Fairbanks doesn’t get enough credit for its craft beer scene. This is a city of 32,000 people in the interior of Alaska, 360 miles from Anchorage, accessible by road but genuinely remote. And it has five breweries, three distilleries, and a brewery tour operator. That’s remarkable by any standard and completely unexpected if you’ve never been.
The Fairbanks brewery scene grew fast. HooDoo opened in 2010 and was essentially alone for years. Silver Gulch had been operating since 1998 out in Fox but was more of a destination than a scene. Then Black Spruce opened in 2018, Latitude 65 in 2021, and Humble Roots followed. Suddenly Fairbanks had a legitimate crawl, multiple quality options within a reasonable distance of each other, with food trucks, outdoor spaces, and the kind of local regulars that tell you a place is actually good rather than just surviving.
The other thing worth knowing: in Fairbanks, going to a brewery is a year-round activity. In winter you’re warming up after aurora viewing. In summer you’re sitting outside at midnight under the sun with a beer. Both are genuinely excellent experiences.
Quick Guide to the Breweries in Fairbanks, Alaska
My Experience with Breweries in Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks is a major hub for a lot of our travel when we’re filming in Alaska. If we’re headed to the far north, ANWAR, Denali, or any of the other surrounding areas, we’ll usually start and finish our shoots in Fairbanks. It makes a great hub for production. Big airport (for alaska), lots of accommodations, and plenty of stores for all our supply needs.
In addition to “official” production business, bonding and/or commiserating with fellow crew members over a brew or 10, is an important part of the job. So whether gearing up for a grueling winter leg, or decompressing after one, we need beer to help us with that process. Kinda like how most people enjoy a cold beer after mowing the lawn, or finishing a 5k, just like that! but times a thousand. Making tv in Alaska makes you want to drink, and we’ve made A LOT of tv in Alaska. Thank god for the breweries in Fairbanks.
HooDoo Brewing Company
HooDoo Brewing Company, nestled in the heart of downtown Fairbanks, is the OG of Fairbanks brewing. After studying the art of brewing in Munich, Germany, and working for Alaskan Brewing Company in Juneau, owner and brewer master Bobby Wilken moved back home and opened HooDoo Brewing. Him and his wife, Jessica, have been pumping out simple, straight forward, really tasty European style beers for over a decade now.
- Their Focus: Classic English, German, Belgian and American beer styles. They’re best know for their Kölsch and American IPA.
- Vibe: Vibrant taproom with a spacious beer garden with fire pits and a covered area. Visiting food trucks enhance the vibe making it a popular hangout for locals and tourists alike.
- Must-try Beers: German Kölsch & Oatmeal Stout
Address: 1951 Fox Ave Fairbanks, Alaska Phone: 907-459-2337 Hours: Mon-Thu 3-10pm, Fri-Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-9pm
Black Spruce Brewing Company
Fairbanks’ most decorated brewery, award-winning beers and ciders, rotating food trucks, and as of 2024 they ship beer directly to addresses on Alaska’s road system.
Black Spruce Brewing Company is the antithesis to boring traditional beer. This brewery in Fairbanks, Alaska has carved out their very own super creative lane. They’re Alaskan beer on acid. They focuses on more exotic, innovative beer, like smoothie sours and bourbon barrel aged barleywine. Their taps are always rotating so if you frequent Fairbanks breweries, this is a good one to keep coming back to to see what’s new. They also have a nice line up of ciders and the occasionally a batch of mead.
Check their website for a the food truck schedule: Upcoming Food Trucks
- Their Focus: Craft brewery specializing in American and experimental styles
- Vibe: Large industrial space with a solid pet friendly outdoor area with fire pits.
- Must-try: Aroma Dome IPA & Vernal Buzz Milk Stout
Address: 3290 Peger Rd STE B, Fairbanks Phone: 907-328-0448 Hours: Mon-Fri: 3pm – 8pm, Sat: 12-8, Closed Sun
Lat 65 Brewing Company
Located on the edge of downtown, right off the Chena river bike trail system, Lat 65 Brewing Company is quickly becoming one of my favorite breweries in Fairbanks, Alaska. They turned an old racquetball club into a super welcoming space that’s easy to hang out in. My worry with Lat65 was that they didn’t have much of a focus and were kind of all over the place with their beer selection, but all their beer is really good. They even have local kombucha and root beer on tap. If you have fickle friends, large groups, or a diverse taste in beer; Lat65 is the brewery in Fairbanks, Alaska for you.
- Their Focus: A bit of everything, but they have a really good selection Sours, Ciders, and Stouts.
- Vibe: Sleek, modern large space with an exposed view of the brewery operation.
- Must-try: Moose Camp Oatmeal Stout Nitro & Dancing Moon Cider
Address: 150 Eagle Ave, Fairbanks Phone: 907-328-7748 Hours: Mon-Wed: 2-8PM, Thus-Sat: 12-9PM, Sun: 12-8pm
Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Co.
