5 More Things We Learned In Alaska

 

, 5 More Things We Learned In Alaska

 

American Craft Beer was recently invited up to Alaska for an “in-depth” tour of their fast-growing craft beer and distilling scene. Having never ventured up into “The Last Frontier” before, we found it all pretty amazing… And here are 5 MORE things that blew us away about the 49th State.

 It’s Impossible To Drive From Anchorage To Juneau 

Juneau, Alaska’s remote capital, sits at the base of 3,819-ft. Mt. Roberts, in the midst of state’s southeastern panhandle. And unlike 99% of the nation’s state capitals, there is amazingly, no highway system linking it to the rest of the state. If you’re up in Anchorage and you need to attend a meeting in Juneau, the only way you’re going to get there is by plane or boat!

, 5 More Things We Learned In AlaskaJuneau is also a spectacularly beautiful city, set on expansive waters and walled by soaring mountains. It’s an intriguing place – both outdoorsy” and urbane at the same time.

They’ve a tram near the city’s center that can carry visitors 1,800 feet up Mt. Roberts, to a strikingly beautiful alpine vista laced with hiking trails, wildflowers and dramatic views of Gastineau Channel. This is also the site of the Juneau Raptor Center, home to all kinds of regional species – great birds like the American Bald Eagle.

And The Mendenhall Glacier is just 12 miles from downtown Juneau, out in the Tonga National Forest and you could spend several days exploring that astonishing place.

 

 

, 5 More Things We Learned In AlaskaJuneau is Home To Alaskan Brewing – And Their Choice To Only Brew There Matters

Few breweries in the Pacific Northwest, and certainly in Alaska, are as large, as capable or as respected as Geoff and Marcy Larson’s Alaskan Brewing. These people love this state deeply and see it as an intrinsic part of their brand.

Yes, the glacial waters used in brewing at Alaskan  is an essential element that would be hard for anyone to walk away from – but that doesn’t mean that brewing up in Juneau is easy, or inexpensive.

As we’ve already detailed. Juneau is a bit of an outpost, a beautiful outpost – but an outpost nonetheless…Most everything needs to be shipped up there (including hops and grains) and that’s not necessarily cheap for anyone.

And things only get more complicated when you’re dependent on shipping schedules. Alaskan Brewing not only needs to ship their beers north – to cities like Anchorage. Fairbanks and Nome – but they also service the “Lower 48.” After all, Alaskan now distributes to 17 states and they continue to expand their distribution footprint nationally,

Brewing timetables at Alaskan are intricately timed to coincide, as best they can, with complex shipping schedules.  Any unforeseen breakdowns, at either end of this production and shipping partnership, can be hugely problematic.

But as Geoff and Marcy stressed to us when we were with them up in Juneau – they would never consider brewing their beer any place else. This is clearly for them, Alaskan beer, brewed in Alaska, by Alaskans…It’s the essence of their beer and the ethos of their company – and apparently not up for negotiation.

 

, 5 More Things We Learned In AlaskaMoose Are Fairly Common

We saw them by highways…we even saw one in a downtown park in Anchorage. We do understand that they’re primarily harmless and vaguely ornamental – unless they’re with newborns – then all bets are off.

 

Alaska Has An Exciting Craft Distilling Scene 

But because we want to that emerging scene the justice it deserves (in particular Toby Foster’s exciting Alaska Distillery and Heather Shade’s brilliant Port Chilkoot Distillery in Haines) we’re  necessarily bumping  those stories back another week. So sorry – but please do stay tuned.

Anchorage Has A Hotel That Might Really Be Haunted

But you’re gonna have to wait on that story as well…

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And be sure to check out 5 Things We Learned In Alaska if you haven’t already….

 

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