Friends of Alaskan Brewing

Alaskan Brewing Wins Four Medals at World Beer Cup

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:11:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ashley Johnston
Alaskan Brewing Co.
907.780.5866
ajohnston@alaskanbeer.com
pr@alaskanbeer.com

Alaskan Brewing Wins Four Medals at World Beer Cup®
Brewery brings home gold from the 'Olympics' of beer

JUNEAU, ALASKA � April 19, 2008 - Alaskan Brewing Company brought home four international medals for quality from the World Beer Cup® in San Diego, California on April 19. Alaskan Summer Ale and Alaskan Smoked Porter both took Gold medals in their respective categories with Alaskan Barley Wine and Alaskan Jalapeno IPA winning Bronze medals.

"Brewers all over the world participate in order to win recognition for their creativity and brewing ability," said Charlie Papazian, founder of the World Beer Cup® and President of the Brewer's Association, "For a brewer, a World Beer Cup gold medal allows them to say that their winning beer represents the best example of that beer style in the world."

This year, 644 breweries from 58 countries came together at the biannual event to vie for international recognition in the 91 beer style categories. Professional brewers and industry experts from 21 countries served as the judges in the competition. The 129 judges worked in teams to conduct "blind" tasting evaluations of the beers to determine the top awards. The World Beer Cup® has acquired the title of "the Olympics of Beer' because it is one of the very few international beer competitions awarding only one gold, silver and bronze in each category.

"It is an honor to come away with even one award from an international competition like the World Beer Cup," said Alaskan's Plant Manager, Curtis Holmes, who was on hand to receive the medals. "But for us to win four medals in a competition where we are judged against nearly 3000 other quality beers from all over the world is pretty amazing, and a testament to our crew's commitment to creating a quality product." Alaskan Brewing's summer seasonal brew, Alaskan Summer Ale, won its first World Beer Cup Gold medal this year in the Golden or Blonde style ale. Alaskan Smoked Porter, a limited edition brew released in the fall, also was a gold medal-winner this year in the Smoke-Flavored beer category. Alaskan Barley Wine, bottled for the first time this year, won bronze in the Barley Wine-style ale category. The second Bronze went to Alaskan Jalapeno IPA, which won a Bronze medal in the Fruit and Vegetable beer category. Alaskan Jalapeno IPA is part of Alaskan Brewing's "Rough Draft" series and is available on draft only with limited distribution in Alaska.

Several other breweries located in Alaska fared well at the World Beer Cup®, with Midnight Sun Brewing Co. from Anchorage taking Bronze in the Other Belgian-Style Ale Category for 'Pride,' and newcomer Kassik's Kenai Brew Stop winning Bronze in the Strong Scotch Ale category for their 'Caribou Kilt Strong Scotch'Ale.

"Alaska is a difficult place to brew beer and receiving recognition by the industry for that hard work gives everyone a morale boost and validates what we do every day," says Holmes. "We were happy to share in the excitement and support with the other participating breweries and brewpubs based in Alaska, it was a great night for everyone."

Visit the Brewer's Association web site for a complete listing of entries and awards at www.beertown.org.

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ABOUT ALASKAN BREWING CO.
Alaskan Brewing Co. has been making award-winning beer in Juneau, Alaska, since 1986. The Alaskan Brew Crew bottles the unique character of the Last Frontier with historic recipes, local ingredients and glacier-fed water. Alaskan Brewing handcrafts Amber, Pale, ESB, Stout, IPA, Smoked Porter, Winter Ale and Summer Ale. Visit www.alaskanbeer.com.

Copyright © 2003 - 2008 Alaskan Brewing Company, all rights reserved.
Alaskan Brewing Company
5429 Shaune Dr., Juneau, Alaska 99801-9540
p (907) 780.5866
Site: http://www.alaskanbeer.com
E-Mail info@alaskanbeer.com

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Alaskan Amber to get an exciting new look

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:56:00 GMT

February 2008

Alaskan Amber:
Exciting New Package, Same Great Taste of Alaska

Alaskan Brewing Co. is adding some excitement to shelves this March with new packaging for the Alaskan Amber. The updated design features a vibrant red label and new dramatic artwork from renowned Alaskan artist John Fehringer. Fans of Alaskan Amber will be relieved to know that although the bottles have a brand new look, when it comes to the recipe of Alaskan Brewing's flagship beer, we haven't changed a thing.

The illustration on the new packaging also maintains the image of the Southeast Alaskan fishing vessel featured on the past Alaskan Amber labels since its release in 1986, but with a new sense of place and the exhilaration of running the waters of the Inside Passage. Alaskan Brewing co-founders Marcy and Geoff Larson recall searching for the perfect boat to serve as a character model for the Amber Package, that is, until the morning when Marcy looked out of her window to see the fishing vessel Caribou anchored just off shore from their home in Juneau, Alaska. The F/V Caribou, which is owned and operated by local Juneau resident and fishing captain Will Metcalfe, represents the remote coastal lifestyle of those that call Southeast Alaska home.

