Maine Guide Coffee

In the annuals of recorded time, there exist a few rare and memorable icons that define a place, an individual or even a profession. For the Maine guide, those emblems include the Venerable Grand Lake Canoe, the checkered wool guide coat, the L.L. Bean boot and of course the dark and hearty Maine guide coffee.

On its most basic level, there really is nothing all that special about the main ingredient in a properly brewed cup of Maine guide coffee. Many sports will claim that the coffee is the best they ever tasted and conclude that it must be derived from some type of special, expensive and hard to get secret blend. What many don’t realize, is that Folgers or Maxwell House are the brands of coffee most typically used, by a majority of guides and sporting camps, neither being rare or likely to impress defined palates. For a true coffee connoisseur to brew this concoction at home and ungraciously slurp it down, it would be unlikely they would think much of these brands of coffee, prepared in such unceremonious fashion.

What is missing from the recipe however and the secret to creating a truly exquisite cup of Maine guide coffee, is something that exists far beyond the type of coffee used. Skilled preparation, exquisite landscape and laid back attitude all work to make a typical cup of coffee just north of extraordinary. Even absent of sugar and cream, it has been said that Maine guide coffee only needs to be sweetened by the scenery and lightened with the pleasurable memories of a day of fishing to make it the perfect beverage.

How to make that Perfect Cup of Maine Guide Coffee
The perfect cup of Maine guide coffee is typically served during a shore lunch. It is rendered in a ceramic or steel “camping style” percolator, filled with lake water, a pinch of salt and then brought to a rolling boil over an open fire. This initial boil is done to ensure that any potential microscopic parasitic organisms meet their demise. After the water has boiled, it is taken off the direct heat and placed next to the fire, reducing the water to a slow simmer. Pouring coffee grounds into boiling water can cause the grounds to get over extracted, creating a cup of Joe ripe with bitterness and acidity.

The standard measure of coffee for the taste buds of most mere humans is approximately 2 Tbs. per 6 oz of water or 2 Tbs for every 1/8 cup. It is my belief that this measure makes for a cup of coffee that I would give to a small child. For an adult styled beverage, it would be my suggestion to double the prescribed amount of coffee grounds. This “heart paddle” blend is sure to jump start even the most sleepy sportsmen or hungover Maine guide.

Once a suitable amount of grounds is calculated, it is placed in a bowl and to it added one whole egg. The egg is simply cracked open and stirred into the grounds shell and all. This is done for two reasons, first to provide a means of collecting and eventually disposing of the expended grounds and secondly, to neutralize the acidity of the coffee by releasing the calcium in the egg shell. After approximately 10 minutes of simmering, the end product is a cup of coffee with few grounds, possessing a full bodied taste and lacking any apparent bitterness. (*Maine Guide Coffee will also sometimes be “enriched” with alcohol. Many old time guides will tell you that the biggest difference between a Maine Guide and a “Master” Maine Guide is that a Master Guide will always make sure his Sports receives a few splashes of whiskey in their cups should they so desire. It is my personal belief that this makes for sports who tend to tip more and like to call it a day early so they can go take a late afternoon nap. )

Lastly, the percolator should be pulled from the fire and allowed to set for a few minutes, to let any errant grounds settle to the bottom. It will then be slowly poured into an old ceramic coffee cup, that absolutely must be chipped or cracked. Sipped slowly while sitting beside the waters edge, it isn’t hard to see why Maine guide coffee is typically best described as amazing. For the lucky, few that have had this unique and unforgettable experience, you have certainly come to understand that in life enjoyment is derived from the little things. Enriched are our bodies, minds and spirits by the simple and natural beauty of our surroundings. Next time you unceremoniously chug down your cup of coffee from Starbucks, reflect on my words and make yourself a promise to one day drink Maine guide coffee.

If you are in the market for a cup of Maine guide coffee, I suggest making a reservation at one of the oldest and most famous sporting lodges in the country, Weatherby’s. Their fishing and hunting lodge originated in the nineteenth century and has become a way of life for many sportsmen looking for a quality outdoor experience. If you join Weatherby's for the 2012 season make sure and tell them the Rabid Outdoorsman sent you! Enjoy!

