ALASKALes on top of the worldBEER! Uniting people and events since yeast met sugar!Catalyst. (Kat-el-lyst) noun. A substance that accelerates a process or event, especially without being affected or modified by the consequences. The bonding agent that triggers the adhesion or connection of two elements. Alaskans are a social group, and all things considered, it's hard for me to think of anything that has brought us together more than a good beer. I'm here today to tell you that I believe beer is a catalyst. Math has never been my thing, but I'd probably wear out my fingers and toes just trying to count the number of friends I've made over a cold hefeweisen (and I actually drink more Belgian Browns!). Without beer, how could this icy Alaskan spend a moment laughing with prolific brewer and writer Charlie Papazian? After a concert a few years ago, I shared a toast and a few laughs with Al DiMeola, perhaps the best jazz virtuoso in the world. No more valuable foam could be found that night. Sometimes, I like to reapply this catalyst with old friends like Ken Prestegard of Specialty Imports or beer connoisseur Randy Kaer, just to keep the bonds steady. SAY HELLO TO YOUR BEER Last week I bought a futon off Craigslist, and the seller was Dustin Slinker, an Iraq veteran and serious student of beer. This guy spent years fighting for our country abroad and now he's back home. For a change, he's taking a break from landmines and dune spiders to brew beer the right way. It was great to meet him and hear his enthusiasm for fresh hops and select grains. Thanks to this catalyst, I made a new friend, had a chance to talk about brewing, and enjoyed tasting some of Dustin's new stouts (me... center of card... on Penny's Maple Porter They announced that part of the proceeds will go to support the Rogues Gallery Kennel, a local shelter that offers a home to dogs that other shelters don't need. Another example of Beer For Good Alaska was recently named “Beerdrinker of the Year” from Wynkoop Brewery in Denver, Colorado Howell, a well-known Alaska beer ambassador, preached the message of great beers to a thirsty audience in his “Art and History of Beer” class at Kenai Penninsula College Learn more about his win and learn more about Bill through his blog http://alaskanbeer.blogspot.comNWBN Beer writer Kevin Tubbs would rather dehydrate than drink a beer from from outside Alaska him with comments, updates or suggestions to beerwords@yahoo.com