"Our motivation for the 2008 package redesign was to refine the artwork and lend the vivid red of the boat to the package as well," says brand manager Cindy Burchfield, "When the opportunity arose to work with John Fehringer, we knew we were on to something." Having lived in and around Southeast Alaska since 1980, Fehringer has developed a reputation for capturing the Alaskan experience in his artwork.

Fehringer says that he considers it a privilege to be a part of the label design process and made it his goal to "portray the duality of the term 'art' with Alaskan Amber; the artwork on the package, and the art of creating Alaskan Amber beer." Fehringer used his signature technique of airbrush and gouache, and opaque watercolor to bring new life and fresh excitement to the vessel and the dramatic Southeast Alaskan landscape.

Over the next two years, Alaskan Brewing will work with Fehringer to redesign and update the imagery of the Alaskan brand line. The complete set will continue to promote to the "family of products" produced by Alaskan Brewing Co. To learn more about John Fehringer and his work, visit his website at www.fehringerstudios.com.

Alaskan Brewing Co. celebrates bottled Barley Wine success at Great Alaska Beer & Barley Wine Festival

The Egan Convention Center reached capacity January 18 & 19 for the 13th Annual Great Alaska Beer & Barley Wine Festival. One of the most highly regarded festivals of its kind, the Anchorage event brought beer enthusiasts from all over the country to compare brews and share their appreciation for craft brewing. More than 5700 attendees and volunteers enjoyed live music and local entertainment, as they tasted the more than 200 draft beers on tap over the weekend. A portion of the proceeds from the sold-out event was contributed to the American Diabetes Association.

This year the festival provided the option of an alternative "Connoisseur's Session" Saturday afternoon, during which Alaskan Brewing featured an exclusive pour of the vintage 1996 Alaskan Smoked Porter. Also on tap this year from Alaskan Brewing was Alaskan Amber, Alaskan Stout, Alaskan Winter Ale, Alaskan IPA, Alaskan Smoked Porter and, of course, the Alaskan Barley Wine.

Alaskan Brewing Co. first introduced the Alaskan Barley Wine at the Great Alaska Beer & Barley Wine Festival in 2003 and fans of the specialty brew have been asking to see it in bottles ever since. Five years and several awards later, Alaskan Brewing returned to the festival in January to celebrate the success of the first-ever limited release of Alaskan Barley Wine in 22-ounce bottles.

The Alaskan Barley Wine first arrived in stores, as well as on draft, in select locations in Alaska, Washington and Oregon in early January, but the limited-edition release did not stay on shelves for long. Alaskan Brewing Co.'s gift shop sold out so quickly that even those who brewed the Alaskan Barley Wine had to stand in line to purchase a bottle.

"It was in and out," says Matt Maples at Liquid Solutions, a national internet-based beverage distribution company, of the Alaskan Barley Wine. "We started with 55 cases - they sold out in less than a week." Maples isn't surprised about the high demand for the 22oz bottles, "people make a lot of crazy barley wines, but this one is so well put together and balanced it's quite the hot ticket." When asked about the second shipment of cases he received in mid-January, Maples replied, "It's gone."

For more information about where to buy or order Alaskan Barley Wine and all Alaskan Brewing Co. products, please visit www.alaskanbeer.com/faq.html.

Alaskan Brewing Crew hit the trail for the 2008 Iditarod Sled Dog Race®

Alaskan Brewing Co. is proud to be an official sponsor of the 2008 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race®. The Alaskan Brew Crew are no strangers to overcoming the challenges of the remote Alaskan landscape, making the Alaskan Amber a natural partner for "The Last Great Race." Since 1986, Alaskan Brewing has been brewing and bottling all of its beer in Juneau, Alaska despite the 1,500-square-mile ice field and the daunting peaks of Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts, which separate this remote coastal town from the rest of the country.

"The Iditarod is an event that is so unique to Alaska it draws people from all over the world," says Brew Crew member and Iditarod volunteer Charlie Brown, "It represents the spirit of volunteerism and the excitement of an authentically Alaskan adventure."

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race® challenges the courageous spirit of the mushers and their teams as they race against the elements and cross over two of North America's tallest mountain ranges along the more than 1,150 miles from Anchorage to Nome. More than 100 ambitious teams are kicking off the grueling race this year on March 1, in Anchorage.

Alaskan Brewing Co. is also sharing the excitement of the Iditarod with its West Coast consumers by hosting two sweepstakes winners and their guests at the start of the 2008 Iditarod. Randy Sooter from Tucson, Arizona was the winner of the 2007 Princess Cruises Passport Sweepstakes and Kathryn Bakken from Everett, Washington was the winner of the 2007 Leader of the Pack Iditarod Trip.

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Alaskan Smoked Porter wins bronze at European Beer Star Awards

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:49:00 GMT

JUNEAU, ALASKA � November 19, 2007 � Alaskan Smoked Porter won a bronze medal in the Smoked Beer category at the European Beer Star Awards. The winners were announced Thursday at the beverage industry�s largest trade fair, the BRAU Beviale in Nuremberg, Germany.