How to Prepare the Perfect Shore Lunch

The perfect shore lunch should be comprised of all of the food elements that would frighten your cardiologist and is certain to insure your blood pressure medication is well worth the money your spending on it. A shore lunch will never contain anything resembling a vegetable (though I suppose corn on the cob is ok), fruit (unless it is a fruit cookie), nuts or “diet” food. This meal is meant to be generous, decadent and sustaining to an outdoorsman though a long hard day.

The Fire
The key to any successful shore lunch is a good fire as it not only provides the heat to properly cook your meal but also the ability to warm cold and potentially damp companions. A good cooking fire is constructed by having the proper mix of quick burning softwood (like cedar) and hardwood (birch, oak, etc.). By starting the softwood first, you are able to get hot fire going quickly that will easily ignite the heavier hardwood. Once the hardwood is successfully burning, it insures a slower longer burn that will assist you greatly with your cooking endeavors. If you are planning to have your shore lunch in an area that is devoid of available wood or cutting is not allowed, a milk crate full of cut and split hardwood with a small side bundle of softwood is a good allotment.

Supplies
Preparing a shore lunch need not be a complicated endeavor but there are a few essential supplies that need to be available for meal preparations to be successful. All of these listed supplies can best be carried in a large dry box, pack basket or even a couple milk crates. Please remember that when preparing a shore lunch cleanliness is the most important item. Make sure to have family, friends and clients see you thoroughly wash or sanitize your hands before you begin cooking. 

1.    Fillet Knife
2.    Hatchet
3.    Coffee Pot
4.    Dutch Oven Gloves
5.    Tongs
6.    Spatula
7.    Matches
8.    Grill Top
9.    2 Large Cast Iron Frying Pan or Dutch Oven
10.    Garbage Bags
11.    Zip Lock Bags
12.    Coffee Cups
13.    Plates
14.    Silverware
15.    Paper Towels
16.    Small Container of Hand Sanitizer

Food Stuffs
For the prefect shore lunch you need only supply the following edible elements. For many the taste of freshly caught fried fish is hard to resist. However, if the fish refuse to bite or someone on your trip prefers to eat something else it pays to have a back-up plan. Thinking ahead of easy menu substitutes is sure to keep you popular.

1.    Hot Coffee or Hot Coco
2.    Potatoes and Onions
3.    Fresh Caught Fish
4.    Coating and/or Seasoning for Fish (Premixed in Ziplock Bags)
5.    Baked Beans
6.    Rolls and Butter
7.    Chocolate Chip Cookies
8.    Cooking Oil
9.    Bonus Items Carried By Master Guides: Salt and Pepper, Ketchup Packets, Tarter Sauce, Sugar, Creamer, Irish Whiskey or Scotch

Evaluation
The quality of any shore lunch can be evaluated by the period of time that eclipses after eating, when family, friends and clients are content to sit on the shore farting, belching and potentially napping. The longer the amount of time that passes, before someone finally says, “hey when are we getting back to the fishing”, the higher rating your shore lunch receives.

The Shore Lunch Dissected and Defined

We have all been there, struggling through a hard day in the woods or on the waters in extreme cold, driving rain or hurricane force winds. We have also been out on those beautiful lazy days where Mother Nature blesses sportsmen with perfect weather.  When weather cooperates, it certainly makes any outdoor adventure more enjoyable, for you and your outdoor companions, but even then lack of fish and game can turn even the most patient crew of individuals mutinous.

One essential element to making sure the natives do not become restless, when weather and lady luck frown down upon you, is having plenty of good, hot food available. Nothing will tame a savage beast, better than a warm drink, full belly and something sweet to gnaw on. If these tasks can be completed next to a roaring campfire with a brief chance to escape the hordes of biting insects or perhaps under a tarp to momentarily receive shelter from pouring rains, then all that much better.

Maine Guides and seasoned sportsmen alike know well the benefits of keeping bodies well fueled and minds focused. Even the most dedicated and hardcore hunter and angler can benefit greatly from a brief respite in their outdoor activities to relax for a few moments and enjoy a good meal.

Now don’t get me wrong, there have been many instances where when hunting or fishing alone, I am perfectly content to choke down a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or unceremoniously grind my teeth though a Twinkie, however, when in the company of good people few things are more fun than sharing a meal together. In these circumstances it never fails that laughter, tall tales and outright lies are exchanged all in an environment of camaraderie, cementing the bonds of lasting friendships.

Next on 6/22: How to Prepare the Perfect Shore Lunch