E-Malt.com News article: USA, AK: HooDoo Brewing Co. opens in Fairbanks

After years of planning, the HooDoo Brewery and Taproom opened for business, newsminer.com reported on October, 31.

Bobby Wilken, the brewer and owner, inaugurated operations of the homegrown Fairbanks brewery with two launch beers — a Kolsch and an IPA.

There hasn’t been a brewery within the city limits of Fairbanks since the early part of the last century.

The company is also planning to sell beer by the keg and supply local retail establishments.

Brewing equipment dominates the inside of the building, but there is a handmade bar where customers can stand and order a beer to drink on the premises. HooDoo is licensed as a taproom, not a bar, so under state law it cannot have chairs at tables, TV sets in the background, food service and the other attractions that are more or less standard in bars.

Wilken, a 32-year-old son of former Sen. Gary Wilken and former school board member Sue Wilken, has spent nearly a year-and-a-half renovating the 35-year-old warehouse for the business, working with his wife, Jessica, and others.

Wilken said he has been dreaming of doing this for more than 10 years and has been working on the business plan for several years.

The brewing equipment is centered around a steam-heated 15-barrel system.



02 November, 2012