Current News From Around The Distillery
National Election Day
Nov. 4, 2025 – New Yorkers elected a new Mayor today. Looks like they decided against a serial sexual assaulter, Cuomo (Independent). Nor did they choose a candidate, Sliwa (Republican), who actually threatened New Yorkers after he found out he lost. Huh. Mamdani sure does look friendly and is a Democratic Socialist just like Bernie Sanders. Congrats to the new female governors of New Jersey & Virginia (both Dems), Miki Sherrill & Abigail Spanberger. This last Sunday President Trump stated on CBS 60 Minutes that he has no idea who the convicted crypto billionaire criminal Changpeng Zhao is. He doesn’t know who he pardoned?
Arctic Aurora
Nov 1, 2025 – The Aurora has really been nice lately. I took this shot over by Woodriver Elementary School. At the distillery, the Arctic Aurora is visible every night when you order our cocktail (designed by Lori Neufeld) of the same name. Hmmm, the cocktail is the Arctic Aurora, not the Lori Neufeld! You should stop in and try it, as it’s fun and delicious!
Halloween at the Distillery
Oct. 31, 2025 – The Distillery was yet again a haven for those of us that care about children’s teeth and did not want to participate in the yearly sugar orgy. Other people admitted that they had bought lots of candy, but decided that they wanted to keep it for themselves. They were going to have a private sugar orgy when they returned home. We all laughed and snacked on Reeses Peanutbutter Cups and very good cocktails…
City Mayors Change-out
Oct. 27, 2025 – At this last City of Fairbanks, City Council meeting, the out-going Mayor David Pruhs welcomed in-coming Mayor Mindy O’Neall. Both are incredible, civic minded people and I’ve had the honor of being friends with them both for… well… a very long time. As a community, we are so lucky to have both of these people here making a difference in the betterment of Fairbanks. After Madame Mayor O’Neall was sworn in tonight we were honored to host her celebration in our Old City Hall facility. I’m sure the ghosts of Old City Hall were loving the political activity!
Welcome Jose & Gigi
Oct. 26, 2025 – Welcome Jose & Gigi to Fairbanks Distilling Company! The distillery is very happy to have these two excellent new employees on staff as bartenders. Both are brilliant young people that will serve you up delicious local craft cocktails, so stop on in to say hi, talk some science with them, and introduce yourselves.
KUAC Sponsor & Phone Bank
Oct. 12, 2025 – The distillery, who is a proud sponsor of KUAC, volunteered to serve Zero-Proof Cocktails on the last day of the KUAC Fall Fundraiser. Remember, this fundraiser is following the Republican administration zeroing out all funding for Public Broadcasting in the US by clawing back funds that had already been previously allotted by the US Congress, which meant a $1.2 million dollar hit to the KUAC operating budget! It was absolutely necessary that the community step up to save the station, and it did… or I should say, “We all did.” This photo shows the Fairbanks Distilling Company owner, Patrick Levy, and the Cirque Alaska phone bank volunteers Maia, Roxie, Lindsay, Bethany (owner), and Kara. They were in charge of rolling in the donations, while I kept everyone hydrated with two Zero-Proof cocktails the Run Rabbit Rum (sans rum) & the Arctic Aurora. Yum, two great tasting drinks! KUAC we wish you to continue on with your long and storied Alaskan business life and to be there when we need you (everyday, 24-7)!
Bottle Recognition
Oct. 7, 2025 – Every bottle of 68 Below produced in the Fairbanks Distilling Company distillery that is made with Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge grown Yukon Gold potatoes has this sticker attached to the front label area (see the earlier photos of 68 Below vodka in international settings). This “thanks” to Princess is the least that my distillery can do to show our appreciation.
Princess Yukon Gold's
Oct. 7, 2025 – The harvest of Yukon Gold potatoes from the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge Chef’s Garden has arrived. You can’t get any more local than this. This is a great collaboration between Fairbanks Distilling Company & Princess Hotel that started back in 2018 (I think?) between Mr. Mark Winan and myself. Mark was the Food & Beverage Manager at the hotel and came up with the idea of establishing a Chef Garden to produce the best veggies in the world for the hotel visitors, as well as show them the beautiful cabbages that we grow under the Midnight Sun this far north. With local Princess Hotel grown Yukon Gold potatoes, I produced Fairbanks Distilling Company’s 68 Below potato vodka that has become Alaska’s most awarded spirit. We took gold medals in the Berlin International Spirits Competition two years in a row as well as many other medals! Now, if I could only fulfill my dream of supplying our local 68 Below vodka to the cruise ships… one of these days!
