Activities Guide of Maine preview

GEAR UP FOR A WINTER DAY HIKE P. 39

HIGH PEAKS POLAR BLAST P. 33 winter/spring 2017-2018

Connecting you to the Best Maine Adventures since 1984

e d i s t u o t e G this winter /// Fat Bike in Rangeley & All Over Maine P. 31 /// Machias. Maine.

Magic. P. 45 /// 5 Mountain Trails to Ski Before You Die P. 26 WINTER

RaceME

EDITION P. 6

Running Groups Indoor & Outdoor Winter Workouts Race Events

s u l P Seasonal Craft Brews P. 11

always open,

always fun!

Maine’s home for wicked good fun, with 24/7 casino action and now a brand new hotel and pub!

OxfordCasino.com

Experience round-the-clock casino excitement on our expanded gaming floor, including nearly 1,000 slot machines and 28 table games! With a new hotel featuring over 100 rooms and a new pub-style restaurant offering the best in Maine and New England cuisine, craft beer and spirits, we’re building excitement every day!

Oxford Casino Hotel is just minutes from the Maine Turnpike on Route 26!

Persons under 21 years of age may not enter the casino unless licensed as employees. Gambling problem? In Maine, call 2-1-1 or (800) 522-4700 for help.

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RACEME Runs, Rides, Tri's Obstacle Course Races plus fitness and nutrition experts will inspire you to start or progress in these fun events! $5.95

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WELCOME to the Guide T

his 35th edition is dedicated to my dad, founding publisher of The Activities Guide of Maine, who unexpectedly passed last January.

Moosehead 39

The County 9 Susan’s Way, Windham, ME 04062 www.activitymaine.com stan@activitymaine.com (207) 671-7230

Jackman

HIgh Peaks 33

The Activities Guide of Maine, born from a passion for adventure, offers you the opportunity to discover exciting travel and recreational opportunities around Maine. Combining the experiences and resources of our advertisers, world class partners, writers and contributors we bring you a unique selection of ideas that range widely in their destinations and activities, yet tied together by a basic principle, have fun in Maine! The multitude of advertisements are the presentations of good people who live and work here. They have something of value to offer you and they sincerely want the opportunity to meet and serve you. They are our friends and we hope they will become yours as well...We’ll see you out there!

PUBLISHER Stanley J. Rintz III

Rangeley & Oquossoc 31

Bethel 25 Down East 45

Farmington/ Wilton 35

Lakes Region

Bangor 44 Augusta/ Waterville

regions & events

— Stanley J. Rintz, III

SUBSCRIBE

25 BETHEL The place to play this winter

32 RANGELEY’S WINTERPALOOZA!

CRAFT BEER • ADVENTURE • RACES & FITNESS

Curling, Fat bikes, Snow Kiting, Skating, Dog Sled Rides, Pond Hockey, just a few activities this new annual free winter festival has!

33 HIGH PEAKS REGION Plan an adventure in Stratton and the High Peaks to coincide with the February Polar Blast.

35 FARMINGTON & WILTON The prefect jumping-off point to winter adventure

39 MOOSEHEAD

SEE PAGE 63 ON THE COVER:

Biker by Chris Riley @ Riley Photographic Brew Guide cover photo by Kate Cone

2 winter/spring | 2017-2018

PHOTO BY CAREY KISH

Get the Best Deal

Come Ski Big Squaw Mountain this year and experience Moosehead’ s winter recreation and events!

44 BANGOR

FOUNDING PUBLISHERS Stanley & Barbara Rintz SENIOR EDITOR Jim Harnedy ART DIRECTOR Larissa Davis GRAPHIC ARTIST Robin Bean Kristina Roderick Elizabeth Berry MacKenney SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Kristina Roderick CONTENT MANAGER Kay Stephens PHOTOGRAPHY Mike Leonard ADVERTISING SALES Jim Harnedy Stanley J. Rintz Sr. Ellie Stengel Ann-Marie Rintz CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Johanna S. Billings Shannon Bryan Kate Cone Josh Christie Carey Kish Dave Patterson Kaley Stephens OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Kristina Roderick MEMBER Maine Tourism Association Convention & Visitors Bureau Maine Merchant’s Association Chambers of Commerce

