New Beer Friday - May 18 Edition

B. Nektar Evil Genius

By Chris Siciliano

Hello and welcome to the New Beer Friday, or should I say, hello and welcome to New Beer City. Thanks to an incredible showing from G-Rap's loyal beer nuts, and with a little help from our friends state wide, Grand Rapids has been named Beer City, USA for 2012.

But then, you knew that already.

What you may not know is that despite this being in many ways a simple popularity contest, there are very real economic (and egocentric) advantages to winning this distinction. "Just ask Asheville," says MLive Reporter Garett Ellison. Having nabbed top-honors four times, including a tie this year with us, our North Carolina counterpart will tell you that earning the title "Beer City" translates into more than just bragging rights—it can mean an actual bump in tourist dollars. Who wouldn't go for that?

Anyway, congratulations on another win, Asheville. Grand Rapids is proud to share the winner's circle.

New (and Returning) Beer

• New Holland Black Tulip Tripel Ale, $3.99/12oz - "Mysterious, alluring and seductive, yet tantalizingly elusive; these are the storied characteristics of the Black Tulip. Golden in color, Black Tulip Trippel is a delightful beer with a slightly sweet body. Its ester-laden character reveals an enigmatic dance between Belgian ale yeast and Michigan beet sugar, conjuring hints of bananas and rock candy. Its inviting flavor is complemented by a pleasing dry finish" (source).
• Short's The Curl Imperial Pilsner, $1.99/12oz - "One of the first Imperial beers made at Short’s, this American Pilsner has an appealing clear, bright, golden straw color. Faint esters of fresh baked bread and grain aromas precede the flavor resulting from the abundance of flake maize used in this recipe. Hefty doses of hops create a pronounced dryness that seamlessly blends with the crisp, clean finish" (source).
• B. Nektar Evil Genius IPA-Style Mead, $8.59/500ml - "In an obsure industrial lair resides the man known only as the evil Dr. I.P.A. Using his hadron collider, hidden deep underground, he has conducted his most remarkable experiment to date. The result is a perfect balance of honey and hops. But there are side effects… His lab rats can’t get enough of the stuff. And soon, neither will you. Introducing the Evil Genius. The big bang is no longer a theory, it’s your reality" (source).
• Arbor Brewing Mackinac Island Fudge Stout, $2.29/12oz - "Arbor Brewing is proud to offer this exclusive limited-edition, specialty stout inspired by the Island. Each small batch is brewed with seven different malts, ten pounds of real fudge, and a light dose of hops for a deliciously rich and complex chocolate flavor that's not too heavy" (source).
• Southern Tier Hop Sun, $1.69/12oz - "The sun is rising, the snow has melted and the blossoms are blooming. Spring is here and that means our summer seasonal has begun to ship. Hop Sun is back and we’re brewing more of it than ever before. This is not your average wheat beer. Filtered to a golden clarity and dry-hopped to perfection, this is a fantastic session ale with a zesty conclusion. Enjoy Hop Sun all summer long as a perfect balance to your outdoor recreation" (source).
• Samuel Smith Organic Apricot Ale, $6.49/550ml - "Apricots contribute to a stunning fruit beer: the ripe, aromatic bouquet supports a sweet, summery flavor with just a suggestion of stone-fruit tartness. Samuel Smith's Organic Apricot Ale is rich and full-bodied; the color is a glowing hazy orange" (source).
• Magic Hat Humdinger Series: Over the Pils, $8.99/750ml - "Over the Pils features a smooth malt body that is paired with fruit and floral notes from generous additions of Brewer’s Gold and Crystal hops. Beneath the bold hop aroma hides a subtle warmth sure to take your taste buds Over the Pils and far away. The Humdinger Series is an offering of the rarest of ales for each coming season. Complex in nature, small in batch and big in character, Humdinger ales are brewed for discriminating palates and are available for a very limited time." (source).
• Detroit Brewing Co. Alt, $1.69/12oz - "Inspired by the legendary 'Nain Rouge' (French for Red Dwarf), our signature beer is full in flavor while remaining very balanced and crisp. DBC has won three medals from the Great American Beer Festival and one from the World Beer Cup in the German Alt category" (label).
• Detroit Brewing Co. Bohemian Pilsner, $1.69/12oz - "DBC strives to make the most authentic Bohemian style pilsner possible. Our German trained and educated brewers will accept nothing less than the most painstakingly accurate brewing methods and materials" (label).
• Atwater Purple Gang Pilsner, $1.79/12oz - "Our GABF silver medal-winning German-style pilsner" (source).
• Round Barn Bob's Your Uncle, $1.79/12oz - "Bob’s your uncle is an easy drinking session beer that is light in body and mouth feel. There is a light caramel maltiness and very soft hop bitterness. The hop flavor is pronounced, more so than a standard premium bitters, but the aroma is spot on and distinctly British" (source).
• Flying Dog Road Dog Porter, $1.79/12oz - "Road Dog was the first label Ralph Steadman designed which later inspired Hunter S. Thompson’s 'Road Dog' essay. We then spent four years fighting for the right to display their now famous quote 'Good Beer No Shit.' To make a long story short, we won. Let us hoist a pint to free speech, NO CENSORSHIP, the genius of Ralph Steadman, and the Gonzo Spirit of Hunter S. Thompson!" (source).

Picture of the Week

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(Stay tuned for more details.)

Cheers!