Background – Homer Brewing Company
Homer Brewing Company opened for business in 1996. Kenai peninsula’s first brewery was the brainchild of three friends brought together by a local homebrew cooperative. Steve McCasland, Lasse Holmes & Karen Berger began with a 3 barrel system set up in a small rented space.
The trio grew in popularity but ran into a snag in 2001, when their lease was not renewed. Because of this misfortune the trio moved on and was able to purchase a permanent home for the brewery at Lake Shore Drive. In 2005, they installed a refurbished 7-barrel brewing system that increased efficiency in the brew house.
Homer Brewing Company does not distribute their beer outside of Homer. Growler fills are available at the brewery.
Experience
The crew arrived on a Wednesday afternoon. This is a very homey little tasting room with an order bar and a few tables. The flight of four beers plus one looked like a good way to try all their beers. From the flight we liked Broken Birch Bitter and Old Inlet Pale Ale. The bartender was very pleasant and helpful.
After our visit, we feel this is one of the best beer drinking settings in Alaska. After some inquiry, it turns out the property next door is privately owned. Per the law this allows one to purchase a mason jar with a lid, full of beer and drink it at one of the tables on the private property. If so inclined, smoking is also allowed on the private property. If you drink in the tasting room, the usual Alaskan rules apply, a limit of 36 ounces of beer per person per day can be consumed at a brewery.
No food is available at the brewery. No nearby lodging noted. We appreciated the place for its American ingenuity. When on the peninsula, check out Grace Ridge in Homer and Kenai River Brewing.
http://www.homerbrew.com/brewery.html