One of the oldest breweries in Fairbanks, Alaska is Silver Gulch Brewing and Bottling Company. If you flew into Ted Stevens airport in Anchorage, you might have seen them, they’ve been grandfathered into the Alaskan brewery scene. Silver Gulch is located about 10 miles north of Fairbanks in a massive facility that seems to be more brewpub/restaurant than traditional brewery. What started as brewmaster Glenn Brady’s home-brewing efforts eventually turned into America’s most northern brewery. If you’re a beer nerd and enjoy the states history you should put this on your list of breweries in Fairbanks, Alaska to visit.
- Their Focus: Belgian Biers & Hefeweizens
- Vibe: Large dining room with ample seating, dim lighting and a big bar.
- Must-try: Osculum Infame & Fairbanks Larger
Address: 2195 Old Steese Hwy N. Fairbanks Phone: 907-452-2739 Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-9pm
Humble Roots
Formerly known as Midnite Mine Brewing, Humble Roots Beer Project is Fairbanks’ newest brewery and has quickly become a local favorite. Located in the heart of downtown with plenty of parking, the space has a modern garage feel with indoor and outdoor seating, a kids’ room, quiet corners, and space for large groups — one of the more thoughtfully designed taprooms in Alaska. The focus is hop-forward beers, fruited sours, and confection-inspired stouts. The Apple Peach Sour and Cowpoke Milk Stout are standouts worth ordering. Food truck on site.
- Their Focus: Craft brewery specializing in hop-forward beers, fruited sours, and confection-inspired stouts
- Vibe: Modern garage feel with indoor and outdoor seating, a kids’ room, quiet corners, and space for large groups — one of the more thoughtfully designed taprooms in Alaska. Food truck on site.
- Must-try: Apple Peach Sour & Cowpoke Milk Stout
Address: 314 Wendell Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Hours: Sunday: 1pm-6pm / Mon-Tue: 12pm-8:30pm / Wed-Sat: 12pm-10pm
Breweries Near Fairbanks, Alaska: Worth the Drive
So while these breweries aren’t in Fairbanks, Alaska, they’re close enough and certainly worth the drive.
49th State Brewery
While 49th State isn’t technically one of the breweries in Fairbanks, Alaska we still had to mention it because it’s so iconic. About a 2 hour drive from Fairbanks, their Healy location is just outside of Denali Park. Who doesn’t love nature and beer? Their beer is brewed on site and can be enjoyed in the beer garden while playing lawn games, or sitting by the bonfire. They even have a replica bus from the movie “Into the Wild”.
Address: Mile 248 Parks Highway Healy, AK 99743 Phone: 907-683-2729 Hours: Summers only
Big Delta Brewing Co.
I worked on a NATGEO show in Delta Junction before Big Delta opened their doors, and man Im jealous. There aren’t a lot of options in the area, so it’s a much welcomed addition. And while it’s about 95 miles from downtown Fairbanks, Big Delta Brewing makes our list because opening a brewery in Alaska’s interior outside of Fairbanks, should be recognized. Their beer is tasty and they make some damn good pizza as well.
Address: 1205 Richardson Hwy Delta Jct Phone: 907-895-2222 Hours: Daily till 8 or 9pm
Beard Brothers Meadery
While not your typical brewery, Beard Brothers Meadery adds a unique honeyed touch to Fairbanks’ beverage scene. So, if you’re looking for something a little different, a visit to this rustic haven promises a delightful taste of Alaskan mead and a memorable experience.
Address: 1223 Skyline Dr, Fairbanks Phone: 907-888-9145 Hours: Fridays 4-7pm
Fairbanks Distilleries
The craft beverage scene in Fairbanks extends beyond beer. Three distilleries are worth knowing about:
Hoarfrost Distilling
One of the most acclaimed craft distilleries in Alaska, Hoarfrost produces small-batch spirits using local ingredients and has won recognition at national competitions. Their gin and vodka are the standouts.
Ursa Major Distilling
Named for the constellation visible from Fairbanks virtually every clear winter night, Ursa Major produces whiskey, vodka, and seasonal spirits. Worth stopping in if you’re doing a full Fairbanks craft beverage crawl.
Arctic Harvest Distillery
Located in nearby North Pole, yes that North Pole, Arctic Harvest focuses on Alaska-grown ingredients and farm-to-glass production. A short drive from Fairbanks and worth combining with a visit to the North Pole Christmas store if you’re doing the tourist circuit.
Aurora Viewing & Fairbanks Breweries: The Perfect Combination
Here’s the thing about Fairbanks that most people don’t plan around: the aurora borealis is best viewed late at night, most breweries close by 10-11pm, and the combination of the two makes for one of the better evenings you can have in Alaska.
The standard Fairbanks winter evening: arrive at HooDoo or Latitude 65 around 7pm, eat something, drink something good, check the aurora forecast on your phone. When the KP index looks promising, head out. The Chena River area just outside town, Creamer’s Field, and the ridge above the university are all good viewing spots within 15 minutes of downtown.
Summer version: same breweries, outdoor seating, midnight sun, no aurora but genuinely extraordinary light at 11pm. Equally good in a completely different way.
