New Beer Friday, Rise of the Rhizomes Edition (January 30)

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

A few years ago, I planted a hop rhizome in the flower box in front of the store. I wasn’t sure if a hop plant would grow out of that little, gnarly chunk of root because the area gets no sun and the building overhang prevents it from getting any rain. But a hop plant grew all right. It grew so well, in fact, that eventually I had to remove the vigorous climbing vine because it kept wanting to cover up our sign.

If you would like to grow a few hardy hop vines of your own or are looking to add a few more plants to your established hop garden, we will be taking rhizome pre-orders now through the end of business on Saturday, February 28th. Those wishing to place orders may do so via email (steve@sicilianosmkt.com), by phone (616-453-9674) or in person here at Siciliano's. When ordering by email please ensure that you indicate the desired quantity of the specified variety. Price per each rootstock is $5.00 and payment will not be due until the time of pickup.

We anticipate that the rhizomes will be shipped from our Yakima Valley supplier during the first week of April. Those who placed orders will be personally notified when the shipment arrives. The following is our supplier’s list of the rhizome varieties available this year.

Rhizome Varieties

• Cascade: 4.5 – 7.0% alpha. Grows well in all climates. Susceptible to aphid.
• Centennial: 9.5 – 11.5% alpha. Grows well in all climates. Susceptible to downy mildew.
• Chinook: 11.0 – 13.0% alpha. Grows well in hot, dry climates. Does not grow well in moist climates. Subject to spider mite. Great ornamental hop.
• Columbus: 14.5 – 15.5% alpha. Grows well in dry hot climates. Vigorous but susceptible to mildew diseases.
• Golding: 4.0 – 5.0%. Grows well in mild, moist climates. Does okay in hot climates.
• Liberty: 3.0 – 5.0% alpha. Mild and spicy with subtle lemon and citrus characteristic. Grows well in mild, moist climates.
• Mt. Hood: 4.0 – 5.0% alpha. Hybrid of a Hallertau. Grows well in all climates.
• Northern Brewer: 8.0 – 10% alpha. Adequate in temperate climates but has difficulty growing when under heat stress. Susceptible to downy mildew.
• Nugget: 12.0 – 14.0% alpha. Grows well in all climates.
• Sterling: 6.0 – 8% alpha. Hybrid of Saaz. Grows well in all climates.
• Tettnang: 4.0 – 5.0% alpha. Grows well in moderate climates. Suffers a little in hot climates.
• Willamette: 4.0 – 6.0% alpha. Grows well in all climates.

New and Returning Beer

• Dark Horse Fore Smoked Stout, $2.09/12oz - "Brewed with all malted barley and peat malt (smoked malt). This beer is full bodied with chocolate, roasted barley flavors, and a smokey almost BBQ finish" (source).
• Leinenkugel Big Eddy Imperial Stout, $2.99/12oz - "Once dubbed "the purest water in the world" the Big Eddy Spring runs right through our brewery in the heart of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and is where our Big Eddy Russian Imperial Stout gets its name. Brewed with a blend of robust malts, distinctive hops and notes of chocolate and toffee our stout is bold in character yet remarkably balanced" (source).
• North Peak Burly Belgo IPA, $1.89/12oz - "North Peak is an American Pale Ale with a twist. A Belgian yeast strain and Willamette and Cascade hops give Burly its estery, noticeably bitter taste. Dry hopped with Cascade and Simcoe" (source).
• Sam Adams Stony Brook Red, $11.19/750ml - "This unique brew builds from the inspiration of Flemish reds.  It begins with an earthy sourness and hints of dark fruit but the tartness gives way to a rich maltiness and touch of toasted oak.  These flavors are rounded and deepened by the barrel aging for a layered & alluring brew" (source).
• Sam Adams 13th Hour, $11.19/750ml - "The 13th hour is the witching hour, and a time when strange brews can occur.  With 13 ingredients, we combined the roasted chocolate and coffee flavors of a stout with the complex spicy character of a Belgian-style ale aged in oak for a deep, robust, and captivating brew" (source).
• Sam Adams Rebel Rouser Double IPA, $1.89/12oz - "Bold and unapologetically hoppy, this double IPA packs a punch, but its one of flavor over pure bitterness. What comes through are bright hop flavors of pine, citrus, floral and spice accented by pale malts and alcohol strength for a big, flavorful brew" (source).
• North Coast Old Rasputin, $2.69/12oz - "Produced in the tradition of 18th Century English brewers who supplied the court of Russia's Catherine the Great, Old Rasputin seems to develop a cult following wherever it goes. It's a rich, intense brew with big complex flavors and a warming finish" (source).
• Hebrew Hop Manna, $2.69/12oz - "Behold: A celebration of the flower of the craft beer revolution! A golden opportunity to feed your inner hop head and rejoice in HOP MANNA, our newest delicacy of the modern He’brew Beer family" (source).
• Odd Side Beautiful Disaster, $4.89/12oz - "Pale ale aged in red wine barrels" (source).
• Abita Bourbon Imperial Stout, $9.29/22oz - "Bourbon Street Stout is an Imperial Stout that is aged in small batch bourbon barrels. Our Imperial Stout is brewed with a combination of pale, caramel, chocolate and roasted malts. Oats are also added to give the beer a fuller and sweeter taste. The roasted malts give the beer its dark color as well as its intense flavor and aroma. After fermentation the beer is cold aged for 6 weeks. This is necessary for all of the flavors of the malt and hops to balance and produce a very smooth flavor. After the cold aging the beer is transferred into the bourbon barrels. It is then aged for another 8 weeks to absorb all of the flavors from the barrels. The result is a stout that brings out the roasted flavors from the malt and the warming toasted, vanilla, and bourbon flavors" (source).

