Food and Drink

Here’s what’s coming up for AK Beer Week 2018

The holidays are over, but that doesn't mean there's nothing left to celebrate. AK Beer Week is here to showcase beer from around state, country and globe. The main attraction is, as ever, The Great Alaska Beer and Barleywine Festival, but there will also be beer dinners, "tap takeovers" and parties around Anchorage and beyond.

Here are some of the highlights. For more information, visit AK Beer Week's website at akbeerweek.com.

AK Beer Week kickoff party: Taste some local beers, grab dinner and jam out to live music at Williwaw. Tickets includes two beer tickets, and the first 200 guests will get a special AK Beer Week goblet. $20 in advance; $25 at the door. 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, Williwaw, 609 F St. (williwawsocial.com)

Heavy hitters line up: It's a night for celebrating the big guns — beers that pack a little more punch, whether it's flavor profile or alcohol content. Featuring Grand Crew Brew, Arctic Devil Barley Wine, Berserker Imperial Stout, Termination Dust Belgian Barleywine, Gluttony Triple IPA and Monk's Mistress Belgian Special Dark (Strong) Ale. Pay as you go. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at Midnight Sun Brewing Co., 8111 Dimond Hook Drive. (midnightsunbrewing.com)

'80s party with Alaskan Brewing: Alaskan Brewing Co. and Williwaw will flash back to the brewery's founding in the '80s at an event featuring 15 Alaskan Brewing beers on tap — including some rare beers never before seen in Anchorage. There will be a limited number of neon flashback Alaskan Brewing T-shirts available, prizes and music by '80s cover band I Like Robots. Starts at 6 p.m., music starts at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Williwaw. No cover. (williwawsocial.com)

Tapas and taps: Hearth will offer a special selection of small plates to pair with Midnight Sun Brewing Co. beer. The featured ale will be the Climber Wild American Ale. Pay as you go. 4-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Hearth Artisan Pizza, 1200 W. Northern Lights Blvd.

Beer dinner at South: Chef Jake Zollner from Spenard Roadhouse will be in the Back Room cooking up a full-course meal while Alaskan Brewing Co. pours a selection of brews. $75 at brownpapertickets.com. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at South Restaurant, 11124 Old Seward Highway, Suite A. (southak.com/events)

ADVERTISEMENT

Humpy's beer dinner: Humpy's annual dinner is one of AK Beer Week's most popular events, and this year is no exception — it's already sold out. If you managed to get a ticket, consider yourself lucky and expect a good meal with large selection of local beer to sample. 6 -9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Bootleggers Saloon, 612 F St. (details on Facebook)

Midnight Sun beer makers' dinner: Kinley's Restaurant will offer a five-course meal with brews from Anchorage brewery Midnight Sun. $75 with alcohol, $50 without alcohol; call 907-644-8953 for reservations. Full menu available online. 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Kinley's Restaurant & Bar, 3230 Seward Highway.

Denali Brewing, Nøgne Ø and Suite 100 beer dinner: Denali Brewing Co. has invited special guest Tore, a Norwegian brewer for Nøgne Ø, to a multi-course fine dining experience. Just 26 seats are available; tickets are $125. Call 907-341-1000 for more information and reservations. Full menu available online. 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Suite 100 Restaurant, 1000 E. Dimond Blvd.

Beer and cheese tasting: Join Alaskan Brewing and Fromagio's cheese monger at Van's Dive Bar for a craft beer and artisan cheese pairing. With live jazz to follow by the Alex Cruver trio. Space is limited. $25. For tickets, call or text 907-782-7681 or email haleyeah@gmail.com to reserve. 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Van's Dive Bar, 1027 E. Fifth Ave. (See Facebook for details)

Brewers karaoke: Few things go together like singing and drinking. Brewers karaoke invites beer lovers to come and sing about beer while raising a glass (or two). Pay as you go. 9-11 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at Bootleggers, 612 F St.

