Alaskan Brewing, Filson join forces on limited edition cooler

File this one under cool marketing / promo ideas. Alaskan Brewing Co. is releasing a limited edition cooler, manufactured by iconic American outfitter Filson. Built with Filson’s high-quality fabric and Bridle Leather, this insulated cooler bag is perfect for carrying Alaskan Brewing beer.

“Alaska is all about journeys – a lot of the people who make the journey here do it with one purpose – to go farther than those who came before them,” said Tom West, one of Alaskan Brewing’s first employees, who has been with the brewery for over 27 years. “That spirit of exploration is alive and well here at Alaskan Brewing, and we always want our fans to be able to have an ice-cold beer at the end of any journey.”

That’s why Alaskan Brewing hired Filson to create a one-of-a-kind soft canvas cooler that is guaranteed to survive summer expeditions for years to come–providing cold refreshments in the most remote locations.

“At Filson, we manufacture goods that last from decade to decade, focusing on achieving the highest possible quality,” said Alan Kirk, chief executive officer of Filson.

Filson was established in 1897, as the outfitter of choice for prospectors heading to the Klondike Gold Rush. Every Filson item is crafted with the knowledge of those who have gone before, and each is field-tested and ready to return to the wild.

Alaskan Brewing Co. was also inspired by the search for gold at the turn of the century. While researching brewing in Alaska, co-founder Marcy Larson unearthed shipping records from Douglas City Brewing Co. (1899-1907) that listed ingredients for its popular beers made for thirsty gold miners working at several mines in the Juneau area. Co-founder Geoff Larson homebrewed a batch of the Gold Rush-era beer and immediately saw what made it so popular – and the smooth Alaskan Amber Ale has become the brewery’s flagship product.

Alaskan Brewing Co. wanted a cooler that would stand the test of time and survive a trek around the world. The Filson-made cooler holds 12 Alaskan beers or a six-pack and lunch for two. It features a heavy-duty insulated lining, detachable Bridle Leather shoulder strap and leather grip handles with heritage C.C. Filson Co. snaps. Made in the USA of water-resistant Rugged Twill, it has four exterior pockets, rust-resistant brass hardware and two-way brass zippers.

It will be available in select bars and stores throughout Alaskan Brewing Co.’s distribution range.