�We were excited to hear that our Smoked Porter was awarded a bronze medal at the European Beer Star Awards,� said Plant Manager Curtis Holmes. �Rauchbiers have been around for centuries and are still an important cultural beer style in Germany. To win a medal against the brewers in Europe that have defined this smoked beer style is definitely an honor for us.�

The international beer contest, which was started in 2004 by the Association of Private Breweries in Germany and the Association of Small and Independent Breweries in Europe, has become a very competitive and coveted prize. This year a record 575 beers from 212 breweries and 28 nations were submitted, setting a record for number of participants and marking a 30 percent increase over last year.

The European Beer Star medal is only the most recent in a string of awards for Alaskan Smoked Porter. The specialty brew just won a silver medal in the Smoke-Flavored Beer category and a bronze medal in the Aged Beer category for the 2004 vintage at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in October, securing its distinction as the most award-winning beer in the history of the nation�s largest and most prestigious beer festival.

What gives Alaskan Smoked Porter its unique taste is smoking the malt over alder wood, a hardwood indigenous to Southeast Alaska that is often used to smoke fish. In addition to imparting its flavor, smoking helps preserve the beer. Like a fine wine, Alaskan Smoked Porter is handcrafted in limited-edition vintages and can be aged for years. The 2007 vintage of Alaskan Smoked Porter is being released this month, in time to toast its recent wins and to celebrate the holidays.

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For more information, artwork or beer samples, please contact Communications Manager Amy Phillips at aphillips@alaskanbeer.com and 907-723-0713.

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Alaskan Barley Wine released in bottles for the first time ever

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:41:00 GMT

JUNEAU, ALASKA � November 19, 2007 � Alaskan Brewing Co. will offer a limited release of its award-winning Alaskan Barley Wine in 22-ounce bottles for the first time ever in January 2008.

�The release of Alaskan Barley Wine has been highly anticipated every year since this recipe was introduced on draft at the Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival in 2003,� said Co-founder and Brewmaster Geoff Larson. �People from all over have been asking us to bottle it, so we decided to try a limited-edition bottle run this year.�

The specialty brew is what you would expect coming from the most award-winning craft brewery in the history of the Great American Beer Festival. Alaskan Barley Wine has won silver medals at both the 2003 Great American Beer Festival and the 2004 Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival. Most recently the 2004 vintage won first place at the 2007 Toronado Barley Wine Festival.

Alaskan Barley Wine is produced in small batches each year. Typically this higher alcohol beverage is brewed in the spring, cellared in the tunnels of the Alaska-Juneau Gold Mine for the summer and retrieved in time for its release at the Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival in January. The cool tunnels of the mine shaft provide natural refrigeration and a prime environment for the aging process.

Like a fine wine, Alaskan Barley Wine can be aged for years. The bottling of the 2007 vintage of Alaskan Barley Wine will allow individuals to age it to their liking. �We figured we�d leave it up to individuals as to how long to age their Alaskan Barley Wine,� said Quality Assurance Analyst Ryan Harvey. �Some people like barley wines fresh, and others store it for years.�

Harvey says the barley wine category is a broad one. Barley wines feature big malt character, and a high residual sweetness counterbalanced with generous additions of hops. The full body and a higher level of alcohol in this brew, adds to the complex flavor. Harvey characterized Alaskan Barley Wine as a bit darker and more balanced than most. �I think we achieve a good balance,� he said. �There is just the right amount of hops and malt to complement each other without either one being overpowering.�

Alaskan fans agree. Dave and Stephen of Denver made their annual pilgrimage to Alaska in October. During their visit to Alaskan Brewing Co. they sampled for the first time the Alaskan Barley Wine, which was available on draft.

�I can tell you now that we will probably be coming back in February for a load of your Barleywine,� Dave and Stephen wrote in a thank you note to the brewery. �The batch that we tasted at the Alaskan Brewing Company was incredibly flavorful and smooth.�

Alaskan Barley Wine will be available in select retail locations in Alaska, Washington and Oregon. For those who live elsewhere, it will be available online at www.liquidsolutions.biz.

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For more information, artwork or beer samples, please contact Communications Manager Amy Phillips at aphillips@alaskanbeer.com and 907-723-0713.

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2007 Alaskan Smoked Porter to be released in November

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:11:00 GMT

October 2007

GABF medals raise excitement for
2007 Alaskan Smoked Porter release
The highly anticipated 2007 vintage of the Alaskan Smoked Porter is being released in November. There is even more excitement about this annual event since Alaskan Smoked Porter recently won medals for both the 2006 and 2004 vintages at the 2007 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver.

Brew Crew members Ann Metcalfe, left, and Rachael Juzeler accepted the bronze medal for the 2004 vintage of Alaskan Smoked Porter in the Aged Beer category at the Great American Beer Festival. Pictured at right is Charlie Papazian, president of the Brewers Association, who presented them with the medal.

"We look forward to brewing this beer every year," said Brewing Manager Brent Kesey. "And we really look forward to drinking it. Each vintage is a little different because the smoking process is never exactly the same.

"The 2007 has been very well received by our crew, so we think it will be by our fans, too."

This unique beer, which has the distinction of being the most award-winning beer in the history of the GABF with a whopping 16 medals, has a deeply loyal fan base among consumers as well as beer judges. On Oct. 13, the day the GABF awards were announced, a Colorado man left Denver at 3 a.m. to fly to Juneau, Alaska, staying in town only long enough to get a brief brewery tour and pick up four cases of 2006 Alaskan Smoked Porter.