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35

39

The University of Maine at Farmington is Thinking Outside

features 6 WINTER WORKOUTS Unique ways to stay active, indoors and out

33 36

10 WINTER RUNNING

Vintage Snow Mobile Racing

ESSENTIALS

Gear and Insights to keep you running comfortably this winter

11 WINTER BREW GUIDE Coming to a shanty near you

14 ROUTE 302 The express way to tasty Maine beers and beyond

20 ROUTE 26 & BETHEL

28

Gear Up for Winter Day Hiking

Include a trip to this winter playground in your adventures this season

26 5 MOUNTAIN TRAILS TO SKI BEFORE YOU DIE

11 28 GEARING UP FOR WINTER DAY HIKING

31 RANGELEY AND THE HIGH

PEAKS HAVE YOUR WINTER EVENTS COVERED

42 5 ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR BACKPACK WHEN BACKCOUNTRY SKIING

45 MACHIAS. MAINE. MAGIC.

14 20 6 activitymaine.com 3

WELLS

Conveniently Located "On The Way" North or South

Celebrating Over 30 Years in Business! {:.�it 26ebUO\(, tJ\E. �eoo Route 1

1-95

Portland

Open 7 Days • Route 1 North, Wells • 207-646-4441 • MaineDiner.com Maine Diner and Remember the Maine Gift Shop With six million customers and counting – appearances on “The Today Show” and raves from the Phantom Gourmet – it takes quite a bit to get the Maine Diner all abuzz. However, in the summer of 2010, The Maine Diner hit another

4 winter/spring | 2017-2018

milestone as they were featured on the Food Network program “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

The Maine Diner has been serving delicious food for over 30 years. In addition to the extensive menu selections there are daily specials also made fresh to order.

Enjoy chowders and stews, salads, seafood and steaks, comfort

foods, burgers and sandwiches, and much more. Try one of their homemade desserts. Breakfast is served anytime!

Be sure to visit the Remember the Maine Gift Shop located next to the Maine Diner. In May of 1997, the Gift Shop opened its doors to offer their customer3s an assortment of gifts from America's

favorite Diner, The Maine Diner!

Since opening day, Remember the Maine has grown to include gifts not only from the Maine Diner, but Maine memorabilia, collectibles, postcards, gourmet food and so much more— something for everyone.

PORTLAND

L

OOKING FOR SOME WINTER FUN IN

PORTLAND? Pull on your long johns and

Once you have the right gear, we have a few suggestions for you. Cross-country skiers and snowshoers should check out the trails at Mayor Baxter Woods, Capisic Pond Park, Riverton Trolley Park and Evergreen Cemetery Woods. Follow the miles and miles of trails from Oat Nuts Park to the Presumpscot River Preserve and you’ll be rewarded with a view of the Presumpscot Falls. And for groomed cross-country classic and skate trails, check out the Riverside Snow Park at Riverside Golf Course.

Riverside Snow Park also has hills for snowboarding, sledding and tubing. The same is true near the Back Cove at Payson Terrain Park. And Eastern Prom Hill is a great place to sled, tube, telemark ski, cross-country ski

and snowshoe. For other opportunities, Portland Trails offers maps of the trail systems and occasional guided walks/hikes.

Sharpen your blades, lace up your skates and take a spin on the ice at Deering Oaks Park, Nason’s Corner/Breakwater School Pond, Payson Park and Riverside Snow Park. At Riverside, the rink is lit for night skating.

PHOTO BY SAM STUART

embrace the invigorating fresh air.

PHOTO BY SHARI GOOD PHOTO COURTESY OF KON ASIAN

BISTRO

When in Portland, be sure to visit KON ASIAN BISTRO HIBATCHI BAR. Kon offers a wide range of cuisine including sushi, sashimi, hibachi, chicken, shrimp, steak, calamari, salmon, fillet mignon, lobster tail, pad thai, teriyaki, tempura, scallop, tuna, rolls, sushi bar entree, orange ginger duck, general tso’s chicken, fried rice, fried udon, soup, salad, beef…and much more!

www.konhibachi.com

activitymaine.com 5

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WORKOUTS Unique ways to stay active, indoors and out

By SHANNON BRYAN

S

taying active in the summer is a breeze. Warm-weather bike rides, outdoor yoga, hiking, and paddling feel more like adventures than exercise. And waking up for that early-

morning fitness class ain’t so hard when it’s 75 degrees out and sunny.

But during the winter – when it’s not even close to 75 degrees and the sun isn’t anywhere to be found in the early morning – we need a little more incentive. Embracing the snow is a solid way to start. Renting crosscountry skis or snowshoes for an outdoor jaunt on the trails is a good way to work up a sweat and have a memorable winter adventure that’s worth posting about on Instagram. If you’re more of a “stay inside where the snow and cold can’t reach me” kind of exerciser, there are a host of fun and unique classes around Maine. Slog away on a treadmill no more – this winter, you can stay active with the help of a hula hoop, a jump rope, a paddleboard, and a pair of drumsticks.

