From Homeland to Hearth: The Story of Alaska Sausage and Seafood

Herb and his son Martin

In 1961, a man in Germany had a dream of seeing Alaska. Trained as a chef, he had his life neatly laid out before him with work in a family-run hotel. But before he embarked on an acceptable road to adulthood, he needed to see Alaska. Maybe it was the primal pull of leaving a comfortable life and venturing into one filled with untold adventure and risk, a kind of “Call of the Wild” type of transformation? Or maybe it was the desire for one last spree before the slippage of youth? Whatever his heart was telling him, Herb Eckmann followed this pull to the wilderness of Alaska, for what was supposed to be a year. Herb worked in several different kitchens, and the months turned into several years. By this time, Alaska had become embedded in his soul as firmly as the permafrost that covers much of the state.

With a German friend named Otto, who was a trained sausage maker, the two put an old truck up as collateral and took out a bank loan for $6,800 and began Alaska Sausage Company in 1963.

They started out processing game meat and, because of their skill and training,

they knew how to process large slabs of moose and create the steaks and cuts of meat that people desired. Taking pride in their craft, they experimented with beef, pork and inspected reindeer and, using old world techniques and seasoning, created high-quality, artisanal sausage products for customers to purchase. Herb and Otto built a loyal following as they became known for their exceptional work ethic as well as their understanding and passion for meat. As Alaska grew, so did the business. They expanded their offering and included smoked salmon along with the sausage. Starting out with high-quality salmon, they combine spices, brining and actual smoke, producing an exceptional quality smoked salmon. After 10 years, Herb purchased Otto’s share of the business, though the two maintained a six decade friendship until Herb’s passing in 2023.

Today, Herb’s son Martin runs Alaska Sausage and Seafood. He has continued in his father’s footsteps by never compromising on quality or the process, producing some of the finest sausage and seafood found in Alaska or Europe.

When you walk into their Anchorage store, they will welcome you as family. Whether it is browsing through their retail store filled with speciality European and Alaskan items or sampling some of their famous reindeer sausage, you understand that Herb’s dream of Alaska lives on in the business and food he created.

Visit alaskasausage.com to purchase gift baskets, sausage or salmon. Retail store is located at 2914 Arctic Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99503.