Welcome to Alaska: The Last Frontier's Brewing Renaissance
This week, we're exploring Alaska's remarkable craft beer scene. From Gold Rush-era recipes to innovative breweries using spruce tips and alder-smoked malts, the Last Frontier has built one of America's most distinctive brewing cultures using pristine glacial water and frontier ingenuity.
Alaska's pristine wilderness provides the perfect backdrop for the Last Frontier's unique craft beer renaissance.
A State Forged by Frontier Innovation
Alaska's craft beer story begins in 1986 when 28-year-old Marcy and Geoff Larson founded Alaskan Brewing Company in Juneau, becoming the 67th independent brewery in the US. Their flagship Alaskan Amber was based on a genuine Gold Rush-era recipe discovered in historical shipping records.
Today, Alaska ranks 4th nationally in breweries per capita, with 49 breweries utilizing pristine glacial water and indigenous ingredients like Sitka spruce tips, alder-smoked malts, and wild berries to create beers that truly capture the Last Frontier spirit.
What Makes Alaska Beer Special
Pristine Glacial Water
Sourced from the Juneau Icefield and other glacial sources for exceptionally pure brewing water.
Indigenous Ingredients
Sitka spruce tips, alder-smoked malts, and wild berries create unique Last Frontier flavors.
Gold Rush Heritage
Modern recipes based on historical brewing records from the 1800s Gold Rush era.
This Week's Journey
Each day this week, we featured a different Alaska brewery and their signature beer. From Monday's historic Alaskan Amber to Sunday's complex barrel-aged ale, you've discovered the breadth and quality of Alaska's craft beer scene.
Supporting Alaska Breweries
When you visit these breweries, you're not just buying great beer—you're supporting local jobs, local communities, and the preservation of Alaska's unique brewing heritage. Alaska's craft beer scene represents the frontier spirit and innovation that defines the Last Frontier.