Local Elections Oct. 7th
Oct. 6, 2025 – Talking about supporting local, tomorrow is election day! So, it’s time for us locals to step up to fulfill our civic duty to pick our local government representatives. If you fail, if you do not step up, nobody will judge you, but remember that elections do have consequences. So please stop into your local voting location (found at: www.fnsb.gov) and VOTE!!! Remember, there are no complicated propositions on these ballots, just people. So get out and vote for those neighbors of all of ours who are running!
We Support KUAC
Oct. 3, 2025 – We support local and we support KUAC. For those of you that might not be aware, the current Republican administration passed a recission bill that clawed back funds that had previously been allotted to Public Broadcasting in the US. This removed $1.2 billion dollars from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and caused them to lay-off all of their employees and close the agency. This resulted in our local KUAC public radio station losing $1.2 million dollars in operating funds. The station has altered its programming to save money (shows cost) in an attempt to continue serving our remote Alaskan community during these trying times of funding insecurity. But for the station to succeed we will all need to step up and give. Please, during this Fall Fund Drive, that starts tomorrow, please dig deep and support your local public station and return the love it shows us.
Lemon Basil Pedroni
Oct. 2, 2025 – Our seasonal signature cocktail, the Lemon Basil Pedroni (named after Felix Pedro, the discoverer of gold in Fairbanks) finally experienced its last day on the menu today. This cocktail has been called the best drink in Fairbanks. Unfortunately, the edible nasturtium flowers can no longer be found, as the Fall weather has just gotten too chilly for them to survive. Therefore, we were forced to remove them from our extensive collection of craft drinks. We look forward to its return next summer! You will not be forgotten!
Doha, Qatar Lounge
Sep 7, 2025 – On this trip we had to spend 15 hrs in the Doha, Qatar airport (coming & going). This is not your typical airport though… it’s more like a high-end mall with Gucci, Armani, Prada, etc. stores and a real live forest, which I included a photo of on Aug 24. Survival at this airport is all about your status. As an Atmos Gold (MVP Gold) and Lounge+ member, I qualified for the Qatar Airways Gold-Platinum Lounge. So we spent our 15 hrs in total luxury. The photo is of our sleep loungers, the buffet was delicious (free), and the bar was pouring a 5th growth Bordeaux wine that was great. Within 24 hrs after we left Israel struck Hamas in Doha, Qatar… glad we were out of there!
Lake Sevan, Armenia
Sep 6, 2025 – Lake Sevan is the largest lake in the Caucasus region. It is up at 1,900 m, which is 6,234 ft. This shot of 68 Below & Lake Sevan, Armenia was taken at the Sevanavank Monastery, which used to be on an island in the lake. During Soviet times so much water was drained from the lake for irrigation and hydro power that now the Monastery is on a peninsula. Armenia is diverting water from other rivers to bring the lake water level back up and restore it.
Temple of Garni (side)
Sep 5, 2025 – I really loved exploring the temple at Garni in Armenia. This is a shot of 68 Below from the side of the temple and where the baths were located. Looking the other direction from here, you looked down into Garni Canyon where the Symphony of Stones was located.
Pagan Temple at Garni
Sep 5, 2025 – This UNESCO site is the pre-Christian Pagan Temple at Garni, Armenia. The perfect place for a bottle of 68 Below vodka. Animal sacrifices were made here when it was in service.
Symphony of Stones Park
Sep 5, 2025 – At the Symphony of Stones Park in Armenia with a bottle of 68 Below vodka. This is an interesting rock formation that has 5-sided basalt rock. I’ve only seen this type of rock formation once before in Northern Ireland at the Causeway of the Giants, which is well worth a visit too. The Symphony of Stones is a fun place to visit, as you walk down the road admiring the rock formations on both sides and then you ride a crazy motorized train at high speed back up to the top!