It was the third year running that the Colorado man has made the trip to Juneau for the sole purpose of picking up his favorite beer. This time he brought a friend and the two were treated to samples of the 2005 and 2004 vintages, which were being offered as a special nod to the GABF's Aged Beer category.

One of the most unique characteristics of Alaskan Smoked Porter is that it can be aged like a fine wine. Some yeast is left in it so it continues to condition in the bottle and the smoke acts as a preservative. There's no telling how long this beer can be aged, with some people reporting enjoying Alaskan Smoked Porter five and even 10 years or more later.

The 2007 Alaskan Smoked Porter is a particularly special vintage because it's the first batch made since Alaskan Brewing Co. bought and moved the original commercial smoker to the brewery. The same unit has been used to smoke the malt for every vintage of Alaskan Smoked Porter since it was first brewed in 1988.

Alaskan Brewing's Tom West takes top prize at Fish Alaska Magazine's Recipe Contest
Tom West, a veteran member of the Alaskan Brew Crew, won top honors for his Crustacean Pepper Pot at the Third Annual Fish Alaska Recipe Contest, held recently at the Kincaid Grill in Anchorage. West was awarded $11,000 in prizes and his winning recipe will be published in the January 2008 issue of Fish Alaska Magazine.

Contest judge Larry Csonka, left, congratulates Tom West of Juneau on his first-place win at the Third Annual Fish Alaska Recipe Contest. Csonka is the host of "NAPA's North to Alaska."

West's Crustacean Pepper Pot, which is a Mexican/Thai fusion dish made with Alaskan Summer Ale, beat out three other finalists. He recommends pairing the dish with Alaskan Amber or Alaskan Summer Ale.

The four semi-finalists were asked to prepare their recipes in front of a panel of judges and to provide a serving for each of the 50 guest spectators.

"When they announced my name, I got goose bumps," West said. "It wasn't until I returned home to Juneau that it really soaked in that I won." He said the win has made him consider doing more competitive cooking in the future.

"It was outstanding," recalled Melissa Norris, Fish Alaska Magazine's publisher and contest judge. "I wish he could make it for me right now."

West is no stranger to receiving accolades for his cooking. For the past 15 years he's been a perennial winner at Alaskan Brewing Co.'s annual cook-off, a fun event that showcases cooking with Alaskan beer. In fact, the Crustacean Pepper Pot won a first-place prize at the 2005 cook-off.

The Fish Alaska Recipe Contest was a much more formal affair. "I felt like I was on the Food Network's 'Iron Chef,' with a couple of exceptions," West said. "You already knew the recipe you were cooking and there was no secret ingredient."

West was thrilled by the $11,000 in prizes, which include a three-day stay at the Bear Trail Lodge on the Naknek River, a 38-inch Frigidaire BBQ from Allen & Petersen's Cooking & Appliance Center and a trip to Valdez including two roundtrip tickets from ERA Aviation.

For recipes using Alaskan beer, visit www.alaskanbeer.com.

Tongass National Forest turns 100 and Alaskan brings Winter Ale to the party
Alaskan Winter Ale is being released this month, just in time to help celebrate the 100th birthday of the Tongass National Forest. The largest temperate rainforest in the world, the Tongass is home to many Sitka spruce trees, the tips of which are the prized ingredient in Alaskan Winter Ale. It is the tender new growth of Sitka spruce tips that infuse Alaskan Winter Ale with a subtly sweet floral aroma.

On Sept. 10, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt signed a proclamation setting aside land in the Alaskan rainforest as the Tongass National Forest. This land and other tracts set aside previously and since make up the nearly 17 million acre Tongass National Forest.

"The Tongass is home to a lot of wildlife-including some wild Alaskans," said Marcy Larson, co-founder and co-owner of Alaskan Brewing Co. "We think the one way to celebrate the centennial is to toast the Tongass with Alaskan Winter Ale."

Alaskan IPA Named Hottest New Craft Brand
Alaskan IPA was recently named the "hottest new craft brand of 2007" by Dan Wandel, Senior Vice President of Information Resources, Inc. (IRI).

Wandel's assessment was based on the first 13 weeks of IRI data collected since Alaskan IPA's release in March, in which Alaskan Brewing Co.'s newest beer outperformed other new craft brands in supermarkets in the Pacific Northwest.

Alaskan IPA was initially released in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. In September it enjoyed a very limited released in a few select locations in California, with full distribution in the Bruin state and Reno planned for 2008.

The fruity, citrus nose and hoppy but balanced flavor, as well as the surfing imagery, have proven popular with craft beer drinkers. Alaskan Brewing's commitment to give 1% of all Alaskan IPA proceeds to clean up and preserve the Pacific Ocean and coastlines in its new Coastal CODE initiative has also proven popular.

Recent CODE activities include three grants given to the Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation in Alaska, Stop Oregon Litter & Vandalism and California Paddle 2007. The Brew Crew have also sponsored and taken part in beach cleanups in Yakutat and Juneau that collected 7 tons of garbage and 3 tons of garbage, respectively.

