Hammers Family Birch Secured USDA Grant for Expansion

The Alaska-based producer will use a $200,000 grant to expand distribution of its Birch Brew beverage.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Beer

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a glass bottle of amber birch beverage resting on a mossy forest log. — Hammers Family Birch secured a $200,000 USDA grant to scale production and distribution of its Birch Brew beverage across Alaska. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Hammers Family Birch has received a $200,000 USDA Value-Added Producer Grant, the maximum award for the 2026 funding cycle. The company will match the funds to launch a $400,000 initiative aimed at scaling production and distribution.

Why it matters

This grant allows the company to broaden the availability of Birch Brew, a wild-fermented nonalcoholic beverage, throughout Alaska. The project focuses on improving warehousing, marketing, and distribution infrastructure.

Hammers Family Birch taps over 6,000 trees annually to collect approximately 100,000 gallons of sap. The company operates manufacturing and bottling facilities across Talkeetna and Palmer.

The players

Hammers Family Birch

An Alaska-based producer of birch-based goods that operates facilities in Talkeetna and Palmer.

Denali Brewing Company

A brewing partner that manages the bottling process for the Birch Brew nonalcoholic product line.

The details

The two-year project encompasses manufacturing, retail sampling, and expanded consumer outreach efforts. Birch Brew is bottled through an ongoing partnership with Denali Brewing Company.

The Hammers family acquired Kahiltna Birchworks in 2023.
The USDA announced $26.5 million in total funding in September 2026.
The company will attend the Alaska Food Policy Council conference in October 2026.

Culture Shift

The expansion project reflects a growing consumer interest in locally sourced, wild-fermented beverages within the specialty drink market. This trend highlights a shift toward supporting regional producers over large-scale, mass-market alternatives.

Alaska residents can expect increased availability of Birch Brew at more retail locations across the state over the next two years. The expansion aims to simplify the purchasing process for consumers interested in local, nonalcoholic birch beverages.

The takeaway

This funding represents a significant investment in Alaska's craft beverage sector. Readers can look for wider store availability as the company utilizes these matching funds to scale its distribution network.