4 reasons you don’t want to miss Alaska’s largest beer and barley wine festival

Presented by Peak 2 Peak Events

The Alaska Craft Brew and Barley Wine Festival is back the first weekend of February with a fun, festive gathering of brewers and beer-lovers.

Also known as Alaska Brew Fest, the state’s largest beer festival returns to the Dena’ina Center for three sessions on Friday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, Feb. 3.

“This is probably your best opportunity to try beers from all over the state, in one place,” said Lee Ellis, president of the Brewers Guild of Alaska. “You can also try beers from all over the country, and we get quite a few entries from around the world.”

The Brewers Guild of Alaska is co-sponsoring Brew Fest with Peak 2 Peak Events, a subsidiary of Anchorage Daily News. With more than 65 regional breweries sampling over 250 beers, new and returning food vendors and cheap tickets for designated drivers — here are four reasons you don’t want to miss the Alaska Craft Brew and Barley Wine Festival.

More than a festival: Brewers compete for an elite win

The festival is more than just a good time — it’s an elite competition between dedicated craftspeople.

Brew Fest is one of only two barley wine competitions in the nation. Alaska breweries are renowned for their barley wines, and winners of the competition receive an engraved gold pan and bragging rights.

“This style is beloved in Alaska,” said Cynthia Drinkwater, co-owner of Cynosure Brewing in Anchorage.

Brewfest has two judged competitions: Barely wine and a “winter warmer” beer, which are winter seasonals like porters, stouts and Belgian-style quadruple ales.

Cynosure is excited to submit its barley wine, which was aged in an oak barrel for two years and has a rich, smooth and oaky taste, said Drinkwater.

Ellis is also a co-owner of Midnight Sun Brewing. Midnight Sun is submitting its classic barley wine Arctic Devil and a brand-new barley wine, Munich, which has a robust caramel flavor.

Competition winners will be announced during the Saturday day session (12 pm to 4 p.m.).

No risk, all reward: Find new kinds of beers you love

Beer-lovers and craft brewers know what types of beers they enjoy. But sometimes, they may not know what they’re missing.

“The nice thing about a festival like this is it takes the risk of out trying new things,” said Ellis. “It’s an awesome time to try new products.”

Attendees receive 15 tickets, each for a 4-ounce beverage sample.

Many will recognize regional vendors like Kona Brewing, Elysian Brewing and Redhook. Alaska breweries include 49th State Brewing Company, HooDoo Brewing Company, Glacier Brewhouse and Denali Brewing Company.

Girdwood Brewing Co. is offering some of its innovative beverages, like its popular Funkberry Pie or Glacier Shake, an orange creamsicle milkshake IPA. Or try a Seltzski, a lemon & pineapple hard seltzer.

The taproom is located in Girdwood and has a friendly mountain-town vibe that “creates a stoke that transcends your typical brewery visit,” said co-owner Brett Marenco.

Stoney Creek Brewhouse, from Seward, mostly sells wholesale to local restaurants and bars. With a slogan of “glacier-fed and solar run,” the brewery incorporates distinct Alaskan flavors like spruce tip, lingonberry and rhubarb into its beverages.

“We are bringing many of our favorites, and some experimental recipes,” said co-owner Gregory Haas.

Meanwhile Anchorage-based Turnagain Brewing will be pouring barley wines, imperial stouts, lagers, fruited sours and hazy IPAs. Last year, Turnagain Brewing won silver in the “winter warmer” category with its Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout.

“We go to great lengths to source local berries, grain, seaweed, and fruit whenever possible,” said co-owner Ted Rosenzweig.

Something for everyone: $10 tickets for designated drivers, tasty food and live music

For those who want to attend without imbibing, designated driver tickets are just $10. Non-alcoholic options will be available from some regional distributors and local brands.

Enjoy bites from new and returning food vendors Serranos, Sourdough Jacks Jerky, Jazzy Gourmet Popcorn, Bore Tide Pretzel and The Alaska Nut House.

Live music from bands The Stack, Nothin’ But Trouble and DJ Spencer Lee will set the mood for a fun weekend.

Artist Scott Clendaniel will also be at the event. The artist, who does original oil painting commissions, will have works for viewing and sale.

“I paint what I love, which includes beer, among other things like skiing, cycling, and Alaskan scenery and animals,” Clendaniel said.

Join the Brew Fest community: Brewers Guild fundraiser brings people together

Brew Fest is also an important fundraiser for the Brewers Guild of Alaska, which represents breweries, wineries and distilleries in the state.

“This helps raise funds for educational work as well as promotion,” said Ellis.

It’s also a great time for brewers to get together, collaborate, learn from each other and improve their processes. For Ellis, he’s most excited to simply see his friends.

“Everybody knows each other. We have a lot of shared experiences but opportunities for us all to get together are pretty limited,” said Ellis.

For Stoney Creek Brewhouse, Brew Fest is “a genuine highlight as it’s the best way to connect with many other breweries and the Anchorage community,” said co-owner Haas.

Brew Fest offers warmth, community and good vibes for everyone during the first weekend of February.

“It’s a good time to get out and see your fellow human beings. Come on down, go out to eat, go get a drink,” said Ellis. “Maybe go someplace you haven’t been before.”

Discover all that the Alaska Craft Brew & Barley Wine Festival has to offer and reserve your tickets today!

Peak 2 Peak Events, a subsidiary of Anchorage Daily News, produces local events, showcases and expos for the people of Alaska.

This story was produced by the sponsored content department of the Anchorage Daily News. The ADN newsroom was not involved in its production.