What it is: If you find yourself in the charming coastal Alaska town of Seward—perhaps to visit Kenai Fjords National Park—Seward Alehouse is the unassuming downtown beer bar in which to swap adventure stories. It has a full bar, but the draft list is succinct and locally focused. On the tap list, “Local Beer” comes from nearby Seward Brewing or Stoney Creek BrewHouse; “Alaska Beer” comes from in-state breweries such as Alaskan, Broken Tooth, and King Street; and “Other Beer” is only PBR and Guinness, with the occasional Old Rasputin or Stone IPA. The bottled beer selection has more international options: You might not expect to find bottles of Delirium Tremens in a far-flung town of 2,600 people, but there it is.
Why it’s great: Seward Alehouse is just the right amount of quirky and rough-around-the-edges to fit its remote environs. (Draft beer is served in Mason jars—no fancy chalices here.) On my visit, a grizzled halibut-fishing captain chatted with me about the week’s weather forecast while Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” pumped through the sound system. This is a local hangout where camo-clad patrons bring their own cues to use at the free-to-play pool tables. No food on the menu, but outside grub is welcome; the adjacent Lone Chicharron does real-deal street tacos, quesadillas, and homemade paletas.
Hours: Noon–2 a.m., daily
Address: 215 4th Ave., Seward, Alaska
Web: facebook.com/sewardalehouse.alaska