By now you should all be aware of My Secret Crush on Talkeetna, Alaska. This town might be teeny tiny, but there is just so much to see and do there. I love staying at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge as it feels so homey with living rooms throughout. There are viewing decks where you can take in Denali Mountain or see the Northern Lights in all of their glory. I also love the walking trail that loops around the property where you can see wild mushrooms, raspberries, cranberries, and currants.
Only read Talkeetna, My Secret Alaskan Crush if you too want to fall in love with Talkeetna.
There are two events I look forward to at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge and they are the Spring Beer Dinner and the Fall Wine Dinner. I was lucky that this year, my friend Jana Seitzer with MerlotMommy.com came up to visit me for a week and it just so happened to coincide with the Spring Beer Dinner at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge!
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge – Bird’s Eye View while on a flightseeing tour with Talkeetna Air headed to Denali.
Talkeetna Alaska Lodge’s patio deck is the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee and a glass of wine or craft beer later in the day. I have spent quite a bit of time writing from this patio.
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge’s Denali Viewing Deck. It is also the perfect place to check out the Northern Lights.
After a day of flight seeing with Talkeetna Air where we were able to see Denali (only 30% of people ever get to see it), we checked into the Lodge and had just a short time to get ready for the Beer Dinner. I was looking forward to relaxing with some great craft beer from Denali Brewing Company and from eating from the 5-course tasting menu created by Executive Chef Brad Harris. Chef Harris had only been there a very short time before this huge event and I was very curious to see what he could do.
Denali Brewing Company’s Louisville Sour, Barrel-Aged Sour Beer was ultra delicious. One of my faves from DBC!
Sassan Mossanen is one of the founders of Denali Brewing Company, a great brewmaster, and a pretty awesome guy to boot.
Pale Rider Pale Ale by Denali Brewing Company
One of the best Cheddar Pale Ale Soups I have ever had – seriously Chef Harris outdid himself. It was made from Sharp Cheddar, Flattop Pale Velout, Mountain High Sourdough Bread Bowl, Fried Kale, Rendered Prosciutto, with Crispy Shallots. This was paired with Pale Rider Pale Ale. I don’t have to tell you that I wanted another bowl, do I?
My good friend Jana with MerlotMommy.com came up to visit me. She loves her wine and is quickly becoming a huge craft beer lover fan. I had such a great time showing her all the awesomeness that is Alaska.
Prime Rib Beer Sandwich made with Shaved Prime Rib, Roasted Rye, Roasted Garlic, Caraway Aioli, Smoked Gouda, Caramelized Onion, and Arugula, served with Fingering Frites. This was paired with one another fave, Saison le Coq.
One of my favorite dishes of the night was the German Duck made with Herbed Spatzle, Kolsch Braised Duck, Brown Butter, Veal Demi-Glace, Birchworks Orange Birch Mustard, Spiced Pistachio, and Local Micro Greens. This was paired with a Kolsch. I don’t think there was anything left on my plate as this was that good. Seriously yummy!!
What is better than topping off this amazing night than with a rock solid dessert? The Espresso Panna Cotta was by far the best panna cotta I have ever had. Jana even had two! It was made with Flag Stop Espresso Cream, Bourbon Vanilla, Lodge Butterscotch, powdered biscotti, and caramelized white chocolate. It was paired with Flag Stop #3 Belgian Dark Ale, a dark sweet stout that is in very limited edition by Denali Brewing Company. What I wouldn’t do for another bottle of Flag Stop. Seriously, I would do just about anything. 😉
Hard at work enjoying a beer during the night’s festivities.
The After pic – bellies full, great craft beer still in our glasses and new friends made. What a night!
Read my other Talkeetna posts:
Talkeetna Brewfest 2014
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge: Simply Amazing
Talkeetna, My Secret Alaskan Crush
YUM, this all looks amazing. I am trying to figure out why I know something about Denali. It will drive me crazy until I make the connection. Love the posts about Alaska. Talkeetna looks a beautiful lodge.
Now I am interested to try that best Expresso pannacotta.
That pale ale soup sounds absolutely amazing!!! Perfect combination of flavors from how you described it.
What a beautiful place. The food looked amazing – my husband is a real beer lover, I’m sure he would vote for going there!
Sounds like you had an amazing time! We were just recently in Alaska though sadly didn’t have nearlly enough time to spend exploring the State. I would love to get back and visit locations like Talkeetna. I love that the lodges throughout Alaska are so homey and comfortable, and we love nature so the proximity to hiking trails is a huge plus!
All of the food looks absolutely delish, I’ve never really gotten hugely into the craft beer scene but I bet I sure could become a fan after having a beer dinner here! Thanks for sharing your experience! Noted for our next trip 🙂
I am dying to go to Alaska! It’s in our short list for next summer’s trip. I didn’t realize you could see the northern lights from Denali! This has just set it a bit higher! I don’t drink beer, but I think this lodge would make it to the top of my husbands list 🙂
I would love to see Denali but I’ve actually never heard of this tiny town. The food looks so good especially the cheddar soup! Looks like an amazing place to go and visit
Your photography is AMAZING!!! I want to visit here and dine on all the scrumptious things you shared!