Great Alaska Beer and Barleywine Festival: The main event of AK Beer Week, this two-day festival showcases more than 200 craft brews from across the state and beyond. The normal sessions on Friday and Saturday are $45, and include a 6-ounce commemorative glass and 30 sample tickets. A special "connoisseur" session is from 2-5 p.m. Saturday for $55. 6-10 p.m. (last call begins at 9:30 p.m.) Friday-Saturday, Jan. 19-20. Egan Center, 555 W. Fifth Ave. (ticketmaster.com)

Beer and Barleywine Festival Friday afterparty: Last call at the Egan Center is 9:30 p.m., but if you haven't had enough local beer to satisfy, Humpy's will be pouring all night with live music by Area 907 Band. There are more than 50 beers on tap, and you can fill up your growlers with most of them. 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19 at Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse, 610 W. Sixth Ave.

Wild Wild (Way North) West lineup: Midnight Sun is premiering a new lineup of Wild West-inspired brews for the last weekend of AK Beer Week. Pay as you go. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Midnight Sun Brewing Co., 8111 Dimond Hook Drive.

Beer and Barleywine Festival Saturday afterparty with H3: Send off AK Beer Week with Anchorage reggae band, H3. Wear your dancing shoes and get ready to jam. You can get your growlers filled up with almost any of the 50 beers on tap. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse, 610 W. Sixth Ave.

Brewed-only-once lineup: Midnight Sun will feature beers that are making a one-time-only appearance. Featured brews: Black Hawk Bock, I'll Have Another 2017 (Schwartzbier), Wicked Dahk, True Love, Walk the Plank IPA and Onono Fest. Pay as you go. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, Midnight Sun Brewing Co., 8111 Dimond Hook Drive.

OUTSIDE ANCHORAGE

Girdwood

Sour beer release: New to the brewing scene, Girdwood Brewing Co. is premiering its first sour beer for AK Beer Week. Described as "pleasantly citrus-y" with a "juicy tartness," it's the perfect beer for lovers of fruity beers with a little bit of a tang. Pay as you go. Noon-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, Girdwood Brewing Co., 2700 Alyeska Highway. (girdwoodbrewing.com)

Kenai

Midnight Sun beer dinner at The Flats: The Flats will prepare their signature entrees while Midnight Sun will offer a selection of beers to pair with the night's meal. Space is limited and tickets can be purchased in advance at The Flats. $65. 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, The Flats Bistro, 39847 Kalifornsky Beach Road. (907-335-1010, info@theflatsbistro.com)

Fairbanks

Midnight Sun tap takeover: Midnight Sun Brewery takes over the growler bar at Brown Jug to kick off AK Beer Week in Fairbanks. 4-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, Brown Jug – Fairbanks, 559 Harold Bentley Ave.

Midnight Sun tap takeover and burlesque show: The Marlin will be pouring Midnight Sun brews only all night. The entertainment for the night is a special burlesque show. Beers on tap are Son of Berserker Stout (SOB), Sloth Belgian Imperial Stout, Blackberry Noir (sour fruit beer), Pleasure Town IPA, Wolf Pack Pilsner and Szechuan. 7 p.m.-midnight. Friday, Jan. 12, The Marlin, 3412 College Road in Fairbanks.

ADVERTISEMENT

Midnight Sun beer dinner: A five-course meal will be paired with one-off specialty brews from Midnight Sun Brewing Co. Call 907-450-0555 for reservations. $45. 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, Lavelle's Bistro, 575 First Ave. in Fairbanks (See Facebook for details)

Kegs, eggs and cocktails: There will be a beer brunch at Lavelle's Bistro, with dishes paired with HooDoo beers and beer cocktails. $50 for four courses; call 907-450-0555 to reserve. Noon Sunday, Jan. 14, at Lavelle's Bistro, 575 First Ave. in Fairbanks.

Tap takeover and beer trivia at Lavelle's Taphouse: Grab a team and join up — trivia starts at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Lavelle's Bistro, 575 First Ave. in Fairbanks.

Thai One On: Special Beer Dinner at Lemongrass, with five courses for $75. Reservations required; call 907-456-2200. 7 p.m Tuesday, Jan. 16, 388 Old Chena Pump Road, Fairbanks.

ADVERTISEMENT