HooDoo Brewing

I had read many positive notes about this brewery, so we had to stop here when in town. The brewery is located in an industrial neighborhood, and a good-sized parking lot is to one side. 'Good-sized' wasn't enough on this warm spring day that brought out a crowd. A large patio is at the front of the building, and it was busy. There isn't much seating inside so that patio has to do when they get a crowd. The interior is industrial in character, and the brewing tanks fit right in. A small ordering bar (no seating) and a few tables/chairs take up the space. I typically don't like the industrial look, but this one is okay. Regardless that the place was busy, the ordering line moved quickly.

Only 8 beers were available on tap, plus a nitro tap of the stout. We ordered a sampler flight of 4 beers to get an overall evaluation. Each was brewed well to style, except that the 3:41 BA Imperial Stout had a moderate alcohol burn to it. It was still a tasty beer once you get past the alcohol. Growlers and some cans were available to go, and I saw some beers in 750 ml. Bottles (presumably special beers). There is no food, although a food truck was there at the time of our visit. The beers and the place didn't live up to my expectations from the hype that I had heard, but this brewery is still a worthy visit.

 

I’ll start off with the vibe. Seems to be the premier place to beer in Fairbanks. A large outdoor seating venue with covered tents, has an equally large indoor area, which was off limits due to restrictions and social distancing during the summer of covid 2020. None the less it was a warming Alaskan summer day, long lights in mid 70’s made it the perfect opportunity for drinking outdoors. Fortunately so did half of Fairbanks.

At 4pm, just one hour after it opened on a weekday, there was a constant non-stop of people flowing in and out of here. There had to be 50-60 easily spaced well apart, hate to see what this place looks like when things get back to normal. A vast diversity of people, very busy had 6-7 beers on style, mostly generic names. Prices I felt were incredible, think I paid $6 for 16oz pour. They had tasters of 4-8 oz as well. Service was quick, even with a constant standing line of 10-12 people.

Different varieties of styles, never more then one ipa. There was a Kolsch, ipa, barleywine, gose, Belgian strong and wit to rattle of a few. This place was jumping. A food cart pulls up right along the wooded enclosed outdoor area and you can walk up place an order without leaving the compound. The quality of the beers was good. Cleanly brewed.

The interior showed up the huge brewing vessels and wooden bar, hanging on the back wall an assortment of brewery merchandise. Beer was accessible to all, nothing over the top, unless you count the barleywine in abv %. Mixture of sitting tables and standing barrels for drinking outside.

On a beautiful long Fairbanks summer day there was no place to be but Hoo Doo brewing, situated in an industrial section part of town, which saw cars line up by the dozens along the road, jockeying for spot for one of the busiest places. Great feel and atmosphere. General offerings were pint glass but I did see some globes for the barleywine. What a great place to experience. Wish I had something like this in my area. Between the Golden days parade, duck race, and Hoo Doo, there is no other place to be under the summer alaskan sun. I will be back!!!!!

 

 

 

Fun place for a lower-48'er, only slightly intimidated by the crowd, going in alone, knowing not a soul. Dropped off in a cab after dog-sledding ride, it's worth it to get to the outskirts of Fairbanks to get here. Friendly servers at bar, keeping tabs (literally) on who was ordering how much beer. I think that these limits are related to breweries only in AK, not sure. But a couple of 4 ouncers and a half-pint were enough, having been up a good chunk of the night before to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights at 1:30 a.m.

Kolsch was great, as was stout and American IPA. Brought home a liter growler (Liberty single-walled, great tight close) of the Kolsch, kept in fridge for a week, great head and flavor when I poured it just now.

Food limited to bar-type nachos from the table in the corner, decent prices for good portion of grub to stay sober enough. Hours three to eight, a place to start for going out on the town, perhaps, or back to the hotel via cab with tasty carryout!

 

 

 

 

Great local spot. Always packed. Limited selection, but always great quality beers. They often have food trucks parked out front.

