AukNess Amber

AukNess Amber is a smooth, well balanced brew. A subtle hop flavor is noticeable but is blanketed by a smooth-sweet crystal malt base. The slightest hint of roasted flavor presents itself initially and then, like that, it is gone. AukNess Amber has a bright amber color with a frosty off-white head. AukNess is an unbelievably clear beer, most likely from the pristine glacial runoff that the beer is made from.

Lake monsters can be found throughout history in every corner of the world. There are the more famous – Loch Ness Monster in Scotland, Issie in Japan – and then countless others in almost every culture. The lake creatures can take on many forms and demeanors; however, they all have one thing in common - mischief. For centuries these creatures have toyed with residents, visitors, and researchers alike, teasing them and leading them to pursue countless misadventures trying to prove their existence.

The legend of AukNess dates back to the first settlement in the now Auke Bay area of Alaska, centered around Auke Lake. It was commonplace for these early settlers to see "monsters" or "creatures" of abnormal size and ability, but there was one water creature that captured their interest more than the others. The creature was described as gigantic, powerful, and as graceful as a bird. According to records, AukNess was so swift a swimmer that he could literally skim the surface of the water, leaving little doubt in the locals mind that this creature was at least part bird. The name AukNess originated from the creature’s similarity to the now extinct Great Auk bird, which were excellent swimmers, using their wings to propel themselves underwater. Ness is of Norse origin and means headland or cape, in this case describing the point that runs off of Auke Lake.

AukNess was most known for raiding nearby villages for spirits and gold, plundering the local’s wealth and libations. To appease this mysterious beast, residents of the area began leaving an offering at the approach of every new moon. A yellow cedar barrel of their finest beer was filled to the brim and rolled down to the lake. On top of the barrel was carefully placed a pint of liquid gold, which has allowed the region’s inhabitants to live in relative peace with the AukNess creature for centuries.

A famed marine biologist from the local university staked his reputation on a 1982 report that a large creature was sighted on Auke Lake on a clear night, moving across the lake at over 20 miles an hour. After spending many years working AukNess research grants, the mustachioed scientist has expanded his research to look for historical clues from the ancient Great Auk around the world. His research has now been focused on seaweed, as the belief is that the seaweed (not unlike amber) catches clues to past generations and hardens into a preservative.

Today, AukNess sightings have greatly diminished. No one knows why but some suggest it is due to the large number of people in the area, or perhaps the use of motorized vehicles on the lake has kept him down and out of sight. There have been many stories of people throwing balls into the water for their dogs, with the ball mysteriously disappearing from what appears to be a webbed hand rising from below.

One thing we know for sure, even when the creature passes through this world, the legend of AukNess will live on forever.