Buying Beer In Fairbanks: What You Need To Know

Fairbanks, Alaska, is home to several breweries and distilleries, and you can also buy beer from local stores. The city has a vibrant drinking scene, with many unique drinking spots to choose from. From breweries with outdoor biergartens to distilleries making vodka from Alaskan potatoes, there's something for everyone in Fairbanks. The city's drinking establishments also serve a variety of food, from burgers and sandwiches to local food truck fare.

Beer delivery services in Fairbanks

Beer lovers in Fairbanks, Alaska, are spoilt for choice. The city is home to several breweries, including HooDoo Brewing Company, Silver Gulch Brewing and Bottling Company, 49th State Brewing Co., and more. Many of these breweries offer taprooms, outdoor spaces, and food options for patrons to enjoy alongside their beer.

While there is no explicit mention of beer delivery services unique to Fairbanks, there are several online platforms that facilitate beer delivery in the city. These include AlcoholDelivery.com, which promises delivery within 30-60 minutes, and Buy Beer Online, which offers a curated list of brands and beverages available for pickup and delivery. Popular grocery store Safeway also offers alcohol delivery in Fairbanks, including beer, wine, and liquor.

For those seeking a more immediate beer delivery option, OnDemand services like Drizly can deliver beer straight to your door in as little as 30 minutes. Beer lovers can also skip the line and use grocery delivery services like Instacart to add beer to their weekly shop.

When ordering beer delivery or pickup in Fairbanks, it's important to keep in mind that age verification is required, and regulations for beer delivery may vary depending on your location.

Breweries in Fairbanks

Fairbanks, Alaska, is home to several breweries and distilleries, each with its own unique character and offerings. Here is an overview of some of the notable breweries in the city:

HooDoo Brewing Company

HooDoo Brewing Company is a popular craft brewery located in the heart of Fairbanks. Founded in 2012, HooDoo Brewing specializes in classic English, German, Belgian, and American beer styles. Their taproom and biergarten offer a welcoming atmosphere with fire pits and food trucks. HooDoo Brewing is known for its Kölsch and American IPAs, as well as a rotating selection of seasonal beers. They also offer free 30-minute brewery tours on Saturdays.

Silver Gulch Brewing and Bottling Company

Silver Gulch Brewing is housed in a historic roadhouse about 12 miles north of Fairbanks in the small mining community of Fox, Alaska. They offer a variety of beers, including ales, porters, stouts, and pilsners, along with a full food menu. Silver Gulch Brewing is known for its quirky slogans and unique beer names. They provide brewery tours during the summer and can accommodate winter tours by appointment.

49th State Brewing Co.

49th State Brewing Co. is located just outside Denali Park and is open only during the summer months. They brew their craft beer on-site and offer a full-service bar and restaurant with a diverse menu. The brewery hosts outdoor summer beer festivals and has a replica bus from the movie "Into the Wild" on display.

Midnite Mine Brewing Company

Midnite Mine Brewing Company is a relatively new addition to the iconic Midnite Mine bar, which has been a neighborhood favorite since the late '60s. The brewery has a single barrel system, resulting in more limited offerings, but their beers are known for their creativity. The nano-brewery is located on the top level of the building, while the bottom level is a popular bar.

Black Spruce Brewing Company

Black Spruce Brewing Company is a newcomer to the Fairbanks brewing scene, founded on the winter solstice in 2018. They offer a rotating selection of locally crafted beers served from a dozen taps. Black Spruce is known for its support of local artists and hosts First Friday art events in its tasting room, which has become a favorite local hangout.

Lat 65 Brewing Co.

Lat 65 Brewing Co. is located just minutes from downtown Fairbanks and offers a wide variety of beers and ciders to appeal to diverse tastes. The taproom is spacious and welcoming, and the brewery is actively involved in the community, hosting events for artists and local nonprofits. Lat 65 Brewing is on its way to becoming the largest brewery and taproom in Fairbanks.

Beer bars in Fairbanks

Beer lovers will find plenty of options in Fairbanks, Alaska, with its many breweries, distilleries and bars.

One popular spot is the HooDoo Brewing Company, named after the Alaskan mountains. HooDoo is known for taking "the ART of brewing" seriously and is located right in the middle of Fairbanks. They are best known for their Kölsch or American IPAs, but also offer a variety of seasonal releases. You can enjoy a fresh beer in their taproom or outdoor biergarten, and even take a free tour on Saturdays at 4 pm.

Another option is the Silver Gulch Brewing and Bottling Company, housed in a historic roadhouse about 12 miles north of Fairbanks. Silver Gulch offers original, great-tasting beers with quirky names like Northern Light Ale, Prudhoe Pig Stout, and Fairbanks Lager. They also have a full-service restaurant and bar. Brewery tours are available during the summer on Wednesdays and Fridays, and by appointment during the winter.

If you're looking for a wider variety of beers and ciders, try Lat 65 Brewing Co., which aims to have something for everyone. Slated to become the largest brewery and taproom in Fairbanks, Lat 65 is located just minutes from downtown.

