Alaskan Brewing Co. Starts Serving In Michigan (VIDEO)

By Edward Cardenas

ROYAL OAK (CBS Detroit) - The newest tap added to the selection of beers at Hamlin Corner in Royal Oak clearly showcases the hometown of its brewery.

Alaskan Brewing Co.'s uses a jumping orca for their tap for Summer Ale, and it is a just one of the many ways the Juneau-based company uses its hometown in marketing, labeling and inspiration for its various beers.

"For us Alaska is in the bottle and we try to put as much imagery of Alaska on the bottle," said Geoff Larson, president and founder of Alaskan Brewing Co.

The company was started in 1986 and was only the 67th brewery in country when it was founded - now there are over 3,000 nationwide. It is expanding into the lower 48, and Michigan is the farthest east location for the brewery.

Larson said the company looked back into Alaskan history - and the gold rush era - for inspiration for their beers.

"We were able to recreate some of the beers that were poured 100 years ago when people were going north to Alaska," he said.

An example of these historic recipes is the Alaskan Amber which is based on a recipe  from 1907.

Additionally, the company states "beer is inherent how we make beer."

During the fermentation, carbon dioxide is released and the company captures and cleans carbon dioxide  to package the beer and purge oxygen from holding tanks. Larson estimated that one million pounds of carbon dioxide have been captured.

Additionally, Alaskan takes spent grain to fuel the boiler and save about 60 percent of their fossil fuel use by utilizing the byproduct. capture that for use in making beer,

"Our beer is made with beer," he added.

There are about 20 bars and restaurants around metro Detroit to find Alaskan Brewing Co. tap beers Alaskan Amber, Summer Ale, Icy Bay IPA and Hopothermia.

Nate Velazquez stated the beer is unique because of where it is brewed and bottled, which should appeal to Michigan beer lovers who are "looking outside the box."

"We are not from Ohio or Indiana," he said. "I look at Alaska as a destination."

To find company's beer on tap and in the bottles, utilize its Brew Finder.