2018 Alaska Beer Week Continues Through January 21st

Now in its eighth year, the 2018 Alaska Beer Week kicked off yesterday and continues through Sunday, January 21st. The ten-day week of events includes many beer releases, beer and food pairing events and of course the largest draw, the 24th Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival.

Alaska boasts over 30 breweries and takes time each year in January to celebrate this growing industry. Since it’s held in one of the coldest months of the year, this beer week tends to focus on big, bold beers with events in Anchorage and beyond. Plus the annual beer week helps bolster the winter economy with travel and hospitality dollars.

But its one event that has been bringing beer aficionados to Alaska during this week, the coveted Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival (GABBF). Now in its 24th year, this event brings in people from all over Alaska and beyond. GABBF will take place over the course of three sessions – Friday, January 19th from 6:00-10:00pm, Saturday, January 20th from 2:00-5:00pm and 6:00-10:00pm. Tickets are now on sale at Ticket Master for all the three sessions.

Here are some of the highlights for the 2018 Alaska Beer Week.

Beer and Food Pairings:
FRI JAN 12 thru SUN JAN 21 (Daily thru AK Beer Week)
Humpy’s: Alehouse Bratwurst Burger:
Pan-seared bratwurst sausage patty, topped with Munster cheese and alehouse sauerkraut on a pretzel bun with stone ground mustard
Serranos: Tacos & Taps:
Serrano’s Mexican Grille celebrates AK Beer Week with Tacos and Taps! Hit this mid-town hot spot for lunch or dinner during AK Beer Week. Pair a Midnight Sun craft brew with a meal from Serrano’s incredible menu to receive a free pint glass to take home. Viva Local!
SAT JAN 13
6:00 PM Midnight Sun Brewing Company @ Lavelle’s Bistro event info
SUN JAN 14
12:00 PM HooDoo Brewing Company @ Lavelle’s Bistro event info
6:00 PM Midnight Sun Brewing Company @ The Flats Bistro event info
MON JAN 15
4:00 PM Midnight Sun Brewing Company @ Hearth Artisan Pizza
TUE JAN 16
7:00 PM HooDoo Brewing Company @ Lemongrass event info
WED JAN 17
6:00 PM Humpy’s Annual Beer Dinner @ Bootleggers Saloon SOLD OUT!!
6:00 PM Denali Brewing Company @ Suite 100  event info
6:00 PM Midnight Sun Brewing Company @ Kinley’s event info

Beer Brunches:
SAT JAN 13
10 AM – 3 PM: The Loft at Midnight Sun Brewing Company does beer brunch every weekend, including “brunch beers” like Red Beer (Fallen Angel Belgian Golden Ale with house-made spicy Bloody Mary mix) and JuJu (Panty Peeler Belgian Tripel with Orange Juice). Biscuits and Chorizo Gravy, anyone? Topped with bacon crumbles. *Note the earlier opening hours on the weekends.
SUN JAN 14
10 AM – 3 PM: The Loft at Midnight Sun Brewing Company does beer brunch every weekend, including “brunch beers” like Red Beer (Fallen Angel Belgian Golden Ale with house-made spicy Bloody Mary mix) and JuJu (Panty Peeler Belgian Tripel with Orange Juice). Order LaFemme’s Favorite: Hot Mess with a goblet of JuJu. *Note the earlier opening hours on the weekends.
12 PM – 2 PM: Lavelle’s Bistro hosts Kegs, Eggs and Cocktails, featuring HooDoo Brewing Companybeers. Call 907-450-0555 for reservations.
SAT JAN 20
10 AM – 3 PM: The Loft at Midnight Sun Brewing Company does beer brunch every weekend, including “brunch beers” like Red Beer (Fallen Angel Belgian Golden Ale with house-made spicy Bloody Mary mix) and JuJu (Panty Peeler Belgian Tripel with Orange Juice). Prepping for the beer fest? Green Chili Hash or The Smackdown are in order here. Or…go Veggie Burrito and ask for the house-made Diablo Sauce to kick it up. *Note the earlier opening hours on the weekends.
SUN JAN 21
9 AM – 3 PM: Wear your GABBF wrist band in and get FREE donut holes at Spenard Roadhouse
10 AM – 3 PM: The Loft at Midnight Sun Brewing Company does beer brunch every weekend, including “brunch beers” like Red Beer (Fallen Angel Belgian Golden Ale with house-made spicy Bloody Mary mix) and JuJu (Panty Peeler Belgian Tripel with Orange Juice). After a long beer week, get yourself back to good with Ranchos Locos and a spicy Red Beer, then go lay on your couch for the rest of the day. *Note the earlier opening hours on the weekends.

Beer Releases:
FRI JAN 12
11:00 AM Midnight Sun Brewing Company welcomes AKBW with a Heavy Hitters line-up
12:00 PM Girdwood Brewing Company releases its first sour: Sour Patch dry-hopped Sour Beer
SAT JAN 13
12:00 PM HooDoo Brewing Company releases its 2018 Barley Wine with cask and draft versions
MON JAN 15
4:00 PM Midnight Sun Brewing Company releases Climber Wild American Ale @ Hearth Artisan Pizza
TUE JAN 16
12:00 PM HooDoo Brewing Company taps 2013 Barley Wine and 2017 TUSK/Barley Wine blend
WED JAN 17
12:00 PM HooDoo Brewing Company taps 2017 Barley Wine and 2015 barrel-aged Mammoth
THU JAN 18
11:00 AM Midnight Sun Brewing Company heads into the last weekend with a The Belgians are Coming line-up
12:00 PM HooDoo Brewing Company taps cask Oolong Tea Kolsch
FRI JAN 19
12:00 PM HooDoo Brewing Company taps cask Cold Brew Coffee IPA
SAT JAN 20
12:00 PM HooDoo Brewing Company taps cask Peanut Butter Stout
SUN JAN 21
11:00 AM Midnight Sun Brewing Company closes out AKBW with a Brewed Only Once line-up

For a complete, updated list of Alaska Beer Week events keep checking akbeerweek.com.