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The Northern Lights. Denali National Park. Untouched natural landscapes. Unparalleled wildlife sightings. These are just a few of the things people have come to expect from Alaska’s Interior.
But what about breweries and distilleries? You might be surprised to learn that there are 11 breweries and distilleries in the Fairbanks area. Given the fact that more than 95,000 people live in the Fairbanks North Star Borough and that Alaska is fifth in the nation for breweries per capita, perhaps it’s not so surprising after all.
If you’re looking for a great pint or a craft cocktail in the Fairbanks area, look no further. Our list has you covered! Below, you’ll find all the information you need to explore another side of Fairbanks, one sip at a time.
Black Spruce Brewing Company
Founded in 2018, Black Spruce Brewing Company operates a 10-barrel brewhouse that puts out a diverse lineup. You’ll find ales, lagers, IPAs, sours, stouts, and more on tap—or grab a four-pack to go. Black Spruce is also well-known for their community events, including their First Fridays, which showcase the work of local artists.
If you like your brews a bit off-centered, keep your eye on the , the brewery’s sister company. They’re currently putting out cider, but other fruit-based fermentations, like mead and fruit wine, are in the works. (Coming soon!)
3290 Peger Road, Suite B
Fairbanks, AK 99709
HooDoo Brewing Company
After an education that included brewing school in Chicago and Munich, then a stint at Alaskan Brewing Company in Juneau, founder Bobby Wilken was ready to bring everything he’d learned back to his hometown of Fairbanks. Today, you can enjoy the fruits of his learning at HooDoo Brewing’s downtown location, which features an outdoor biergarten, complete with fire pits.
Wilken focuses on classic English, German, Belgian, and American beer styles, and HooDoo’s Kölsch and American IPAs remain especially popular. Free tours of the 15-barrel brewhouse are available. Call to schedule.
1951 Fox Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Company
Just a bit out of town in Fox, you’ll find Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Company. In addition to a good variety of their own ales, porters, stouts, and pilsners, Silver Gulch also features a solid bottle list, largely focused on European ales, hefeweizens, lambics, and sours. They’ve also got a full food menu with burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and more.
If you happen to miss Silver Gulch while you’re in the Fairbanks area, you can visit their retail shop on Concourse C at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. (Yes, you can take the beer, wine, and spirits they sell on the plane with you—although you can’t drink them in flight!)
2195 Old Steese Hwy N.
Fairbanks, AK 99712
Lat 65 Brewing Company
As you look around the Lat 65 taproom, you might not guess that members of a long-gone Alaska Club used to play racquetball in that same space. After a complete renovation (and repurposing!), you can now enjoy Lat 65’s warm and welcoming bar, which serves a diverse variety of beers and ciders—with the goal of having something for everyone.
In 2022, Lat 65 won the 2022 Bill Stoecker Business of the Year Award from the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce in recognition of their significant contributions to the community. In addition to the revitalization of their building, the brewery puts on events for artists, hosts pop-up events for local nonprofits, and donates a portion of proceeds to support student athlete scholarships.
150 Eagle Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Midnite Mine Brewing Company
Midnite Mine Brewing Company opened in 2019, in the space that’s been occupied by the Midnite Mine bar since the late ’60s. With a single barrel system in the building, the brewery’s offerings are more limited than other Fairbanks breweries. However, what they lack in the depth of their roster, they more than make up for with their creativity. For example, take their Splash Bravado, described as a “straight fruit salad smoothie blended with coconut.”
Note: You’ll find the Midnite Mine nano brewery on the top level of the building. The bottom level is a neighborhood bar that remains a favorite of many Fairbanks residents.
308 Wendell Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Big Delta Brewing Co.
Located in Delta Junction, about 95 miles from downtown Fairbanks, Big Delta Brewing was founded by Kendall Greenleaf, a longtime Alaska resident. After opening in December 2020, Big Delta quickly became popular for their handmade pizzas, which, due to pandemic restrictions on sit-down dining at the time, were being served through a drive-through window.
Since then, the brewery has built out its lineup of beers, which it serves alongside a robust selection of Alaska craft beers from all over the state. It’s also got a full dining room and a pizza oven capable of firing 200+ pizzas an hour. If you find yourself in Delta Junction—or you’re down for a road trip—Big Delta is a worthy stop for both a pint and a pizza.
1205 Richardson Highway
Delta Junction, AK 99737
49th State Brewing
It all started in a three-bay bus barn in Healy where the beer was brewed one barrel at a time. 49th State Brewing has grown significantly since then, and expanded to a location in Anchorage. Although their Denali location is about two hours from downtown Fairbanks, plenty of people make the drive from April-September when the brewery—and its adjacent campground—are open. Consider planning your trip for Augtoberfest, the brewery’s annual German-style beer festival—with a twist!
Mile 248.4 Parks Highway
Healy, AK 99743
5 Don’t-Miss Distilleries in the Fairbanks Area
Not a beer drinker? Or simply enjoy exploring fermented beverages in all forms? Make time to explore the growing roster of distilleries in the Fairbanks area featuring everything from potato vodka to honey ‘shine.
Fairbanks Distilling Company
When you look at a Yukon gold potato, do you think, “vodka” or “rum”?! Maybe you should, because that’s what the folks at Fairbanks Distilling are doing—turning those potatoes into locally crafted spirits. Stop by their tasting room to sample their spirits, which you can also enjoy in a creative cocktail.
Ursa Major Distilling
At Ursa Major Distilling, you’ll find a carefully crafted lineup of small-batch akvavit, rum, vodka, gin, barrel-aged rum, and canned cocktails. If you can’t make it to their location in Fairbanks, their spirits are available in several retailers across the state, including the Silver Gulch retail store in the Anchorage airport. Tours are also available at their Fairbanks location.
Arctic Harvest Farm Distillery
Located in North Pole, Arctic Harvest is a true farm-to-bottle distillery. The team does everything—planting, fertilizing, harvesting, malting, fermenting, and distilling—to turn out their whiskey, vodka, and honey ‘shine. Currently open Friday and Saturday.
Hoarfrost Distilling
Hoarfrost Distilling‘s award-winning, small-batch vodka starts as 100% Alaskan barley and pure Alaskan water. At their tasting room, you’ll pick from a flight of tasters or a premium vodka cocktail. We recommend the Alpenglow—lime- and vanilla-infused vodka with red grapefruit juice—or the Rhubarb Pie, made with house-made rhubarb juice.
Exploring a New Side of Fairbanks
There’s plenty to do in Fairbanks, the Golden Heart City. If you enjoy tickling your palate with new tastes, this list of breweries and distilleries opens a whole new list of must-dos in the area. (And don’t forget everything that’s waiting for you in nearby North Pole!) Add in all of the other activities the Interior is known for, and you’ll have plenty of ways to get the most out of your time in and around Fairbanks.
Considering a move to Fairbanks? We’ve helped thousands of individuals and families move their belongings all over the state, and we’d be happy to help you. Just reach out to our Alaska-based team for a complimentary quote.
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