (est. 1998) – Fox
• Skagway Brewing Company^[52] – Skagway
• St. Elias Brewing Company (est. 2007)^[53] – Soldotna
• Stoney Creek Brewhouse (est. 2021)^[54] - Seward
• Susitna Brewing Company (est. 2022)^[55] - Big Lake
• Turnagain Brewing (est. 2018)^[56] - Anchorage
• Valdez Brewing (est. 2019)^[57] - Valdez

Closed breweries

• Alaska Brewing Company (1900-1901)^[58] - Nome
• Arctic Brewing (1907-1910) – Fairbanks
• Baranof Island Brewing Company (2010-2019)^[59] – Sitka
• Barphel Brewing Company (1905-1919) – Fairbanks
• Douglas City Brewing Company (1902-1906)^[60] - Douglas
• Eagle Brewing Company (1904-1906)^[61] - Eagle
• Fairbanks Brewing (1906-1907) – Fairbanks
• Gold Rush Brewing (2010-2017)^[62] - Skagway
• Juneau Brewing and Malting Company (1900-1904)^[63] - Juneau
• Pioneer Brewing Company (1934-1937) – Fairbanks
• Prinz Brau (1976-1979)^[64] – Anchorage
• Railway Brewing Company (1996-1998)^[65] - Anchorage
• Ravens Ridge (1994-1995)^[64] – Fairbanks
• Regal Eagle Brewing (1995-2003)^[66] - Eagle River
• Resolution Brewing Company (2015-2021)^[67] - Anchorage
• Skagway Brewing Company (1897-1902)^[68] - Skagway
• Sleeping Lady Brewing Company (1996-2015)^[69] – Anchorage
• Quake Brewing Company (2016-2017)^[70] - Wasilla
• Valdez Brewing Company (1903-1909)^[71] - Valdez

See also

• Beer in the United States
• List of breweries in the United States
• List of microbreweries
• Mead in Alaska

Further reading

• "Drink Locally", Anchorage Daily News, November 5, 2010
• "Peninsula Beers", Anchorage Press, May 11, 2011

External links

• "The United States of Beer: Alaska", Poor Taste Magazine, April 4, 2011
• Alaskan beers on Reddit
• Brewer's Guild of Alaska website