Video of the Week | 12-oz Slides

Here's the first installment in Founders' #BrewedFor film series. Enjoy!

Cheers!

New Beer Friday, Malt 101 Edition (January 23)

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

If you're looking for something fun and informative to do this upcoming Monday, January 26, there are still a few spots open in the inaugural class of the Beer Education Series being sponsored by Gravity Taphouse Grille, Beer City USA’s newest multi-tap beer bar.  

Erik May of Pilot Malt House and yours truly are teaming up to conduct this inaugural class, a Malt 101 presentation focusing on malt production and the way various malt varieties are used in the brewing process.

The presentation will begin at 6:30 pm and you must be at least 21 years of age to attend. The $15.00 entrance fee includes a tasting flight of four beers and an appetizer.

Reservations must be made in advance. Contact Angela Steil at 616-719-4944 or asteil@redwaterrestaurants.com if interested.

New and Returning Beer

• White Birch Berliner Weisse, $5.89/22oz - "Napoleon’s troops referred to Berliner Weisse as the "Champagne of the North" due to its lively and elegant character. Today this style is described by some as the most refreshing beer in the world. Our approach was to brew this beer with Lactobacilius for a refreshing and authentic interpretation of a classic summer refresher" (source). 
• White Birch Blueberry Berliner Weisse, $7.39/22oz - "Our Blueberry Berliner Weisse is fermented with a great blueberry puree. This New England approach brings a refreshing blueberry flavor and aroma to a German classic. We feel our approach creates an authentic interpretation of the traditional “mit syrup” or with syrup method of serving this classic summer refresher. We hope you enjoy this unique year round beer" (source).
• Arcadia Hop Rocket, $3.49/12oz - "This Imperial IPA has an assertive aroma of sticky, resinous Summit hops. A complex flavor profile includes notes of grapefruit, lemon peel, spruce and cellared mushrooms. Though the flavor focus is on hops, a trio of malts provides a balance to the beer, creating a delicious level of palatability. Hints of caramel, toffee and freshly-baked biscuits are also apparent in the flavor profile" (source).
• Arcadia Barrel Aged Lochdown, $8.59/12oz - "Barrel-aged Loch Down Scotch Ale. Our tribute to the Scottish Highlands, this beer offers a gorgeous garnet color joined by the aroma of ripe plums and freshly-baked biscuits. The rich, full-bodied texture reveals notes of roasted chestnuts and caramel in the smooth single-malt style brew. Balanced with just the right amount of hop character, this beer delights with crisp alcohol finish" (source).
• Smuttynose Durty, $1.69/12oz - "Each bottle and pint features a delicious balance of carmelly brown ale malt flavors and the hop profile of a double IPA. Durty has enough oomph to get you through the frosty mornings and chilly nights, while the light body and hop flavor will awaken your tongue and senses for the coming warm weather" (source).
• Smuttynose Zinneke, $6.99/Belgian Stout 22oz - "Named in honor of the doggy denizens of Brussels, this hybrid beer is a mix of what we love best in a big, roasty stout, but fermented with a Belgian yeast, which brings out a beautiful fruity nose. We set aside a portion of the batch to age in bourbon barrels to allow the stouts chocolate and caramel flavors to marry with the woods natural vanilla and toastiness. The final blend pairs well with both savory dishes and your favorite desserts" (source).
• Forbidden Traveler, $1.69/12oz - "Forbidden Traveler is a crisp wheat beer brewed with real apple. Its bright effervescence will catch your eye, while its refreshing aroma will tempt your senses. It’s here for the picking, just take a sip" (source).
