Anchorage Tips 2019

I didn't want to start a new thread, but the old one is locked apparently... (https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/visiting-anchorage.398519/). Reminds why I stopped coming to this site in the first place (Thread finally gets some traction after a year and then its shut down. Seems smart.... Here comes a ban).

Appreciate the feedback in that thread. Trying to process get my shit together (haven't shopped for non-Southern California clothes yet) and all the info I've gathered elsewhere before my fight 30hrs from now.

Here is what I've flagged on maps. Please let me know if any of these are a waste of time and/or if I missed something I should make sure not to miss.

My airbnb is just south of Delaney Park. Plan on not letting Uber/Lyft bills get in the way of a good time. I'm not looking for the rarest or most hyped beers. Just good liquids and good atmospheres. I figure I'll get my fill of cool crazy beers at the barleywine festival. That said, I'm totally down for some can't miss, great timing, kind of beer releases though. It is AK beer week. I'll roll with it.

These are in order of my google maps geography as I see them. Some are food. Some are booze (I love a good cocktail. Maybe more than beer at this point):

49th St Brewing (No brainer, I know)
Snow City Cafe
Humpy's
Alaskan Alehouse
Chillkoot Charlie's (do I really need a bulletproof vest? Sounds like a tourist trap, but multiple people told me it's a must stop)
Cafe Amsterdam
Great Harvest Bread Company
Moose's Tooth brewpub and pizza
Anchorage Distillery
Aslakan Spirits Distillery
Midnight Sun (No brainer, I know)
Williwaw Speakeasy
Anchorage Brewing Company (No brainer, I know)

My buddy's and I should have a bunch of local beers with us if anyone wants to meet up.

Feel free to throw in some non-physical nature stuff (just had surgery). Would love to see Northern Lights. Is the zoo worth it this time of year? I'm perfectly happy just drinking for 4 days, so no worries.

 

Had a great trip! Really loved it. Such different scenario from my palm trees. Good to get a different perspective sometimes. Felt like I was living in a snow globe.

Turns out my buddy has a family member on the Midnight Sun brew team, so that was the first ting we did the night we landed. Great beer and food. Special tour was nice as well. I love seeing all these older brewhouses and how they've grown. Mix of old, new, and fabricated equipment.

From here we had a couple things in and, but I decoded to just ask the bartender what they would do. She tipped us to Fiori D' Italia. Whoa. That is one killer spot. Sat at the bar and they took amazing care of us. My buddy's got some great beer, I opted for cocktails. Some of he best I've had. We sipped a bunch of random liqueurs as well. Really great time there. We promised we'd go back, but (spoiler alert) we ran out of time. Just too many things to do.

Snow City Cafe was excellent for breakfast. A bit pricey, but a nice breakfast spot that I would hit again.

My buddy got a bee in his bonnet to rent a car and see a little bit of nature so we drove down to Alyeska to take in the road and check out Girdwood. Awesome little trip. Girdwood was great. Again, super friendly people. Staff and patrons.

On the way back we stopped at Anchorage and King St. We were all bummed Anchorage only did full pours. Especially at those prices. What a cool space though. I just saw dollar signs everywhere I looked in there. That is a fancy brewhouse. Couches in a foudre? Ok. That's fun. It was fun.

King St. was awesome. Such a dramatic difference between them and Anchorage. Only similarities were beer quality. I loved everything I had there. Took home a bunch of $5 bottles of barrel aged beer. $5 bottles! And they were killer! I feel like these guys are under the radar.

Later that night we ended up on a Humpy's barstool. They had a killer flight of Alaskan Barleywine on tap. Met a bunch more locals and had a great time. At this point a couple more friends landed and met us there. We walked a block away and snuck in the back of the Willliwaw speakeasy per a local tip. That place was bumping. It was Latin music night. Fun was had.

We probably didn't need another bar at that point, but we went to SubZero anyway. I think that was fun too. After that cracked a bunch of bottles at the cabin.

Breakfast the next day was killer at Spaniard's Roadhouse with a bloody mary and cocktail to match.

From there we walked to Chilkoot Charlie's. Hoy shit was that a cold walk. Wind was kicking. Had to take my gloves off to answer my phone and I thought my hands were going to freeze solid. CHILLKOOT CHARLIE'S IS AWESOME. Yeah, I said it. Ok, maybe probably it sucks on a Friday and Saturday night, but at 1pm on a random day it was super cool. Bar tender was great. Tons of craft beer on tap. Fun to walk through the entire place and take it in. I did not leave my patines there. This time.

Killed some time after that before walking to the convention center for with first sessions. Half way there I was cold and sober. A bar had "Irish Coffee" plastered on their window. Sold. They were fantastic. They whip the cream to order so it floats on top they why it is suppose to. Had two. Festival was chill. I was surprised at how small it was. That's on me though. I've been thinking of going to this thing for 10 years. I probably built it up too much. I was stoked to check out the community and the beer in there. I don't think doing two sessions was worth it though. Especially seeing on how many things we didn't get to do. To end the night we cracked a bunch of bottles at the cabin.

At some point we also hit Darwin's Theory for a quick drink. It was packed in there and we weren't feeling like being packed. Cool bar though.

Next day before the fest we hit 51st State. Really cool place with great beer, and again, great people. Had a few bar bites before, yup, more Irish Coffee. Then the fest. Early session. We had a good time. Just hit the beers we wanted quickly and left early. Next time just one session for sure. My buddy got a tip to get a drink at a hoel rooftop. I don't remember which one, but it was spectacular. Views from both sides.

At this point a bunch of random people were texting my and my friends that we have to hit The Great Alaskan Bush Company. We're not really strip club people. Besides a bachelor party 3 years ago it has probably been 10 years since I've been to one. But the universe was telling us something, so off we went to The Great Alaskan Bush Company. Beers, and shots. Strippers.... I left with only one glove....

More bottles cracked at the cabin.

Next day was a little rough. Had to kill most of the day before our flight. Hit Midnight Sun again and then just go to the airport early.

I think that's it! Not sure if I'll be back next year, but for sure will do it again. If it isn't next year it will be the one after.

Thanks for all the tips here everyone.

Cheers.

 

Jesus I wish I proof read that. I knew I shouldn't have typed all that on my phone.

 

In!

......some day?