LOBSTER BEER

THIS IS TAKING the seasonal beer trend to an entirely new level. Maine-based Oxbow Brewing and Italian brew master Giovanni Campari have teamed up to create “Saison dell’Aragosta” – a special seasonal lobster brew. Oxbow founder Tim Adams said the lobster-infused beverage originally came to fruition last summer after Campari suggested steeping lobsters in a brew they were creating together. (Aragosta is Italian for lobster.) The pair purchased 12 Maine lobsters, placed them in a mesh bag, and suspended it in boiling sweet wort. They removed the crustaceans, ate the meat and returned the shells to the kettle to continue to steep. They also added an extra ingredient: Maine sea salt. Adams said the end result offers beer drinkers Gose-inspired seaside saison with a very subtle lobster character. The company produced about 3OOO bottles, which are available at its two Maine tasting rooms and select restaurants and bars. Based on the phenomenal success the plan is to recreate it again next year.