• Bell's Hopslam, $2.99/12oz (1 case limit) - "Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell's Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex hopping schedule in the Bell's repertoire. Selected specifically because of their aromatic qualities, these Pacific Northwest varieties contribute a pungent blend of grapefruit, stone fruit, and floral notes. A generous malt bill and a solid dollop of honey provide just enough body to keep the balance in check, resulting in a remarkably drinkable rendition of the Double India Pale Ale style" (source).
• Alaskan Big Mountain Pale, $1.69/12oz - "Pouring clear and light copper in color, Big Mountain Pale has three domestic malt varieties providing firm footing for the distinct flavor and aroma of dry-hopped Simcoe and Mosaic. Notes of Asian pear, pine, and lemon in the aroma are answered by the toasted nut, biscuit and toffee malt. The crisp flavor is distinct from the aroma, with pleasantly strong herbal notes and hints of complex tropical fruit" (source).
• Alaskan Imperial Red, $2.79/12oz - "Alaskan Imperial Red is a full-bodied deep mahogany ale with ruby red highlights. Citrus notes of chamomile, grapefruit and Meyer lemon brighten the aroma. A zesty array of hop flavors from mango and bitter orange to green mint and hibiscus meld with the nutty, roasted caramel and subtle dried fruit flavors of the complex malt profile to create a surprisingly fresh, yet warming example of the style" (source).
• Founders Imperial Stout, $3.09/12oz - "A fine companion to end a meal or relax in front of the hearth with, this robust ale will cellar well for years. Brewed with ten varieties of malted barley this stout is extremely smooth, complex and rich in body. We recommend serving at cellar temperature. Sit back and enjoy its richness and complexity, you’re about to drink the ultimate winter warmer" (source).
• Latitude 42 Honey Amber, $1.69/12oz - "Our American amber ale features locally harvested Michigan wildflower honey from Schoolhouse Honey Farms in Scotts and Willamette and Nugget hops. Malty, sweet and well-rounded (in all the right places)" (source).
• Latitude 42 I P EH, $1.69/12oz - "Our India Pale Ale is a true classic for Hop heads using only the finest hops from the northwest. We use centennial, citra, simcoe and falconers flight hops to balance out the smooth malty finish" (source).
• New Holland Blue Sunday, $8.19/22oz (1 btl limit) - "This unique anniversary libation, heritage-blended from our library of barrel-soured beers, exhibits deeply layered flavors of malt and oak, with a tart finish" (source).
• Fort Collins 1020 Pale Ale, $2.09/12oz - "1020 Pale Ale has a magnificent citrus aroma with underlying tones of pine and grapefruit zest that inhabit the flavor, while a smooth, light body and crisp, clean bitterness from Magnum, Cascade and Chinook hops leave your palate both refreshed and liberated" (source).
• Breckenridge 72 Imperial Stout, $3.29/12oz - "Brewed with chocolate from Colorado's very own Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., this Imperial Chocolate Cream Stout is full of rich, toasted chocolate notes with hints of dark fruit. 72 Imperial will take you where you need to go. Just sit back and enjoy the ride" (source).
• Southern Tier Grand Arbor, $9.09/22oz - "Grand Arbor is hazy pale straw in color with a thick rocky white head and persistent lacing. Aromatically earthy with distinct fruity esters and low to moderate noble hop character. Balanced fruity character blends into crisp biscuit notes with a dry tart finish. Interestingly, although we add maple syrup it adds an earthy/woody character rather than an overt sweetness" (source).
• Dogfish Raison D'extra, $10.19/12oz (1 btl limit) - "
  Our Raison D'Etre, with a little extra. This immodest brew, made with an obscene amount of malt, brown sugar and raisins, takes Belgian-style browns to new heights.
  Raison D'Extra's little brother Raison D'Etre was brewed to be the ultimate beer partner for steak. Plump raisins and beet sugars give the beer a similar DNA and color to red wine.
  D'Extra takes this concept to the next level. What 120 Minute IPA is to 60 Minute IPA, D'Extra is the D'Etre. We're pushing the limits of what a Belgian yeast can do (and we've discovered that's somewhere in the ballpark of 15% to 18% ABV!)