Together craft beer drinkers and Alaskan Brewing Co. are making a difference one beer at a time.

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New Dates for Fundraising Beer Dinner

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 22:11:00 GMT

MEDIA ALERT: The beer dinner pairing craft beer from Alaskan Brewing Co. with the cuisine of Comme �a scheduled for Monday, Oct. 22, is being rescheduled to Monday, Nov. 5. The event was created as a fundraiser for California Paddle 2007, an expedition by extreme athlete Tom Jones to paddle the entire 1,250-mile coastline of California on a 12-foot board to combat plastic pollution in the ocean. Jones doesn�t want any distractions prior to completing his world record-breaking journey on November 4. The beer dinner, which is now scheduled for Monday, Nov 5, will still serve as a fundraiser for California Paddle 2007 as well as a celebration of Jones� world record.

Contacts: Amy Phillips, 907.780.5866, aphillips@alaskanbeer.com
Phiphi Tran, 213.925.7167, ptran@westboundcommunications.com

Philanthropy never tasted this good
Alaskan Brewing Co., Comme �a pair up for beer dinner
to support plastic-free oceans through California Paddle 2007

JUNEAU, ALASKA � October 19, 2007 � The Alaskan Brewing Co. is pairing up with newly opened Comme �a Restaurant to provide a night of great food, great beer and great works. Comme �a head chef David Myers, renowned for co-founding Hollywood hotspot Sona, has prepared a sublime menu, including wild Alaskan salmon and beef bourguignon, which will be paired with award-winning Alaskan beer. The four-course fundraiser will be in support of extreme athlete Tom Jones� ambitious and solitary journey to combat plastic pollution in our oceans.

Jones is paddling the entire 1,250-mile California coastline on a 12-foot paddleboard to raise awareness about plastic pollution in our oceans and to raise money to combat the problem for the aptly named California Paddle 2007. That�s where Alaskan Brewing Co. came in. The award-winning craft brewery is committing 1% of all proceeds from its new Alaskan IPA to help preserve the Pacific Ocean and its coastlines in an initiative called the Coastal CODE (Clean Oceans Depend on Everyone). California Paddle 2007 was one of the first Coastal CODE grant recipients.

Chef Myers didn�t hesitate for a minute when Alaskan Brewing approached him about co-sponsoring a beer dinner at his new restaurant, Comme �a, to raise money for the California Paddle. As an avid surfer, Myers cares deeply about the ocean resource.

The dinner will be a celebration of Tom Jones� completion of his world record-breaking paddling expedition, which began Aug. 7 near Crescent City. The $125-per-person dinner is being held to raise money to support the California Paddle 2007 and its campaign for a plastic-free ocean. Also in attendance will be Alaskan Brewing Co-founder and Brewmaster Geoff Larson.

�We believe that it�s everyone�s responsibility to protect our ocean resource,� Larson said. �But it doesn�t have to be as much of a drag as it sounds. We think this dinner makes that responsibility as appetizing to the palate as it is to the conscience.�

To make a reservation for the fundraising beer dinner, call Comme �a at 323-782-1104.
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 5
TIME: Reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Comme �a Restaurant, 8479 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles
COST: $125 per person
WHY: To raise money to support the California Paddle and efforts to combat plastic pollution in the ocean
TO MAKE A RESERVATION: 323.782.1104
MENU:
Appetizers: Accompanied with Alaskan Amber
1st course: Mushroom Risotto, Duck Confit, Maitake Mushrooms accompanied with Alaskan Winter Ale
2nd course: Wild Alaskan Salmon, Roasted Endive, Gnocchi Parisienne accompanied with Alaskan IPA
3rd course: Paleron of Beef Bourguignon, Horseradish Pomme Puree, Braised Carrots accompanied with Alaskan Stout
4th course (dessert): Brioche Bread Pudding with Raspberries accompanied with Alaskan Smoked Porter

For more information, please contact Amy Phillips, 907.780.5866, aphillips@alaskanbeer.com or Phiphi Tran, 213.925.7167, ptran@westboundcommunications.com. Also please visit www.alaskanbeer.com, www.coastalcode.org, and www.californiapaddle.com

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Alaskan Brewing Co. wins 3 medals at 2007 Great American Beer Festival

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 21:10:00 GMT

Alaskan Brewing Co. wins 3 medals at 2007 Great American Beer Festival

JUNEAU, ALASKA � October 15, 2007 � Alaskan Brewing Co. won three medals at the 2007 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) on Saturday in Denver, maintaining its claim to fame as the most award-winning craft brewery in the history of the nation�s largest and most prestigious beer festival.

It was a big day for Alaskan Smoked Porter, which won a silver medal in the Smoke-Flavored Beer category and a bronze in the Aged Beer category for the 2004 vintage. The two most recent medals maintained its position as the most award-winning beer in GABF history, with 16 medals total. Alaskan Stout refused to be eclipsed by Alaskan Smoked Porter, taking home a bronze in the Oatmeal Stout category.

