As Alaska's summer season begins, one brewery in Healy prepares to be slammed with customers from around the world. 49th State Brewing Company is the only local brewery in Healy, and each summer they're open they create some of the most popular Alaskan beers around. Come and taste the unique beers and enjoy the culture of a small-town brewery that embodies the spirit of Alaska.
Though Healy, Alaska, is a sleepy town for much of the year, its population inches closer to its population cap of 1,000 once mid May hits, when tourists begin to fill the town to tour Denali National Park and Preserve and partake in activities provided by the 49th State Brewing Company, Healy's lone brewery. The 49th State Brewing Company, which is among the 52 craft breweries in the state, serves up friends and families alike with the latest Alaskan brews from May to October. Each beer is handcrafted in copper kettles and wooden fermenters, a sight that only adds to the amazing experience at the 49th State Brewing Company that has left locals and tourists coming back for more.
Established in June of 2016, the 49th State Brewing Company focused on making the highest quality beer from local grains and ingredients from its 2.5-barrel taproom. All of its recipes are created by Ric Silva, former brewmaster of Sun Valley Brewery, and his team of brewers. Each beer is brewed to capture the essence of both Healy and Alaska in general.
In midst of the small Alaska town, the brewery restaurant offers a variety of small batch beers that change throughout the summer months. You can find brews like the 49th Lush IPA, Healy Fest Beer and Denali Tripel. The brews are a perfect match for the midnight sun during the summer. With each sip, beer tasters will be tempted to stay awhile and enjoy the outdoors atmosphere within the heaping masses of tourists fumbling into the brewery.
The 49th State Brewing Company is not only a destination for beer tasters, but also a destination for families with the Brew Hut right next door. Equipped with fun activities like leisure sports, a kids corral, live music and a petting zoo; parents can simultaneously indulge in a cold brew while their kids can make sure to have just as much fun. From bringing four-legged furry friends to just running around with the other kids, there is no shortage of fun at the 49th State Brewing Company.
If eating and drinking isn't enough to keep everyone interested, the 49th State Brewing Company also offers tours and wine tastings. With these tours and tastings, the company enlightens its visitors on how beer is made from start to finish, what beer ingredients are used and the history behind each brew. If you're looking for something more adventurous to do, the company also offers zip lining, river rafting and glacier adventures. From its unique small batch beer to the seemingly endless activities, the 49th State is sure to keep tourists and locals alike entertained all summer long.
Though Healy is a small town, it is no slouch when it comes to craft brewing. Thanks to the 49th State, beer tasters have a plethora of fresh Alaskan beer at their disposal with an array of entertaining activities and tours to savor and explore. Whether it's a cold beer on the sunny deck or a learning experience in the hot summer days, the 49th State Brewing Company is sure to make any summer night a memorable one.