  - See more at: http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/on-hiatus-brews/raison-dextra.htm#sthash.zpxCgMdi.dpuf
  Our Raison D'Etre, with a little extra. This immodest brew, made with an obscene amount of malt, brown sugar and raisins, takes Belgian-style browns to new heights.
  Raison D'Extra's little brother Raison D'Etre was brewed to be the ultimate beer partner for steak. Plump raisins and beet sugars give the beer a similar DNA and color to red wine.
  D'Extra takes this concept to the next level. What 120 Minute IPA is to 60 Minute IPA, D'Extra is the D'Etre. We're pushing the limits of what a Belgian yeast can do (and we've discovered that's somewhere in the ballpark of 15% to 18% ABV!)

  - See more at: http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/on-hiatus-brews/raison-dextra.htm#sthash.zpxCgMdi.dpuf
  Raison D’Extra is our amped up version of the Raison D’Etre. It is brewed from a similar grist (raisins included) to a massive 42P, giving it 20.5%ABV, along with 20 IBU and a color of 20L" (source).
• Avery duganA, $6.99/22oz - "
  Lupulin Rapture Incarnate! As fervent devotees of hops, we found ourselves on a quest to create a transcendental IPA capable of quenching our voracious lupulin desires. Our mantra became “unity of bitterness, hop flavor and aroma.” Enlightened, duganA IPA was born: A brutally bitter, dank, piney and resinous ale designed for those seeking a divine hop experience - See more at: http://averybrewing.com/our-ales/dugana/#sthash.mb3Jb64y.dpuf
  Lupulin Rapture Incarnate! As fervent devotees of hops, we found ourselves on a quest to create a transcendental IPA capable of quenching our voracious lupulin desires. Our mantra became “unity of bitterness, hop flavor and aroma.” Enlightened, duganA IPA was born: A brutally bitter, dank, piney and resinous ale designed for those seeking a divine hop experience" (source).
• Short's Carob Stout, $1.99/12oz - "A big bodied stout that receives its distinguishable flavor characteristics from the substantial use of roasted malt, dark specialty grains, and ground carob. Cocoa and chocolate-like aromas penetrate from the black depths of this alluring ale. Robust flavors of roasted black coffee, and even subtle notes of dark fruit, mix with the abundant rich chocolate qualities. As it warms, an ample bitterness from the dark roasted specialty grains and high alpha hops intensifies, provoking a noticeable dryness on the palate" (source).
• Black Isle Oatmeal Stout, $7.59/16.9oz - "Deep dark chocolate flavoured stout with subtle notes of liquorice. The use of oats confers a smooth mouthfeel to this strong stout" (source).
• Black Isle Scotch Ale, $7.59/16.9oz - "Believed to have originated from Edinburgh in the 1800s, the brewing of Scotch ales is now more of a focus for the US craft brewers than for those in its homeland. This beer, however, is a distillation of all that is good in Scotland. A liquid fruit cake with a malty foundation and a rich spice finish, this will fill your palate and astound you for minutes as you unlock the multi-layers of flavour" (source).
• O'Fallon King Louie, $1.79/12oz - "We’ve used a variety of malts to create the perfect balance between soft chocolate, caramel and roasted notes that highlights the featured toffee flavor" (source).
• Lagunita's Cappuccino Stout, $4.79/22oz - "We get some help from our friends/neighbors at Sebastopol’s Hardcore Coffee just up the road. The coffee beans are freshly ground when we drop them into the brew kettle and whirlpool, giving that deep coffee flavor without taking away from that even deeper beer flavor" (source).
• Southern Tier Creme Brulee, $9.29/22oz - "We are not the harbingers of truth as some may suggest but it may indeed be argued that our brewing philosophy is tantamount to a dessert with a bellicose past. How, you may ask, would a brewery determine a likeness to hard-coated custard? Our response is simple; it’s all in the power of history, and of course, the extra finesse needed to top off a contentious treat with definition" (source).
• Southern Tier Goat Boy, $7.79/22oz - "When words don’t say enough we sometimes let our fingers do the talking. Maybe it’s kid stuff, but the sign of the goat has been used by rock stars, sports fans, celebrities & unfortunate politicians to celebrate symbolically. Open this bottle for your turn to flash the eternal gesture of high voltage rock & roll. For those about to bock, we salute you" (source).
• Bateman's Mocha, $4.69/16.99 - "A fresh coffee and chocolate experience brewed with genuine arabica coffee, fine Belgian chocolate and locally grown roasted malt" (source).

