Arctic Ale Trail: The Fairbanks Brewery Tour

What is the Arctic Ale Trail?

The Arctic Ale Trail is a 3.5-hour guided brewery tour in Fairbanks, Alaska that visits three of the city’s most respected craft breweries in a single evening. Hotel pickup is included, and drinks at two of the three stops are built into the price. The tour is designed for guests 21 and older who want a relaxed, curated evening focused on conversation, craft beer, and the story behind Fairbanks’ growing brewery culture — not a party crawl.

The Arctic Ale Trail is a guided small-group craft beer experience with transportation included and curated tastings at respected local breweries, designed for travelers who want more than a pub crawl. Your evening begins with hotel pickup in Fairbanks, and from the moment you step aboard, everything is handled. Stops include Latitude 65 Brewing Company, HooDoo Brewing Company, and Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Co. — three breweries that together represent the full range of what Fairbanks craft beer looks like, from a modern downtown taproom to a historic roadhouse north of the city.

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Why the Arctic Ale Trail Is Worth Your Evening

Fairbanks has a craft beer scene that surprises most visitors — three well-established taprooms, each with a distinct identity, spread across the city and surrounding area. Getting between them independently requires a rental car and a plan. The Arctic Ale Trail solves that entirely because transportation is included and drinks at two stops are built into the price, making the evening genuinely turnkey.

Your guide handles the routing, timing between stops, and context — connecting the beer to the story of how craft brewing took hold in one of Alaska’s most isolated cities. Between stops, you’ll hear how extreme seasons, remote geography, and creative grit influence the flavors in your glass. The pace is relaxed. This is a thoughtfully designed small-group evening focused on conversation, connection, and experience.

The Breweries on the Tour

Latitude 65 Brewing Company

Latitude 65 opened in 2021 and quickly established itself as one of the most prominent breweries in Fairbanks, receiving the Bill Stroecker Business of the Year Award from the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce in 2022. The brewery is known for a wide lineup that includes ales, lagers, ciders, and non-alcoholic craft beverages — making it one of the more inclusive stops on the tour. It is located just minutes from downtown Fairbanks along the Chena River bike trail.

HooDoo Brewing Company

HooDoo is the most centrally located brewery in Fairbanks, situated in the heart of the city and walkable from most downtown hotels. The taproom is known for classic English, German, Belgian, and American beer styles, with their Kolsch and American IPA as consistent standouts alongside a rotating calendar of seasonal releases. HooDoo runs a rotation of local food trucks outside the patio, which makes it one of the more social stops on the route.

Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Co.

Silver Gulch is the oldest and most storied brewery on the trail, located about 12 miles north of Fairbanks in the community of Fox. It is the northernmost brewery in the United States and operates as a full-service bar and restaurant in addition to a working brewery. The drive north to Silver Gulch passes through the boreal forest outside the city’s light pollution, giving the evening a distinctly Alaskan feel that a downtown taproom alone can’t deliver.

From a converted roadhouse north of the city to a modern taproom downtown — the Arctic Ale Trail covers the full range of what Fairbanks craft beer looks like.

While at the Silver Gulch Brewery, enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour where you’ll see how their beer is crafted from start to finish. As America’s northernmost brewery, Silver Gulch offers a uniquely Alaskan brewing experience. Go beyond the taproom & learn what goes into each beer & what sets their process apart

How the Evening Works

Your evening begins with hotel pickup at 6:00 p.m.. All logistics are handled from the moment you step aboard. At two of the three brewery stops, a curated drink or tasting is included in your tour price, and you are welcome to purchase additional drinks at any stop at your own expense.

Between breweries, your local guide connects the beer to the broader story of Fairbanks — the extreme seasons, the remote geography, and the creative grit behind every pour. The tour concludes approximately 3.5 hours after pickup, with the option to be dropped at your hotel or at Humble Roots Beer Project in downtown Fairbanks if you’d like to continue the evening on your own.

Because only one tour departs per evening, group sizes are kept small and the experience stays unhurried throughout. This is not a high-energy party tour.

**Alaska Wild Lights reserves the right to switch breweries involved as well as their rotation & start times**

Pair It with a Day Tour

The Arctic Ale Trail is an evening experience, which makes it a natural complement to a half-day activity earlier in the day. The Fairbanks Heritage Tour runs in the morning and wraps up well before the brewery tour departs, making it the ideal pairing — cultural history in the morning, craft beer in the evening. In winter, the Arctic Ale Trail pairs well with the Aurora Viewing Lodge tour, giving you the full Fairbanks after-dark experience in a single night.

Fairbanks Brewery Tour FAQ

What is the Arctic Ale Trail?

The Arctic Ale Trail is a 3.5-hour guided brewery tour in Fairbanks, Alaska visiting Latitude 65, HooDoo, and Silver Gulch — three local craft breweries — in a single evening. Hotel pickup and drinks at two stops are included. One tour departs nightly.

What breweries does the tour visit?

The tour visits Latitude 65 Brewing Company, HooDoo Brewing Company, and Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Co. These three breweries represent the range of Fairbanks’ craft beer scene, from a modern downtown taproom to a historic roadhouse brewery north of the city.

Are drinks included?

Yes. A curated drink or tasting is included at two of the three brewery stops. You are welcome to purchase additional drinks at any stop at your own expense.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup from Fairbanks accommodations is included. If you are staying outside the standard pickup area, please contact the office before booking.

How many tours depart per day?

One tour departs per evening. Because group sizes are kept small, spots are limited and we recommend booking in advance, especially during peak summer season.

What is the age requirement?

Guests must be 21 years of age or older. Valid photo ID is required.

What is the cancellation policy?

Full refunds are available for cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour departure date.

Can I book a private brewery tour?

Private brewery tours may be available depending on date and group size. Please call the office directly to check availability and arrange a custom booking

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