Tap Handle #32: Alaskan Winter Ale - Eagle on Tree

Though not my favorite tap by Alaskan Brewing (that would be the polar bear), this is a close second. I love the way the tree bends under the weight of the eagle.

Click through to read more about Alaskan Brewery and their Winter Ale...


Alaskan Brewing Company was founded in 1986 in Juneau, Alaska, by Marcy and Geoff Larson. It was the first brewery opened in Juneau since Prohibition. Geoff was a chemical engineer and homebrewer; Marcy was an accountant and aspiring bush pilot. Marcy unearthed shipping records from Douglas City Brewing Co. (1899-1907) that described the ingredients of their popular gold rush-era beer, and newspaper articles that described the brewing process. This recipe became Alaskan Amber. Alaskan Brewing has won more awards at the Great American Beer Festival than any other craft brewery, and currently distributes 10 varieties of beer to 12 western states. Alaskan Winter Ale is an Olde English-style ale that uses Sitka Spruce tips in the brewing process. The eagle on the spruce tree represents the 3000 bald eagles that land on old-growth Sitka on the banks of the Chilkat River, waiting for the last run of salmon before winter. Weighted average on ratebeer.com is 3.24 out of 5.

Alaskan Brewing Official Website