No free beer: Alaska airline modifies promotion

KODIAK, Alaska – It turns out, there is no such thing as a free beer, at least on Era Alaska flights.

The airline had been offering a free 6-ounce beer to adult passengers.

KMXT reports the airline discontinued the program Tuesday as a courtesy to the state, which prohibits free alcohol from being used as a marketing tool. However, there is no federal law against it once planes are airborne.

The airline will now charge $1 for each glass of Denali Brewing Co.'s "Single Engine Red." Previously, the first beer was free and every beer thereafter was $3.

The beer is available on the airline's Dash 8 routes between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Deadhorse, Homer and Kodiak. The promotion is scheduled to run through June but may be extended.