New Beer Friday - February 10 Edition

By Chris Siciliano

Not pictured, Dark Horse & Stone

Joining the rank and file of Siciliano's suds department this week are seven solid beers, two from Michigan, one from California, one from Maryland, and the last three from Massachusetts. Boston, to be exact, where the New England Patriots are licking their wounds after losing Super Bowl XLVI (46) to the New York Giants in the waning moments of quarter number four.

Surely the Pats would have come out on top if only quarterback Tom Brady had agreed to appear in Siciliano's Super Bowl commercial like we (never) asked him to do. Let that be a lesson to the rest of you sports mega-stars out there. Failing to promote Siciliano's in fictional advertising campaigns you can't possibly have heard of is nonetheless bad for you career. Well obviously.

On with the show!

New (and Returning) Beer

• Founders All Day IPA, $1.79/12oz - "A session ale that has the traditional qualities of an India Pale Ale with significantly lower alcohol. At 4.7% ABV, the beer is highly drinkable, but maintains the intense tropical aromatics and complex flavors consistent with Founders’ portfolio" (source).
• Dark Horse 4 Elf, $1.99/12oz - A spiced winter warmer from the good people in Marshall, Michigan. It's scored a 90 (exceptional) over on BeerAdvocate.
• Stone Vertical Epic 11.11.11, $7.69/22oz - "Upfront the banana yeast-derived flavors are blended very nicely with toasted and toffee-like malt flavors, fruity esters, and balanced hints of cinnamon. Mid palate the Perle and Pacific Jade hops and the Hatch green chili flavors come through. The beer finishes dry, and bitter with just the tiniest hint of chili heat and a touch of alcohol" (source). One bottle per customer limit.
• Sam Adams Alpine Spring, $1.59/12oz - "Brewed especially for the season, this bright citrusy unfiltered lager is both satisfying and refreshing. It’s the perfect transition from winter’s heavier brews to the lighter beers of summer. Borne of our brewers’ many trips to Germany, Alpine Spring features a unique blend of lager attributes: the balanced maltiness and hoppiness of a Helles, the smoothness and slightly higher alcohol of a traditional spring bock, and the unfiltered appearance of a Kellerbier. The beer is brewed with Tettnang Noble hops to add a unique, bright orange-citrusy aroma and flavor" (source).
• Sam Adams Dark Depths Baltic IPA, $6.19/22oz - "Across the cold and brackish waters of the Baltic, the English Porter was transferred, from a mild ale to a dark and complex lager that confounds definition. Immersed in dark, roasted malts and a bold citrus hop character, these big and contrasting flavors are brought together with the smoothness of a lager for a brew that’s bold, mysterious, and full of flavor" (source).
• Sam Adams Cinder Bock Rauch Bock, $7.19/22oz - "Unusual and playful this half-breed brew begins with a rush of smoky, almost savory, aromas and flavors. The distinctive campfire smokiness of a rauchbier lingers and beings to reveal the rich and velvety malt smoothness of a double bock with a notes of toffee and caramel. This roguish brew transforms from its bold start to a hearty and satisfying finish" (source).
• Flying Dog Garde Dog, $1.79/12oz - "Toasted malts with slight earthy and funky characteristics with a subtle clean finish. Pairs with light seafood, French fare (duck confit), fruit, funky cheeses like feta, cambert, and asiago" (source).

Deal of the Week

• Mas Franch Negre 2004 Montsant Red, $8.59/750ml - A tasty, extremely dry red wine from Spain on close-out from the distributor. Found elsewhere for $30+ (seriously), scored a 90 by Wine & Spirit Magazine, this "blend of Cabernet, Grenache, Syrah, Merlot and Carignan offers smoky, spicy plum, blackcurrant and olive flavours, with a wild herby edge coming through on the finish" (source). Supplies limited.

Picture of the Week

Rodney Lawrence, Siciliano's handyman extraordinaire,
gives new meaning to the term "grain bed".

Cheers!