There are no roads leading to Juneau, Alaska. There’s little flat land, and the region can’t grow grain or hops. Most resources must be shipped in and out by barge. Nevertheless, the city of 30,000 people is home to Alaskan Brewing Co.—the largest brewery in the state and the 17th largest craft brewery in the country, according to the Brewers Association. Founded in 1986 by husband and wife team Geoff and Marcy Larson, Alaskan Brewing Co. has thrived despite—and sometimes because of—its distant location.
Alaskan Brewing Co. has grown every year since it was founded, and its beers are now available in 17 states. “We’re at about 160,000 barrels this year,” Geoff Larson says, adding that the company produced 147,000 barrels in 2013. Its biggest market has always been Alaska, which comprises 40%-50% of volume, and Washington State is second. California, Texas and Minnesota are also top markets, and the company recently entered Michigan—its first state in the Eastern time zone.
A full feature on Alaskan Brewing Co. will appear in the January-February issue of Market Watch.
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image credit thebeerwhisperers.com
