- Destinations
Guide to the Best Breweries in Fairbanks, Alaska
The Arctic Circle is known for the Northern Lights, polar bears, and dog sledding. While all those things are great, so is craft beer and the Arctic Circle has plenty of it! There are plenty of breweries in Fairbanks, Alaska that offer a variety of delicious craft beers.
In this guide, I will share my favorite breweries in Fairbanks, Alaska, and some of the best craft brews in cities across Alaska. Please drink responsibly and have a designated driver especially if you plan on doing a brewery tour.
Let’s get into it!
Comprehensive Guide to Breweries in Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska is located along the Chena River in an extremely far north portion of the United States. At 16 degrees North, it is also one of the best places to view the aurora borealis and the location of the northernmost brewery. While most breweries will close before the northern lights are at their peak visibility, there is always a chance that you’ll catch a glimpse of them as you walk out the door at closing time.
The legal age to purchase, possess, and consume alcoholic beverages in Alaska is 21. State law allows communities to restrict alcohol sales as desired.
I added a map below so you can save it to use for your planning purposes! It is wild to see just how big Alaska is!
HooDoo Brewing Company
HooDoo Brewing is one of my favorite breweries in Fairbanks, Alaska. The atmosphere is great and the bartenders are friendly. While we visited when it was -40 Degrees outside, they still had the outdoor fireplace going which added to the overall good vibes of the brewery. There was limited seating there, but plenty of places to stand and enjoy the company. There were no food trucks there when I went, but they do have a rotating list.
Favorite Beer: NE IPA, Runner-Up Stout
Black Spruce Brewing Company
Black Spruce had a great atmosphere with an open concept and plenty of tables. It was easy to grab a seat and enjoy the brews with a view as the sunset. There were plenty of options for everyone to enjoy and I got a kick out of the Beyonce decorations in the bathroom. Overall solid spot!
Favorite Beer: Golden Heart Off-Dry Cider, Aurora Dome IPA
Silver Gulch Brewing
Silver Gulch Brewing is a ways outside of the Fairbanks. It is the northern most brewery and close to Fairbanks, so I had to include it on the my breweries in Fairbanks, Alaska list. Unlike some of the local breweries, Silver Gulch Brewing does not open until later in the day, but they do offer dinner service and pub food! While I wouldn’t include it on your Fairbanks brewery tour, I would recommend getting dinner and a beer there on your trip to Fairbanks!
LAT 65
LAT 65 was a great brewery where we were able to grab a table and play some cards. They had a permanent food option there which smelled delicious! Local artists had their art displayed around the brewery which was nice to see! The beer was good and the staff was friendly. I highly recommend you check out LAT 65, it was my second favorite brewery in Fairbanks.
Favorite Beer: New Sun IPA, Solar Memory IPA
Midnite Mine Brewing Company
Located right next to the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center near Downtown Fairbanks Midnite Mine Brewing Company is a bumping brewery that is loved by both locals and visitors! With a fantastic outdoor patio and a great choice of music, the atmosphere of this brewing company was that of excitement.
Ursa Major Distilling (not a Brewery)
I HAD to include Ursa Major on this list!
Ursa Major Distilling has an incredibly friendly vibe. The bartender was knowledgeable about all of the different liquors that they distilled and she recommended some amazing drinks and even made us a couple of drinks that were off the menu. We visited during their local author event, so it was cool to read some of the local books and purchase some as souveniers. I also bought my sister a bottle of gin for watching my dog while I was on my most recent trip to Fairbanks!
Favorite Drink: Bush Pilot, Sun Dog, and Hot Old Fashion(seasonal)
Best Breweries in Surrounding Alaskan Cities
Fairbanks isn’t the only city with some fantastic places to grab a good beer, there are some phenomenal breweries around the state. In this section, I will cover some of the best breweries outside of Fairbanks, Alaska.
Remember that each country controls the drinking parameters according to state law.
Anchorage, AK
Anchorage, Alaska is along the south coast of the state and is a bustling city. It is the perfect place to grab a drink and there are lots of options to choose from.
Located right next to King Street Brewing Company, this brewery has some delicious craft beer and a great atmosphere. There is some great outdoor seating with fireplaces perfect for a cozy drink outdoors.
49th State Brewing is located in downtown Anchorage and is the perfect place to grab a drink after a day around town. With lively music and a great brewpub menu, you can fill up on delicious beers and bites. There are multiple locations so make sure you pick the right one!