Georgia Cha Cha
Sep 1, 2025 – This is a high proof Georgian spirit called Cha Cha. It’s made from the leftover grapes after they are pressed for wine. Most wine producers make Cha Cha and can sell it unlabeled at their market tables. Everybody will give you a free taste and if they discover you’re a distiller, they’ll keep coming! I could not get over that there were no government controls and selling it this way. They treated it like they were selling cucumbers or tomatoes. The big bottles were selling for 25 Lari, which is just over $9.
Georgian Vineyard Tour
Aug 30, 2025 – Georgia vineyard tour. I had really been looking forward to this, as Georgians use old traditional methods to produce wine (and spirits) from grape varieties that we’ve never heard of. The vineyard owner (on the left) points to the floor openings of his many Qvevri. The Qvevri are ceramic amphora-like vessels that are used to ferment, age, and store the wine. This is an 8,000 year old tradition. No stainless steel tanks or oak barrels used. My head exploded.
Overlooking Tbilisi, Georgia
Aug 30, 2025 – Overlooking the beautiful city of Tbilisi you can see the Bridge of Peace over the Kura River below. Lori models a bottle of Fairbanks Distilling Company 68 Below vodka in the foreground. To the left of the Bridge of Peace is the Tbilisi Old Town (also called Kala) and to the right of the bridge is Rike Park with a hot air balloon in it (above Lori’s head).
Tbilisi, Georgia & 68 Below Vodka
Aug 30, 2025 – 68 Below vodka in downtown Tbilisi, Georgia. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, so we wandered around the city. Tbilisi is the capitol city of Georgia and has a population of 1.33 million people. It was founded in the 5th century AD and has been ruled by the Persians, Arabs, Mongols, and Russians. All three of the Caucasus countries we visited were previously Soviet Republics and became independent in 1991 with the breakup of the USSR.
Sheki Wines Azerbaijan
Aug 28, 2025 – Sheki Sherab Winery in Sheki, Azerbaijan also makes a vodka at 38% or 76 proof made from grapes. They tried some 68 Below and I tried some of their Sheki vodka. We all had glowing things to say about each other’s products. We then exchanged how we made our products.
Azerbaijan Loaded with Vodka
Aug 28, 2025 – Well Azerbaijan will not be experiencing a shortage of vodka anytime soon, unless there is an overabundance of good customers. This was just a grocery store and there were aisles of vodka… a few caught my eye, such as Men Vodka and Kalashnikov Vodka. Interesting.
Baku, Azerbaijan & 68 Below Vodka
Aug 27, 2025 – Fairbanks Distilling Company vodka in the capital city of Azerbaijan at the Flame Towers. This country is an oil state much like Alaska is and the people all seem to be very friendly. On the Caspian Sea the breezes helped to moderate the warm temps.
Research Excursion...
Aug 24, 2025 – The perpetual job of a distiller is to research new things, so off to the Caucasus region of the world we go. First stop after a 14 1/2 hour flight from Seattle is Doha, Qatar. Yes, there’s a forest inside the airport. If you bring a sleeping bag you can overnight in a teepee (1st come, 1st served). Outside air temp was 108 deg’s.
Meet & Greet With Hannah
Aug 20, 2025 – Meet & Greet with Hannah Ekalook, who is running for City Council Seat C. Stop on by our central location (and Old City Hall) to meet Hannah and see what she’s all about. If you like her, she could use a donation to help her on her way.
Ahhh, Deck Time!
Aug 7, 2025 – The days of summer are really enjoyed on a deck, with friends, and a delicious beverage! Stop on by the distillery, bring your friends, and our bartenders will make you a delicious craft cocktail or zero proof beverage to make that summer day just a bit more enjoyable! Cheers!
Beautiful Denali Highway
August 3, 2025 – The rarely traveled Denali Highway is a trip that we should all make. Of course, best done with Fairbanks Distilling products in your camp. As we live North of the Alaska Range it’s really great to see the Southern side of this mighty range… and hey, when in the south, give a mighty toast to life!
Half Bottles Finally Arrive
July 24, 2025 – The saga of the screwed up supply lines is finally over for us with the arrival of the 375ml bottles. These bottles were ordered back in April and ran the tariff gauntlet from Europe. Now, let’s get these bottles filled with spirits!
Golden Days
July 19, 2025 – Yet another great Golden Days Celebration in downtown Fairbanks. This yearly event is always done very well with lots of things to do and see. We provided a welcoming deck and delicious refreshments. Thanks to Felix Pedro for discovering gold here and thanks to the community for coming out in large numbers!
