New Beer Friday, August 17 Edition ~ The Buzz: Siciliano's Market News & Notes

By Chris Siciliano

Richard, Duke of York. Davy Crockett. Mae West. Robert DeNiro. Sean Penn. Jon Gruden. Christian Laettner. Donnie Wahlberg. Antwaan Randle El. Dustin Pedroia.

Each of the individuals named above has something very special in common with Siciliano's big bossman, Steve Siciliano. Any guesses?

Here's a hint. Just bringing it up is liable to get this blog writer fired. So, in case you don't hear from me next week, enjoy this week's list of new arrivals!

New (and Returning) Beer

Vivant Brewer's Reserve Contemplation, $3.39/16oz - "An ale brewed with Michigan honey & locally grown hops" (source).
Sixpoint Brownstone, $2.59/12oz - "Sixpoint Brownstone is based upon one of my favorite and most popular homebrew recipes; an instant classic that I’ve been brewing since my college days. The most distinguishing characteristic of the Brownstone is its aroma of fresh-baked bread, which is accomplished by using generous portions of classic Belgian specialty malt. In addition, I use a very small portion of the same malt you would find in a stout, which lends a roasted quality in addition to the usual chocolate and nutty qualities you might find in a typical brown ale. Although brown ales typically emphasize malty sweetness, I find a balance must remain if the hop bitterness is diminished. As a result, I carefully blend ten different malt varieties and keep the Brownstone only mildly hopped. Instead of hop bitterness providing the balance, I achieve a balance among the flavors of malt: the deep caramel and malt flavors are balanced by notes of rich toffee, chocolate, a slight nuttiness and a roasted tang. It is a true session ale" (source).
O'Fallons Pumpkin Beer, $1.69/12oz - "Brewed with Pumpkin and Spices (Cinnamon Sticks, Nutmeg and Cloves)" (source).
Schmaltz & Terrapin Collaboration Reunion Ale 2012, $7.19/22oz - "Reunion Ale and the great cause the comes with it is back for another year. Terrapin and Shmaltz Brewing have teamed back on up on another edition. The 2012 collaborative effort is much like last years release, except that chili peppers didn’t make the cut. A small cast change – cinnamon (the spice, not the stripper) joins the group" (source).
Hofbrau Oktoberfest, $1.79/12oz - "The Munich Beer Festival, or Oktoberfest, is an event of superlatives - it’s the largest popular festival in the world, staging in the beer metropolis of Munich. Millions of visitors from all over the world flock along every year to enjoy its very special atmosphere. For this occasion, Hofbräu brews a rich, full-bodied beer which goes down ideally with traditional Bavarian cuisine. With its deliciously bitter taste and alcoholic content of 6.3% volume, Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier is as special as the Beer Festival itself" (source).
Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale, $1.59/12oz - "An amber style ale, originally brewed by George Washington, brewed with fresh roasted pumpkins, malted barley. Cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg are added. Bottled form is brewed under contract by Portland Brewing Co." (source).
Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Sumpin', $1.99/12oz - "Way smooth and silky with a nice wheaty-esque-ish-ness. Just the little sumpin’ sumpin’ we all need to kick Summer into full swing! Ingredients: Hops, Malt, Hops, Hops, Yeast, Hops, Water, and Hops" (source).
Pyramid Apricot Ale, $1.59/12oz - "Apricot Ale perfectly combines the taste and aroma of fresh apricot with the smooth finish of a traditional wheat beer. It’s refreshingly unfiltered character and fruit flavor make it an ale worth savoring" (source).
Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale, $1.59/12oz - "A perennial favorite at our brewery Halloween party, Samuel AdamsHarvest Pumpkin Ale is brewed with over 17 pounds of real pumpkin per barrel, adding a full body and sweetness to this dark reddish amber brew. Deep roasted malts, including a smoked malt, lend a distinct roasted character while traditional pumpkin pie spices give the beer a subtle spice note" (source).
Leinenkugel Big Eddy Imperial IPA, $2.99/12oz - "Bright golden orange color, big citrus hop nose, immediate hop bitter upfront that leads to a nice malt balance and finishes long and dry, made with Warrior, Cascade, Simcoe and Amarillo hops backed by Munich Caramel and Pale Ale malts" (source).
Ayinger Oktober Fest-Marzen, $3.79/500ml - "Ayinger Oktober Fest Märzen has a deep golden color tinted with amber. It is lightly sweet with a malty nose balanced with floral hops. Its medium to big body and alcohol is not overpowering. The soft dryness comes from long maturation" (source).
Thirsty Dog Barktoberfest, $1.99/12oz - "A traditional old world German Oktoberfest made with German grains, yeast and hops" (source).
Victory Festbier, $1.99/12oz - See video below.