dr-f-alaska-flag-for-celebrator-72.jpgload leveler n:  a beer designed to be consumed upon waking after mass consumption of beer at an earlier time, hence “leveling” the contents of one’s stomach. Known as “hair of the dog” in more refined circles. 

La Bodega turned one year old today.  Happy Birthday, La Bodega!  Congratulations to owner/proprietor

Pamela Hatzis for a successful year.  Pamela has done a great job in continuing the tradition of bringing in the good and the obscure to the boutique specialty store in the University Mall.  It’s tough for her to compete with the mega-giants out there, but she’s a tenacious one and I’m sure she’ll endure.  In honor of the store’s Birthday, Pamela’s put the top five beers, according to your recent purchases on sale for 15 percent off.  Of course, she’s not divulging what beers those are, so you’ll have to wander in and discover for yourself.  Keep up the excellent work, Pamela!

Glacier Brewhouse has a stellar oak-aged porter going right now.  This beer was produced in a special French oak barrel for 10 months.  According to brewer Kevin Burton, this barrel had thinner staves, allowing the oxidation process to happen quicker and more thoroughly.  The beer boasts a chocolate/vanilla nose with the dark malts evident, and plenty of fruitiness.  There’s lo/no hop aroma in this completely opaque beer.  I was having dinner at Orso with my cousin Sparky and his wife Barbara and had them haul over a couple of pints from next door (Glacier Brewhouse).  The flavor provides the perfect mix of malts for a present, but unobtrusive chocolate element, some interesting bourbon-esque elements and a very slight tart tinge.  This went very well with my meal.  I think it’s going to move quick, hence the heads up.  Also on at Glacier are the mainstay Amber, Blonde, IPA, Hefeweizen, and Oatmeal Stout, along with a cask IPA and the formidable Imperial Blonde.  Oh, and just for the record, parking around Glacier still intensely sucks, but that’s not Glacier’s fault.  The cooler breezes and sheets of rain are starting to drive the tourists out of town, so things should ease up a bit, making slipping into the Brewhouse for a pint much easier in the coming days.

Attention Homebrewers!   It’s time to start brewing in anticipation of the 2007 Humpy’s Big Fish Homebrew Competition to be held the first week in December.  I’m posting an article written by the honorary

Jason Ditsworth, a seasoned homebrewer and past event organizer in the 13 years of the classic event.  This article didn’t make it into the GNBC Newsletter which was posted to the web yesterday. 

13th Annual Humpy’s Big Fish Homebrew Competition 

By:  Jason Ditsworth 

That’s right folks it’s already time to get ready for the 13th Annual Humpy’s Big Fish Homebrew Competition. As many of you already know this competition has long been one of the best prize awarding competitions in

Alaska. To quote a fellow home brewer (Mark Ryan) who said “I didn’t realize I would need to bring a wheelbarrow to pick up my prizes,” this competition is not to be taken lightly. Not only is this a great competition itself, it’s also your last chance to rack up points towards GNBC Home Brewer of the Year award (see article in the July newsletter).

The competition this year will once again be on the first weekend in December. Entries will be collected on Friday November 30 at Arctic Brewing Supply (pending confirmation) and the competition will be on Saturday December 1.  If you cannot make it to Arctic Brewing Supply on November 30 you can still enter the competition, so please give me a call to make other arrangements for entering your beer. Please only drop off entries early if you truly have a conflict that you can’t work around. If you are entering from outside Anchorage you can ship your beer to Arctic Brewing Supply, 5915 Lake Otis Parkway #3, Anchorage, Alaska 99507 ( do NOT send it through the U.S. Mail). If you are shipping your beer it must be received no later than Friday, November 30.

There is no entry fee for this competition and all categories of beer, mead and cider are open for entry.  Entry and judging will be based on the BJCP/AHA style guidelines.  Once again we will choose a best of show beer and a best of show mead. Cider is still not eligible due to timing of the competition and the limited ability to match apple types. The best of show beer will be brewed at

Midnight Sun Brewing Company and the best of show mead will be brewed at Celestial Meadery.  It is still possible to win best of show in beer or mead, but still not get your beer or mead brewed because of special ingredients or time constraints (e.g., four years ago, Pete

Devaris won Best of Show with a Geuze that would have taken three years to replicate).

You must enter three 12- to 14-ounce bottles, preferably brown, clean of any labels and markings along with a recipe. For still mead and cider you may enter one 22- to 30-ounce bottle, or two 12- to 14-ounce bottles. Remember that because the grand prize for this competition is having your beer brewed at MSBC or your mead possibly brewed at Celestial Meadery it is important to provide a reasonably accurate recipe in case the judges want to know the ingredients.

If you have any questions or would like to help with the event please call me at 338-8828 or send an e-mail to jditsworth@gci.net. (end)

I’ll have another rant for y’all toward the end of the week!

BNC Fermento

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