If you're a craft beer connoisseur like Dave and I are, you'll love Alaskan Brewing Company. Their beers are fabulous, and, of course, local to Juneau. Most of the time we just pick up a six pack at the grocery store, but it's worth it to make a stop at the brewery to taste test beers you're not sure about and beers they don't have in the stores yet. Plus, the beers that people enjoy the most at the brewery have a chance of becoming a regular. So, essentially, you're getting a say in what the next big Alaskan Brewing Company beer may be. Pretty cool.
It's also fun to shop around their gift shop and see all of the fun gear. I have my eye on a few things in there like the etched glasses, a six pack koozie style cooler (not listed on their site), their beer steins, and one of their awesome wooden signs. I bought this sweatshirt (I couldn't find it online) at their downtown gift shop last week and I never want to take it off!
If you ask me, it's on my places that are a "must see" for the people off the cruise ships and don't have much time. It's a fun way to try out the local beer and it doesn't eat up too much time, so you still have plenty of land time to explore Juneau! There's information about hours and how to get a shuttle to the brewery here.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, my favorites are: Raspberry Wheat, Hopothermia, and White.
If you're headed this way for a summer vacation, please let me know! And if you're looking for more places to visit/eat while you're here...you can find them on this page.