Thankfully, because of an awesome local beer blogger named Cecily – be sure check out her awesome Mom’s Malt Barley Blog – a few weeks later I was able to get it in trade (for a bottle of Throwback Fat Alberta, no less).

I opened bottle #33 of 336 of Polaris in my livingroom on a very cold night. The aroma that came out of the pour was inviting. A sweet, burbon, vanilla smell tickled my nose, as did just the right amount of booziness. I also appreciated the layering of nautical/astronomical names – Ursa Minor is a constellation also known as “the big dipper” with two of its stars pointing directly at Polaris, the north star. Pretty cool.

The taste on it is so well balanced it just made me smile. Not a single flaw. It has this delightful warmth, without any alcohol burn and just a sweet vanilla aftertaste. The best part is that the base beer, Ursa Minor, has a wonderfully thick mouthfeel, and for a barrel aged beer it stands up very well. It is rich without being cloying, has depth and the right amount of bitterness. The vanilla is just enough to bring the bourbon to a different, spicier place.

Making the beer even a little more special, proceeds from this special release of Polaris also went to the Autism Society of Maine, which is a great cause. I am a big fan of beer + philanthropy, so I am happy to see local brewers participating in causes they are passionate about in their own local communities.

If you missed this beer, like I almost did, it is rumored to return next fall, so watch out for it, it is worth searching the skies to find it.

Since then, I patiently waited for this beer to be released, and in late fall I got my chance. I traveled to NH to pick up the very first bottled batch of “Fat Alberta” Imperial Stout. With an adorable label of an elephant balancing on a peanut, it reminded me (probably intentionally) of the movie Dumbo.

It is a thick black color, with a dark tan head. I put my nose up to the glass and inhaled. Peanuts. Not peanut butter, not chocolate, really, but peanuts. And almost like the bowl full of husked shells and paper and dust. Raw, unadulterated peanuts are the msot of the aroma, and if I were blindfolded I’d probably be fooled into thinking you have a handful of peanuts in your hand.

The taste is different, though. Bracing for a peanut bomb, I was a little surprised by the flavor. Not very sweet, but very peanut-driven and slightly tart. It does have a great peanut-butter smoothness to it, but the bitterness of tons of peanuts is there a little, too. The coca nubs that give it is rich body are there, providing a roasty background, but I almost think they could have been a little more forward. But the important part is this – the fact that you can take a flavor like chocolate peanut butter and stuff it into a beer without it tasting artificial is amazing. It leaves a taste in your mouth that is just perfect – like you’ve just eaten a spoon full of peanut butter. The best part is that it is not sweet. This would be sensory overload if they had really pushed more towards a sweet peanut butter cup instead of a rich chocolate peanut butter cheesecake type flavor.

As I drank a bit more of it, I also noticed that as it warms, the undertones of the beer’s strength come through. At 9.5% ABV, it’s not a subtle brew, but will sneak up on you if you are not careful.

For those wary of overly-sweet beer or even those who don’t like peanut butter cups, I will tell you this will not upset your palates. This is a beer for the curious, the open minded, and the silly. Drink up, close your eyes and imagine you’re a child at the circus. It’s a fun trip.

Overall, I am impressed by what Throwback has offered – and I think that they are on their way to making a strong name for themselves in the New Hampshire (and New England) craft beer scene. I am also excited that they plan to release several additional dark beers as small batch releases in 2012, so I can’t wait to see what they can bring.

I have never been to Minnesota personally, but these guys sound like their passions are trying to reach out for an unmet need in their community – great craft beer. The $15,000 they are looking to raise by January 23rd is to begin their pilot brewery, to get themselves established and poised to grow.

“A pilot brewing system is the first step towards our larger goal of providing Bemidji and Northern Minnesota with fresh, local craft beer.”

Now, for those tired of the same old rewards (I mean, how many pint glasses can I own?) these guys have also gotten creative. You can get cool fishing-lure inspired bottle openers, vintage tees and even a custom beer journal. Sounds really, really cool and a little bit off kilter, which is a spirit I always like to see.

Visit BBC’s Kickstarter page here for more info.

Also, to see the type of creativity they bring to the table, check out their update about a public event they held “Beer Beyond Taste” that encouraged and educated beer drinkers to use all of their senses to experience craft beer craft beer.

Photo from Bemidji Brewing Company's Kickstarter Site.

