Chicago — On Saturday, May 20, “Ursus Mapletimus,” the new beer, a Smoked Maple Imperial White Ale, will be exclusively released at Zoo-ologie: A Midsummer Night’s Roar, the Auxiliary Board of Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual signature fundraiser. DryHop Brewers Executive Chef Jeff Dysart will also serve Bourbon Maple Syrup Ice Cream with a Vanilla-Rye Whisky Glaze, Smoked Sugar, Blackberry, and Mint in a Waffle Cone to pair with the Imperial White Ale. The beer will then be released at DryHop (3155 N. Broadway) on Wednesday, May 24 at 6 p.m. during Chicago Craft Beer Week. For each pint of “Ursus Mapletimus” sold, DryHop will donate a dollar to Lincoln Park Zoo’s critical work on behalf of polar bears. More beer release details can be found here.
This year, Lincoln Park Zoo and DryHop Brewers collaboration beer is inspired by the story behind the partnership’s beginnings – and it all started with polar bears. During the fall of 2013, DryHop Brewers Owner Greg Shuff visited Churchill, Manitoba aka the “Polar Bear Capital of the World” and met former Lincoln Park Zoo Population Biologist Kristine Schad. They got to talking about Chicago and how DryHop Brewers and Lincoln Park Zoo are close by. After the trip, Kristine introduced Greg to the Lincoln Park Zoo Corporate Alliances team and the discussion started about a partnership to promote an animal and/or conservation need. The rest is history!
“Ursus Mapletimus,” the Smoked Maple Imperial White Ale, was inspired by polar bears’ native habitat in Churchill, Manitoba, as well as their seemingly white fur, which is actually clear hair that scatters light, an adaptation used for camouflage. The name is a play off the Latin name for polar bears – Ursus maritimus –– which literally translates to “water bear.” Additionally, the beer was brewed with smoked malt and all natural maple syrup, providing smoky citrus characteristics up front with very mild bitterness. Proceeds from “Ursus Mapletimus” beer sales at DryHop will support polar bears and vital climate change awareness.
“This collaboration continues to bring animals in need to the forefront of conversations, helping shed light on the threats to species such as polar bears,” said Lincoln Park Zoo Executive Vice President Megan Ross, Ph.D. “In order to help save polar bears from the impacts of human-induced climate change, we need to work together, making this partnership with DryHop Brewers even more meaningful.”
The zoo’s new polar bear exhibit, Walter Family Arctic Tundra, opened in November 2016. The state-of-the-art exhibit is strategically designed to support a breeding pair and their potential cubs. The zoo’s resident polar bears, 9-year-old Siku (male) and 17-year-old Kobe (female) are ambassadors for their wild counterparts, helping spread the vital message of the impacts of climate change. Lincoln Park Zoo is dedicated to saving polar bears and is an Arctic Ambassador Center through Polar Bears International.
“It’s unbelievable that this is our 4th year collaboration on a beer with Lincoln Park Zoo! Time flies when you’re brewing beer to support such a fantastic local organization like the zoo. This year, we brewed a Smoked Maple Imperial White Ale to raise funds in support of the zoo’s polar bears Siku and Kobe, as well as polar bears across the globe,” said DryHop Brewers Head Brewer Brant Dubovick.
“Ursus Mapletimus” will only be available while it lasts at Zoo-ologie on Saturday, May 20, and at DryHop Brewers, starting Wednesday, May 24 at 6 p.m. Cheers!
ABOUT LINCOLN PARK ZOO
Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create enviornments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.
ABOUT DRYHOP BREWERS
DryHop Brewers is a brewery and kitchen in Chicago, Ill. DryHop brews hop-centric ales, in addition to traditional, Belgian, and experimental craft beers – all only available here at the brewery in East Lakeview, and to-go in DryHop’s 64oz growlers and 32oz crowlers. DryHop’s kitchen showcases the artisanal, neighborhood attitude of the brewery through classic and flavorful fare.
Visiting DryHop is all about being in a brewery, feeling connected to the craft brewing and culinary worlds, and most importantly, feeling a personal connection to a community of craftsman. For more information, visit dryhopchicago.com. Follow DryHop on Facebook, and Twitter and Instagram @dryhopchicago.
ABOUT ZOO-OLOGIE
Zoo-ologie is the Auxiliary Board of Lincoln Park Zoo’s signature fundraiser being held on Saturday, May 20, 2016. The event begins at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. for VIP guests) and will be held at Lincoln Park Zoo. General admission begins at $135 and tickets are limited. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit zoo-ologie.org.
Founded in 1985, the Auxiliary Board of Lincoln Park Zoo is widely recognized as one of Chicago’s most popular fundraising groups. Their efforts have helped support the zoo’s operating costs and to remain free 365 days a year.