New Beer Friday, New Mayor of Beer City Edition (August 7)

Preamble by Steve Sicliano

If you live in the Grand Rapids vicinity you probably know that Rosalynn Bliss was elected as the city’s first female mayor this past Tuesday.

I have to confess I’m pretty apolitical and don’t know much about Ms. Bliss’s stance on issues that are germane to the city but what I do know about the new mayor is that she’s a fan of craft beer.

For the past two years Rosalynn took time out of her busy schedule to lead the country wide toast to the enriching hobby of homebrewing at the Siciliano’s Big Brew on the Calder.

I highly doubt that this had any impact on Tuesday’s election but in my opinion any politician who rubs elbows with homebrewers has to be pretty darn cool.

Our next mayor toasting local homebrewers during Big Brew on the Calder, 2014.
Photo courtesy Steph Harding.

New and Returning Beers

• Tandem Smackintosh, $3.59/16oz - "The first Smack of the season, made from McIntosh, Rhode Island Greening, and Northern Spy. Sweet and Macky with a rich golden hue, this cider is fresh and fruit. The McIntosh and Greenings are from some 75-year-old trees on Old Mission, the spy from a few miles up the road. Growers: Shultz Orchards and the Kolarik Brothers" (source).
• Saugatuck Pumpkin Chai, $1.89/12oz - "Our new fall seasonal beer; an ale brewed with herbal chai tea and pumpkin. Aromas of chai tea and subtle pumpkin notes on the nose; Flavors of chai and pumpkin make this fall seasonal stand out from typical fall beers. Perfect for a brisk autumn day" (source).
• Sprecher Hard Apple Pie, $1.49/12oz - "At 5% abv, this is definitely not your Grandma's apple pie though it tastes remarkably similar. Each sip gives you every flavor you get in an apple pie -- crisp yet soft apple up front followed by cinnamon and a pie crust finish. Sweet, tart and smooth with a hint of savory. Engagingly provocative, Hard Apple Pie is delicious on its own, in a float with your favorite ice cream, or mixed in a cocktail" (source).
• Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale, $1.69/12oz - "We brew Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale with real pumpkin and a blend of classic pumpkin pie spices in tribute to our colonial forebearers. Recipes calling for the use of pumpkins have been found from early European settlers in New England, when brewers sought to extend their supply of costly imported malt with locally grown ingredients" (source).
• Sam Adams Oktoberfest, $1.69/12oz - "The first thing you notice when pouring a glass of this seasonal beer is the color. Samuel Adams® Octoberfest has a rich, deep golden amber hue which itself is reflective of the season. Samuel Adams® Octoberfest is a malt lover’s dream, masterfully blending together four roasts of barley to create a delicious harmony of sweet flavors including caramel and toffee. The beer is kept from being overly sweet by the elegant bitterness imparted by the German Noble hops. Samuel Adams® Octoberfest provides a wonderful transition from the lighter beers of summer to the winter’s heartier brews" (source).
• Shiner Oktoberfest, $1.69/12oz - "Here in Shiner, TX (pop. 2,070), we’re suckers for tradition. Which is why this classic Oktoberfest brew is made with the highest quality two-row barley, Munich and caramel malts, along with German grown Hallertau Tradition and Hersbrucker hops. It’s our way of honoring our ancestors and the beer they loved to celebrate with. So raise your stein to tradition and enjoy this utterly classic brew" (source).
• Tapistry Gretel, $8.19/22oz - "Gretel is German. Gretel is like a chocolate covered banana. Gretel will make you say "Das schmeckt gut!" (translation: "That tastes good!")" (source).
• Tapistry Heart Full of Napalm, $11.09/22oz - "Double IPA brewed with Galaxy, Mosaic, & Amarillo hops" (source).
• Southern Tier 2XIPA, $1.99/12oz - "Not quite an imperial, but certainly not a standard India pale ale. Our double IPA is a hop lovers dream. Citrusy and clean with an incredible finish" (source).
• Greenbush One in the Same, 1.99/12oz - "Not quite an imperial, but certainly not a standard India pale ale. Our double IPA is a hop lovers dream. Citrusy and clean with an incredible finish" (source).
• Hebrew Slingshot, $1.79/12oz - "Slingshot pours a bright straw color with a thin white head and light lacing. The aroma features juicy, tropical fruit notes of peach, lemon and red grapefruit with the light spice accent of noble hops. The polished malt bill is mainly 2-row pale malt with portions of Vienna and a touch of wheat and rye to add a delicate balance to the spice and fruit. It is medium in body with a smooth refreshing mouthfeel to make Slingshot a well-balanced, easy drinking American craft lager" (source).
• Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin, $3.39/12oz - "Brewed with Pumpkin and Spices(Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom, Cloves). This 8.0% ABV pumpkin ale is heartier, spicier, and more caramelly and pumpkiny than its faint brethren! Perfect finisher on a cool autumn night, or match it up with a slice of pumpkin pie and fresh whipped cream. If you don't agree this is the mother of all pumpkin ales, then you just don't like mothers" (source).
• B. Nektar Sleeping Giant, $26.39/375ml (1 per) - "Once upon a time a giant was imprisoned inside a rye whiskey barrel. For over a year he sat in silence and total darkness and finally, he fell asleep. In time the world forgot about him. Until one day, a brave mead maker with a magical mustache discovered the giant, and put it in a bottle. At over 19% abv, this mead should not be taken lightly. Uncork the bottle and awaken the Sleeping Giant" (source).
• North Peak Dauntless, $1.79/12oz - "Brewed with a traditional Munich lager yeast, Dauntless is a copper colored malt forward salute to the Oktoberfest celebration taking place in Germany every year since 1810.  Tettnang and Hallertauer hops complement the malt flavors by adding subtle, spicy hop notes. Malty, smooth, and eminently drinkable" (source).

Video of the Week | Acme Cider

More GR-made cider? Yes, please.

Visit their Kickstarter page for more information.

Cheers!