 

 

 

 

 

Congrats to the tenacity of the folks who bring you HooDoo Brewing – a challenge into itself (the interior of Alaska) – but to be 12.8 miles South of America’s Most Northern Brewery, Silver Gulch, Alaska’s second largest brewery – next to Alaskan Brewing Co.

I was at the time employed by Silver Gulch – to witness their humble start and hearing the dialog from the other side - it’s awesome to see these guys gain some momentum and a following. It is also awesome that Fairbanks now truly has a Fairbanks Brewery – Silver Gulch is nowhere near Fairbanks – but out in the middle of nowhere – a small town called Fox.

The challenge expressed was their ability to brew consistent batches – the real challenge of brewing. But we were all curious what this brewery would produce.

What I failed to realize at that time is that both Brewery’s complement each other so well – bringing beer awareness to a new level in the greater Fairbanks area and solidifying Fairbanks possibly as a beer drinkers paradise over some exceptional beer.

HooDoo is new – but because of this they can drift into some creative directions (rough experimental waters) Silver Gulch cannot go into. Silver Gulch is established. It brews consistent quality brews. It has an established public persona.

The lead brewer, Levi Hansen, has a taste for some creative twists – Blueberry Groove and Low bush come to mind. But as a whole – there is strict adherence to the vision of Glenn Brady. He is set on his vision – but I admired that. Nothing wishy washy – but focused and clear cut.

With the looming opening of Anchorage and an expansion at the brewery – I was too distracted to pay HooDoo Brewing any real attention.

Shortly after Halloween – just before going to Anchorage to spearhead the opening of Anchorage – a few of us snuck over there to check out the Taproom.

I was dying to see what these guys were up to. I recall seeing this awesome HooDoo van in the parking lot of Silver Gulch during our “Oktoberfest.” I remember asking what that was about to members of the Brew crew for Silver Gulch – and hearing HooDoo Brewing was actually opening, not a small feet.

What I saw when we entered HooDoo Brewing’s taproom was your typical Fairbanks rustic no thrills flare – but there was something different in the air. The atmosphere had a modern hipness to it – like a good independent band has that unique sound – HooDoo had an intrinsic vibe. Overall a refreshing atmosphere.

There were only tree beers available: “HooDoo Kolsch” “Belgian Single Ale” “Belgian Saison.”
I initially got a pint of the Kolsch – and was impressed with the crisp smooth bite of this malty brew. I defiantly felt their commitment to a true German Kolsch – not a bad first batch for these guys who came out of nowhere.

I was disappointed when I was informed their American IPA was not ready yet I was curious how that would compare to the Silver Gulch offering - Cheechako IPA - a robust IPA that had a devoted following (a local favorite).

I passed on the Belgian Single Ale – and wanted to see what the Saison was like (I was falling in love with Anchorage Brewing take on the Saison.

I was delighted with the fruitiness of HooDoo’s incarnation – which was never too tart. Very subtitle earthy undertones.

The only thing that stood out was the coloration – which seemed to be lighter than other brews I had. Overall – I left impressed with the new operation and enjoyed the vibe.

I later heard that the HooDoo Stout was fantastic – I personally never tried it- but there was a buzz this winter up in Fairbanks. Their new incarcerations of “German Kolsch” and the “Belgium Saison” bear the loss of HooDoo from the name – consistent batches are difficult, this is why the names were dropped I suspect.

The lead brewer for HooDoo comes from Alaskan Brewing Co., and refined his craft in Germany – which is obvious in the complex malty flavors both beers had when I was there.

I want these guys on my tap – right next to my Silver Gulch taps – two outstanding Alaskan Brew houses. Let’s hope this outfit keeps moving forward and solidify itself amongst quality Alaskan brews.

HooDoo opened on Halloween, and have been going strong since. It's a fairly spartan tasting room, falling under the weird Alaska laws that only allow 36oz of beer to be consumed on the premises, no TV's or other "entertainment", etc. There is usually some good music playing, a few large cable spools repurposed as tables, and lots of Fairbanksans to share beers with.

The beers are served in 4, 8, or 16oz pours, growlers and kegs to go.

As of this review, they have 4 beers on tap: Belgian Single, Saison, Kolsch, and American IPA.