New Beer Friday, Fresh Grapes Edition (August 28)

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

If you’re thinking about making wine from fresh grapes this fall there are couple of good options available for home vintners looking to source some Michigan grown fruit.

The folks at Taylor Ridge Vineyards in Allegan and Morgan Vineyard in Ravenna have apprised us that are now taking orders for the fall harvest. Contact information for these two West Michigan vineyards follow:

Taylor Ridge Vineyards

3843 105th Ave.

Allegan, MI 49010

Email: bctaylor@btc-bci.com

Cell: 269-491-1512

Home: 269-521-4047 

Morgan Vineyard

23760 36th Ave.

Ravenna, MI 49541

Email: builder357.hmd@gmail.com

Phone: 616-638-9353

On three consecutive Saturdays this fall we will again be offering the free on-site use of our fruit crushers and basket presses from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot behind the store. Dates for the free use of the equipment are as follows:

Saturday, September 26

Saturday, October 3

Saturday, October 10

New and Returning Beer

• Arbor Brewing Violin Monster, $2.29/12oz - "A geographical approach to the werewolf legends results in the identification of a major werewolf area stretching from mid-Germany into the Netherlands and Belgium. With this in mind, we have created a strong, dark, spiced using ingredients from those regions. Brewed with Midnight Wheat, warming spices, and a hint of brown sugar, the Violin Monster is black as night and packs a punch at 9.3%. Unleash your inner beast with Violin Monster Dark Ale, but beware…. it finishes with a bite" (source).
• Bell's Best Brown, $1.79/12oz, $1.99/16oz can - "A smooth, toasty brown ale, Best Brown Ale is a mainstay in our fall & winter lineup. With hints of caramel and cocoa, the malt body has the depth to stand up to cool weather, but does not come across as heavy. This balancing act is aided by the generous use of American hops" (source).
• Brewery Vivant Tree Bucket, $4.29/16oz (4 per) - "Somewhere there is a Belgian Monk who’s head is spinning. A Belgian brewer would never put this much hop into a beer. However, we are not Belgian are we? We can do whatever we want. This is an unconventional beer. Belgian candy sugar, classic Belgian yeast, and a boat load of hops, plus some dry hopping in top of that. A very unique take on a Double IPA that will make it stand out in a crowd" (source).
• Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin, $1.59/12oz - "Post Road Pumpkin Ale is a revival of a beer brewed by the early American colonists. Pumpkins were plentiful, flavorful and nutritious and they blended nicely with barley malt. Hundreds of pumpkins are blended into each batch of Post Road Pumpkin Ale, creating a beer with an orange amber color, warm pumpkin aroma, biscuity malt center and crisp finish. Post Road Pumpkin Ale is spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg" (source).
• Brooklyn Oktoberfest, $1.59/12oz - "Brooklyn Oktoberfest was introduced in 2000. It is true to the original German style, full-bodied and malty, with a bready aroma and light, brisk hop bitterness. When Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria wanted to celebrate his wedding engagement in 1810, he did what any good Bavarian prince would--he threw a beer festival. Bothe the festival and the special beer served there became known as Oktoberfest. Brewed from the finest German malt and hops, Brooklyn Oktoberfest is true to the original style, fullbodied and malty, with a bready aroma and light, brisk hop bitterness" (source).
• Bell's Oracle, $3.09/12oz - "Our take on the West Coast-style Double India Pale Ale, The Oracle places hop intensity first & foremost, making only the slightest concession to malt & balance. The fireworks start with the floral aromatic punch of two separate dry-hop sessions with Amarillo and NZ Pacific Jade. Resinous, citrusy hop flavors mixed with aggressive bitterness from a massive kettle addition deliver on that aromatic promise" (source).
• Grizzly Peak Hellion, $3.39/12oz - "The devil is in the details. The light touch of pale and wheat malts. Amarillo, Cascade, Simcoe and Chinook hops. Massive hops additions imbue a wicked bitterness and the intense floral aromas of citrus and lush tropical fruit. Hoppy, hoppy, rich and golden" (source).
• New Holland Ichabod, $1.79/12oz - "Ichabod combines malted barley and real pumpkin with cinnamon and nutmeg in a delicious and inviting brew. After dinner, try it with your favorite dessert" (source).
• North Peak Hooligan, $1.89/12oz - "With North Peak’s Hooligan Hoppy Pumpkin Ale you will never have to choose between your favorite pumpkin beer and IPA again. Hooligan is brewed with real pumpkin and spices to give you all the spicy goodness you could ask for. And did we mention the hops? Hooligan is brimming with Citra, Centennial and Chinook hops" (source).
• Dominion Pils, $2.09/12oz - "Our Bohemian Pilsner, brewed with all natural ingredients, is crisp and refreshing, making it a perfect beach companion. Go Bohemian this Summer and take a case of our Beach House to your beach house" (source).
• Oskar blues Ten Fidy, $4.19/12oz - "This titanic, immensely viscous stout is loaded with inimitable flavors of chocolate-covered caramel and coffee and hide a hefty 98 IBUs underneath the smooth blanket of malt. Ten FIDY (10.5% ABV) is made with enormous amounts of two-row malt, chocolate malt, roasted barley, flaked oats and hops. Ten FIDY is the ultimate celebration of dark malts and boundary-stretching beer" (source).
• Right Brain Chubby Squirrel, $7.19/22oz - "A fall ale brewed with our secret blend of spices" (source).
• Smuttynose Smuttlabs Spank, $9.29/22oz - "Hoppy Saison (Birthday Beer!) Brewed to celebrate Smuttynose’s 21st birthday" (source).
• Oddside Snozzberries, $2.29/12oz - "Wit IPA with cherries added" (source).
• Ommegang Grains of Truth, $2.89/12oz - "This is Grains of Truth and it is a Harvest Ale brewed with barley, wheat, oats & rye.  This seasonal release celebrates “the richness of the grain harvest,” it will be packaged in 12oz bottles and the beer will hit 5.8%-AbV.   For those wondering if this is Scythe & Sickle with a new name, stay tuned" (source).
• Shorts Sticky Icky, $1.99/12oz (2 per) - "Sticky Icky Icky is a radiantly clear, copper-colored American India Pale Ale. It is loaded with citrusy hop aromas of oranges, nectarines, and apricots. This light, yet full bodied ale is perfectly balanced by equal parts sweet malt and juicy hops. A medium bitterness along with a subtle earthiness lingers in the finish" (source).

Video of the Week | Science-y Stuff

Here's why aluminum cans are shaped the way they are. Fascinating.

Cheers!