New Beer Friday - March 23 Edition ~ The Buzz: Siciliano's Market News & Notes

Ommegang Art of Darkenss

By Chris Siciliano

Apparently March is the new May in Michigan. How long this statement will remain true is debatable. Nonetheless, thanks to the unseasonable weather, I can't help but look suspiciously at all the breweries who released their spring (and even summer) seasonals weeks ago. What inside information do they have on the shifting patterns of global climate, that's what I'd like to know. Something is very fishy here. Very fishy indeed. (I've got my eye on you, Sam Adams and Leinenkugel.)

Ironically, there's no spring or summer beer on this week's NBF. What's here is a good selection of beers sure to appeal to people of all tastes. And for the record, Siciliano's is not accusing any one brewer of manipulating climate for financial gain. That would be absurd...or would it?

No, it would be absurd. Forget I mentioned it. On with the show!

New (and Returning) Beers

Southern Tier Oak-aged Unearthly Imperial IPA, $9.29/22oz - "At the Southern Tier Brewing Company, vigorously hopped beer is our standard and inspiration. We continue a commitment to innovation with an aggressive offering. Oak Aged Unearthly is a manifestation of the brewer’s craft; skillfully balancing art and the forces of nature to produce a divine liquid" (source).
Leinenkugul Big Eddy Wee Heavy Scotch Ale, $2.99/12oz - "Assertive chocolate, toffee and caramel notes, with a hint of smoke and dark fruity undertones subtly emerging throughout” (source).
Arbor Brewing Phat Abbot, $2.29/12oz - "This traditional Belgian-style triple is strong, fruity, and slightly sour. It starts with a big malt presence, followed up by a pronounced candy sugar sweetness, and balanced with a spicy hop finish. A must-try" (source).
Affligem Dubbel, $9.59/750ml - "A reddish-brown abbey ale brewed with dark malts. The secondary fermentation gives a fruity aroma and a unique spicy character with a distinctive aftertaste. Secondary fermentation in the bottle" (source).
Ommegang Art of Darkness, $18.59/750ml - "Limited edition Art of Darkness Ale is deep, dark and magical, with champagne-like carbonation and rich matiness from a complex recipe of multiple barley and wheat malts, as well as flaked oats. Using no spices or flavorings, Art of Darkness gains all its rich aromas, tastes, and apparent spiciness from the malts and Ommegang’s proprietary house yeast" (source).
Chatoe Rogue Good Chit Pilsner, $7.39/22oz - "Brewed using 5 ingredients: Weyermann acidulated, Rogue Micro Barley Farm Dare Floor Malt, Rogue Micro Hopyard Liberty Hops, Czech Pils Wyeast 2278 and Free Range Coastal Water" (source).
Atwater Traverse City Cherry Wheat, $1.79/12oz - "TC is the cherry capital of the world and now Montmorency Cherries from this colorful town in Michigan’s 'Up North' have made their way into a wheat beer for the ages, for a taste that’s totally cherry" (source).
Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider, $1.59/12oz - "This crisp and refreshing cider mixes the sweetness of the apples with a subtle dryness for a balanced cider taste. The fresh apple aroma and slightly sweet, ripe apple flavor make this cider hard to resist" (source).
Angry Orchard Tradition Dry Apple Cider, $1.59/12oz - "Our Traditional Dry cider is made in the style of English draft ciders. This cider is bittersweet and slightly spicy with a bright apple aroma. The dryness makes you pucker and look forward to another sip" (source).
Angry Orchard Ginger Apple Cider, $1.59/12oz - "Our Apple Ginger cider is unlike any cider you've had before. The fresh ginger and apple flavors blend together for a sweet, yet slightly tart taste with a distinct ginger aroma. the result is a smooth, refreshing cider that goes down easy" (source).