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Economic Impact of the Beer Industry--State Legislative & Congressional District Data, Alaska. The Beer Institute. May 14, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140203091325/http://www.beerinstitute.org/br/economic-impact/economic-impact. February 3, 2014.
2. Web site: Capita per Brewery. Brewers Association.
3. Web site: Brewers Association Announces 2013 Craft Brewer Growth. 14 May 2014. 2014-03-13.
4. Web site: Beer Serves America. The Beer Institute. May 14, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140203091325/http://www.beerinstitute.org/br/economic-impact/economic-impact. February 3, 2014.
5. Quinn, Steve (January 17, 2016). "Beer Boom: Breweries Pop Up Across Alaska", Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
6. Edge, Megan (April 12, 2014). "Beer Industry Bubbles in Alaska, While Brewers Feel 'Crippled' by Law", Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
7. Amen, Hal (June 22, 2012). "How to Try a Different Local Beer Every Night in Alaska", Matador Network. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
8. Bodry, Catherine. "Brewery Tour of Alaska", Lonely Planet. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
9. Web site: Fed up with tight regulations, Anchorage Brewing invests in full-service bar license. 2019-10-26. Anchorage Daily News. en-US. 2019-10-29.
10. Capps, Kris (August 19, 2015). "49th State Brewery Wins Beer Awards", Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
11. Roberts, James (March 6, 2015). "Big Oak: Anchorage Brewing Company Top Open in South Anchorage", Anchorage Press. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
12. Roberts, James (October 20, 2011). "Palmer Gets a Brewery", Anchorage Press. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
13. Billiu . Sarah . Openings/Closings/Transitions . The New Brewer . 36 . 2 . 221 . Brewers Association.
14. Roberts, James (April 13, 2017). "Barnaby Brewing Company Becomes Juneau’s Second", Anchorage Press. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
15. Web site: Singleton . Billy . Brewing up business in Ketchikan: A new taste in town . Anchorage Daily News . arc Publishing . 21 November 2018. 2018-08-06 .
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17. Billiu . Sarah . Openings/Closings/Transitions . The New Brewer . 36 . 2 . 221 . Brewers Association.
18. Merritt, Steven (April 10, 2016). "Bleeding Heart Brewery latest to enter local craft-beer scene", Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
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20. Anderson, Ben (February 5, 2012). "What's in a Name? Alaska's Moose's Tooth Rebrands Brewery", Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
21. Howell, Bill (July 11, 2017). "Cooper Landing Brewing Company", Drinking on The Last Frontier. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
22. Web site: Something new is brewing at Copper River Brewery . Williams . Amanda . November 25, 2022 . The Cordova Times . February 28, 2023.
23. News: Paula . Dobbyn . October 10, 2016 . New Brewery Opens in Anchorage that Focuses on Lagers and Belgian Beer . KTUU-TV . May 20, 2017.
24. Andrews, Laurel (May 25, 2015). "Talkeetna-Based Denali Brewing Company Is Quietly Booming", Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
25. Khachatoorian, Travis (March 2, 2018). "Juneau's 102-year-old Palace Theater revitalized by new brewery",KTUU. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
26. Hohenstatt, Ben (October 12, 2019). "Forbidden Peak's Hopping Grand Opening", Juneau Empire. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
27. Roberts, James (October 29, 2015). "Bunny Beer", Anchorage Press. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
28. Ruble, Eric (March 19, 2017). http://www.ktva.com/new-girdwood-brewery-boost-year-round-business-ski-town-311/, "KTVA". Retrieved May 18, 2017.
29. Hintze, Heather (March 17, 2015). "Nome Celebrates Ahead of Iditarod Finish with Bering Sea Beer Fest", KTVA News. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
30. Howell, Bill (May 18, 2016). "Seward Brewing Company and Grace Ridge Brewing Company", "Drinking on the Last Frontier". Retrieved July 10, 2016.
31. Web site: Growler Bay Brewing Co . Valdez Alaska . VALDEZ CONVENTION & VISITOR'S BUREAU, INC . 25 December 2021.
32. Files, Emily (September 15, 2015). "'New Hoppinins on Main Street': Haines Brewery Opens Doors at New Location", KHNS News. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
33. Web site: McKinstry . Erin . In the middle of a pandemic, new brewery brings craft beer to Sitka . KTOO . 8 August 2020 . KTOO Public Media . 8 August 2020.
34. Caldwell, Suzanna (July 13, 2014). "In Fairbanks, Local Love Keeps HooDoo Brewing Company in High Demand", Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
35. Roberts, James (September 29, 2015). "Hoonah's New Brewery Focuses on Locals", Juneau Empire. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