  Picture of the Week | Hopslam 2015

Cheers!

New Beer Friday, Cryptozoology Edition (January 16)

Steve at last year's Big Brew event

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

This is the time of year when Team Siciliano begins doing some preliminary planning on our annual trifecta of spring home brew events.

The following is a list of this year’s pertinent dates. Stay tuned to The Buzz for further information and periodic updates.

• Siciliano’s Twelfth Annual Homebrew Competition – Entries will be accepted from Monday, March 23 through Sunday, April 12th, or until 250 entries are submitted. Judging will be held on Saturday, April 25th at the Guest House on Stocking Avenue.
• The Third Annual Siciliano’s Big Brew at the Calder – Saturday, May 2nd at the Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids.
• The Twelfth Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Party – Saturday, May 16th at Johnson Park.

In the meantime, please enjoy the latest beers to arrive at Siciliano's. This week's list includes a Bigfoot sighting. Tasty.

New and Returning Beers

• Right Brain Firestarter Chipotle Porter, $7.19/22oz - "Dark porter with chocolate malt. Subtle smokiness and mild heat" (source).
• Vivant Ski Patrol, $3.39/16oz - Belgian inspired wit with black cardamom & orange peel.
• Arbor Mr. Delicious, $2.89/12oz - "This beer leads off with a stiff round-house punch of citrusy hops, follows up with a quick kick of bready malts and warming alcohol, and finishes with a powerful and lingering bite of complex layered hops. This popular brew was inspired by ABC founder, head brewer and spiritual leader Matt Greff whose cartoon enhanced image graces the label" (source).
• Thirsty Dog Barrel Aged Siberian Night, $6.89/12oz - "We took our award winning Siberian Night Russian Imperial Stout and aged it for 11 months in fresh bourbon barrels. The result blew us away. The dark chocolate malt yields a milk chocolate flavor that blends perfectly with the vanilla flavor from the barrel. The bourbon aroma adds the finishing touch" (source).
• Thirsty Dog Barrel Aged Wulver, $6.89/12oz - "We made this beer specifically for bourbon barrels. The result is our most acclaimed bourbon barrel beer. Bourbon barrel aging and specialty malts create flavors of vanilla and carmel that blend in perfect balance" (source).
• Blue Moon First Peach Ale, $1.49/12oz - "Ale brewed with coriander with peaches and natural peach flavor added" (source).
• Odd Side Java Mint Chip, $2.29/12oz (limit 2) - "Craving ice cream? This stout will ease your taste buds. It the perfect marriage of mint-chocolate-chip-ice cream and roasted coffee" (source).
• Stone Enjoy By 02.14.15., $7.69/22oz (limit 1) - "You have in your hands a devastatingly desirable double IPA. While freshness is a key component of many beers – especially big, citrusy, floral IPAs – we’ve taken it further, a lot further, in this IPA. You see, we specifically brewed it NOT to last. We’ve not only gone to extensive lengths to ensure that you’re getting this beer in your hands within an extraordinarily short window, we made sure that the Enjoy By date isn’t randomly etched in tiny text somewhere on the label, to be overlooked by all but the most attentive of retailers and consumers. Instead, we’ve sent a clear message with the name of the beer itself that there is no better time than right now to enjoy this IPA" (source).
• Stone Baird Ishii Japanese Green Tea IPA, $9.49/22oz (limit 1) - See video below.
• B. Nektar Apple PI, $12.89/375ml - "The holidays are over, but it doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy some delicious pie. Ours is made from fresh apple cider, honey, and pie spices. Perfect after dinner sipper" (source).
• Bell's Smitten Rye PA, $1.79/12oz - "Drawn from one of our oldest recipes, Smitten Ale began as part of a series of rye beers at our Eccentric Café. The combination of sharp citrus & resinous flavors from the hops with the earthy, rustic overtones of the rye malt contribution yield an interesting take on the American Pale Ale" (source).
• Sierra Nevada Bigfoot, $2.59/12oz - "Bigfoot is a beast of a beer, brimming with bold flavors of bittersweet malt and heaps of aggressive whole-cone Pacific Northwest hops. First introduced in the winter of 1983, Bigfoot is a cult-classic beer brewed in the barleywine style, meaning a strong, robust, bruiser of a beer with the refined intensity of a wine. Bigfoot is prized by beer collectors for its supreme cellarability. Under the proper conditions, it can age like a fine wine, developing new flavors and character as it matures in the bottle. Each new release or 'expedition' is vintage dated. Collect your own and see the flavors develop and progress" (source).
• Sam Adams Double Bock, $7.19/22oz - "Dark ruby color, strong malt and caramel character; very smooth, full-bodied, low/medium bitterness" (source).
• Abita Macchiato Milk Stout, $4.69/22oz - "The Abita Macchiato gained its inspiration from the Macchiato coffee drink, capturing the perfect balance between sweetness and bitterness. The Abita Macchiato is made with pale, caramel, chocolate and roasted malts. Oats and lactose are added to give the beer a more robust and sweeter taste. The sweetness of the lactose helps balance the bitterness of the brew. The roasted malts give the beer its dark color as well as its intense flavor and aroma. Willamette hops are added to balance out the sweetness of the malts. Finally, PJ's espresso dolce beans are added to the aging tank. This gives the beer a strong coffee flavor and aroma that compliments the existing flavors of the malt" (source).