I’ve sent them a few bucks (remember that unless they are successfully funded, the money does not change hands – and won’t be debited from your account until the fundraising period ends) and hope that you will check them out for yourselves.

Delicious beer. But Curls MT font? Really?

The taste of this one is familiar to many Mainers – it has a distinct caramel malt flavor, but without too much complexity or richness. It is very easy to sip, and leaves its bitterness to just pop in to say hello at the very end of each sip. If I have one criticism on its taste is that it is a bit thin feeling – I’d imagine that to combat the abominable winters that a beer drinker would want something just a little heartier and fuller. None the less, this beer is a staple of the winter season for me and its sweet maltiness is a comfort.

As for the name, I always assumed that Slick Nick had something to do with referencing St. Nicholas and his ability to sneak in and out of homes undetected to deliver Christmas presents. However, upon reading the description on the Sebago site, I realize I’m mistaken.

Slick Nick himself is pictured on our the label, casing out the Victoria Mansion in Portland Maine on a blustery night.

Sounds like an infamous cat burglar of some kind. If anyone knows where I can find out more about this infamous character, I’d love to hear about it. Until then, I’m going to open up another one of these and hope for a white Christmas. Cheers!

Women: Time to play a round of What Do You Want From Your Beer? If compelled, please respond to these 10 questions (via email ginger (at) womenenjoyingbeer.com Thanks in advance – it’s viral too). Responding while sipping = good!

1. Why do you drink beer?
I drink beer because I enjoy the taste of most beer styles, I can never get bored with it and often it goes well with the food I am eating. I choose beer over other beverages because it is so dynamic in flavor that it fits whatever mood I’m in.

2. Why do you like beer?
Beer just has such an infinite spectrum of flavors, that it suits the seasons, my particular cravings and whims with ease. Also with the proliferation of craft breweries, I will never come CLOSE to getting bored with trying what they come up with.

3. What kinds of beers do you like?
Depends on the day/hour but right now I’m on a bit of a Saison kick. I do like hops, I do like dark beer, I do like sour beer, I do like spiced/fruit beer and everything in between. About the only few styles I don’t love are Brown ales and some English styles – but mostly because they’re just not flavorful enough and I find them a little boring.

4. What would compel you to try a beer you haven’t tried before?
A friend’s recommendation, the beer’s description/style, an interesting story on the label, a brewer/store providing an opportunity to try it.

5. What do you want from your beer?
A taste that I like, quality that is consistent. Bonuses for me are things that are made locally or regionally, that are transparent about their processes and ingredients, and are independent.

6. Conversely, what don’t you want from your beer?
I don’t want beer that is tasteless or thin on purpose, nor do I support the use of substitute adjuncts such as corn or rice used to make larger (macro) beer. I do not want to know how many calories are in any of my beer. Ever. I am drinking it for the experience, not as part of a diet plan. Also, beer that’s been properly stored is always good because the last thing I want is any off flavors from brewing or improper storage. I also don’t want beer served to me in a frosted glass. I get so disappointed when I order a great ale and it comes to me with a layer of ice on top where the head should be.

7. What kind of beer education or social beer opportunities would you like to take advantage of?
I have gone to the last two beer blogger’s conferences and learned an immense amount of information. I hope to do that again. I would also like to have an opportunity to “shadow” a craft brewer and really get a sense of what it’s like to be a brewer at a craft brewery.

8. How do you want the beer companies to address/acknowledge you as a female beer drinker?
1 – Stop attempting to market directly to me (women) using color/style (i.e., pinkification), calories, lightness, or intentional tastelessness. I would rather have them NOT acknowledge me at all than to treat me like I am an idot that will drink anything pink, fruity or under 100 calories.
2- Stop perpetuating and the stereotypical image(s) of women SERVING beer to men, instead of drinking and enjoying it themselves. They don’t have to feminize their branding, just make it more gender neutral!
3 – Help to normalize the craft-beer drinking woman’s image by including imagry of normal women enjoying craft beer in brewery PR materials (ads, websites, etc.)
4 – If a brewery is really set on marking to women, make an ad with an intelligent woman describing that she loves the beer she’s drinking because of its taste characteristics and that she proudly chooses craft beer after a long day of work as a CEO. With no sexual innuendo. Not to be a cynic, but I think it is so incredibly unlikely that I think I may fall off my chair if I ever actually see an ad like this…

9. What kind of atmosphere do you prefer when you drink beer?
Anywhere with other people that are talking about what they’re drinking – that can be at a friend’s apartment, at a bar, at a restaurant, at a beer festival, whatever. Drinking alone is boring, and so is drinking exactly the same thing as everyone else. Discussion and variety is what makes craft beer drinking fun!