6 winter/spring | 2017-2018

FOUR UNIQUE WAYS TO WORK OUT INDOORS PUNK ROPE 6:15 p.m. Thursdays at Body by John, 190 Riverside Street, Portland Jumping rope as an adult is way different than it was when we were kids. The equipment hasn’t changed, but our ability to jump effortlessly for hours on end HAS changed. This makes a punk rope class a challenging and sweat-inducing workout, which will have your calves aching for days.

But jumping rope to loud tunes (plus all the burpees and high knees and planks in between) still retains that fun we remember years ago, which will

keep you coming back. $10 drop-in, $60 for 10-class pass. Body By John also has spin, kettlebell, step and a bunch of other classes. bodybyjohn.com

HULA HOOP FITNESS 9:35 a.m. Tuesdays. Quest Fitness 2 Livewell Drive, Kennebunk A couple of points we should get out of the way: 1. Yes, hula hooping is exercise.

2. Yes, you can hula hoop, even if you haven’t done it in decades. It might take a few weeks to get the hang of it, but you’ll have a grand time along the way during this class. There is plenty of time spent swinging your hips in the hoop, but the class also includes flexibility and strength, too, so you’ll get cardio and work those muscles. $20 day pass, $139 for 10-visit pass. Quest also has host of other great classes and an indoor saltwater pool! questfitnessmaine.com

PHOTOS BY SHANNON BRYAN

winter

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INDOOR PADDLEBOARD YOGA 7:40-8:35 p.m. Tuesdays at Riverton Pool, 1600 Forest Ave., Portland Paddleboards are generally spotted on lakes, rivers and the ocean in warmer months, but this winter, the SUPs are coming inside for this indoor paddleboard yoga class. Yoga instructor Ashely Flowers leads the series, which is open to people who are new to paddleboarding or yoga. The SUPs will challenge your balance and the yoga will awaken your muscles. And if you

• • • • •

fall in? No biggie. Just pretend you’re at a summer pool party. $125 Portland residents, $140 non-Portland residents for the series. www.portlandmaine.gov/390/Recreation

POUND 10:30 a.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays.

Maine Pines Racquet & Fitness, 120 Harpswell Road, Brunswick

Mid Winter 10 Mile Classic - February 4, 2018 Peaks Island 5 Miler - July 28, 2018 Maine Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay - September 30, 2018 Farm to Farm Ultra Run and Relay - October 2018 Maine Track Club Turkey Trot - November 18, 2018

Pound is a cardio workout with drumsticks. It sounds peculiar at first, but once you start drumming those sticks on the floor and over your head to the rhythm of the loud music, you’ll feel why it’s such a fun workout. The sound of the sticks drumming in unison sounds cool, and it also feels really good to drum those sticks on everything. You’ll get your heart rate up and do lots of floor work too. $15 day pass, $100 for 10-class punch card.

Memberships also available. In addition to all the tennis, Maine Pines offers a ton of

• Portland Sea Dogs Mother’s Day 5K - May 13, 2018 • Pat’s Pizza Clam Festival Classic 5 Miler - July 21, 2018

For more information or to get involved, visit

MaineTrackClub.com

2018 will continue to be a growth year for the Maine Track Club! If you are or have been a Maine Track Club member, volunteer or just inquisitive about joining a dynamic non profit organization, let us know! We would love to hear from you as we continue to grow and evolve the club around our passions for the sport of running. Come and join us and "run with a friend!” Please email us at: mainetrackclub@gmail.com

activitymaine.com 7

ME SECTION ///

/// SPECIAL Race fitness classes. www.mainepines.com

ROBERTS FARM PRESERVE

THREE PLACES TO BE ACTIVE OUTSIDE

There are 7.5 miles of trails winding through the woods at Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway, which are perfect for cross-country skiers and snowshoers in the winter. And there’s a steady stream of crosscountry skiing clinics and snowrelated events, including the annual Snowshoe Festival and Nordic biathlons. But what makes the place even more stupendous: You can borrow cross-country skiing and snowshoeing equipment out of the warming hut for free. Yep, free. wfltmaine.org/roberts-farm.html

64 Roberts Road, Norway

BETHEL NORDIC SKI CENTER Bethel Inn, 21 Broad St., Bethel You can rent cross-country skis and spend the day skiing the trails at the Bethel Nordic Ski Center (there’s even a dog-friendly loop trail). Or rent a fat bike or snowshoes, if you prefer. The 40 kilometers of trails here are groomed for classic and skate ski and include a mix of open fields with mountain views and woodsy trails with more challenging terrain. Even better, you can take advantage of the inn’s Ski, Swim and Sauna package. For $27, you’ll get access to the trails and the health club (which includes a couple of saunas), plus the outdoor heated pool. There’s also a tavern on site, so ski, swim, sauna, and drink..