King Street Brewing Company is a microbrewery with a variety of beers from German to American beer styles. Their beers can be bought around Anchorage
Midnight Sun Brewing Company is the oldest brewery in Anchorage and is known for its unique and bold flavors. If you’re into barrel-aged stouts, this is the place to go! Midnight Sun Brewing Company also offers tours if you’re looking to spend a couple of hours drinking great beer and eating comfort foods.
Double Shovel Cider Company is right next to the Hive Mind Meadery. So if you’re someone who isn’t a huge fan of beers, these are two great options to sit and relax with a good, less-hoppy, drink. Double Shovel is known for having phenomenal local food trucks. You can check out their food truck schedule on their website!
The Cynosure Brewing Company atmosphere is unmatched. Just like their beer, the atmosphere is expertly crafted. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and the beer!
Juneau, AK
Juneau is the largest city in Alaska and the state Capitol. For visitors, it is phenomenal for shopping and it is one of the best places I’ve ever gone whale watching. Here are a few of my favorite breweries in Juneau, Alaska!
Starting with an Alaskan classic is Alaskan Brewing Company. You’ve likely already seen this breweries beer at the grocery store or maybe you’ve already drank their beer! Alaskan Brewing Company was the first brewery in Juneau after the end of prohibition and has been brewing beer ever since. If you have the opportunity to stop in, you must!
Promptly located in downtown Juneau, Devil’s Club Brewing Company is a fantastic environment for relaxing. While not related to the tastiness of the beer, their packaging is phenomenal and picture-worthy. The beer is still great and you can walk there from the cruise docks…if you’re visiting via cruise ship.
A certified independent craft brewing company, Forbidden Peak Brewing Company is a great place to gather. They offer regular events that you can enjoy while sipping on a hoppy IPA or housemade seltzer.
Talkeetna, AK
Talkeetna is in the interior of Alaska and is the epitome of an adventure city. With world-class mountain biking trails and spectacular river rafting, you’ll want a place to grab a beer afterward in one of these breweries in Talkeetna, Alaska.
Alaska Ciderworks and Meadery take pride in their brew methods and use local ingredients in their craft. Grab a flight of local ciders at their tasting room or brewpub! This Alaska meadery works in partnership with Denali Brewing Company.
Denali Brewing Company is a microbrewery in the interior of Alaska. With spectacular views of Denali National Park, you can enjoy a variety of beers with jaw-dropping views. The brewers are vastly knowledgeable and take great pride in their locally crafted beers.
Soldotna, AK
If you want to catch one of the largest salmon runs in Alaska AND see some very large beers, add Soldotna, Alaska to your list of cities to visit. Promptly located near Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll be throwin’ back beers just like the bears throw back salmon.
Visit these two breweries in Soldotna, Alaska!
The family-owned brewery, St. Elias Brewing Company is a nod to Mount St. Elias and Alaskan exploration. The inspiration inspired the unique taste of their beers. Spend some time relaxing on their gorgeous patio!
Aptly named for being along-side the Kenai River in Alaska, the Kenai River Brewing Company, this large brewery has a familiar feeling. With plenty of Alaskan craft beers to choose from, there is something for everyone. They have a solid brewpub-style menu if you’re hungry!
Additional Cities & Breweries
The Seward Brewing Company closes during the winter, but opens promptly for the summer season(or rather the cruise ship season). The brewery has phenomenal food to choose from and is within walking distance from the cruise port.
Located at the “end of the road”, Homer Brewing Company takes pride in the beer that they create outside of Kachemak Bay. The homey atmosphere of Homer Brewing Company will make you feel like family.
Arkose Brewery is located in Palmer, Alaska in “close” proximity to Anchorage. With a great mix of IPAs and Barelywine, you’re bound to find something that you love!
Pack It Up
Alaska is the perfect place for an outdoor adventure and a great place to grab a craft beer! Some of my favorite breweries are in Alaska including HooDoo Brewery and LAT 65. Nothing hits better than a cold beer after a day of adventure or before staying up late to view the aurora borealis.
The Fairbanks area has some great local brews. The standards of beer are high in Alaska, combined with local ingredients so you’ll always have a good brew.
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Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
The Ultimate Washington Map
Endless adventures, all at your fingertips
If you’ve ever wished you could access my adventure journals to uncover notes about hundreds of Washington destinations, now’s your chance. I spend an entire year creating this interactive map to make adventure more accessible. You can sort, filter, and explore my notes on hundreds of trails, breweries, campgrounds, and more.
Have a question? Put it in a comment and I'll get back to ya!
Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
