Tidbits, Hot Tips and More for Good Friday

Posted by lushlife

Posted: April 10, 2009 - 9:26 am

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This week, in honor of all things random, I've decided to dedicate my column to educating my readers. Education through completely trivial bits of information that may or may not be true, and that most people will probably go their entire lives ignorant of and remain completely happy -- but education, all the same.

I've also added some local tidbits to heighten the excitement for the warming weather and all things cool, delicious and perfect for springtime sipping.

The random fact for the week is this: Some say that "toast" originated in ancient Rome, where a piece of bread was literally dropped into the wine for good health.

How about this: Contrary to most beliefs, alcohol doesn't raise the body's temperature -- it lowers it (busting my theory that going out without a coat in Alaska during the winter is a good idea).

Here's another interesting snippet: Our national song, "The Star Spangled Banner," was actually scribed to the tune of a drinking song (that's straight from the Colonial Music Institute, thank you).

In local news, Midnight Sun Brewing Co. recently released the third concoction in their Crew Brew series. The idea is that each employee at the brewery will invent, name and brew a beer to be released in 2009. The brewers are also selecting special songs that inspired the creative carbonation. Customers can download the songs from iTunes @midnightsunbrewing.com. So far the crew has crafted Brewtality (February), Descent (March) and Anchor (April). Descent was inspired by Beck's "Motorcade" and is my favorite thus far. There will be a limited release for each concoction, so check the Web site frequently for upcoming brews.

The Alaskan Brewing Co. released a new beer to its esteemed collection Monday. It's called Alaskan White Ale. Finally a local beer to rival my beloved Blue Moon! The new brew is a witbier, a Belgian-style ale named after the effect caused when wheat proteins create a cloudy appearance in the unfiltered liquid. It's also traditionally flavored with citrus, coriander and secret spices which, to my excitement, Alaskan Brewing is all over re-creating.

The Juneau-based brewery has even more to crow about. Atlantic Magazine's Food blog recently posted an interactive graphic of the best beer in America. Our state stands proud: Alaskan Brewing rates fifth in the list of top breweries, and its Alaskan Smoked Porter rates first in a list of top beers based on medals won at the Great American Beer Festival between 1987 and 2007. That's pretty darn cool. Find more information at food.theatlantic.com.

Finally, rumor has it that secret hot spot Annarae's has relocated from its subtle abode in the mini mall on 36th Avenue and C Street to a new home off Northern Lights Boulevard in the Casa Grande Cantina (between Denali Street and A Street). Inside sources say that the new place lives up to the old standards, complete with tipsy revelers at all hours of the night. Let me know if you've got stories, new venues to check out or any other nightlife happenings at adn.com/lushlife. Salud!

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