Best enjoyed in a glass, on a patio, by the lake, next to a glacier...
In 2016, Yukoners consumed the most beer per capita in Canada, a statistic that paved the way for many passionate brewers to get out of their garages and set up shop in town. The craft beer craze caught on, and now you can drink it by the bottle, the can, the growler or if you’re feeling adventurous, a hollowed-out caribou antler. Here are some craft breweries worth making the trip to Whitehorse for.
Yukon Brewing
Alan and Bob loved beer but they struggled to find one that captured the unique taste of the Yukon. Instead of compromising with a beer that tasted like Alaska, they decided to build a brewery and make their own. The first task was to create a recipe that captured the uniqueness of the Yukon. But since the mixed flavours of husky breath and midnight sun sweat didn't sound very appetizing, they decided to take inspiration from the colour of the Yukon instead and created Yukon Gold—a refreshing draft beer that has the whole territory asking for more. Stop by their brewery in Whitehorse and try it for yourself.
Their story started in university with a homebrew kit, but Marko and Meghan Marjanovic soon turned their passion of beer into Winterlong Brewing Co.—a deceiving name for a brewery that’s open all year round. Instead of creating beer for the masses, they produce beers that they want to drink. So before you buy, warm up your taste buds with a sampling flight and see how unique a beer can taste. Stop by their tasting room for a brew and a locally-sourced snack and you won't be disappointed, unless you’re a connoisseur of common beers.
Without a set brewing schedule, Deep Dark Wood Brewing truly runs on “Yukon time.” Each of their beers is brewed in an oak barrel using a variety of yeasts and cultures, producing funky flavours that people love to drink and hate to waste. The inspiration for experimentation comes from traditional European farmhouse brewing, during a time when beer was far safer to drink than water. But these bottles go faster than Evian, so ask your airport taxi driver to make a stop at Deep Dark Wood Brewing, conveniently located across the road from Winterlong Brewing.
Woodcutter’s Blanket is housed in a piece of Yukon history at Second Avenue and Strickland Street, in Whitehorse. Registered as the Widdershin cabin and often called “the moose” (referring to the faux animals that adorn its exterior), the small log building dates back to the 1930s and is now a classic cocktail bar and brewery.
This on-site brewery combines time-honoured brewing tradition with the finest ingredients (as local as possible), science and artistry. The house taps are connected directly to the serving tanks for the freshest glass of beer possible. With each sip, you will taste a world-class beer designed especially for the Colourful Five Percent and friends.
Polarity Brewing is Whitehorse's newest craft beer destination, located downtown along the Yukon River. This small-batch brewery serves up an eclectic range of west coast beers, along with fresh and tasty eats from the kitchen. Brewers, Erik and Kai, draw flavour inspirations from North American brewing styles, while mixing in their interpretations of the classics. The beer taps are constantly rotating, and so is the innovative daily tapas menu—featuring sustainability-focused ingredients that are sourced from within 100 miles. It’s a place where visitors and Yukoners alike can find familiarity favourites they love, but also try something new and exciting.