�We were honored to accept the three medals,� said Ann Metcalfe, Controller at Alaskan Brewing Co., �because with a record 2,800 beers entered, it confirms that our commitment to making excellent beer is recognized and rewarded.�

�The crowds at the sold-out festival lined up to taste our Smoked Porter, which was gone in less than two hours at each session,� Metcalfe said. �This was my first GABF, and I was gratified to see such excitement for our products among all the beer lovers in attendance.�

This was the first medal at GABF for Alaskan Stout, which had won a gold medal at the 2002 World Cup. �I�m so glad that Alaskan Stout won a medal, because I hope it will draw attention to an exceptional beer in a category that can be overlooked,� said Plant Manager Curtis Holmes.

Far from overlooked is the Alaskan Smoked Porter, which has earned a reputation as a world-class beer. As with a fine wine, a limited amount of Alaskan Smoked Porter is made each year and it can be aged. That�s because some yeast is left in the beer, allowing the beer to condition in the bottle with the smoke acting as a preservative.

Alaskan Brewing has an extensive library of vintage Smoked Porter, which was first brewed in 1988. A very popular feature at the 2006 GABF was a rare opportunity to taste 11 different vintages from the stores of Alaskan Brewing�s private library.

Alaskan Smoked Porter is often credited with reviving the rauchbier style in the United States. The malt for this unique beer is smoked over alder wood, a hardwood indigenous to Southeast Alaska that is often used to smoke fish. That winning combination was the result of a partnership between Alaskan Brewing and Taku Smokeries, a fish smokehouse that was then located across the street from the brewery.

In 2005 Taku Smokeries planned an upgrade that would get rid of the existing commercial smokehouse that had been used to smoke the malt for Alaskan Smoked Porter. Luckily, Alaskan Brewing Co. was able to buy the smokehouse that has played such an important part of the history and success of the brewery.

�History and authenticity is very important to us,� said Geoff Larson, Co-founder and Co-owner of Alaskan Brewing Co. �We felt that by buying the original smokehouse we could preserve the quality and consistency of Alaskan Smoked Porter for years to come, as well as a key part of our history.�

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For more information, please contact Amy Phillips at 907-780-5866 and aphillips@alaskanbeer.com

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Philanthropy never tasted this good

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 19:59:00 GMT

Philanthropy never tasted this good

Alaskan Brewing Co., Comme �a pair up for beer dinner
to support plastic-free oceans through California Paddle 2007

JUNEAU, ALASKA � October 12, 2007 � The Alaskan Brewing Co. is pairing up with newly opened Comme �a Restaurant to provide a night of great food, great beer and great works. Comme �a head chef David Myers, renowned for co-founding Hollywood hotspot Sona, has prepared a sublime menu, including wild Alaskan salmon and beef bourguignon, which will be paired with award-winning Alaskan beer. The four-course fundraiser will be in support of extreme athlete Tom Jones� ambitious and solitary journey to combat plastic pollution in our oceans.

Jones is paddling the entire 1,250-mile California coastline on a 12-foot paddleboard to raise awareness about plastic pollution in our oceans and to raise money to combat the problem for the aptly named California Paddle 2007. That�s where Alaskan Brewing Co. came in. The award-winning craft brewery is committing 1% of all proceeds from its new Alaskan IPA to help preserve the Pacific Ocean and its coastlines in an initiative called the Coastal CODE (Clean Oceans Depend on Everyone). California Paddle 2007 was one of the first Coastal CODE grant recipients.

�I didn�t hesitate for a minute when Alaskan Brewing approached me about co-sponsoring this beer dinner, because it�s for such a great cause,� Myers said. As an avid surfer, Myers cares deeply about the ocean.

Jones will take a break from his paddling expedition, which began Aug. 7 near Crescent City and will conclude in early November, in order to attend the $125-per-person dinner that event organizers are hoping will raise more than $5,000. Also in attendance will be Alaskan Brewing Co-founder and Brewmaster Geoff Larson.

�We believe that it�s everyone�s responsibility to protect our ocean resource,� Larson said. �But it doesn�t have to be as much of a drag as it sounds. We think this dinner makes that responsibility as appetizing to the palate as it is to the conscience.�

To make a reservation for the fundraising beer dinner, call Comme �a at 323-782-1104.

EVENT DETAILS
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 22
TIME: Reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Comme �a Restaurant, 8479 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles
COST: $125
WHY: To raise money to support the California Paddle and efforts to combat plastic pollution in the ocean
TO MAKE A RESERVATION: 323.782.1104
MENU:
Appetizers: Accompanied with Alaskan Amber
1st course: Mushroom Risotto, Duck Confit, Maitake Mushrooms accompanied with Alaskan Winter Ale
2nd course: Wild Alaskan Salmon, Roasted Endive, Gnocchi Parisienne accompanied with Alaskan IPA
3rd course: Paleron of Beef Bourguignon, Horseradish Pomme Puree, Braised Carrots accompanied with Alaskan Stout
4th course (dessert): Brioche Bread Pudding with Raspberries accompanied with Alaskan Smoked Porter

For more information, please contact Amy Phillips, 907.237.7143, aphillips@alaskanbeer.com or Phiphi Tran, 213.925.7167, ptran@westboundcommunications.com. Also please visit www.alaskanbeer.com, www.coastalcode.org, and www.californiapaddle.com.

