When we hear it, an image of cold, snow, mountains and reindeer is formed in our minds. Alaska is the northernmost and largest state of the USA, which is home to the brewery of the same name, Alaskan Brewing Co.
Its history begins in 1986 in the city of Juneau, the capital of the State. Marcy and Geoff Larson, then a 28-year-old couple, founded the city’s first brewery since the prohibition era and the nation’s 67th independent brewery. Homebrewer Geoff and Marcy heard about beer recipes dating back to when everyone was “hunting” for gold veins in Juneau, travelled to town, and in December of 1986 with the help of some volunteers, packed the first 253 cases of Alaskan Amber.
The axes on which Alaskan Brewing Co. now moves through time. it’s producing internationally recognized quality beers, showcasing quality Alaskan production, and the pleasure of growing both individually and as a business at the same time. The brewery has been actively supporting the environment through its “Beer Powered Beer” program since 1998 when it installed the CO2 recovery system, making history as the first US brewery to do so, using CO2 for the production of their beers. In this way, it was able to contribute to the protection of the environment and to limit the gases responsible for the greenhouse effect and global warming to the percentage that corresponds to it, returning to the production process that in other breweries would have escaped into the atmosphere. Continuing the effort to limit the waste of resources such as water and raw materials they adopted a Belgian method during the production process, again the first in the US when it did so in 2008, managing to reduce water consumption by approximately 2 million gallons in a year and to use the malt residues, as fuel, for the benefit of the production process. With the last major environmental upgrade occurring in 2012, Alaskan Brewing Co. continues to this day to invest in technology to benefit both the environment and the production of its beers.
All beers from Alaskan Brewing Co. bear the characteristics of their region. Water from local glaciers to produce the beers, spruce tops from the Tongass National Forest carefully hand-harvested for the Winter Ale, smoky aromas in the beer’s malt such as local the ones of smoked salmon, and finally a tribute to the gold diggers and the tunnels they dug, since they use the same ones to store their ageing beers.
Their beers are packaged in kegs, bottles and cans. The best-known are: Alaskan Amber, Alaskan White, Alaskan Husky IPA, as well as Alaskan Pilsner, Alaskan Kolsch and Alaskan Freeride Pale Ale. After Amber, the top is Alaskan Smoked Porter, which is also a role model and inspiration for many porter smokers in the world. The brewery has also introduced packaged cocktails such as Rainforest Gin & Tonic or Musk OX Vodka Mule, as well as Hard Seltzers.
Their participation in the Great American Beer Festival brought them publicity and awards, which cashed in sales first in the US and then around the world. The awards keep coming after every competition they enter, most recently a silver award at the European Beer Star 2023 for Amber in the Red Ale category.
Alaskan Amber
An easy-drinking beer, brown in colour, with aromas of malt, biscuit, caramel and fruit notes, with a medium body and
a slightly dry aftertaste.
Style: Amber Ale | Alcohol: 5,3% abv | Serving Temperature: 7-9οC | Bottle: 330ml | Glass: Pint
Alaskan Porter
The classic dark smoky ale from Alaska that is well loved. Its strong long-lasting smoky aroma is combined with bitter chocolate and ripe dark fruits
Style: Smoked Porter | Alcohol: 6,5% abv | Serving Temperature: 11-13οC | Bottle: 650ml | Glass: Pint
Alaskan Brewing Company Address: 5429 Shaune Drive, Juneau, 99801-9540, Αλάσκα Url:www.alaskanbeer.com Founded: 1986 Facebook
First publication: Beer & Bar Magazine, Issue 20(buy issue)