Day pass for the trails costs $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 for youth and kids 6 and under are free. bethelinn.com

TITCOMB MOUNTAIN 180 Ski Slope Road, Farmington Titcomb is a family-friendly place to ski – downhill or cross-country. The mountain might be small compared to its bigger cousins in Bethel and Carrabassett Valley, but with day passes from $5-$22 and a kid-friendly atmosphere, it’s a cool little community ski area. The 16 kilometers of cross-country trails are pretty sweet,

too, and Titcomb happens to be one of the few places in Maine where you can ski at night, under the trail lights. It’s generally pretty quiet out on the trails in the evening, so you can ski for hours and feel like you practically have the place to yourself. A day pass for Nordic skiing is $10. Rentals are also available. www.titcombmountain.com

SHANNON LOVES to get active in Maine – from aerial yoga to moonlight paddles — and she writes about them all (to encourage you to try them too!) on FitMaine.com.

WINTER RACE EVENTS DECEMBER 9, 2017 THE MILLINOCKET MARATHON & HALF This FREE event was started in 2015 to help a struggling Maine mill town that has been devastated by the closing of their major employer.

Runner's World Magazine picked up the story shortly after our first edition and the rest is.... as they say, history!

The only requirement for runners is that they support local businesses and contribute to the Katahdin region in some way. Participants are also strongly encouraged to make lodging plans now as many properties fill to capacity very quickly. There are many nearby towns and Bangor Maine is just over an hour away. For more race info, please visit: www.crowathletics. com/millinocket/ In the spirit of leaving more than our footprints in Millinocket and in the Katahdin region we have also set up fundraisers in support of two important local non-profit organizations including: OUR KATAHDIN and MILLINOCKET MEMORIAL LIBRARY Please contribute generously. Thank you VERY much!

8 winter/spring | 2017-2018

PHOTO BY ANGELA ARNO

JANUARY 21, 2018 INDOOR INSANITY 5K Merrill Gymnasium, Bates College, Lewiston.

Go inside for your next timed race: no ice underfoot, no frigid gusts in your face, and no snow overhead. Who knew running in circles was so much fun? Music. Camaraderie.

Prevent lung cancer too. And the best door prizes ever. www.maineindoorair.org/indoor-insanity-5k

FEBRUARY 4TH, 2018 2018 MID-WINTER CLASSIC February 4th, 2018 at 9:45 a.m. The start and finish lines are at Cape Elizabeth High School at 345 Ocean House Rd. This years race is the RRCA Eastern Region 10-Mile Championship.

FMI: mainetrackclub.com

ME SECTION ///

/// SPECIAL Race

WINTER WARRIORS FLEET FEET’S FREE PROGRAM This winter you can get motivation and coaching by joining others runners for FREE winter training runs at both Fleet Feet Maine Running store locations:

Portland

Brunswick

Where: Fleet Feet Maine Running, 309 Marginal Way, Portland

We are excited to once again offer our popular Winter Warriors Program in Brunswick this year!

First Night: Tuesday, January 2rd, 2018 at 6pm When: Winter Warriors meet Tuesday and Thursday 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m.

When: Monday and Wednesday evenings, 6:00 p.m. and Saturday mornings, 8:00 a.m.

WINTER WARRIORS: COURTES

Y OF FLEET FEET MAINE RUN

NING

FREE MID-WINTER CLASSIC 10 MILER TRAINING

How Much: FREE!

Where: Brunswick store, 89 Maine Street

Coaches: Dave Dowling, Erin Flatley, John Rogers,

How much: FREE!

If you are interested in training for the Mid Winter 10 Mile Classic, then this is the class for you! We will be offering a 10-week program to help prep you for the race on February 4th!

Coaches: Katrina White & CeCe Camacho

Brunswick

Portland

When: Tuesday Evenings from 5:30pm to 7:00pm from 11/28 to 1/30

When: Wednesday Evenings from 5:30pm to 7:00pm from 11/29 to 1/31

Where: At Fleet Feet Sports Maine Running on 89 Maine Street!

