Husky IPA was first released by Alaskan Brewing Co. in January of 2017 as its spring seasonal — then as a year-round in September of 2017. Inspired by the energetic, athletic Alaskan Husky, Husky IPA is a bold, juicy IPA brewed with Mosaic hops. However, the beer isn’t all that was inspired by these iconic Alaskan creatures.
“We really wanted to celebrate the connection between the people of Alaska and the dogs that many of us share our lives with,” said Geoff Larson, cofounder of Alaskan Brewing. “As part of our commitment to our loyal four-legged friends, Alaskan Brewing founded the Ales for Tails program to support registered animal nonprofits in Alaska and throughout the United States. Life in Alaska is about more than just the place. It’s about the creatures we share it with, and here at Alaskan Brewing we feel very fortunate to be able to assist animals in need in our community and beyond.”
The Ales for Tails program offers a portion of beer sales as a donation to a local registered nonprofit humane society or animal rescue organization, to benefit animals in need, in addition to other fundraising efforts. This year, Alaskan Brewing’s Ales for Tails plans to partner with 38 registered nonprofits from Detroit to Austin to its hometown of Juneau.
Part of the motivation for Alaskan Brewing’s Ales for Tails program comes from employees’ personal connection to dogs and the community. Throughout the years, many members of the Alaskan Brew crew have adopted animals through local nonprofits like the Gastineau Humane Society and the Southeast Alaska Organization for Animals. These nonprofit organizations are among the many rescue and humane societies nationwide that could benefit from the program’s proceeds.
During its inaugural run in spring 2017, the program raised more than $20,000 for animal nonprofits throughout the states in which Alaskan Brewing is distributed.
2018’s Ales for Tails program was launched with support from partners at the Seattle-based Blue Dog Bakery, with a dog photo contest. The grand prize winner, Monica Emmerson, received an Alaskan Brewing dog cabin, a year’s supply of treats from the Blue Dog Bakery and a $500 donation to the animal nonprofit of her choice. She selected the California Husky Rescue Network.
