Corks & Hops

06/23/2026

It's Trivia Tuesday!

I was also reminded today that Tuesday isn't exactly known as "steak night."

That's fine. Since I've opened I pretty much ignored every rule possible.

We'll be serving our full menu tonight, including Certified Angus Beef steaks, Alaskan Scallops, burgers ground from tenderloin, and house made desserts.

Trivia with Ashlyn kicks off at 7:30. The bar will be PACKED, so if you want a seat, come in a bit early.

And if you've never had a filet on a Tuesday, tonight seems like a good time to start.

PS - Don't forget to vote if you haven't! You can still vote again THIS WEEK, and AGAIN on Sunday!

Vote today on the top 5 Alaskan businesses in each category.

06/21/2026

It's Father's Day! We know you probably forgot, because everyone does.

Here's what dads what, steak, beer, peace and quiet. So bring dad down to Corks & Hops and take care of all of it at once!

We're serving Prime Rib all day long today, along with our full dinner menu. No ties, suits, or other shenanigans required.

*Yes, I know that's the Filet. No, I don't have a picture of the Prime Rib, everyone eats it before I can get a picture.............

06/19/2026

Jason: "What dessert do you want to make?"
Tony: "Mango."
Jason: "Why mango?"
Tony: "Because it's mango season."
Jason: "Fair enough."

Chefs spend a lot of time trying to make food complicated when sometimes the best reason to cook something is because it's at its peak season right now. The highest quality ingredients make the best food. Just get out of their way.

Tonight's dessert special is Mango Madness:

Mango Vanilla Cake
Mango Mousse
Brown Butter Mango Chutney
Mango Purée
Cream Cheese Frosting

If you see Tony tonight, tell him the dessert looks great. He'll appreciate it.

Then he'll immediately start thinking about the next one.

06/18/2026

It's POUR DECISIONS Thursday!

Every Thursday we open four bottles, taste some wine, and spend an hour pretending we know what we're talking about. This week, we actually might.

Tonight's lineup takes us on a little Pacific Northwest road trip:

2018 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir – one of Oregon's most famous vineyards.
2021 Owen Roe Cabernet Franc
2022 Owen Roe Ex Umbris
2018 Owen Roe Yakima Valley Red

If you've never had Owen Roe wines, this is a great opportunity. These are GOOD wines, and if you drink wine here, you know I'm not a big fan of Washington wines.

Tasting starts around 4-ish and goes until 8-ish.

06/16/2026

IT'S TRIVIA AND BURGER NIGHT!

Trivia starts at 7:30 PM tonight, so come grab dinner, a drink, and see if all those random facts you've accumulated over the years are finally worth something. Last week Ashlyn may have turned up the dial a bit TOO much, so we're backing it down some again...

While we've got your attention, we need a couple favors.

First: Voting is open for the ADN Best of Alaska awards, and we're nominated for Best Burger and Best Steak.

Now, we're a 90 seat restaurant in Eagle River competing against places with marketing departments, advertising budgets, and people whose full time job is probably "brand engagement." Around here, it's mostly me trying to remember what I walked into the walk in cooler for.

If you've enjoyed a Big J Burger, a Certified Angus Beef steak, a wine tasting, or just appreciate having a locally owned restaurant that doesn't require a drive to Anchorage, we'd love your vote.

Second: We're hiring.

We're looking for:

A Weekend Server
A Weekend Busser

If you know someone who works hard, loves people, and shows up on time, send them our way.

https://www.adnbestofalaska.com/vote #//

06/14/2026

Yesterday was one of those days that reminded me why I wanted to own a restaurant in the first place.

We had the privilege of hosting a group of guests aboard the Alaska Railroad for an American Cancer Society fundraiser. We served breakfast, snacks, and a four course food and wine pairing while traveling through the most beautiful state in the country.

The food was fantastic, but what surprised me most was how much everyone enjoyed the stories behind the wines. I’m proud that I could use 35 years of relationships and experience in the food and wine industry to bring those wines to life in a different way. Wine is more than just grape juice. It’s history, culture, people, and a sense of place. That’s where the real beauty lies.. not in the elevation of the vineyard or the brix level at harvest, but in the stories.

