Available only during ice fishing season – December through late February – Lakemaid Beer Winter Edition is a refreshing, smooth, classic American lager inspired by freshwater mermaids, known as lakemaids, who live in the lakes and rivers of North Country. Long ago, these beautiful creatures of the deep found their way inland from the oceans, down tributaries such as the St. Lawrence Seaway, into the Great Lakes and then, to cool, clear freshwater lakes and rivers throughout fishing country.

The introduction of Lakemaid Beer Winter Edition is in direct response to the success of the summer or open water edition of Lakemaid Beer, which was introduced two years ago by the August Schell Brewery, the second oldest family owned brewery in the United States, and Rapala, manufacturer of legendary Rapala fishing lures and knives. The response was so overwhelming to the summer edition of Lakemaid Beer that Schell’s and Rapala decided to offer a winter brew especially for ice fishermen. Same great beer, only colder!

And if these scantily clad Lakemaids on every bottle aren’t enough to make you want to buy a bottle, Lakemaid Beer will be donating a portion of the proceeds from Lakemaid Beer Winter Edition, to the International Game Fish Association, www.igfa.org, to help with gamefish research and freshwater conservation efforts.

In other news, August Schell Brewing Company, the brewery behind Lakemaid Beer is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2010! You don’t spend 150 years in the business if you don’t know how to make a great beer!