Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Market: Regulations, Statistics, Trends, and Wholesalers

Alaska presents a unique and geographically challenging alcohol market that reflects the state’s distinctive regulatory approach and complex local control framework. The Last Frontier operates as an open market under the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board, which provides comprehensive oversight while allowing traditional three-tier distribution alongside robust direct-to-consumer opportunities.

Alaska had an approximate population of 740,000 people in 2024, with 531,000 within the legal drinking age bracket. The state ranks 47th in distilled spirits consumption, with annual sales of approximately 770,330 9-liter cases.

The state’s alcohol industry features a developing production landscape with about 10 distilleries, 4 wineries, and over 60 breweries contributing to the market’s vibrancy and variety. Alaska’s growth as a craft beverage destination reflects both its entrepreneurial spirit and unique local ingredients.

A particularly distinctive feature of Alaska’s regulatory framework is its local option election system—Alaska’s statutes enable individual communities, towns, villages, and tribal governments to hold local option elections, creating many “dry” (no alcohol allowed), “damp” (some restrictions on sale/import/importation), and “wet” (normal alcohol laws) communities throughout the state. Additionally, state law allows on-premise retailers to sell alcohol daily from 8 a.m. until 5 a.m. the following day, making Alaska’s retail hours among the longest in the U.S.

We’ve prepared a guide to the Alaska market, which covers the following topics:

• Consumption trends
• The most popular alcohol categories
• Local guidelines

If you need help establishing your presence in Alaska, provide your information below, and we’ll contact you to share more on how we can help.

Consumption Trends In Alaska

The information displayed below showcases CAGR trends over the last five years in the state of Alaska.

Alaska Spirits Consumption from 2020-2024 by 9-Liter Cases

Alaska Wine Consumption from 2020-2024 by 9-Liter Cases

Alaska Beer Consumption from 2020-2024 by 9-Liter Cases

Alaska State Alcohol Licensing

Alaska operates as an open state with the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board overseeing all aspects of alcohol regulation. Alaska is not a franchise state, providing flexibility in supplier-distributor relationships. The state maintains an open market system that allows traditional three-tier distribution with extensive direct-to-consumer shipping options implemented in 2024.

Common Licenses for Manufacturers in Alaska

Spirits

• Distillery License (State Manufacturer License) – Allows operation of a distillery where spirits are distilled, bottled/barreled, and sold. Permits sales of spirits in quantities up to 1 gallon per person, per day, for off-premises consumption at the distillery. Unlimited sales to licensed wholesalers or other licensees (in-state and out-of-state). Limited samples or small on-premise sales (no more than 3 ounces/day per person on-site, subject to restrictions on entertainment, hours, and other on-premise rules).
• Manufacturer Direct Shipment License – Required as of January 2024 – Required to ship spirits direct-to-consumer (DTC) in Alaska.

Wine

• Winery Manufacturer License – Authorizes the manufacture, packaging, and storage of wine at licensed premises. Permits sales to Alaska-licensed wholesalers, retailers, or export to out-of-state customers. May apply for Retail Winery License to sell wine directly to consumers from winery premises. Sampling and tasting rooms require appropriate endorsements.
• Winery Retail License – Allows direct sale of wine to consumers for off-premises consumption. Requires the applicant to already hold a winery manufacturer license.
• Manufacturer Direct Shipment License – Required as of January 2024 – Required to ship wine direct-to-consumer (DTC) in Alaska.

Beer

• Brewery Manufacturer License – Authorizes the operation of a brewery for the manufacture, packaging, storage, and sale of beer. Permits wholesaling to licensed distributors (in-state and out-of-state). On-premises retail sales via an additional Brewery Retail License. Sampling and limited on-site consumption with Manufacturer Sampling Endorsement.
• Brewery Retail License – Allows the sale of beer manufactured at the brewery to customers for off-premises consumption and limited on-site servings. As of 2024, new rules expand event and evening hours and allow limited live entertainment and direct-to-consumer shipping.
• Manufacturer Direct Shipment License – Required as of January 2024 – Required to ship beer direct-to-consumer (DTC) in Alaska.

Out-of-State Brand Requirements

Spirits

• Traditional Alaska wholesale distribution is handled by local wholesalers, with no additional Alaska registration required of out-of-state suppliers beyond federal compliance.

Wine

• Out-of-state wineries work with Alaska-licensed wine wholesalers for distribution and sales to retailers. Separate “supplier” license not required to sell through wholesalers. Must comply with federal and Alaska product/brand registration and ensure excise and sales taxes are handled by the importer/wholesaler.

Beer

• Out-of-state breweries must register products and work with licensed Alaska wholesale distributors to sell through wholesalers/retailers (not DTC). Must follow all federal TTB and Alaska registration, tax, and reporting rules.

Alaska State Alcohol Regulations

Price Posting in Alaska

Price posting is not required.

Brand/Label Registration Requirements

The Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board does not require label registration by suppliers.

Direct-to-Consumer Sales and Delivery

Spirits

• Manufacturer Direct Shipment License – New for 2024 – Allows out-of-state distilleries to ship spirits directly to Alaska consumers for personal use.

Wine

• Manufacturer Direct Shipment License – New for 2024 – No production volume limit for wineries (unlike beer and spirits). Any licensed out-of-state winery with a valid federal TTB and home state manufacturer license may apply.

Beer

• Manufacturer Direct Shipment License – New for 2024 – Allows licensed out-of-state breweries to ship beer directly to Alaska consumers.

Retailer Delivery

Retailer delivery to consumers may be made only by Alaska Package Store licensees holding one of the endorsements described below. Out-of-state retailers may no longer ship to Alaska consumers.

Package Store Delivery Endorsement – Authorizes the holder of a Package Store license to deliver alcoholic beverages to the location of a social event.

Package Store Shipping Endorsement – Authorizes the holder of a Package Store license to sell alcoholic beverages to a person who makes an order to that licensee for shipment.

Alaska Spirits Volume Sales By Category – 2024 Data

Spirit trends in Alaska by volume and dollar sales in 2024.

Source: Beverage Information Group

Alaska Wine Volume Sales By Category – 2024 Data

See below for the wine trends in Alaska by volume sales in 2024.

Source: Beverage Information Group

Alaska Beer Volume Sales By Category – 2024 Data

See below for the beer trends in Alaska by volume sales in 2024.

Source: Beverage Information Group

Alcoholic Beverage Distributors Located In Alaska

Below you will find an updated list of the top distributors located in the state of Alaska. Need more info on all the alcohol distributors throughout the U.S.? Check out the full list of distributors or fill out our contact form.

Wholesale or Control State Customers in this market

Selling Alcohol In Alaska

If you’re looking to sell alcohol in Alaska, then you need to understand the rules and regulations associated with such activities. Should you need help knowing or understanding things, then.

FAQs on Alaska Beer, Wine & Spirits Sales

Buying Alcohol In Alaska – Hours, Locations & Taxes

If you’re looking for information on when and where you can buy alcohol in the state of Alaska, then keep reading below.

FAQs on Buying Beer, Wine & Liquor in Alaska

(Data Sources – Visit the following pages for further information: Alaska.gov, Answerconnect.cch.com, Commerce.alaska.gov, Wikipedia.org)

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