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Friday, May 4, 2012

New Beer Friday - May 4 Edition

By Chris Siciliano

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NBF, Avian Edition
What a weekend for beer fans. Not only is Saturday Cinco de Mayo and AHA Big Brew Day, it's finally time for the Siciliano's 9th Annual Homebrew Party, a celebration of all our favorite things—great beer, great people, great food, and great music, not to mention homebrew awards and who knows what kind of yard games. (Cornhole anyone?)

Remember too that tonight (May 4) is the night of our annual seminars. As in previous years, we've lined up a panel of interesting experts to speak on a variety of beer-related topics. Belgian and sour beers? Check. Michigan malt? Yes. Michigan hops? You bet. Sierra Nevada. That too. Michigan-made beer and cider? But of course.

Go here for all the pertinent seminar details including times, location and cost, and lest I forego my weekly duties, see below for a list of beers new this week to Siciliano's shelves.

New (and Returning) Beers

  • Brewery Vivant Big Red Coq, $3.39/16oz - "Citrus with mango & pineapple notes give way to a big malty character. Made with our house Belgian yeast to give it that Vivant-ness you would expect" (source).
  • Arcadia B-Craft Black Double IPA, $2.69/12oz - "Massive in every way, B-Craft delivers a complex bundle of flavors with a citrus hop aroma strong enough to make a billy goat shake his head. Moving past the huge hop aroma, rich and roasted malt flavors of chocolate and coffee move forward only to be checked by an impressive hop bitterness. Texture and flavor dance together so seamlessly that you may need to remind yourself that while this beer slides down like a session, it delivers like an assassin!” (source).
  • Finch's Beer Company, Chicago - "Finch's Beer Co. is in the business of brewing great, craft beers locally in Chicago, Illinois. We use the best ingredients and take special care to make sure every batch is the best we can brew. While following in the footsteps of other local brewing companies, we intend on adding another brand of beer to Chicago's already growing selection and contributing to a new generation of microbreweries, taking a foothold in Chicago" (source, for all Finch descriptions).
    • Threadless IPA, $2.69/16oz - "Our Threadless/Finch collaboration IPA is a balanced experience of both perceived hoppiness and true bitterness. It pours a darker amber color and finishes with a citrus flavor, and when combined, will require this to be the last IPA you ever drink! Well, maybe, we realize you will probably drink more, but the result of this recipe clearly evolves into a very balanced IPA. The grain bill on this big pale includes melanoidin and Victory malts. We hop it up before the boil starts with some Columbus first wort hopping, then add a bunch more for bittering."
    • Golden Wing Blonde Ale, $2.59/16oz - "Finch's Blonde Ale is an easy drinking and approachable American craft beer. It has a moderately sweet malty aroma and is deep gold in color. We like to think of this particular one as more of a 'Dirty Blonde.' When you first pour it, a soft lacey foam clings to the glass as malty aromas fill your nose and linger to the final sip. Upon finish, this blonde turns heads with a smooth finish and a touch of bitterness in the aftertaste. Enjoy this medium-bodied craft beer anytime of year."
    • Cut Throat Pale Ale, $2.59/16oz - "Finch's Pale Ale is a refreshing experience from the pop of the top. Its fresh and hoppy taste with just enough supporting malt makes it easy to kick back more than just one. Our late kettle additions of American hop varieties and dry hopping techniques make this beer one of our favorites. The citrus hop character balanced with a malty backbone creates a delicious, accessible pale ale that is sure to satisfy with every sip. Enjoy this pale with just about any pairing of your choice."
  • Sam Adams Norse Legend Sahti, $6.19/22oz - "Legend has it that barrels of this ancient brew were found on sunken Viking ships. This Nordic ale took root in Finland becoming one of the oldest continuously brewed styles. This dark amber ale has juniper berries added into the brewing process and is aged on juniper berries giving this brew an earthy, woodsy aroma. The flavor is balanced by the addition of Hallertau Mittelfrueh Noble hops" (source).
  • Sam Adams Verloren Gose, $6.19/22oz - "The style originated in Goselar, Germany in the 18th century. Gose became very popular the adjacent city of Leipzig, Germany due to a lot of local breweries brewing the style. Gose all but died out during WWII due to brewery closings. Expect this beer to have a touch of sourness, with notes of lemon & salt. A link to the ales of Saxony that had all but vanished, Gose is a peculiar yet captivating brew. With a base of an unfiltered wheat ale, it’s vivid and refreshing yet also has a softness to it. The flavor is brought to life by an unexpected touch of salt for a mineral quality, and coriander for a peppery spice. The result is an unusual and delicate brew that’s full of flavors to discover" (source).
  • Boulder Brewing Flashback India-style Brown Ale, $1.89/12oz - "Citrusy with a prominent hop aroma, finishes clean, crisp and dry with dark roasted flavors from the biscuit and chocolate malts perfectly complimenting the bountiful cascades" (source).
  • Boulder Brewing Kinda Blue Blueberry Wheat, $1.89/12oz - "An American wheat placed in perfect measure with muted tons of blueberry. Kinda Blue - a tasty and tasteful summer brew" (source).
  • Buffalo Bill's Orange Blossom, $1.59/12oz - "Cream Ale brewed with honey and orange peel, with orange flower extract added" (source).
  • Imperial, $1.59/12oz - "A Costa Rican brand of beer, manufactured by the Florida Ice & Farm Company. Imperial was first produced by the Ortega brewery in 1924, and is now produced in the Cerveceria Costa Rica. The lager is one of the most popular beer consumed in Costa Rica along with Pilsen and Rock Ice" (source).
Picture of the Week

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Funny thing about mushrooms,
they just keep growing.

Cheers!

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