New Beer Friday, Credit Where Credit's Due Edition (3/13)

Kati

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

I’m very proud of the fact that Siciliano’s Market has garnered accolades as one of Beer City USA’s premier craft beer purveyors but I’m equally pleased that our shop is quietly developing a reputation as one of the best places in town to purchase unique spirits and affordable boutique wines.

Because I’m the one who writes the checks around here, I could take at least some credit for the quality, depth and breadth of our adult beverage selections. But if I'm completely honest, I must admit that there are three members of our staff who deserve to get the majority of recognition.

John

The almost Herculean task of ordering our massive amount of craft beer is the responsibility of certified cicerone Kati Spayde. Kati not only orders the bulk of our beer, she works closely with the local wholesalers to ensure that we receive our fair share of allocations, and she does a great job of keeping up on the dozens of one-offs and seasonal releases.

Ever since John Barecki took over the liquor orders two years ago there has been a dramatic uptick in the quality and number of interesting spirits on our shelves. John is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to bourbons, ryes and scotches, and he is currently focusing on bringing some highly rated aged rums and tequilas into the store.

And last but certainly not least, if you like our offerings of fine wine you have Sarah Derylo to thank for that. Sarah takes great pride in stocking interesting yet extremely affordable wines that can’t be found in the large box chains and grocery stores.

I’d like to publicly acknowledge Kati, John and Sarah for their hard work, passion and dedication. I know for a fact that Siciliano’s Market would not be the store it is without them.

Sarah

New and Returning Beer

• Sam Adams New World Golden Tripel, $11.19/22oz - "Pale gold in color, this ale is big, flavorful and complex. A special Belgian yeast strain adds tropical fruit and spice notes to the crisp dry ale, while Saaz hops add a subtle herbal note" (source).
• Ommegang Glimmerglass, $2.89/12oz - "The name given to our lake by James Fenimore Cooper - is a beautiful body. Nested between gentle mountains, it reflects any object held up to it, just as it reflects our joy at the arrival of each spring. To help celebrate, pour new spring saison offers a perfect balance of maltiness and hops, with a touch of yeasty fruitiness and a whiff of pepper" (source).
• Saugutuck Hop On a Blonde, $2.59/12oz - "We took our classic Oval Beach Blonde and increased the malt profile to boost up the body and the ABV, plus we added a boatload of hop additions to amp up the flavor and bring this beer to a whole new level" (source).
• Southern Tier Where The Helles Summer, $1.69/12oz - "Where the Helles Summer? is a classic German style lager.  These beers originated in the 19th century as a response to Pilsener beers from Czech brewers. Helles is German for “bright.”  In the brewing world we translate it as “light” – light in color and light in alcohol. Where the Helles Summer? is a clean & bready “beer drinker’s beer” balanced with austere noble hop varieties. It’s malt-forward and forward thinking to the warmer days just ahead" (source).
• North Peak Maylem, $3.39/12oz - "Deep copper in appearance, this brew will also please hop-hunters looking for a break, but still in need of bold flavor and aroma, thanks to Amarillo, Willamette and Celia hops" (source).
• North Peak Furry, $1.89/12oz - "North Peak Furry Black India Pale Ale is a complex, easy drinking yet remarkable American Black IPA. Furry is clean and crisp throughout with a Centennial hop finish" (source).
• Shiner Prickly Pear, $1.69/12oz - "This small batch brew is the third in our Limited Edition Brewer’s Pride Craft Brew Series. A combination of Citra and US Golding hops gives this refreshing lager its citrus flavor and floral aroma. The brew’s signature tartness comes from the fruit of the prickly pear, a cactus native to our brewery’s landscape that’s hearty, rugged and unmistakably unique - qualities we surely appreciate" (source).
• Oscar Blues Pinner, $1.69/12oz - "How do you cram as much hop & malt flavor and aroma as possible into a beer but make it crushable too? That’s the challenge we answered with PINNER Throwback IPA. At 4.9% ABV and 35 IBUs, this drinkable IPA uses several varieties of hops to target the ever-evolving flavor. With tropical fruits, citrus juices, pineapple and spice berry up front in the aroma and flavor, the biscuit & toasted bread at the back balance out all the hops and make a great finish to go on to your next can of PINNER. It’s the perfect beer for a little sip, sip, give" (source).
• Dark Horse Sapient, $1.99/12oz - "Why is the Grim Reaper holding a mailbox? Well, that mailbox is from a dead Dark Horse beer. The Grim Reaper better know as "Death" was quite fond of our classic Sapient Summer Wheat Ale. When we changed it into a Belgian Style Triple, Death thought it would only be appropriate to bring something from that beer into this beer. So he picked the mailbox, and we weren’t about to argue with him. You can say what you want about him, but that Death sure has a big heart. So anyway...we brewed this beer with a Trappist yeast strain so it is very traditional. The flavors are incredibly complex with notes of mild fruit and finishes with a bit of clove. Although this beer is higher in alcohol it is very smooth and finishes dry on the palate" (source).
• Brasserie Les 3 Fourquers Lupulus, $11.09/750ml - "Lupulus is a blonde ale with an alcohol proof of 8,5 %, refermented in champagne bottles and in casks. The choice not to filter the beer, as well as not to pasteurize it ensures its taste and aromatic quality" (source).
• Short's Moher Stout, $2.39/12oz - "Moher Stout is a medium bodied double Irish Stout, black in color with a rich brown lace.  Light roast malt and bitter cocoa aromas lead into a big creamy mocha flavor.  Aided by the addition of flaked oatmeal, the finish is exceptionally smooth, with only a slight dryness and moderate roasted bitterness" (source).
• Kona Castaway IPA, $1.69/12oz - "Take a sip of this copper-colored India Pale Ale and you’ll taste bold, citrusy hops with a touch of tropical mango and passion fruit, balanced by the rich caramel malts. Castaway IPA has a clean, crisp finish that’s as refreshing as the wind in your face when you set sale for adventure" (source).
• Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager, $1.69/12oz - "Abita Strawberry Harvest is 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).

Video of the Week | Coldbreak Brewing

Check out these jockey boxes custom built by

GR-based Coldbreak Brewing.

Cheers!