New Beer Friday - May 25 Edition

By Chris Siciliano

In our second week as Beer City, USA, Grand Rapids lived up to its newly gained and well-deserved reputation. Not that anything particularly extraordinary happened on the beer scene. In fact, outside the excellent deal on Michigan beer that HopCat offered Monday to mark the historic Beer City win, it's been pretty uneventful these last few days. But then, that's exactly my point.

Even without a KBS-level release or a spectacular beer festival to bring in pourists (aka tourists), the breweries, bars and beer stores were bustling with activity. Folks bought beer, sold beer, and made beer. Everybody drank beer. And whether you were mashing in, topping off, or drinking down, it was probably with the enthusiasm and pride that helped earn GR the reputation it has today.

Yup, pretty much status quo.

New (and Returning) Beer

• Oberon Mini Kegs, $19.99/5liters - "A wheat ale fermented with Bell's signature house ale yeast, mixing a spicy hop character with mildly fruity aromas. The addition of wheat malt lends a smooth mouthfeel, making it a classic summer beer" (source).
• Sixpoint Brewing Company, $2.59/16oz cans - "Since 2004, Sixpoint has made hundreds of different beers, and there is no plan to stop this proliferation of styles. Our core brews are available year-round, but we also have rotating and seasonal varieties. In addition, we have several unique ongoing series of beers and super rare brews that are made one time only" (source). Established in Brooklyn, New York in 2004. All descriptions from their website. 
• Bengali Tiger - "The Sixpoint homebrewed IPA interpretation. Blaze orange in color, with an abundance of citrus hop bitterness, and a full pine and grapefruit bouquet in the aroma."
• Sweet Action - "The original Sixpoint style- hard to define, but perhaps that's why people love it. Part pale ale, part wheat, part cream ale- all Sweet Action."
• Righteous Ale - "Made with Rye malt to provide a signature and distinct earthy character. Seasoned and dry-hopped with herbal and citrus hops. Truly Righteous."
• The Crisp - "The original Sehr Crisp from Sixpoint. Brewed with noble hops for indelible sehr crisp flavor."
• Schell's Zommerfest, $1.49/12oz - "Zommerfest is brewed in a 'Kölsch' style, which originates from Cologne, Germany. Its characteristics are fairly light—in color and in flavor. It is a pale gold color, low in hop flavor and aroma, with a light body and a somewhat dry finish. This is a pleasant, light-flavored beverage that goes well with any summer activity" (source).
• Sam Adams Porch Rocker, $1.59/12oz - "Perfect for any summer day, Samuel Adams® Porch Rocker™ was inspired by traditional Bavarian Radlers that mix beer with German-style lemonade. Our bright and citrusy Radler is a Helles beer with a fresh-squeezed lemon taste, effervescent sweetness, and slightly tart, refreshing finish. A light malt character and hint of hops balance out this satisfying summer brew" (source).
• Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager, $1.69/12oz - "A lager brewed with pilsner and wheat malts and Vanguard hops. Real Louisiana strawberry juice is added after filtration resulting in a crisp lager with a sweet strawberry flavor, aroma and haze. It is wonderful with desserts or lighter fare such as salads and pastas. Fresh cheeses such as Burrata, chèvre, Crescenza, mozzarella or Teleme pair well with Strawberry Harvest" (source).

Picture of the Week

"Do you know where I live?"

This little guy can be found in one of Michigan's breweries.
Do you know which one?
(Hint - Men are far more likely to see him.)

Cheers!