Destination Brewfest: Great Alaska Craft Beer and Home Brew Festival

You heard it here first, I'm totally going next year!  I love Haines Alaska and Haines Brewing Company beer; I always thought if I was given a good reason to visit again that of course I would go.  But this year when our friend Ariel Rolfe invited us to go, I had to say no :(  You know, it's the same ole story of low on funds, not enough time, and the frustrating transportation in this part of AK.  But next year, I'm going!

The breweries that take part are all Alaskan brewed; most, if not all of the Alaskan breweries make the trip to the Festival.  From big to small, they have them all.
Alaskan Brewing Company ~ Juneau
Haines Brewing Company ~ Haines
Skagway Brewing Company ~ Skagway
Midnight Sun Brewing Company ~ Anchorage
St. Elias Brewing Company ~ Soldotna
Yukon Brewing Company (ok here's the exception from Canada)
Homer Brewing Company ~ Homer
Silver Gulch Brewing Comany ~ Fairbanks
Sleeping Lady Brewing Company ~ Anchorage
Kassik's Brewery ~ Kenai
Moose's Tooth ~ Anchorage
Glacier Brewhouse ~ Anchorage
Kenai River Brewing Company ~ Soldotna

If you want to experience Alaskan beer without the hefty travel costs, maybe I'll see you May 26-27th, 2012 in Haines Alaska.

Capital City Weekly article on the 2011 Brewfest.
Beer Fest Homepage.

Haines Brewing Company

Haines Brewing Company

PO Box 911

Southeast Alaska Fairgrounds/ Dalton City
Haines, Alaska 99827
907-766-3823
http://hainesbrewing.com/

On our way back south, after spending the summer in Alaska, Jonah and I occupied the time waiting for the ferry to leave by fruitfully journeying to Haines Brewing Co.  The directions we received seemed easy enough turn right onto Haines Highway, then turn left after the school, following the signs to the fairgrounds.  Haines is a small town so we decided to walk.  We followed the directions and found a "fake city," Dalton City, the grounds of the Southeastern Alaska State Fair and the old set for the 1989 movie White Fang.  I wasn't until closer inspection that we realized this movie set was also the location of the brewery. 

I was already hooked at that point, but the visit kept getting better.  Paul Wheeler, the brewer hung out with us for the entire hour and a half we were tasting beers.  He told us a range of stories from the origin of the beer names to his opinions of other breweries.  We realized our commonalities of a history with the Forest Service and love of Portland brews; Paul even encouraged us to start our own brewery, a dream of mine and Jonah's.

On top of all that, the beer was awesome!  We got to try the Dalton Trail Ale, DMMDI IPA, Eldred Rock Red, Lookout Stout, Spruce Tip Ale, Black Fang, and the Barley Wine.  If visiting I would definitely suggest trying them all, HBC has tall tasters for $1.25.  If you can't then try the Spruce Tip Ale, it's Paul's number one sellers and is quite unique.  Also try the Black Fang, a local favorite, this imperial stout should be high on your list.  Definitely fit in the DMMDI IPA too, on second thought if you're all the way in Haines Alaska, drink them all!  It's worth it.