For a more intimate experience, check out the Midnite Mine Brewing Company, housed in a recently renovated, iconic, old-school full-service bar. Midnite Mine offers small-batch, handcrafted beer with a rotating guest tap list.

Fairbanks is also home to several other breweries, including the Black Spruce Brewing Company, 49th State Brewing Co., and Big Delta Brewing Co. Each of these breweries has its own unique character and offerings, from cider and fruit wine to pizzas and craft cocktails.

Beer and liquor stores in Fairbanks

Fairbanks, Alaska, is home to several breweries, distilleries, and liquor stores. Here is a guide to some of the top spots to purchase beer and liquor in Fairbanks:

Breweries

Fairbanks has a thriving brewery scene, with establishments offering a wide range of craft beers and unique atmospheres. Some of the top breweries in the area include:

• HooDoo Brewing Company – A small-batch, small-town-focused brewery named after the Alaskan mountains. They are known for their Kölsch and American IPAs, as well as their seasonal releases. HooDoo Brewing Company offers free 30-minute tours on Saturdays at 4 pm.
• Silver Gulch Brewing and Bottling Company – Housed in a historic roadhouse, Silver Gulch is also a restaurant and full-service bar serving original beers. They offer a variety of ales, porters, stouts, and pilsners, and have a full food menu. Silver Gulch is located just outside of Fairbanks in Fox, Alaska.
• 49th State Brewing Co. – This brewery features an on-site beer garden, as well as a full-service bar and restaurant at their Healy location. They offer a range of seasonal and year-round craft beers, and visitors can also explore the replica bus from the movie "Into the Wild."
• Black Spruce Brewing Company – A relative newcomer to the Fairbanks brewery scene, Black Spruce provides a rotating selection of world-class, locally crafted beers served from a dozen taps. They host First Friday art events and have become a favourite local hangout.
• Lat 65 Brewing Co. – Slated to become the largest brewery and taproom in Fairbanks, Lat 65 offers a wide variety of beers and ciders to appeal to diverse tastes. The taproom, renovated from a former racquetball court, has a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
• Midnite Mine Brewing Company – Located in the iconic Midnite Mine bar, this nano brewery offers creative beers with limited offerings due to their single-barrel system. The bar has been a favourite of Fairbanks residents since the late '60s.

Distilleries

In addition to breweries, Fairbanks is also home to several distilleries producing high-quality spirits:

• Ursa Major Distilling – A small independent distillery that uses local barley grown in Delta Junction. They produce a range of spirits, including vodka, rum, and gin, as well as canned cocktails.
• Fairbanks Distilling Company – An artisan distillery that uses Alaskan-sourced ingredients, such as grains, berries, and potatoes, to create ultra-premium spirits. Their downtown location provides a glimpse into the history of Fairbanks.
• Hoarfrost Distilling – Known for their award-winning, small-batch vodka made from Alaskan barley and pure Alaskan water. Their tasting room offers artisanal cocktails, and they frequently host special events and celebrations.
• Arctic Harvest – A family-owned and operated farm distillery in North Pole, Alaska. They create quality spirits from ingredients grown on their farm, including whiskey, vodka, and honey 'shine'. The distillery offers year-round tours and cocktails, as well as walking trails and ski trails.

Liquor Stores

For those looking to purchase beer, wine, and liquor, Fairbanks also has a variety of dedicated liquor stores:

• Gavora's Liquor & Fine Wine – Known for their excellent customer service and outstanding beer selection, Gavora's also offers a unique singles strategy where creating your own six-pack of unique beers comes with a discount. They also sell home brewing supplies.
• Gold Hill Imported Beers & Wines – This store offers a wide selection of common beers, liquors, and wines, with rows and rows of options to choose from.
• Thrifty Liquor Store – A liquor store offering a range of alcoholic beverages at affordable prices.
• Oaken Keg Spirit Shops – Features a standard selection of wines at competitive prices, similar to those found at Safeway.
• Terry's Liquor Store – A well-known liquor store in Fairbanks offering a range of alcoholic beverages.
• Gold Star Liquor Store – Known for their decent selection and friendly staff, Gold Star Liquor Store has a good bourbon selection compared to other places in town.

Alcohol selling hours in Fairbanks

There are also breweries and distilleries in Fairbanks with varying operating hours. The Black Spruce Brewing Company is usually open from Tuesday to Friday, 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The HooDoo Brewing Company offers free tours of its facility on Saturdays at 4:00 PM. The Silver Gulch Brewing and Bottling Company offers brewery tours during the summer on Wednesdays and Fridays and by appointment during the winter. The Midnite Mine Brewing Company is open from Wednesday to Saturday, 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and on Sundays from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Additionally, there are distilleries in Fairbanks that offer tasting rooms and tours. The Fairbanks Distilling Company, located in the Old City Hall, offers a glimpse into the history of Fairbanks along with its handcrafted spirits. The Ursa Major Distilling tasting room provides friendly and informative tours by request. Hoarfrost Distilling, known for its award-winning small-batch vodka, offers a variety of cocktails in its comfortable tasting room and also conducts tours. The Arctic Harvest Farm Distillery in North Pole is open year-round for tours and cocktails, with additional attractions like ski trails and walking trails.

Frequently asked questions