Far North and Deep South: Breweries in Alaska and Louisiana

Sponsored by the Municipality of Skagway, Ruston-Lincoln Parish and Visit Baton Rouge

SKAGWAY, ALASKA

Master Brewer Joel Probst said it best: “We believe in all that is the world’s perfect beverage: beer!” And the secret to crafting an exceptional beer starts with an exceptional base. Skagway is world-renowned for its ice cold, crystal clear, glacial water flowing right out of the kitchen faucet.

The beer menu at Klondike Brewing is 20 drafts deep with cleverly crafted names like Cheechako Amber, Nahku Haze IPA and Dockside Porter. If you like something high-test with unrivaled flavor, the Double Barrel Blonde, a barrel aged territorial blonde ale, will knock your socks off!

Both of Skagway’s breweries benefit from the glacial goodness that flows from the tap. And that’s not the only delectable local ingredient that gets incorporated in these incredible brews. Skagway Brewing Company hand-picks local Sitka spruce tips from gracious Mother Nature to craft the infamous Spruce Tip Blonde Ale. This beer is loaded with vitamin C and has a piney, near-angelic taste with a sweetness that sets Master Brewer Trevor Clifford’s creations apart from the rest.

In an ever-changing and often overly complicated world, we should all experience the rush of a cold one in Skagway and reflect on Klondike Brewing’s mission: “To be the GREAT BEER in your glass, to emphasize the spirit of the moment, and to remind all to pause and celebrate the trail”. 

For more information about the Skagway area, visit www.skagway.com.

RUSTON AND LINCOLN PARISH, LOUISIANA

Conveniently located off I-20 in North Louisiana, Ruston and Lincoln Parish is a must-visit destination for road-trippers. The area is known for its lively college-town atmosphere, 22-block downtown district, unique foodie scene, thriving arts culture, and scenic outdoor attractions.

Right in the heart of Ruston’s charming and walkable downtown district you’ll find Utility Brewing, Ruston’s hometown microbrewery. Utility brews all of its craft beer in-house, incorporating local ingredients often. The brewery’s beers pair perfectly with the wood-fired pizzas or savory appetizers. Order a flight so you can try them all and find your favorite. Then bring one (or all) of your favorites home with you in a 32-ounce crowler so you can share it with your family or friends!

If you’re feeling adventurous while you’re in town, take a trip through the piney hills and set up camp at the pristine Lincoln Parish Park. The spacious campgrounds feature RV spots with full hookups and primitive camping spots. A walking path winds around the park’s serene lake, which welcomes fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Meanwhile, free park Wi-Fi keeps you connected when you want to be.

For more information on these and other area attractions, visit experienceruston.com.

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

Nestled in between Downtown and LSU’s campus sits Tin Roof Brewing Company, Baton Rouge’s largest craft brewery. When childhood friends Charles Caldwell and William McGehee developed a thirst for good Southern craft beer, they knew that the only way to quench it was to brew it themselves. And thus Tin Roof brewery was born, pouring its first pint back in 2010. Since then they’ve only continued to grow, expanding their mainstay beer lineup as well as continuously rotating experimental brews in the taproom all throughout the year. Longtime favorites like the Parade Ground Coffee Porter and the award-winning VooDoo APA are foiled by special seasonals like the Magic Marshmallow and the Wet Hot American Pilsner. Whatever your palate prefers, there’s a cold pint with your name on it.

Tin Roof can also be partially credited with the explosion of Baton Rouge’s craft beer scene. In recent years, dozens of other local craft joints joined in the fun to help make Baton Rouge a beer-lover’s dream.

For more information about the Baton Rouge area, visit www.visitbatonrouge.com.