Press Releases
Juneau History Inspires Annual Release of Alaskan Smoked Porter
Oct 29, 2002, 09:26

JUNEAU - The release of Alaskan Brewing Company's 2002 Smoked Porter carries on a rich tradition of smoked malts in Alaska. From the Russian settlers to the German and Czech brewmasters of the gold rush, many brewers dried and roasted their malt over fire creating a distinct smoked character.

Alaskan Brewing Company recaptures this historic taste in its critically acclaimed Alaskan Smoked Porter. The Alaskan Brew Crew uses alder for smoking and a commercial smokehouse at Juneau’s Taku Smokeries to prepare the malt.

"Some breweries in Alaska had their own malting companies," says Geoff Larson, brewmaster and co-founder of Alaskan. “They would roast or dry their own malts over fire, hence the smoky flavor and aroma.”

Alaskan Smoked Porter is one of the most award-winning beers in the country with 11 medals to its credit from the nation’s prestigious Great American Beer Festival as well as numerous international awards. Brewed only once each year in small amounts, this limited edition beer can be successfully aged.

Aging allows a unique blend of plum, raisin, and sherry notes to emerge as it continues to develop in the bottle. Popular for the unique smoky flavor of indigenous alder wood when first brewed, Alaskan Smoked Porter has been credited with starting a revival of smoked beers in the United States.

Interest in Alaskan Smoked Porter with its numerous awards and the cult like following around the country, led other breweries to brew their own smoked beers using regional hardwoods. It also inspired Geoff Larson to team up with veteran beer writer, Ray Daniels to author a Brewer’s Publication style series book, Smoked Beers, released in 2001 and received a silver medal from the North American Guild of Beer Writers’ Quill & Tankards awards.

Celebrating 16 years of brewing world class beer, the Juneau-based brewery produces Alaskan Amber, Pale, ESB, and Stout year round. Alaskan Winter Ale and Smoked Porter make regular fall and winter appearances in limited amounts. Distribution extends throughout the Pacific Northwest, encompassing Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Northern California and Northern Nevada.

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For More Information Contact:
Kristi Monroe (907) 780-5866
Digital label images available by request

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