Raising a Glass to Winter: Fur Rondy and the Return of Rondy Brew
In Alaska, we aren’t afraid to get out in the weather. But especially, we welcome the fun in February when the daylight lingers a little longer, the air is charged and downtown fills with parkas and the crunch of snow underfoot for the international sensation that is Fur Rondy. Fur Rondy, officially Fur Rendezvous, has long marked when we’re about to turn the corner to spring. And like any Alaskan tradition, it’s done with flair! In 2026, 49th State Brewing tapped to add a layer of flavor as the brewer of the official beer: Rondy Brew IPA, the official beer of Fur Rendezvous.
The festival traces its roots back to 1935, when Anchorage was still a young frontier town and fur trappers gathered each winter to trade pelts, stories, and supplies. What began as a practical rendezvous quickly evolved into a civic celebration, part survival strategy, part social glue. Over the decades, Fur Rondy grew alongside the city itself, expanding into a wild winter carnival complete with parades, sled dog races, ice sculptures, and traditions that feel both nostalgic and delightfully absurd.
Brewed specifically for the festival, Rondy Brew is a 7.2% ABV hazy IPA with an almost snow-white appearance, an intentional nod to Alaska in February. Beneath its pale glow, the beer opens up with expressive notes of passionfruit, grapefruit, apricot, and pine, balancing soft fruit with a wintry evergreen finish. It is bold without being heavy, aromatic without being overpowering. This beer is designed for long conversations after hours of outdoor shenanigans. New this year, 49th State’s pub, The Rail, is a great spot if you’re heading to see the snow sculptures. Located just by the Alaska Railroad Depot, it’s walking distance from the sculptures!
Fur Rondy has always been about gathering, and some of its most enduring traditions happen indoors. One of the liveliest is the Melodrama play, a riotous ritual where polite theater etiquette is left firmly at the door. Audience members cheer the heroes, boo the villains, throw popcorn at one another, and sing along with the music. It is loud, chaotic, and unapologetically fun. Moreover, it’s a reminder that winter entertainment in Anchorage has never been about quiet refinement so much as a shared laugh.
Whether you’re at the blanket toss or running with the reindeer, the natural next stop is a warm pub close at hand. Anchorage’s downtown pubs have long served as the social living room of Fur Rondy, offering refuge from the cold and a place to extend the evening. Two of the best places to do just that are 49th State’s pubs at 3rd & G and their newest location, The Rail, on Depot Drive. Situated in the heart of downtown, both are ideal for pre-show gatherings, post-Melodrama toasts, or simply settling in after a full day of Rondy events.
Rondy Brew IPA will be available throughout Fur Rondy. In a festival defined by tradition, you’ll feel right at home with this IPA in hand. This beer and the many others on tap at 49th State’s pubs embody the classic tenet: that winter is better when it’s shared. As Anchorage gathers once again to celebrate Fur Rondy, be sure to grab a Rondy Brew and toast to a city that knows how to make winter its own.