10. What do you think about present beer marketing and advertising as it relates to you as a woman?
See #7 for more detail, but I think the fundamental problem is two fold. First, the current beer marketing out there is blatantly using women as servers of beer and as sexual objects to sell beer, which will never entice a woman to drink it, and is perpetuating several negative stereotypes about female intelligence. Secondly, advertising directed only at women is incredibly misguided. I will not drink a beer because it is pink and uses CurlsMT font on the label. I will not choose a beer based on how many calories it has, or that it will make me “less gassy” (I’ve seen that…) or “not fill me up.” And somehow, even though thousands of women feel the same way, advertisers and branding gurus still reach back into the 1950s for wisdom about how to market goods to women. Its maddening.

10. Does size matter for your beer?
I can drink a typical bottled beer with no problem, though I do choose the smaller size at restaurants that offer “tall” (often 24 oz) and a “pint” sized beer. Half of the reason for that is that I rarely order two of the same beer in a row, so if I get done with one pint, I will very likely choose a different beer if I have a second. I also love to take 750ml bottles to friends’ houses to split/share it with them, but could also curl up with a bomber bottle for a long night in. So, size doesn’t really matter, it just depends on the situation and the company. I have no desire, however, to drink a “40″ of crappy beer.

Community Beer Works: Status – FUNDED! $15,535 raised from 210 backers!
Buffalo, NY wants craft beer apparently, because Community Beer Works hit their mark. Congrats to Dan and the boys and thank you to everyone who contributed!

Rogness Brewing Company: Status – FUNDED! $12,557 rasied from 132 backers!
Under the wire and SO close to their goal, your blitz campaigns and prodding helped to sneak this one in under the wire. Congrats and good luck!

American Beer Blogger: Status - Fundraising –
Lew has started off his campaign strong already earning over $2,600 in his first week. His next step is to hold several fundrasing events, and is looking for ideas if you know of a venue that might support an event. You can connect with Lew about hosting an event on his American Beer Blogger facebook page.

Thanks to everyone who contributed or spread the word and let’s keep up the momentum. Know of any similar projects that deserve featuring? Drop me a line!

From Craftbeer.com

A few highlights:

• Craft Beer Inspired Menu (The Homebrew Chef)
• Randy Mosher’s Thanksgiving Day Beer List (Craftbeer.com)
• Thanksgiving and Craft Beer (Not Your Dad’s Beer)

The list below does not really contain true pairings, but rather great beers that will complement the dinner as a whole, or that your family will enjoy. This year I picked one from each new England state, in hopes to better represent the region!

Bull Jagger: Portland Lager (ME)- This beer has two shining qualities that make it a great choice. First, it’s familiar – non craft beer enthusiasts will recognize the German characteristics. Second, it is flavorful and something that everyone can enjoy. Pick up a few bottles and see what happens.

Throwback Brewing – Dippity Do (NH) – With some of the toasty and earthy flavors of thanksgiving, you need something to stand up to those flavors, but no overwhelm it. Available in growlers, Dippity Do is a great brown ale that will be suitable for anyone’s taste.

Alchemist Pub & Brewery – Heady Topper (VT) – Hit hard by hurricane Irene, The Alchemist Brewpub has decided not to reopen the location destroyed by the hurricane, but to continue on. They just started canning beer, and this one is delicious. A double IPA, it won’t be for everyone, but may cut right through some of the heavy or greasy elements of the meal. Plus, I think it’s great to be thankful for communities coming together in a time of crisis.

Cambridge Brewing Company – The Great Pumpkin (MA) – Cambridge Brewing Company has been a great craft beer destination in New England for years, but this is their excellently crafted debut beer is now available to be purchased in stores. What thanksgiving is complete without some Pumpkin?

Olde Burnside Brewing Company – Dirty Penny Ale (CT) – While admittedly not the most appetizing name, Dirty Penny is a variant of their flagship 10 Penny Ale. Dirty Penny is a 60/40 blend of Ten Penny and a stout. A nice, but not too heavey dark beer to drink with that pecan pie.

