Sunday, July 2, 2017

Alaskan Brewing Company Beer Tasting in Juneau

Whether you've had Alaskan Brewing Co beer at home (you can find it in 19 states) or you had it on your cruise ship or vacation in Alaska, chances are you're a fan and would like to learn more about the company.  If you happen to visit Juneau, you can visit the brewery and participate in a beer tasting.  It's not a tour per se, sort of along the lines as Samuel Adams in Boston but more of a history along with several samples.

The brewery is located at 5429 Shaune Drive which is in the Lemon Creek area, between Juneau and Auke Bay.  You can get to it by local bus 3 or 4 from downtown or Auke Bay or you can take a shuttle from the Alaskan Brewery Depot (gift shop, no beer) at 219 S. Franklin Street for $20.  It's still $20 if you get there on your own accord so whatever is most convenient for you.  

Tastings start at the top of the hour and last about 35 to 40 minutes.  Most people come through the shuttle but some are walk ins.  You'll be ushered into the private tasting room which was part of the original brewery.  A brewer will give you a history of the brewery, how it started and how it got to where it is today while serving you three 4 ounce samples of the most popular brews.  Upon conclusion, you'll receive four bottle caps which entitle you to four more samples in the taproom which is the main room and gift shop.  You'll be able to try common brews to limited runs and even rough drafts which are not commercially available.  Also, if they have mystery beers, those are available without using your precious bottle caps.   

All said and done, you'll get up seven 4 ounce pours plus maybe a bonus or two if there are mystery taps.  That's roughly 2 and a half pints and depending on where you go, you'd spend that much anyhow but would miss out on the informative history.  I enjoyed my tasting and got out of my comfort zone of Alaskan White.  They had a smoked porter which I will have to look for when I get back to Texas.  A few people were in a rush to get back on their shuttles and I ended up with a few extra bottle caps which make a nice souvenir.  Or maybe I used them..  Muhahahaha! 

You can also buy souvenirs, get your growler filled, buy cases of beer and kegs (if you'll be in town awhile).

This is a popular and inexpensive actively for cruise ship passengers and fits in well with the schedules.  Visit their site for more information, hours and to see if you can buy their beer where you live. 

https://alaskanbeer.com/visit/

During the summer, it's open 7 days a week but closed on Sundays during the winter.

There are some other tour groups that include this tasting as well in their packages so you might couple this with other popular attractions such as the Mount Roberts Tram, a whale watching tour or Mendenhall visitor's center.

This is also a great stop if you're in an RV and need to stop by Costco which is nearby.

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All photos taken by Paul Clough.  
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