Alaska’s brewery culture is thriving with a growing number of independent breweries producing adventurous, fun beers across the state.  In small communities, breweries are community hubs where families are often welcome and food trucks are frequently parked outside offering a rotating menu of local favorites. They’re the perfect evening stop for a quick bite and a pint where you can get a taste of Alaska’s lively local scene. Many of these breweries are near Princess Lodge locations, making them an easy stop on your way to your next big adventure. Check out our list of 10 must-try craft beers from Anchorage to Fairbanks and beyond!

Try these great Alaska beers:

Brewery: Denali Brewing Company in Talkeetna
Type: IPA • ABV: 6.5% • IBU: 71

This flagship IPA from Denali Brewing blends Pacific Northwest and British hops with a smooth malt base. You can find it year-round at their Talkeetna brewpub, which is 35 miles (about a 40-minute drive) from Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. With frequent shuttles to Talkeetna, making the trip to the brewpub is easy.

Brewery: Alaskan Brewing Co. in Juneau
Type: Hazy IPA • ABV: 6.8% • IBU: 45

Brewed with Mosaic, Simcoe and Strata hops, Juneau Juice bursts with citrus and tropical fruit character. This unfiltered hazy IPA is smooth and easy-drinking with just enough hop bite to satisfy IPA fans. Though brewed in Juneau, Alaskan Brewing distributes widely, making this beer accessible throughout the state.

Brewery: HooDoo Brewing Co. in Fairbanks
Type: Hefeweizen • ABV: 5.2% • IBU: 10

Expect banana, clove and bubblegum aromas in this classic German-style wheat beer—a refreshing choice for warm days in Fairbanks. Located just 4.5 miles (around a 10-minute drive) from the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge.

Photo Credit: ©State of Alaska/Matt Hage

Brewery: Girdwood Brewing Co. in Girdwood
Type: Hazy IPA • ABV: 6.4% • IBU: 12

This well-balanced hazy IPA features juicy notes of orange and mango with a slightly dank finish. Named for one of Girdwood’s favorite ski lines, it captures the spirit of local adventure. Enjoy it in the laid-back taproom after exploring nearby trails or slopes. Located on the Seward Highway, Girdwood is a natural stop on your drive from Anchorage to the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge. After enjoying responsibly, the lodge is another 93 miles, approximately a 2-hour drive.

Brewery: Broken Tooth Brewing in Anchorage
Type: Fruit Wheat Ale • ABV: 5.3% • IBU: 11

A crisp and tart wheat ale blended with raspberry puree, this beer is served at Moose’s Tooth and Bear Tooth in Anchorage — two iconic local institutions with excellent food pairings and cozy atmospheres.

Brewery: Turnagain Brewing in Anchorage
Type: Framboise-Style Ale • ABV: 5.2% • IBU: 5

Balanced and raspberry-forward, this summer-friendly ale is brewed at a cozy neighborhood brewery along the Campbell Creek Trail. Grab a pint after a stroll around nearby Taku Lake. There are also a few breweries nearby, making Turnagain Brewing a good stop for a brewery crawl.

Brewery: King Street Brewing in Anchorage
Type: Blonde Ale • ABV: 4.9%

Hoppy, fruity and malty, this approachable pale ale is a perfect post-hike pint. King Street Brewing is centrally located making it a great stop while exploring Anchorage or en route to nearby Princess Lodges.

Brewery: Seward Brewing Company in Seward
Type: IPA • ABV: 6.3% • IBU: 40

This vibrant IPA is known for bold hops and seasonal character and remains a top pick. Brewed in Seward, enjoy this beer on a day trip from Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge. The 3.5-hour drive doesn’t feel long with the incredible views along the Seward Highway, and the payoff is incredible.

Brewery: Valdez Brewing Company
Type: Pale Ale with Spruce Tips • ABV: 5.2% • IBU: 34

This hazy pale ale highlights hand-foraged spruce tips for a citrus-pine zing. With plenty of opportunities to explore in Valdez, the local craft beers are simply a cherry on top. Located about 120 miles (approximately a 2.5-hour drive) from the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge.

Brewery: 49th State Brewing
Type: IPA • ABV: 6.8% • IBU: 68

Aromatics of grapefruit and melon make this award-winning IPA a true standout. In 2021, Solstice IPA was rated one of the best IPAs in America on Untappd and it’s won a number of local awards since then. With locations in Anchorage, Healy and Denali Park, 49th State Brewing is never too far from your Alaska lodge stop.

Not Much of a Beer Fan? Try These Other Locally-Made Options:

1. Zip Kombucha
   With alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions available, Zip Kombucha is a refreshing and creative stop in Anchorage. Try rotating seasonal blends like ginger-blueberry or spruce-berry.
2. 49th State Brewing Frontier Soda
   Alongside its beer lineup, 49th State crafts sodas with distinctly Alaskan ingredients such as spruce tip, wild raspberry and blueberry. Perfect for all ages.
3. Root Beer – Broken Tooth Brewing
   So popular it’s sold by the keg, this classic root beer is a local favorite at Moose’s Tooth and Bear Tooth. Great for designated drivers and younger guests alike.
4. Alaskan Brewing Hard Seltzer
   Based in Juneau but available throughout the state, Alaskan Brewing offers a refreshing line of hard seltzers with flavors like spruce tip and mango. Crisp, bubbly and perfect for warm summer days.

Enjoy Responsibly

While exploring Alaska’s craft beer scene, remember to enjoy responsibly. Many of these beers pack a punch thanks to higher ABV levels and Alaska’s long summer daylight hours can make it easy to lose track of time. If you’re visiting from a Princess Lodge, consider assigning a designated driver or using a shuttle or taxi service where available.