Newport Storm – Regenschauer Oktoberfest (RI) – I was lucky enough to sample this at the Harvest Beer Summit in Boston last weekend. A nice crisp fall flavor and a slight sweetness will match a lot of side dishes, but also just be a nice warm up drink with appetizers before the meal is actually served. It is distributed mostly to Rhode Island and Connecticut, so pick it up if you see it!

I’d love to hear more about what beers you chose to bring to your Thanksgiving dinner. Cheers and happy travels!

If you’re not a graphic designer or into layout, you might not be familiar with “Lorem ipsum” text. Adapted and modified from Latin, this faked text is used as a placeholder when you’re designing something, so that people can evaluate the layout, instead of focusing on what is being said. (Very useful, by the way, and easier than writing “blah blah blah” throughout a document).

Normal Lorem ipsum:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Mauris in enim nec nunc tincidunt adipiscing. Etiam sit amet lectus enim. Phasellus ornare rhoncus velit id cursus. Duis vitae tempor ante. In vitae orci at lacus dictum dapibus ornare at risus. Sed sit amet mattis est. Mauris faucibus condimentum dolor sed faucibus.

Recently, there have been a few variations on this theme, and several “ipsum” generators have been showing up. There’s Baconipsum, Veggieipsum, and several more that are tongue-and-cheek but serve the same purpose.

Finally, and most applicably, there is “Beer Ipsum” (www.beeripsum.com) that generates beer-related text for your placeholders.

Beer Ipsum:

Hop Back Salamanzar Chill Haze Chill Haze Crystal malt, Racking. Stick, Oxidized Kilderkin Biere de garde. Nebuchadnezzar Mead Flute Double Magnum Amber, ” Draugh Wort Wort Chiller Mug.” Pub glass Bottle Conditioning Oxidized Ethanol or Ethyl Alcohol. Brew Kettle Grist Ale Aroma Hops Bottom-fermenting Yeast Ale Noble Hops Aroma Hops Brewhouse, Hydrometer.

So, hope you can find many fun and interesting uses for this little tool. Cheers.

I admit that when it comes to winter beer, I’m not often the first to reach for a winter seasonal. I usually just skip right to imperial stouts and settle in. But I do like subtle spiciness in my beer, so I’ve had the occasional spiced winter beer now and then.

Winterhook

This year’s “gift” from Redhook pours a beautiful red-hewn brown, like a brunette with red highlights or a beautiful red stain for wooden furniture, and is complemented by an off-white head that left a nice pattern of lace as I drank it. The aroma is of a caramel malt with a little bit of hoppiness there, too. It has a very familiar smell, and it makes me feel like I’ve already had one.

The taste is very light, with a bit of hops on the back end. The carbonation tickles my lips a little, which is nice for a beer of this type. The hops are there, but not overly bitter. They used Zeus and Centennial, and I’ll admit not to being too familiar with Zeus hops. Overall, the roasted malts are just roasted enough to add a layer of interesting flavor, and they play well with what is some kind of peppery and hoppy undertone.

It is 6% ABV, so between the alcohol and the spiciness, it should keep me nice and warm, regardless of the weather. It is a robust companion to complement the sometimes turbulent back and forth of the changing seasons in New England. A good one to keep warm with, or just to look outside and shake your head at the insanity of it all.

Yet another beer-centric Kickstarter project (see the post on “Community Beer Works” for more info about Kickstarter), I watched the trailer video for his project, called “American Beer Blogger” and decided, yep, I could definitely watch Lew talk about beer. All day. His goal is to go to breweries and talk to the brewers, really get into the meat of what it is like to be a craft brewer and what is going on in Craft beer in the US.

AMERICAN BEER BLOGGER is a half hour television series dedicated to all facets of the ever growing craft beer market. From home brewing, to micro beer; viewers will experience the very best of the craft beer culture. In each episode, Lew will visit a different brewer, each of which has their own sets of quirks and ways of doing things. Lew will talk to these brewers, get to know them, will show us first hand the various methods and techniques used in creating a craft beer. From the tiniest bottler to the largest manufacturer, Lew will get his hands dirty.

Lew has been an inspiration to me as a beer blogger for some time, and I really hope that this succeeds, and that he is able to raise the capital needed to create his first few episodes. I encourage you to visit the Kickstarter page and just watch the video – I think you might come to the same conclusion that I did.