Where: At Fleet Feet Sports Maine Running on 309 Marginal Way

Cost: $125 *BIB INCLUDED FOR FIRST 20 REGISTRANTS

Cost: $125 *BIB INCLUDED FOR FIRST 30 REGISTRANTS!

Target Race: Mid Winter 10 Mile Classic on February 4th!

Target Race: Mid Winter 10 Mile Classic on February 4th!

Coaches: Doug Welling and Katrina White

Coach: Matt Lunt Matt is a passionate runner and a long time Coach with Fleet Feet Maine Running!

Have a question? Email a Coach!

You can reach Doug at doug. welling@fleetfeetmainerunning. com or Katrina at katrina.white@ fleetfeetmainerunning.com

Please contact Matt with specific questions about this class at: mattlunt80@gmail.com

TRAINING TIPS, GEAR TRENDS, RACE LISTINGS, INSPIRATION, AND MORE

S U B S C R IB E !

activitymaine.com 9

ME SECTION ///

/// SPECIAL Race

WINTER RUNNING

essentials The investment you make in high-quality gear will pay off in the form of many safe, comfortable runs all winter long. It’s a matter of making safety a priority. In addition to tights, tops and a running jacket that protects you from the wind and the snow, make sure to stock your gear closet with these essentials.

EQUIP YOURSELF FOR WINTER! TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!

MAINE SOURCE FOR QUALITY FITNESS EQUIPMENT SINCE 1983

$200 RACEME DISCOUNT

Treadmills, Ellipticals, Bikes, Rowers & Home Gyms

on Cardio Equipment!

HATS A hat or balaclava will help ensure that your face and ears are protected from biting-cold temperatures.

MITTENS AND GLOVES Extremities are the first to freeze. High-quality mittens or gloves which keep you warm and protect you from the wind will reduce your risk of frostbite.

EXTRA TRACTION Products like Yaktrax, spikes, or even some heavier trail shoes can offer more traction in snowy conditions.

LIGHTS A headlamp or hand-held flashlight will help ensure that approaching motorists, cyclists, and runners can see you, and that you are visible to them.

Always assume that drivers have not seen you, and get out of the way.

REFLECTIVE GEAR To increase your visibility, make sure to wear a reflective vest, or clothing with reflective accents.

DRY CLOTHES Moisture will make you colder, so be sure to have dry clothes close at hand so you can change right away after a sweaty or snow-soaked run.

IDENTIFICATION Even if you don’t tune in on the run, it’s best to have a phone in case of an emergency, or carry identification that includes emergency contact information.

GO TO ROUTE It’s hard enough to trust cars when the weather is good. When the weather is bad and snow banks are obscuring sight lines, it can be dangerous to run on some of your normal summer routes. As boring as it sounds, having just one route you know you can run safely in any weather will keep you running outside this winter.

Last year, I had a 1.75 mile stretch of road that I knew was safe to run in any weather. I would go out my front door and run back and forth until I hit my goal for the day. For three months I ran that same route every day, going as far as 20 miles just back and forth. It wasn’t glamorous or exciting or all that fun, but it was one of the best winters of training I have ever had.

200 Gorham Rd. South Portland (next to Olive Garden) Monday – Saturday 10 – 5:30

www.workoutfitnessme.com 772-7110 Workout Fitness Store sells top quality home and commercial fitness equipment.

They offer great service and advise to help you meet your fitness goals and turn your home into a great fitness experience! Try their equipment in store before you buy it like the new Zero Runner! They have catered to all levels of runners for 30 years and provide top quality products that offer the best cushioning and latest technologies to protect body!

10 winter/spring | 2017-2018

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAINE RUNNING PHOTOS

Maine Track Club’s Mid-Winter Classic 10-Miler.

& ICE FISHING Coming to a Shanty Near You

By DAVE PATTERSON

W

hen gathering supplies for a day of ice fishing on one of Maine’s seemingly infinite lakes and ponds, there’s only one thing more vital than tip-ups, a bucket of smelt, and thermal underwear—that is, of course, beer. Nothing keeps the cockles of the heart as warm as beer when the wind whips along an ice-capped lake in February.

Light beer rules the day when it comes to a day-long ice fishing outing; though it’s good to sprinkle in a few high octane brews for some alcohol heft when the mercury nose dives. Instead of 30 packs of macrobrew swill and nips of the nauseating Fireball Whiskey, here are some Maine brewed libations to pack in the cooler for a day of chasing flags as you wait for the big one to bite.