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Alaskan Brewing Co. given Alaska Spirits Award

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:43:00 GMT

CHARR honors Alaskan Brewing Co.�s leadership with award

JUNEAU, ALASKA � October 1, 2007 � The Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailer�s Association (CHARR) recently presented the Alaska Spirits Award to Alaskan Brewing Co. for its leadership to improve the hospitality industry.

�The hospitality industry is a very important part of Alaska�s social and economic fabric, and the people in the industry represented by CHARR care very much about their communities,� said Marcy Larson, who founded the brewery with her husband, Geoff. �So being given the Alaska Spirits Award by this statewide association is very rewarding.�

CHARR�s Awards Committee recognized Alaskan Brewing Co. as one of the state�s top exports, as well as Marcy and Geoff Larson�s unflagging support and participation in CHARR, said Kirsten Holzshu, vice president of operations. Both Geoff and Marcy have served as Alaska CHARR Board members and Marcy is active in the Juneau / Lynn Canal chapter, having helped organize the Safe Ride programs in Juneau, Holzshu added.

The award was given at the 4th Annual Alaska CHARR Awards program, held in conjunction with the Annual Charity Auction & Banquet on Sept. 19 at the River�s Edge Resort in Fairbanks. The 130 hospitality industry members in attendance raised more than $25,000 for the Armed Services YMCA at the charity auction.

Giving the Alaska Spirits Award was Leeann Thomas, past officer of the Juneau/Lynn Canal chapter of CHARR and owner of the Triangle Club in Juneau. In 1987 the Triangle was one of the first bars to serve Alaskan Amber.

�I was really honored to present Alaskan Brewing with this award,� Thomas said. �The brewery truly represents the spirit of Alaska, having started with two individuals with a dream and growing to become an Alaskan success story.�

Thomas cited the brewery�s leadership in manufacturing, environmental stewardship and philanthropy. �Alaskan Brewing Co. represents care and quality in everything it does, from its operations and products to its environmental practices and charitable giving,� Thomas said. �In addition, it has a wonderful family-style spirit in its corporate culture. The brewery is a real asset to Juneau and to the state of Alaska.�

The Alaska Sprits Award was created four years ago to honor businesses that show leadership to improve the hospitality industry. Previous winners are K&L Distributors, Brown Jug and the Alaska Wine and Spirits Wholesalers Association.

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For more information, please contact Communications Manager Amy Phillips at 907-780-5866 or aphillips@alaskanbeer.com.

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Helping the ocean one beer at a time

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:02:00 GMT

Contacts: Amy Phillips, 907.237.7143, aphillips@alaskanbeer.com
Phiphi Tran, 213.925.7167, ptran@westboundcommunications.com

Helping the Ocean One Beer at a Time

Alaskan Brewing Co. launches Coastal CODE initiative for a healthy Western coastline

JUNEAU, ALASKA (August 13, 2007) - In 2006, poor water quality led to more than 25,000 beach closures or advisories throughout the country, 28 percent more than the previous year. Alaskan Brewing Co. wants to help reverse this alarming trend and is committing 1 percent of proceeds from its newly released Alaskan IPA to improve the health of the Pacific Ocean and coastlines in an initiative called the Coastal CODE (Clean Oceans Depend on Everyone).

This unique initiative has launched www.CoastalCODE.org, which provides insights on ocean preservation; information on volunteer opportunities; ways to donate to the fund; and information about how to apply for Coastal CODE grants for such activities as beach cleanups, water quality improvement and ocean conservation education.

"Big problems like ocean pollution can feel overwhelming, but if each of us does something small, together we can make a big difference," said Marcy Larson, co-founder of Alaskan Brewing Co. in Juneau, Alaska. "We're happy to do our part through the Coastal CODE and participating in beach cleanups. We chose ocean preservation because the ocean is such an important resource to us all."

The small craft brewery is involving others, calling on ocean-minded organizations to help create the Coastal CODE, which began by surveying more than 500 Pacific Northwesterners about the Pacific Ocean. Nearly 100 percent of respondents said they are concerned about the health of the world's oceans and more than 50 percent think the condition of the Pacific Ocean and western coastline is poor or at-risk.

The encouraging news is that 98.4 percent said they are willing to make at least one change to help improve the ocean. The resulting CODE of conduct was written from this unmistakable pattern of survey answers. It reads:

MAKE
Walk, bike or sail to reduce emissions
Advocate for our ocean and coastlines
Volunteer
Eat sustainable seafood
Share your knowledge

In support of the Coastal CODE, Portland artist Spencer Reynolds donated his time and talent to illustrate the CODE's message. His artwork was printed onto surfboards made from eco-friendly material called "Biofoam." These limited-edition surfboards will be auctioned to raise money for the Coastal CODE Fund.

"This CODE has the potential to spread awareness of our ocean's needs to people who care about this precious resource," said Mark J. Spalding, president of The Ocean Foundation, a nonprofit group housing and advising the Coastal CODE Fund. "It's refreshing to see a company take responsibility for the environment. The fact that the Coastal CODE initiative is so creative, fun and engaging is very exciting. This kind of leadership can help turn the tide in ocean conservation."

