To All Oysters

Beach Bum Oyster

Wrangell, AK
Beach Bums Oysters are raised in the remote Blashke Islands, southwest of Wrangell, Alaska, within a lagoon known for powerful tidal exchanges and natural upwelling events. The site is surrounded by untouched volcanic rock shorelines and remains submerged even at low tide due to natural dams that retain water. Oysters are grown in floating bags near the surface, then hardened for a month on a gravel beach, resulting in a clean, buttery oyster with deep flavor shaped by the nutrient-rich, cold Alaskan waters.

Oysterology

Product Specifications
  • Specie:
    Crassostrea gigas
  • Origin:
    Wrangell, AK
    (USA)
  • 3 years
  • Average Size:
    2.75 inches
  • Available:
    Year-round
Flavor Profile
A clean buttery flavor with a creamy texture and a classic oyster taste. Crisp with a briny finish, very clean and carrying a deep layered flavor enhanced by the nutrient-rich tidal upwelling of the lagoon.
Suggested Pairing:
Dry minteral-driven white wine
Brine Intensity
Growout method
Oysters spend most of their life in long lined float bags suspended within the top six inches of the water column. Before shipping, they are hardened for one month on a gravel beach where sun and crabs naturally clean and strengthen the shells. During hardening the same bags are used without floats, allowing the oysters to rest directly on the gravel.
Site Details
  • Tides:
    Lagoon tides range from +8 to +20 feet and the hardening beach experiences the full tidal swing from –5 to +20 feet. The lagoon’s natural dams retain water at low tide, ensuring constant submersion. Twice daily tidal flooding creates a natural upwelling event that stirs nutrients from the bottom and produces a rich food source.
  • Bottom:
    Volcanic rocky bottom with oysters hardened on gravel beach
the Grower

Canoe Lagoon Oysters is believed to be the oldest continuously operating oyster farm in Alaska, with over 35 years of history. The farm is owned and operated by Brian and Kristy Herman, the third owners, who have revitalized the operation after a period of decline. They relocated the base from Coffman Cove to Wrangell to access daily Alaska Air Cargo service while continuing to farm in the remote and uninhabited Blashke Islands. The twice daily upwelling and pristine waters create a uniquely clean and deeply flavored oyster that reflects one of the most remote growing environments in North America.

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