Pepperell Pils || Banded Horn Brewing Co. Maine has a dozen beautifully crafted lagers to choose from for an ice fishing excursion. For my money, Pepperell Pils from Banded Horn Brewing in Biddeford

is the pilsner of choice for a day out on the lake. Brewing a crisp, clean lager is no simple task, making the refreshing Pepperell Pils a triumph of light beer. This beer releases an inviting graham cracker and floral hop aroma when you crack a can, while the flavor is dangerously drinkable with notes of fresh bread, spicy lager yeast, and an earthy hop finish. The 4.6-percent alcohol content allows you stay satiated, while still on your game for running after tripped flags. This beer glides over the palate like Bean boots over the smooth surface of a frozen pond. Grab a sixer or two to toss in the cooler for your next trip.

activitymaine.com 11

PHOTO BY ANGELA ARNO

maine beer

PEPPERELL PILS

Banded Horn Brewing Co.

CURIEUX

Allagash Brewing Co.

BARLEY WINE

Sebago Brewing Co. Now that your cooler is packed with a lager, it’s time to punctuate your beer intake with a warm-the-gut, barrel-aged beer. Weighing in at 11.8-percent and packing oodles of complexity in flavor, the Barley Wine from Sebago Brewing is the perfect beer to celebrate that 18-inch brown trout you just pulled out of Sebago Lake. Barley Wine is aged in bourbon barrels and boasts notes of roasted toffee, caramel, vanilla, and currants, with a subtle bourbon finish.

Packaged in an inventive sleeve of two 12-ounce cans stacked on top of each other, Barley Wine is easy to toss in a cooler along with your lagers. It’s refreshingly unpretentious for a complex barrel aged beer—and we all know that pretension is the nemesis of ice fishing.

12 winter/spring | 2017-2018

Speaking of bourbon barrel aged beers, there is none finer than Allagash Curieux.

Allagash ages its Tripel ale in bourbon barrels, then blends the barrel-aged beer with fresh Tripel to create the beautifully balanced, brimming with complexity Curieux. Allagash claims there’s a hint of bourbon in flavor, but I’ll contend that the bourbon is quite pronounced in Curieux— which is what I love about this beer; it has an assertive bourbon backbone without being too boozy in flavor.

Along with notes of buttery bourbon, there are flourishes of vanilla, oak, honey, and bright Belgian yeast notes. At 11 percent, this one will keep you warm, and like the Barley Wine above, it should be imbibed responsibly. Despite its fancy cork-top, this beer isn’t too pretentious for a day of ice fishing. Pop the cork when it’s time to celebrate that fat rainbow trout your buddy just landed or as a way to brighten a day when you’re being skunked on the lake.

GUNPOWDER RYE WHISKEY

New England Distilling If you’re heading out on a day when the temperature refuses to rise above zero degrees, you’ll need something stronger than beer to keep you warm. Luckily, Maine has more than a dozen distilleries making a wide range of spirits. And no spirit has been warming the bones of Mainers longer than whiskey.

I suggest you tuck a flask filled with Gunpowder Rye Whiskey from New England Distilling in your jacket pocket to keep Jack Frost at bay. Gunpower Rye is a Maryland style whiskey, meaning it’s mashed with mostly rye instead of corn. This imparts a spicy and herbal flavor profile that offers the boozy bite of a spirit with more complexity than traditional whiskeys. Aged in American oak barrels for up to a year, Gunpowder Rye has notes of roasted vanilla, oak, and an earthy spiciness.

When the west winds howl, fight back with a tipple of Gunpowder Rye Whiskey.

Maine has a dozen beautifully crafted lagers to choose from for an ice fishing excursion.

For my money, Pepperell Pils from Banded Horn Brewing in Biddeford is the pilsner of choice for a day out on the lake. Brewing a crisp, clean lager is no simple task, making the refreshing Pepperell Pils a triumph of light beer. This beer releases an inviting graham cracker and floral hop aroma when you crack a can, while the flavor is dangerously drinkable with notes of fresh bread, spicy lager yeast, and an earthy hop finish. The 4.6-percent alcohol content allows you stay satiated, while still on your game for running after tripped flags. This beer glides over the palate like Bean boots over the smooth surface of a frozen pond. Grab a sixer or two to toss in the cooler for your next trip.

DAVE PATTERSON is a freelance writer with a great thirst for craft beer. His Beer Muse column runs each week in the Portland Press Herald.

you can

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