Beer Towns » Anchorage
DRAFT Beer Town: Anchorage
By Rachel Steer
Forget salmon, bears and tales of the midnight sun: Alaska's largest city is more than a summer destination. Don your long johns and get ready to experience the big chill in the last frontier.
Appeared in: September/October 2008 Issue
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Beer Bars
Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse610 W 6th Ave
Anchorage AK
With 40 beers on tap, a healthy dose of Belgian ales and everything from king crab to burgers on the menu, Humpy's is a great place to start a pub crawl (it gets crowded later in the evening). Its sister bar next door, the ultra-cool Sub Zero, is a mecca for fans of Belgian brews and inventive coctails. www.humpys.com
Cafe Amsterdam
530 E Benson Blvd
Anchorage AK
When the beer list is longer than most four-star restaurants' wine lists, you know it's a place obsessed with brew. More than 15 draft beers, 100 bottles and an occasional firkin can be found at this Old World-inspired hangout. Grab a seat at the grotto bar and enjoy the quiet ambience. www.cafe-amsterdam.com
Tap Root Cafe
1330 Huffman Rd
Anchorage AK
Tap Root is new on the Anchorage bar scene, but it has quickly jumped to the top of many beer-drinkin', bluegrass-and-folk-music-lovin' aficionados' lists. The small bar and restaurant seves local beer and organic food and is committed to fostering a community-friendly atmosphere. If you want to groove to some of Alaska's best local music acts, this is the place. 907-345-0282
Chair 5 Restaurant
5 Lindblad Ave
Girdwood AK
The first rule at this bar states there will be absolutely no gunfights, fistfights, food fights or cursing. With Girdwoods' notoriously mellow ski-bum scene you have little to worry about. Take a long look at the the generous beer list, put a quarter in line at the pool table and strike up a conversation with that biker dude sitting at the bar. www.chairfive.com
Brewpubs
Glacier Brewhouse737 W 5th Ave
Anchorage AK
Grab a table near the giant stone fireplace and people-watch, or gaze at the glass-walled brewing system and the organized chaos of an open kitchen churning out wood-fired pizza and seafood. The brewery is known for its hoppy, fruity IPA and snifters of oak-aged Imperial Blond served from the cask. If you're lucky, the bar will serve Big Woody, a 10.7%-ABV, GABF gold-winning barleywine. www.glacierbrewhouse.com
Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
7329 Arctic Blvd
Anchorage AK
Head brewer Gabe Fletcher and his crew blend art, science and creativity. Their classic go-to beers, Sockeye Red IPA ("Spawned in the Last Frontier"), Oosik Amber (named after a certain part of the male walrus anatomy) and Kodiak Brown are on tap at many bars around town, and this year's Planet Series is out of this world. www.midnightsunbrewing.com
Moose's Tooth Brewing Co.
3300 Old Seward Hwy
Anchorage AK
It is tough to tell whether Moose's Tooth is better known for its creative pizzas or its tasty beer. The brewery is off-site and does not offer tours, but fans of the Tooth don't mind. With a nod to our powerful oil industry, the Pipeline Stout is dark and creamy and has been called the black gold of eer. Other brews to sample: Fairweather IPA, Klondike Golden and an inventive cider beer. www.moosestooth.net
Sleeping Lady Breiwng Co./Snow Goose Restaurant
717 W 3rd Ave
Anchorage AK
With its copper and stainless steel brewing system on display in the lobby and British pub decor, the Snow Goose prides itself on serving small-batch American and English beer styles. In the summer, its deck is packed with locals and tourists alike; in winter, the Gooose always has one hadncrafted pint on tap for $3. www.alaskabeers.com
Celestial Meads
600 West 58th Ave
Anchorage AK
Meadmaster Mike Kiker blends high-quality, raw varietal honeys with hand-picked Alaskan berries. Kiker opens up his meadery, in a difficult-to-find industrial section of townk on Frideay evenings. it's a one-man deal, so call beforehand to confirm. www.celestialmeads.com
Dine
Snow City Cafe1034 W 4th Ave
Anchorage AK
Hands-down, Snow City Cafe is Anchorage's most popular breakfast and lunch stop. A rotating display of local art adorns the walls and a mix of tie clad business men and tie-die-wearing students hang out at the breakfast bar. Try the Ship Creek Benedict - salmon cakes add an interesting twist to the traditional egg dish. www.snowcitycafe.com
Suite 100
1000 East Dimond Blvd
Anchorage AK
In Alaska, "formal" can mean Carhartts or cumberbunds. Fortunately, Suite 100 on Dimond Boulevard is the kind of restaurant that suits both. The atmosphere is classy, but not stuffy; the menu is large and the lounge in back, with its grand curved bar and comfortable couches, is perfect for testing out creative appetizers and cocktails. 907-341-1000