Wedding Celebration
July 15, 2025 – Congratulations to Rachel (Levy) d’Arville & Alex d’Arville on their wedding in Fort Collins, CO. I’m proud to have Alex as my new son-in-law!
Another 4th Celebration
July 4th, 2025 – Happy Birthday USA! Yet another 4th of July celebration in Fairbanks. Our rum label portrays (possibly the 1st or surely one of the 1st) 4th of July celebration in early downtown. That’s the SS Lavelle Young pulling up to the dock that originally brought our founder ET Barnette here.
Bottling Vodka
June 22, 2025 – Bottling crew getten’er done! So many bottles of vodka! What a great volunteer crew though: Mark & Ann Rippy, Eva Zamzow, Sarah McGowan, Lori Neufeld, & Pat Levy.
Expanded Hours
June 25, 2025 – As we have been advertising, our open hours will be expanding to: Wednesday thru Friday 11am till 9pm. Get out and enjoy our deck for the summer!
1/2 Bottles, Where Are You?
June 23, 2025 – My bottle supplier, Tricor Braun, was wrong about my order arriving in the US and they have apologized. Supposidly, they are on the next ship from Italy. As mentioned earlier, supply lines are in chaos due to tariffs. I have no idea when my bottles will arrive in the US??? We still have plenty of rum half bottles, so this is just effecting the gin (so far).
Midnight Sun Festival
June 21, 2025 – Stop on by for a cool handcrafted cocktail, mocktail, hoptail, or soda and enjoy our Cushman St deck to people watch or just take a load off and enjoy a light snack with your cool drink. Remember, next week we move to expanded summer hours: Wednesday – Friday 11am-9pm & Sat. noon-9pm. Cheers!
Blending Vodka
June 15 – New batch of vodka coming up! This is the step before bottling where we blend it down from that lip burning 190+ proof to the drinkable and very delicious 80 proof award winning 68 Below potato vodka. Ahhh, Fox Spring water & Yukon Gold potatoes, only the best! Thank you Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge Chef’s Garden folks for your hardwork producing delicious potatoes for your guests and to help us produce the most delicious and most awarded spirit made in Alaska. This is truly an amazing collaboration between two local businesses. Our 68 Below is a must try locally produced spirit that will convince you that vodka really can be a good sipping spirit!
Happy Father's Day Dad!
June 15, 2025 – Every Father’s Day we always think of our Dad’s. I surely miss mine and wish that he was still with us. He was the person that I could always talk with and he always had good advice that was mixed with humor. When I was 7 yrs old and faked that I was running away from home (it was night and we lived across from a swamp in NC – I had gone out the front door and ran around to the back and hid under my parents bed). It was my Dad that grabbed the shotgun (for snakes) and went out looking for me. My Mom sent me out to find him!
Bottle Resupply On Its Way...
May 31, 2025 – Just found out that our pallet order of 1620 half bottles has arrived in the US from Europe and is on its way to Chicago via rail. It was quite a relief to hear that it was not hit with a crazy 145% tariff. Happy our bottles come from Europe and not China at the moment. Hard to say what’s going to happen with supply lines though. Small businesses are being hit with mega supply line instability these days. As businesses costs change, product prices will have to adjust. So far, no price increases planned from us.
New Website (FINALLY) Goes Live!
May 30, 2025 – Apologies for the long delay in going from a single temporary one-page website to this more involved one. I had to find the time, get motivated, and then learn WordPress to make this happen… now, I need to get back to work on distillery production! If only I could jet over to Amsterdam and meet my buddy Neal at WF’s for a kopstoot!
Memorial Day Weekend
May 24, 2025 – Memorial Day weekend is here and I always like to pull out my Uncle Aby’s WWI helmet, which is always on display at the distillery. While he did not die in WWI, millions did. A good place to see the effects of WWI is at Ypres, Belgium. If you visit, stay for the Last Post, which happens every evening at 8pm sharp at the Menin Gate. The Menin Gate memorializes the 54,395 Commonwealth soldiers who died in the Salient and were never found again. It is estimated that over 1 million soldiers lost their lives in this 10 km area. Mind boggling.
Spring Is Upon Us!
May 15, 2025 – The snow is quickly leaving and spring seems to be here. That means that we have our fingers crossed for no late season snow showers!