Breweries in Fairbanks, Alaska Conclusion
Fairbanks doesn’t need to be on your Alaska itinerary. But if you’re passing through, and if you’re going north, you probably are – the brewery scene is reason enough to spend an extra night. The aurora can wait an hour.
Breweries in Fairbanks, Alaska Map
Here’s a google map of all the breweries in and around Fairbanks, Alaska.
Gear Up for a Fairbanks Brewery Crawl
Fairbanks is cold. Even in summer the evenings cool down fast and in winter you’re stepping between -20°F outside and a warm taproom. A few things worth having:
- Insulated travel mug — for the walk between breweries in winter. Most taprooms will fill a growler but a good insulated mug keeps your tasting flight cold between stops.
- Growler — most Fairbanks breweries fill growlers to go. A quality 64oz stainless growler keeps beer fresh for 24+ hours.
- Warm base layers — for the walk between HooDoo and Black Spruce in January. Minus 33 merino wool base layers are what we use on Alaska shoots. Non-negotiable in Interior winters.
- Good headlamp — if you’re doing the aurora + brewery combination, a red-mode headlamp preserves your night vision while you’re watching the lights.
Fairbanks Alaska Breweries FAQs
How many breweries are in Fairbanks Alaska?
Fairbanks has five craft breweries as of 2026 — HooDoo Brewing, Silver Gulch, Latitude 65, Black Spruce, and Humble Roots. Plus three distilleries: Hoarfrost Distilling, Ursa Major Distilling, and Arctic Harvest in nearby North Pole. For a city of 32,000 people in the Interior of Alaska, it’s a remarkably robust craft beverage scene.
What is the best brewery in Fairbanks Alaska?
HooDoo Brewing is the most popular and consistently well-reviewed — great atmosphere, outdoor fireplace, rotating food trucks, and beer that earns its reputation. Silver Gulch is the most historically significant and worth the 12-mile drive to Fox. Latitude 65 is the most diverse option with ciders and non-alcoholic beverages alongside a strong beer lineup.
What is Silver Gulch Brewing famous for?
Silver Gulch holds the distinction of being America’s northernmost brewery — a title it’s held since 1998. Located in the small mining community of Fox about 12 miles north of Fairbanks on the Steese Highway, it’s a destination brewery with guided tours, pub food, and a beer selection that includes some bottles you won’t find anywhere else in town.
Can you do a brewery crawl in Fairbanks?
Yes — HooDoo, Latitude 65, Black Spruce, and Humble Roots are all in or near downtown Fairbanks and walkable or a short drive from each other. Silver Gulch requires a separate trip to Fox. Fairbanks Brewery Tours runs guided crawls if you want someone else to handle the logistics and transportation.
Are Fairbanks breweries open in winter?
Yes — all five breweries operate year-round. Winter is actually a great time to visit — the combination of a warm taproom, good beer, and aurora viewing afterward is one of the better Fairbanks experiences. HooDoo famously runs their outdoor fireplace even at -40°F.
What food is available at Fairbanks breweries?
Most Fairbanks breweries use rotating food trucks rather than full kitchens — check each brewery’s social media before visiting to see what’s on site that day. Silver Gulch has the most consistent food operation with a full pub menu. Latitude 65 also has food options on site. Or order a pizza and have it delivered to the pub.
Is there a brewery near Denali National Park?
Yes — 49th State Brewing Company is located near the park entrance in Denali Park, about 125 miles south of Fairbanks. Worth stopping on the drive between Fairbanks and Anchorage. They serve craft beer and cider in a setting that’s hard to beat for scenery.
What is HooDoo Brewing known for?
HooDoo was founded by Bobby Wilken, a Fairbanks local who learned to homebrew in college and turned it into Alaska’s most northerly urban brewery. They’re known for their Raspberry Wheat, rotating seasonal IPAs, and the outdoor fireplace that runs year-round. The name comes from the geological formations — hoodoos — found in the Alaska interior.
What distilleries are in Fairbanks?
Three worth knowing: Hoarfrost Distilling for award-winning small-batch spirits, Ursa Major Distilling for whiskey and vodka, and Arctic Harvest Distillery in nearby North Pole for farm-to-glass Alaska-grown spirits. All three are worth visiting if you’re doing a full Fairbanks craft beverage day.
More Fairbanks & Interior Alaska Guides
- King Salmon Alaska — Fairbanks is gateway to some great Interior fishing
- Boneyard Alaska — the most unexpected Fairbanks attraction
- Best Places to Live in Alaska — Fairbanks gets a full section
- Winter in Alaska — aurora viewing pairs perfectly with a brewery crawl
- Snowmobiling in Alaska — Fairbanks is a top snowmobile destination
- Alaska Weather — Fairbanks winters are genuinely extreme
- Alaska Wine: Uncorking Alaska’s Fruity Winery Scene (+Top Wine Bars)
- 16 Best Alaska Bars: Drink Like a Local (Full Guide)
- Best Bars in Anchorage, Alaska: Breweries, Lounges & Dirty Dives