|
Outside Magazine names Alaskan Brewing among top 20 "Best Places to Work"
Juneau brewery receives national recognition for the second year
JUNEAU, Alaska (April 13, 2010) - Alaskan Brewing Co. was named for the second time to Outside magazine's (www.outsideonline.com) annual "Best Places to Work" list. Alaskan ranked No. 17 out of 50 selected companies and is the only company from Alaska to make the list.
The full list and related story will be published in the May issue of Outside magazine, available on newsstands April 27, 2010.
"It was such an honor to be a part of the inaugural list of companies in 2008, especially as the only company from Alaska," says Ann Metcalfe, Alaskan Brewing CFO. "We are lucky enough to brew award-winning beer in one of the most incredible natural playgrounds on earth. To make the list again this year, affirms that we are fulfilling our mission statement and continuing to have fun while we grow."
It's not unusual for crew to schedule their work hours around prime fishing times or ski seasons. Last year, 22 members of the 80 member Brew Crew traveled to Skagway, Alaska to compete in the Klondike Road Relay - a 110 mile road relay between Skagway and Whitehorse, Canada. At the same time, another group of the Brew Crew was climbing local peaks in preparation for their summit of Mt. Rainier to celebrate a co-workers 50th birthday.
Outside's "Best Places to Work" list was compiled with the help of the Outdoor Industry Association (outdoorindustry.org) and Best Companies Group (bestcompaniesgroup.com). The year-long selection process began with an outreach effort that identified a wide range of non-profit and for-profit organizations with at least 15 employees working in the United States. Participating companies were then sent confidential employee-satisfaction surveys and employer-questionnaires to collect information about benefits, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives, and community outreach programs. All of the results were analyzed by Best Companies Group experts, who selected the 50 companies that strive to enhance their employees' enjoyment of active endeavors, and environmental and social involvement.
"These 50 companies come from a vast array of industries but they're all following the same enlightened path," said Michael Roberts, Executive Editor of Outside. "They're successful businesses in a challenging economy precisely because they support a proper work-life balance."
"We whole-heartedly follow the old ‘work hard, play hard' mentality," explains Alaskan Brewing co-founder Marcy Larson. "We all are passionate about putting out an outstanding and quality product but we also work hard to ensure that we are enjoying all that Alaska has to offer. Around here, we call that - living life Alaskan."
The Brew Crew also get to take that mentality on the road. After their first year with Alaskan, every member of the Brew Crew is allowed to sign up to travel and represent the brewery at festivals and events across the country.
"We all contribute to the success of our product," says Larson, "so it is great that we all get a chance to share it with others outside our home in Juneau."
Alaskan is garnering honors for more than just its workplace. On April 10, Alaskan Smoked Porter (1998) took Gold in the Aged Beer category and Alaskan Barley Wine (2009) took Bronze in the Barley Wine-style Ale category at the 2010 World Beer Cup® (WBC) in Chicago. These two Alaskan beers stood out amongst stiff competition at the biannual international beer contest, which featured more than 3,300 beers from 642 breweries in 44 different countries, making it the largest commercial beer competition in the world and earning the moniker "the Olympics" of beer.
###
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, White, Stout, IPA, Smoked Porter, Winter Ale and Summer Ale. Visit www.alaskanbeer.com for more about living life Alaskan.
ABOUT OUTSIDE MAGAZINE
Outside is America's number-one active-lifestyle magazine, with more than two million readers a month. For 30 years, we've been dedicated to covering travel, sports, adventure, health and fitness, as well as the personalities, the environment, and the style and culture of the world Outside. Along with many other accolades, Outside is the only magazine ever to receive three consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence. Please visit us at www.outsideonline.com.
ABOUT THE BEST COMPANIES GROUP
Best Companies Group works with national and local partners around the country to establish and manage "Best Places to Work," "Best Companies," and "Best Employers" programs on a national, statewide, and regional basis. Through its thorough workplace assessment, utilizing employer questionnaires and employee-satisfaction surveys, BCG identifies and recognizes companies who have been successful in creating and maintaining workplace excellence.
ABOUT THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1989, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the premier trade association for companies in the active outdoor recreation business. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. Outdoor Industry Association seeks to ensure a healthy and diverse specialty retail and supply chain based on quality, innovation and service. To this end, OIA works diligently to raise the standards of the industry; increase participation in outdoor recreation to strengthen business markets; provide support services to improve member profitability; represent member interests in the legislative/regulatory process; promote professional training and education; support innovation; and offer cost-saving member benefits. Search for outdoor-industry jobs is at OIA's career center: www.outdoorindustry.org. |