Taco King
113 W Northern Lights Blvd
Anchorage AK
A tacky taqueria feel, complete with blaring Norteno folk music, is a dead giveaway that this place is authentic. Filling meals can be had for less than $7 and a condiment bar, replete with sour cream, assorted salsas and jalapenos, lets you dish up sides for no charge. We like the Menudo or beef tongue tacos. 907-276-7387
Maxine's Glacier City Bistro
Crow Creek Hwy
Girdwood AK
Maxine's is the ugly stepsister to the Double Musky, a New Orleans-style joint down the street. Double Musky gets all the credit for leading Girdwood's culinary scene and Maxine's keeps working away, winning the hearts of locals who enjoy its hearty menu described as "freestyle American bistro." Hit Maxine's for some apres-ski Venison Osso Buco, mulled wine and local tunes. www.maxinesbistro.com
Thai Kitchen
3405 E Tudor Rd
Anchorage AK
Thai Kitchen started out as a hole-in-the-wall, five table restaurant in the back of a mini-mart. The restaurant has expanded and the candy aisle is gone, but the friendly, family atmosphere and the home-style cooking remain. Theis place doesn't have a beer license, but the red curry Shu Shee Kai and a Thai iced coffee will certainly awaken your senses. www.thaikitchenalaska.com
Do
La Bodega3801 Old Seward Hwy
Anchorage AK
It may not be a bar, but this little liquor store in the University Mall is where Anchorage beer connoisseurs shop. Owner Pamela Hatzis has made it her mission to offer mix-and-match six packs, and we're talking the good stuff here. Beer experts and neophytes feel comfortable in the well-stocked, cozy store where the staff is knowledgeable about everything from local brews to obscure European concoctions. 907-569-3800
The Ascending Path
Arlberg Ave
Girdwood AK
Get in touch with your outdoorsy side and join The Ascending Path climbing and guide service for a day of backcountry skiiing, ice climbing or snowshoeing in the Chugach Mountains. Certified and experienced guides will provide all the equipment and instruction you need for an exciting wilderness adventure. www.theascendingpath.com
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
121 W. 7th Ave
Anchorage AK
The museum features exhibits on the art, history, science and cultures of Alaska, and it's a splendid place to hole up if the weather's lousy. Check out the interactive display on Anchorage Pioneer Families and the always-impressive Art of the North collection. A huge expansion is making room for more than 600 Native artifacts that have been held at the Smithsonian. www.anchoragemuseum.org
Sleep
The Hotel Captain Cook939 W 5th Ave
Anchorage AK
If you're looking for a luxury hotel in Anchorage, you have pretty much one choice: the Captain Cook. A nautical theme and teak paneling run throughout the 547-room, triple-tower hotel. Make sure you visit the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning Crow's Nest on the 20th floor for a drink and 360-degree views of the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. www.captaincook.com
The Hotel Alyeska
1000 Arlberg Ave
Girdwood AK
Whether you spent the day skiing the slopes of Alyeska Resort or snowshoeing the trails in Moose Meadows, you will love this chateau-style hotel tucked into a forested corner at the base of Alaska's largest ski resort, just 40 miles from Anchorage. The dark wood decor and foyers with spectacular views and leather couches make for one of the area's most romantic settings. www.alyeskaresort.com
Copper Whale Inn Bed and Breakfast
440 L Street
Anchorage AK
This 1930s-era inn, located in the historic part of town, has consistently been voted Alaska's best B&B. The 14-room house is within walking distance of most downtown restaurants, bars and attractions. In winter, it offers spa, dining and arts packages with discounts. www.copperwhale.com
Dimond Center Hotel
700 E Dimond Blvd
Anchorage AK
Large, loft-style rooms, 72-inch soaking tubs and authentic Alaska Native decor are ideal for business travelers who eschew downtwon. Restaurants, movie theaters and shoppping are all within walking distance of the hotel. www.dimondcenterhotel.com
Millennium Alaskan Hotel
4800 Spenard Road
Anchorage AK
Aviation buffs, hunters and fishermen will love the Millennium. The hotel is perched on the edge of Lake Spenard, home of the world's busiest floatplane base, and the lobby is filled with every Alaskan animal you can imagine, stuffed and posed for your viewing pleasure. www.millenniumhotels.com
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