As many of you know, cancer took my dad suddenly. Being asked to donate our time and be part of an event that helps raise money for research, patient support, and hope for families facing the same battle is something I never take lightly.

A huge thank you to the guests who joined us, the Alaska Railroad, and the American Cancer Society for the work they continue to do every day. Tabitha, you were an incredible host. Ashley and Ashlyn, I sincerely couldn’t have done it without you. As always, you weren’t just there to work, you were the comedic relief we all needed when things got a little crazy.

And to everyone who attended, thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey yesterday.

Now, if you don’t see me today, I’ll be catching up on the sleep I missed while making Beef Wellingtons and cinnamon rolls on a train.

06/12/2026

Tonight's specials are about as Alaskan as it gets.

Fresh Copper River Salmon and Fresh Alaskan Halibut are both on the menu tonight.

And yes, before anyone asks... the salmon is actually fresh. We checked. Twice.

After last week's fish mix-up, we figured we'd save everyone the suspense and get that question out of the way early.

The deck is open, the sun is shining, the drinks are cold, and we've got two of Alaska's best seafood options ready to go. Come enjoy summer while it lasts. Around here that could be anywhere from three days to three weeks.

See you tonight at Corks & Hops.

06/11/2026

It's POUR DECISIONS Thursday!

Every Thursday at the bar, we taste four wines and spend an hour pretending we're sophisticated. This week we've got a grower Champagne (super fancy) and an amazing Barolo in the mix. Tonight's tasting starts around 4ish and goes until 8ish, because we're very precise around here.

While you're here, we need a favor.

Voting is open for Best Steak and Best Burger in Alaska. Somehow our little Eagle River restaurant is competing against places with entire administrative staffs and teams ten times our size. We have me. Typing this between cooking lunch, butchering steaks, and wondering where I set my coffee down for the third time.

If you've ever enjoyed a Big J Burger, a Certified Angus Beef steak, a wine tasting, a dessert you devoured in record time, or a meal that saved you a drive to Anchorage, we'd appreciate your vote.

Come drink some wine, help us bring a couple of awards home to Eagle River, and let's see if we can keep this week's Facebook momentum going. The algorithm seems to like us this week, and we're trying very hard not to scare it away.

06/10/2026

Introducing Community Night at Corks & Hops!

For years people have asked if we offer a military discount. The answer has always been no, and not because we don't appreciate our military. The problem is Eagle River is full of people serving the community in different ways.

Teachers put up with your kids all day. Nurses keep us alive. Firefighters run toward things the rest of us run away from. Police officers, dispatchers, military members, veterans, and all of the public service employees keep this community running every day.

So we figured if we're going to do something, we should do it for everyone.

Starting this Wednesday, teachers, nurses, military members, veterans, first responders, law enforcement, dispatchers, and public service employees will receive 10% off food every Wednesday.

Before anyone gets too excited and starts pinning this post to the refrigerator, we're launching it as a summer test run through Labor Day. If the community supports it, we'll look at making it permanent.

It's our way of saying thanks to the people who make Eagle River a great place to live.

Now come have a steak or burger. You deserve it.

06/09/2026

It's TRIVIA TUESDAY!

Now that we're officially a super fancy burger and steak restaurant, we're legally obligated to remind you that our burgers are made from Certified Angus Beef and our steaks are also Certified Angus Beef. We checked with the lawyer (Sophie). Those are the rules.

Tonight's featured burger is the Big J, house ground Certified Angus Beef tenderloin, American cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles, onions, special sauce, and potato wedges.

Trivia kicks off at 7:30 PM with Ashlyn. She's especially motivated this week to make sure she passes out MORE beads than ever before, because she enjoys throwing them at people.

Come grab a burger, a drink, and see if you're smarter than your friends. Or at least smarter than the team sitting next to you. We can't guarantee either.

https://www.adnbestofalaska.com/vote #//