Video of the Week | Japanese Green Tea IPA

Cheers!

New Beer Friday, The Desk of Steve Edition (Jan 9)

The desk of Steve

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

The first full week of the New Year is always anticlimactic at Siciliano’s. But after a month and a half of nonstop busyness the staff and I actually look forward to these few days of relative calm.

Typically we use the first couple of days of January to catch our breath and then we turn our attention to some much needed cleaning projects.

This past week Barb tackled the floors, the staff attacked the shelves and I spent the better part of a morning cleaning up the cramped corner of the store that serves as my “office.” When my project was finished I sat back and once again resolved to keep the space clear, my bookcase organized and my desk uncluttered. Unfortunately this annual New Year’s resolution lasts about as long as it takes for the spring seasonals to begin showing up on our newly washed beer shelves, which, according to these these calculations, should be any time now.

New and Returning Beer

• Sierra Nevada Nooner, $1.69/12oz - ". A midday go-to, Nooner is our take on the classic German-style pilsner—one of the original session beers. Nooner is easy drinking yet packed with the big flavor of spicy and floral whole-cone hops. Its brilliant golden color begs you to take a sip and sink your taste buds into an extremely welcoming beer, full of flavor and balanced by a crisp, dry finish" (source).
• Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Hoppy Lager, $1.69/12oz - "Beer Camp is the ultimate brewing experience. We bring beer fans into our brewery nearly every week to create their own beer with us—the more daring the better—and each spring we’ll highlight one of the small-batch standouts. Last year, Beer Camp worked overtime. Along with our fan brews, we made 12 additional beers with 12 exceptional breweries. Choosing one for an encore wasn’t easy. Ever drawn to hops, we decided to reimagine our hoppy lager collaboration with Ballast Point" (source).
• Great Lakes Conway's Irish Ale, $1.69/12oz - "A malty beer with a notable toasty flavor derived from lightly roasted malt. Slight fruit and hop accents add to the overall complexity" (source).
• Sam Adams Cold Snap, $1.69/12oz - "Crisp & lively, the hazy smoothness of this unfiltered White Ale is roused by the crackling of spring spices. From a hint of sweetness from orange peel & plum to the peppery bite of fresh ground coriander, the subtle blend of spices creates just the right refreshing kick to signal that spring is on its way" (source).
• Sam Adams Escape Route, $1.69/12oz - "Escaping from winter’s darkness, this hazy golden, unfiltered Kölsch style creates a fresh start. Our take on the classic hybrid style grom Cologne, Germany, combines the subtle fruit notes of an ale with the smooth crispness of a lager for a bright, refreshing brew to help escape those lingering cold days" (source).
• Sam Adams Rebel Rider Session IPA, $1.69/12oz - "Bursting with bright citrus, grapefruit, and classic piney west coast hop character, this beer has a soft lingering bitterness and a lighter body overall." (source).
• Odd Side Chocolade Koffie Sout, $2.39/12oz - "If you’re a fan of chocolate stouts this is the one to try! A great mixture of thick, sweet, dark chocolate fudge, and light espresso bean undertones will immediately appeal to your senses. Your taste buds will dance when the creamy stout takes flight" (source).
