New Beer Friday, Official Start of Summer Edition (May 24)

By Chris Siciliano

As I write this, it's Thursday, 8:15 p.m. I have one eye on the baseball game, one hand on a Bell's Two-Hearted Ale, and one thought in mind—finishing the latest edition of New Beer Friday so, like many of you, I can turn my full attention to the long three-day holiday ahead.

I find it hard to put in words how much I love this time of year. It's Memorial Day weekend, what many people, especially those of us in Michigan, consider the official start of summer. The threat of snow has finally passed (so we tell ourselves) and there are new leaves on the trees. It's not just morel mushroom season or baseball season, it's sit-on-the-porch-after-work-and-drink-a-beer-barefoot season, it's time-to-take-some-time-off season, it's fishing season, it's BBQ season, it's lawnmower season and lawnmower beer season. The list of seasons goes on and on and all of them together add up to one important fact: it's shaping up to be another fantastic summer here in Michigan.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend, everyone. Here's the list of the newest beers to arrive at Siciliano's Market.

New (and Returning) Beer at Siciliano's

• New Holland Black Tulip, $2.39/12oz - "Since the early 1600's, the Dutch have attempted to breed a pure black tulip. Many have tried and a few have come close...but none have succeeded. Call it the Holy Grail of the tulip world. In honor of this elusive flower we have brewed this special elixir. We have combined the finest Belgian malt, rare European hops, an authentic Belgian yeast and finally, the brew is dusted with tulip petals. The resulting blend is nothing less than magical" (source).
• Shorts Beach Wheat, $1.69/12oz - "Classic wheat beer brewed by Americans in America using a German wheat yeast. 50% of the grain used is malted wheat designating it as a true “wheat” beer. This ale is also known as Hefeweizen. It’s golden in color and light and clean with esters of banana and clove compliments of its Bavarian DNA" (source).
• Shorts Pre-Mixed 12 Packs, $19.99 - Featuring Huma Lupa Licious, Bellaire Brown and Soft Parade.
• Left Hand Twin Sisters, $10.09/22oz - "For as long as people have inhabited Colorado’s Front Range, the Twin Sisters have had a strong impact on Colorado residents. The views from atop the 11,428’ peaks are breathtaking and afford sweeping views of the entirety of Rocky Mountain National Park. As an expression of admiration we have crafted an ale that exhibits a profound impact all its own. At 11428 IBU’s (just kidding), Twin Sisters is a mountainous testament to hops, and that they bring. A feeling of ease and relaxation become apparent for all whom would dare to climb it. So for all that enjoy summiting ales with copious hops additions to achieve a felling of contentment and awe, we offer Twin Sisters Double IPA" (source)
• New Belgium Paardebloem, $9.19/22oz - "Using dandelion greens to bitter a Belgian-style ale blossomed from our brewers collaborating with Red Rock Brewing. These being our sixth interpretation together since 2008, expect a wonderfully complex ale fermented with wild Belgian yeast and blended with just a touch of wood-aged beer. Bitterness imparted from dandelion greens and grains of paradise will have you blowing wishes for sips" (source).
• Tri City Loon's Summer Beer, $1.99/12oz - "Loon’s Summer Ale is a smooth, clean, light blonde ale. This all-malt beer is perfectly balanced to provide a clean, clear presentation without the heavy cloudiness that is often found in summer wheat-beers. The hops that were selected accentuate the light malt flavor and provide a touch of bitterness. The unique yeast and hop combination give this beer a hint of citrus aroma with a delicate Belgium flavor that provides a refreshing, thirst quenching finish - perfect on a hot summer day at a Loon’s baseball game" (source).
• Big Sky Buckin' Monk Tripel, $15.79/750ml - No commercial description available.

Big Sky Olde Blue Hair | Featured Beer of the Week

• Big Sky Olde Blue Hair Barley Wine, $15.79/750ml - "Imagine a tango: a man and a woman dancing, their eyes locked upon one another, then take your first taste of Olde Bluechair, Big Sky Brewing Company’s Barley Wine. A taste of apricots, honey flavors, a sliver of vanilla, and a hint of caramel, round out the Barley Wine. Like so many things in life, Olde Bluehair just gets better with age. Aged for a minimum of 3 months in American Oak Bourbon Barrels" (source).

Cheers!