36. Jenkins, Elizabeth (August 15, 2015). "Can We Call It Hoo-Brew? New Brewery Opens in Hoonah", Alaska Public Media. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
37. Roberts, James (August 5, 2010). "Cream of the Crop", Anchorage Press. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
38. Earl, Elizabeth (January 11, 2016). "Kenai River Brewing Company Prepares for Move", Peninsula Clarion. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
39. Roberts, James (October 28, 2010). "Welcoming a New Brewery", Anchorage Press. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
40. Collins, Abbey (May 17, 2018). "Skagway’s second brewery opens amid state conversation about tasting rooms", KTOO. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
41. Krause, Lauren (December 16, 2012). "At This End of the Earth, There's Still Beer!", Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
42. White, Rindi (February 19, 2010). "Wasilla Now Has Wings 'n Things; Brewery to Follow", Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
43. Web site: Lindenberger . Hudson . The Fairbanks Craft Brewing Industry Is Thriving Despite Its Remote Alaskan Location . Forbes . Integrated Whale Media Investments . 25 December 2021.
44. Web site: Hintze . Heather . Palmer welcomes 4th craft brewery . KTVA . 23 October 2019 . 22 October 2019.
45. Goecker, Jamin (March 1, 2018). "Brewing dreams...and some beer", Echo. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
46. Web site: Roberts . James . New Midnite Mine Brewing Company a shining example of downtown Fairbanks revitalization . Anchorage Press . Wick Communications Company . 25 December 2021.
47. Armstrong, Amy (September 23, 2015). "Hockey-Themed Brewery Opens in Eagle River", Alaska Star. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
48. Web site: McBride . Rhonda . Olds River Inn expands brewery . KMXT . 28 September 2020 . 25 December 2021.
49. Web site: Roberts . James . Eclectic and complicated, Ravens Ring opens Thursday as Alaska's latest brewery . The Anchorage Press . Wick Communications . 13 February 2022.
50. Web site: Backwoods beer . Roberts . James . September 1, 2016 . Anchorage Press . June 20, 2019.
51. Aigeldinger, Jason (April 12, 2014). "Game Changer: Local Culinary Couple Take the Helm at Seward Brewing Company", Seward City News. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
52. Hintze, Heather (October 30, 2015). "From prospectors to passengers: Skagway Brewing Company carries rich history in Southeast", KTVA News. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
53. Dischner, Molly (January 25, 2011). "Pulling Prizes: Local Brewery's Award Is Part of a Growing Recognition for the Peninsula's Craft Beer", Peninsula Clarion. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
54. Web site: Roberts . James . Stoney Creek Brewing Company has about the most customer-facing business model you'll see . Anchorage Press . Wick Communications . 30 January 2022.
55. Web site: Stavik . KAtie . Big Lake welcomes newest dining option . Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman . Wick Communications . 10 October 2023.
56. Zak, Annie (July 18, 2018). "Open & Shut: Another brewery in Anchorage, plus new restaurants", Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
57. Web site: Valdez Brewing . Valdez Alaska . VALDEZ CONVENTION & VISITOR'S BUREAU, INC . 25 December 2021.
58. Wahl. Robert. Brewery Changes. American Brewers' Review. December 20, 1901. 15. 6. 292.
59. Web site: Woolsey . Robert . Struggling under debt, Sitka brewery defaults on $637K city loan . Alaska Public Media . 4 October 2019 . 3 October 2019.
60. Wahl. Robert. Brewery Changes. American Brewers' Review. June 20, 1902. 15. 12. 603.
61. Wahl. Robert. Brewery Changes. American Brewers' Review. May 20, 1902. 15. 11. 529.
62. Web site: Howell . Bill . Drinking on the Last Frontier . Drinking on the Last Frontier . 4 October 2018 . 28 April 2017.
63. Wahl. Robert. Brewmasters in New Positions. American Brewers' Review. April 20, 1902. 15. 10. 479.
64. BurnSilver, Glenn (August 23, 2013). "More beer, breweries bubbling up in Alaska", Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
65. Web site: Beer Me! — Railway Brewing — Anchorage, Alaska, United States. beerme.com. en. 2018-03-03.
66. Web site: Beer Me! — Regal Eagle Brewing — Eagle River, Alaska, United States. beerme.com. en. 2018-03-03.
67. Web site: Roberts . James . Alpenglow rises in Mountain View . Anchorage Press . Wick Communications . 24 January 2022.
68. Wahl. Robert. Brewery Changes. American Brewers' Review. November 20, 1902. 16. 5. 246.
69. Caldwell, Suzanna (December 21, 2015). "Snow Goose Restaurant Sold to 49th State Brewing Company", Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
70. Web site: Roberts . James . DR. FERMENTO: The year in beer . Anchorage Press . 4 October 2018.
71. Web site: Valdez Brewing Co. - AK 38a Old Breweries Information Breweriana Values. 20 August 2013 . en-US. 2019-12-03.