Inspired by our home, we do our best to put a little bit of Alaska in every bottle . . .
"The great American import "
We brew and package our beer in Juneau, Alaska. Juneau bordered by the Pacific waters of the Inside Passage, the Tongass National Forest sits hard against the 1,500 square-mile Juneau Icefield. Only 50 miles of road run along the shores of the Gastineau Channel and Lynn Canal, making our remote coastal town only accessible by sea or air. Some folks even refer to our beer as the great American import, because it is shipped to the Lower 48 by barge. Brewing beer in Alaska isn't easy, but the Alaskan Brew Crew wouldn’t have it any other way. We have the honor of handcrafting some of the country’s most award-winning beers in one of the most majestic settings on earth.
As Alaskans, we pride ourselves on living with the land, not on it. In that spirit, Alaskan has relied on innovation to grow as a company without adversely affecting the local environment we call home. From being the first craft brewery in the country to install a CO2 recovery system and a mash filter press,to the creation of the Coastal CODE, a nonprofit ocean health initiative, the brewery maintains a commitment to environmental stewardship while providing a true “taste of Alaska” to the western states.
Local Flavor Southeast Alaska is not only home to our brewery; it is also the source of inspiration for many of our brews. We draw from the area’s rich history and ingredients.
Pure glacial water set our brews apart With 1,500 square miles of ice and glaciers, the Juneau Icefield is larger than the state of Rhode Island. It is the source of water for all our brews. And as every brewer knows, water is one of the most important ingredients in beer.
Spruce tips flavor Alaskan Winter Ale The Tongass National Forest is the largest temperate rainforest in the world and is filled with Sitka spruce trees. The tender new growth of Sitka spruce tips, hand harvested in Gustavus, Alaska, infuses Alaskan Winter Ale with its subtly sweet floral flavor. Spruce tips have been used for brewing in Alaska since the late 1700's when Captain Cook and other early seafaring explorers sailed the coast of Alaska looking for the Northwest Passage.
Alder smoke and Porter is a winning combination Another common flavor of Southeast Alaska is salmon smoked over alder, an indigenous hardwood tree. A local fish smokehouse sparked Brewmaster Geoff Larson's imagination. Smoking malt provided a unique flavor and a preservative that allows the beer to be aged like a fine wine. Introduced in 1988, Alaskan Smoked Porter is the most award-winning beer in the history of the Great American Beer Festival, with 18 medals to date.
Mining for great taste Alaskan Amber and Alaskan Barley Wine both draw from Juneau's history as a gold mining town. Alaskan Amber was inspired by a Gold Rush-era recipe. As homage to the brewing practices of the gold rush, early vintages of Alaskan Barley Wine were cellared in the cool tunnels of the Alaska-Juneau Gold Mine. The mine shafts provide natural refrigeration and a prime environment for the aging process in the months before Alaskan Barley Wine is released in January.
Live Life Alaskan . . . or at least talk like one! When we say "the dogs are running" in Juneau, we're not talking about the Iditarod. We're not even talking about dogs. Running means spawning, and these dogs are dog salmon. If you're in town for more than an hour, you'll hear expressions that may seem even stranger than dogs in running shoes. If you want to follow directions, or even follow a conversation, here's a guide to some of the common colloquialisms that will help you pass for a Juneau local.
Natives: A specific reference to Alaska Native people.
Alaskan: Simultaneously a person, place and thing, depending on the context. This is a bar and hotel in downtown Juneau, a malt beverage brewed by the Alaskan brewery here, and a state resident. You could have an Alaskan with an Alaskan at the Alaskan.
Alaskan: Simultaneously a person, place and thing, depending on the context. This is a bar and hotel in downtown Juneau, a malt beverage brewed by the Alaskan brewery here, and a state resident. You could have an Alaskan with an Alaskan at the Alaskan.
The Bridge: There are lots of bridges, but "The Bridge" is the one downtown that crosses the channel to Douglas. Technically, it's called the Douglas Bridge, oddly enough.
The Channel: Not a television network, but Gastineau Channel, that body of water between Juneau and Douglas. Doubles as a floatplane runway and cruise ship parking lot in summer.
Douglas: A place, not a person. Refers to both the town and the island across the channel from downtown. When people say North Douglas, they mean west Douglas, where the North Douglas Highway goes.
Dollies: Dolly Varden trout, otherwise an old term for a hand truck.
The Empire: The daily newspaper in Juneau. Not like in "Star Wars."
XtraTufs: Knee-high slip-on rubber boots. XtraTufs is a brand name, but this is a generic term for all Juneau Sneakers. They go with everything.
The Harbor: There are six boat harbors, but generally this refers to either of the two downtown, Harris or Aurora, just north of the bridge. If someone lives in the harbor, that means they sleep on a boat.
Lemon Creek: That big valley between downtown and the airport. Also refers to a local glacier and stream. If someone lives in Lemon Creek, they mean the mobile home park or the neighborhood. If someone just got out of Lemon Creek, they mean the state prison.
Sucker hole: A tiny spot of blue in an otherwise completely overcast sky. It's a sucker hole because the sight often inspires a hopeless optimist to say: "Look - it's clearing up."
Natives: Not a term for locals, but a specific reference to Alaska Native people. Southeast Alaska is home to the Tlingits, Haidas and Tsimshian tribes.
The Road: There are lots of roads, but The Road is the long one that runs north and south. Called Egan Drive between downtown and the valley; north of there it's called either the Veterans Memorial Highway or Glacier Highway. Nobody is sure which, so we call it The Road. Past Auke Bay, people call it Out The Road, as in "The sun shines more Out The Road." It dead-ends halfway to Haines about 40 miles north of downtown
Not sure if you're Living Life Alaskan? Then see if you identify with any of these uniquely Alaskan scenarios: You know you're from Alaska when . . . (open/close)
You design your Halloween costumes to fit over a snowsuit.
You have more miles on your snowblower than your car.
Driving is better in the winter because the potholes get filled with snow.
You think sexy lingerie is fleece socks and a flannel nightie with only 8 buttons.
At least twice a year, the kitchen doubles as a meat processing plant.
Your snowblower gets stuck on the roof.
You think the start of moose season is a national holiday.
You own a pair of "Yaktrax" and/or "Grundens"
You call it a snow MACHINE not a snowmobile
A "nice day" is anything short of a torrential downpour, sideways rain or a snowstorm
You frequently clean grease off your barbecue so the bears won't prowl on your deck.
You know which leaves make good toilet paper.
The trunk of your car doubles as a deep freezer.
You have attended a formal event in your best clothes, your finest jewels and your snowboots
You know the 4 seasons: winter, still winter, almost winter and construction.
Pure glacial water set our brews apart 
Spruce tips flavor Alaskan Winter Ale 
Alder smoke and Porter is a winning combination 
Mining for great taste 