• Deschutes Red Chair, $1.79/12oz - "The citrus punch of a big IPA, minus the one-dimensional hop sledgehammer. Seven select European and domestic malts round out the edges for a complex, copper-colored brew. Like its namesake ski lift, it’s an insider’s ride to fresh thrills" (source).
• Uerige Doppelsticke, $5.59/500ml - "Uerige DoppelSticke might just be "Germany's interpretation of a barley-wine", ie a third definition next to England's "malt-driven" idea {such as JW Lees Vintage Harvest Ale} and America's "hop-heavy" version {such as Sierra Nevada's BigFoot}. OG - 1085; IBU - 75; Ingredients; Hops:Spalt Spalter, Hallertauer Perle, Spalt Hallertauer; Malts: Pilsner malt, caramel malt, roasted malt" (source).
• New Belgium Slow Ride, $1.69/12oz - "Kicking back and relaxing with a session beer requires little more than a couch, some free time, and a few pals. Slow Ride Session IPA is up for this easy-going challenge, starting with a pour of sheened gold and plenty of fluffy, white foam. A blend of seven hop varieties, led by exotic Mosaic and Nelson Sauvin, twist together brilliant tropical scents of melon, peach, lime and grapefruit for a vividly fruity aroma. The flavor mirrors the aroma, while balancing a malty-sweet yet clean start and hoppy bitterness in the back. Light bodied and extra quaffable, Slow Ride Session IPA brings the finish line to you" (source).
• New Belgium Portage, $1.69/12oz - "A great porter just feels right in your hand. And carrying a glass of Portage Porter is no different. An opaque, brown pour, this beer presents with coffee and chocolate aromas, with hints of toast and smoked almonds. The taste follows suit, adding an upfront sweetness and a slight, roasty bitterness to back it up. Creamy and wonderful, this porter sips a medium body and finishes dry and delightful. Portage Porter carts itself towards perfection. Just tip your glass and keep smiling" (source).
• Cheboygan Light House Amber, $2.19/16oz - "Our German style Alt, Lighthouse Amber, has a brilliant light amber hue. Its light tan head is thick, retaining, and laces the glass all the way down. Lighthouse Amber has a silky-smooth medium body. A Noble hop aroma up front finishes with a Carmel malt nose. Our old world brewing method brings out a light toasted-bread flavor you’ll want to savor again and again. It’s a mouthwatering and thirst quenching delight" (source).
• Cheboygan Blood Orange Honey, $2.19/16oz - "A unique twist on a great American-style wheat beer, with the addition of fresh local wildflower honeyBlood Orange Honey Can WEB mixed with blood orange zest, and blood orange puree. The result is a medium bodied beer that is very smooth with a residual sweetness, and creaminess from the honey, and an exhilierating nose of citrus from the orange" (source).
• Shorts Dolly Dagger, $1.99/12oz - "Dolly Dagger harmoniously joins big sweet malt aromatics with signature fruit and spice yeast characteristics. Flavors of toasted grain, caramel, dark fruit, and clove provide a perfect precursor to the substantial bitter contributions from the exclusive use of high-alpha Bravo hops. The end result is a balanced blend of big grain sweetness, intense hop bitterness, and unmistakable yeast qualities" (source).

Video of the Week | Pure Michigan

Here's to the curious.

Cheers!