Tap Handle #833: Red Dog Saloon

September 01, 2024

Tap Handle #833: Red Dog Saloon - Red Ale

Tap size: 10.5"

Rarity: 10 or less seen, small scale

Mounting: internal 3/8" nut

Many thanks to the fine folks at the Red Dog Saloon & Mercantile for allowing me to purchase one of their taps, and for a fellow collector who posted a photo of the tap on Facebook, which led me to the Saloon. Though I couldn't find out any information about the beer (I will update this if I hear back from the brewpub), the tap handle is simply incredible! At the top, leaning against a rock wall, is the Red Dog mascot, a red Scottish terrier. He bears a cheeky grin, with a beer in one paw and a pick in the other, and he stands on a minecar filled with gold nuggets. On the front of the minecar is a decal with the name of the beer, while "Denali Brewing" appears just below that. This suggests that the beer is contract brewed by Denali Brewing for the Red Dog Saloon. A gold shaft composes the base, and halfway down is signage featuring the name of the brewpub and its logo. On the side of the minecar is a sculpted map of Alaska, with Juneau, home of the Red Dog Saloon, indicated by a red star. The detail, coloring and labeling on this tap is exquisite, making this one of my favorite acquisitions of the year so far. Because the tap is fairly new at the time of this writing, it has only appeared on the secondary market once, commanding a $250 price tag!

No one knows exactly when the Red Dog Saloon was founded in Juneau, Alaska, but it traces its roots to the gold rush era and early proprietors Earl and Thelma Forsythe. The Forsythes provided dancing and entertainment, particularly “Ragtime Hattie”, who played the piano in her white gloves and silver dollar halter top. During later times when Alaska was a territory and before it became a state, Gordie Kanouse, who owned the Red Dog for over 20 years, would meet tour boats with his mule that wore a sign saying “follow my ass to the Red Dog Saloon”. In the early 1970's, the Harris family bought the saloon and continued to grow and protect the priceless collection of furs, guns and antiques. Originally the saloon was located about 2 blocks up Franklin street, and later, across the street next to the Alaskan Hotel. In 1988 the saloon was moved, intact, to its current site. Some old timers would claim that the Red Dog Saloon used to be just a tent on the beach during the mining heydays. The Red Dog has been recognized by the Alaska Legislature for its longevity as the oldest man-made tourist attraction in Juneau.

In 2008, the saloon was purchased by a group of local Juneau residents who continued the tradition of providing hospitality, fellowship and entertainment to weary travelers and local patrons alike. In 2012, the saloon was expanded slightly and connected to the new larger Red Dog Mercantile, which carries a wide variety of Red Dog souvenirs and apparel. Miners' tools, taxidermy animals, and fishermen's paraphernalia hang on the bare-wood walls with other historical memorabilia and photos of the old days. Visitors are encouraged to add their names to the thousands already inscribed on walls, tables, chairs and bar stools. A couple of Alaskan Brewing beers are served on tap, such as Alaskan Kolsch and Alaskan White, although the drink that the establishment is most known for is a Duck Fart - a shot of Kahlua, a shot of Bailey's, and a shot of whiskey. Food items consist of burgers, sandwiches, ribs, fish baskets, and shrimp baskets, as well as other pub food. Each year, tourists from cruise ships flood into Juneau and into the Red Dog Saloon to marvel at the decor, drink and eat, and purchase merchandise.

I could find no information on Red Dog Saloon Red Ale, which appears to be contract brewed for the Saloon by Denali Brewing, except for a small blurb on their menu: "An Alaskan take on a traditional Irish style red ale."