20 JUN 2012: 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 six-ounce beer to adult passengers, but has discontinued the programme, as the state prohibits free alcohol from being used as a marketing tool.

However, there is no federal law prohibiting the giving away of free drinks once the planes are airborne, but the airline stopped the practice on Tuesday as a courtesy to the state.

But don’t despair, Era Alaska will now charge a token $1 for each glass of Denali Brewing Co.'s “Single Engine Red.”  Previously, the first beer was free and every beer after 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.