About Alaskan Brewing Co.
Alaskan Brewing Co. has been making award-winning beer in Juneau, Alaska, since 1986. The Alaskan Brew Crew bottles the unique character of the Last Frontier with historic recipes, local ingredients and glacier-fed water. In addition to IPA, Alaskan Brewing handcrafts Amber, Pale, ESB, Stout, Smoked Porter, Winter Ale and Summer Ale. Visit www.alaskanbeer.com.

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We're 8th in the nation

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 11:07:00 GMT

April 2007

Alaskan Brewing ranks 8^th in the nation among craft brewers

Alaskan Brewing Co. ranked No. 8 on the Brewers Association's 2006 list of Top 50 craft brewing companies. The craft brewery, which is based in the small coastal community of Juneau, Alaska, was the only brewery from Alaska to make the list.

"We cheered when we heard the news," said Linda Thomas, General Manager of Alaskan Brewing Co. "We make great beer in a place we love. It's exciting that such a simple business model has attracted a strong enough fan base to make us one of the nation's leading craft brewers."

Craft beer is the fastest growing segment in the U.S. alcohol beverage category, with a 17.8 percent increase in supermarket sales in 2006, according to Information Resources Inc. The Brewers Association reports that about 78 percent of craft beer was produced by the Top 50 craft brewing companies. The nation's nearly 1,400 small breweries surpassed 6.7 million barrels in 2006.

Total craft beer industry sales have grown 31.5 percent over the past three years and early 2007 indicators point toward continuing sales growth, the Brewers Association reports.

Paul Gatza, Director of the Brewers Association, cited evolving consumer tastes for the surge in craft beer sales. "There's a change in lifestyle going on," Gatza said. "People are trading up and that is what is creating such strong demand for craft beer."

What is a craft brewer?
An American craft brewer is small, independent and traditional. Craft beer comes only from a craft brewer. Craft beers are produced with 100 % barley or wheat malt or use other fermentable ingredients that enhance (rather than lighten) flavor. For more details and definitions, visit the Brewers Association at http://www.beertown.org/education/craft_defined.html.

Popular Alaskan Summer Ale now available in all markets

The sight of orca pods in Alaska's Inside Passage near Juneau hails the return of the award-winning Alaskan Summer Ale. This year the popular seasonal kölsch-style beer is being offered in all markets where Alaskan beer is sold, from Alaska to Arizona, for the first time.

Summer is a state of mind when you live in Alaska. We experienced two snowfall records in Juneau while packaging and shipping Alaskan Summer Ale. We set a record high snowfall for March, with 62.7 inches, and an annual snowfall record, with 197.8 inches for 2006-2007.

Alaskan Summer Ale has been part of Alaskan Brewing Co.'s award-winning history, racking up six awards from the California Brewers Festival, the North American Beer Awards and the L.A. County Fair since the beer's launch in 2002. Most recently Alaskan Summer Ale won a silver in the German-style kölsch category at the 2006 L.A. County Fair, which enjoyed more than 1.5 million visitors.

The drinkability of this seasonal beer also wins over consumers and beer experts alike. "Easy drinking and refreshing," said one consumer on the popular Beer Advocate web site. "Very pleasant brew, nice for a hot day," said another.

Scott Kerkmans, Draft magazine Beer Director, chose our summer seasonal as the beer of choice to pair with mahi-mahi in the March/April 2007 issue. Alaskan Summer Ale doesn't "overshadow the rich taste of the fish, and when the time comes to cleanse your palate between bites, the kölsch is fruity and stimulating enough to do the job," he wrote. Kerkmans was also recently named Chief Beer Officer of Four Points by Sheraton Hotels, so the guy must know what he's talking about.

Such glowing reviews by consumers and beer experts alike are reflected in Alaskan Summer Ale sales. According to Information Resources Inc., in 2006 Alaskan Summer Ale was the No. 1-selling summer seasonal brand in Alaska and Washington. Across the limited markets in which Alaskan Summer Ale was sold in 2006, the popular summer beer posted 17.6% growth.

Alaskan Summer Ale is a beer to look out for and drink. And, thankfully, now it is available in all of Alaskan's markets, which include Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.

Beer Drinkers are catching the Alaskan IPA wave

Alaskan fans toasted the new Alaskan IPA with Alaskan IPA, of course. Hundreds came out for Alaskan launch parties at Juneau-area bars.

It looks like craft beer drinkers are catching the Alaskan IPA wave. The new brew from the most award-winning craft brewer in the history of the Great American Beer Festival was launched in Juneau, Alaska, on March 16, followed by Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming in April.

An Alaskan fan recently sent us this e-mail: "KUDOS on your new IPA What a delightful mouthful it will be a great summer thirst quencher."

Learn more about Alaskan IPA at alaskanbeer.com or contact Amy Woods for samples, high-resolution artwork or more information at 907-780-5866 or awoods@alaskanbeer.com.

Please contact Communications Manager Amy Woods at awoods@alaskanbeer.com or 907-780-5866 for more information, beer samples or photos.

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