Alaskan
Smoked Porter
The 23rd vintage
of Alaskan Brewing Co’s original winter seasonal, Alaskan Smoked Porter,
officially releases this week on draft and in 22 oz bottles throughout the
12 states where Alaskan beer is sold. The first release of this now
vintage-dated beer was in 1988 as “Alaskan Seasonal” - a hearty winter
seasonal brewed as a nod to the malting and brewing practices of the
turn-of-the-century brewers in Alaska who had to malt their own barley using
local alder wood for direct-fired heat. The name officially changed to
Alaskan Smoked Porter a couple of years later, but the Alaskan Brew Crew
still employs the same smokehouse used for the first batch 23 years ago. And
since the 2010 vintage just picked up its 20th medal at the Great American
Beer Festival last month - more than any other craft beer at the 30 year
event - Alaskan isn’t likely to change the recipe or get a new smokehouse
anytime soon.
“Alder adds a traditional smoke character to our Porter that is true to the
Alaskan landscape. Due to natural flavor changes in the wood and malt each year,
no two vintages will age in exactly the same way,” says Alaskan Brewing Plant
Manager and 20-year employee Curtis Holmes, “That’s what makes each year’s
release exciting for us.”
The dark, robust body and pronounced smoky flavor of this limited edition beer
make it an unforgettable taste experience that can be enjoyed fresh, or aged for
many years to come. The 2011 vintage of Alaskan Smoked Porter releases this
month, just in time to toast its recent win and to celebrate the holidays with a
bottled taste of Alaska. To find some of Alaskan’s favorite holiday food and
beer recipes featuring Alaskan Smoked Porter, visit their online collection of
Cooking with Beer recipes.
Alaskan Brewing Company.
Alaskan Brewing Co. has been making award-winning beer in Juneau, Alaska, since
1986. The Alaskan Brew Crew bottles the unique character of the Last Frontier
with historic recipes, local ingredients and glacier-fed water. Alaskan Brewing
handcrafts Amber, Pale, White, IPA, Stout, Smoked Porter, Winter Ale, Summer Ale
and a variety of limited edition beers in the Alaskan Pilot Series. Visit
www.alaskanbeer.com.
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