The deer in the vicinity of Irons, Michigan, will have nothing to fear this weekend from a group of men who will be gathering in a cabin in the woods.
Instead of stalking whitetail, they’ll be grilling short ribs, beef tenderloin and whole chickens. There will be loaves of crusty bread, cases of beer, jugs of cider, good bourbon and homemade wine. There will be poker games, cigar smoke, talking, laughing, bantering and good-natured ribbing around the camp fire.
The men might raise a toast to the relatives and friends who are gone, and they may reminisce a little about mid-November weekends past. They’ll probably add an episode or two to their collection of deer camp memories.
Here's to another year of deer camp. If you're heading out into the woods this weekend, be careful, have fun, and don't forget to stop by Siciliano's before you leave to.
New and Returning Beer
Atwater Bockefeller, $2.09/12oz - "Brewed with respect to the season, Atwater’s Winter Bock boasts the body and deep malt flavors matched with a warming, but well blended hint of alcohol. Extended aging reduces the sharpness and acidity typically apparent in strong ales" (source).
Atwater Christmas, $2.19/12oz - "Brewed with respect to the season, Atwater’s Winter Bock boasts the body and deep malt flavors matched with a warming, but well blended hint of alcohol. Extended aging reduces the sharpness and acidity typically apparent in strong ales" (source).
Vivant Ski Patrol, $3.79/16oz - "This crushable slopes-inspired beer complements our Michigan winters with a hazy golden pour and a warming spice on the nose. The cardamom sets this wit apart from the traditional corriander variety" (source).
Ellison Crescent Fresh, $3.29/16oz - "This IPA is packed with American hops that are added to every stage of the brewing process. Big notes of citrus in the aroma are complimented by a smooth bitterness and crisp, piney finish. We added a f*** ton of hops to this beer in hopes that we please even the pickiest of hop heads" (source).
North Pier Old Shuck, $2.99/16oz - "This deep dark brew is an ode to Old Shuck, the ghostly demon dog that roamed the countryside in 16th century England. Big coffee aromas pairs perfectly with a late addition of earthy English hops, making this the perfect roasty ale to drink all year round" (source).
Stone Fyodor's, $17.49/500ml - "A special batch of classic Stone Imperial Russian Stout, a rich, massively aromatic beer with notes of black currants, coffee and roastiness, was brewed to create this barrel-aged beauty" (source).
Stone Mikhail's, $17.49/500ml - "Like the classic version, this Odd Year edition was brewed in the authentic, historical style, but with the addition of espresso beans, producing roasty bitterness and deep, rich coffee flavors" (source).
Uinta Rise and Pine, $1.69/12oz - "Juniper and piney hops build the framework for this bold dark ale. With its assertive bitterness and smooth malt finish, this beer stands tall above the rest" (source).
Anchorage Rondy, $17.49/750ml - "Rondy Brew is a saison brewed with Citra hops, fermented with Saison yeast" (source).
Fantome de Noel, $15.49/750ml - "A very dark and entirely unique holiday seasonal beer, at a whopping 10% alc. by volume. Reportedly spiced with honey, caramel, coriander, black pepper, and other secret ingredients" (source).
Fantome Hiver, $15.49/750ml - "Fantôme’s winter offering, available December through March or so. Brewer Dany Prignon changes his receipes every year, so we can’t so for sure what this year’s beer will be like, but it is sure to please lovers of Dany’s beers" (source).
Nogne-O/Stone/Jolly Pumpkin Holiday Ale, $10.89/500ml - "This collaboration ale by Jolly Pumpkin, Nøgne-Ø, and Stone was brewed with ingredients indigenous to the area where each brewery is located. It contains Michigan chestnuts, Norwegian juniper berries, and white sage from Southern California. It also brewed with caraway seeds, malted oats and 25% rye malt" (source).
Left Hand Bittersweet Nitro, $3.69/12oz - "OUR BIG, AGGRESSIVE Bittersweet stout is made smooth and even creamier with the help of tiny nitrogen bubbles that are released when you poured hard. The coffee’s dark cherry flavors and spicy undertones weave into the rich, imperial milk stout like a chocolate-covered espresso bean melting on your tongue. Bitter then sweet. Sweet then bitter. It’s Bittersweet" (source).
Left Hand Midnight Wheat Saison, $2.99/16oz - "Dry and crisp farmhouse-style ale. Mild tartness with Colorado barley and midnight wheat" (source).
Heavy Seas Partner Ship Mad Tree Wee Heavy, $9.69/22oz - "With Burundi Mpanga coffee from Deeper Roots in Cincinnati, Ethiopian Harrar coffee from Chesapeake Bay Roasting Co. in Baltimore and cocoa nibs from Maverick Chocolate in Cincinnati, this robust brew is loaded with local flavor. Deep mahogany in color with layers of malt, chocolate, and roasted complexity" (source).
Odd Side Peanut Butter Cup Stout, $2.89/12oz - "A rich stout made with real peanut butter" (source).
Odd Side Pink Dank Juice, $2.59/12oz - "Dank Juice, our East Coast IPA, with Pink Guava" (source).
Elysian Bifrost, $2.19/12oz - "The rainbow bridge made from fire, air and water, used by the gods to travel from the world tree, Yggdrasil, to the heavens. Asgard. Brewed with Pale malt and small amounts of Munich and Crystal malts. Bittered with Centennial, finished with Amarillo and Styrian Goldings hops. Strong, hoppy, and smööth" (source).
Roak Chestnut Porter, $2.09/12oz - "Chestnut Maple Porter" (source).
Roak Flavorful 5, $4.99/16oz - "New England style DIPA" (source).
When I was almost parallel with the cottage I stroked hard on the left then let the kayak glide into the recessed cut out of the sea wall. After the bow scraped the sand I threw the paddle up on the grass and grabbed the gunwales. When I stood up the kayak wobbled left, then wobbled right, then wobbled left again, and when I stretched my right foot towards the bank I lost my balance and fell backwards into the icy, waist high water. I got on my knees then struggled to my feet and only then saw Harry standing on the front deck.
“Pretty cold to go swimming, sport,” he yelled to me.
“Get down here and help me pull this out of the water,” I yelled back as I slogged towards the beach.
“I thought you were going hunting,” I said while we were flipping the kayak over on the grass.
“Changed my mind. Glad I did. I can’t wait to tell the boys about this.”
“I bet you can’t,” I said. “Do me a favor and get a fire going while I get out of these clothes.”
“Sure thing, sport. There’s a bottle of Blanton’s on the kitchen counter.”
After I dried off and changed I poured two big tumblers of Bourbon and grabbed two Perdomo Sungrown Churchills from the humidor. When I was outside I handed the glasses and cigars to Harry then pulled up a chair and sat down next to him in front of the fire.
“That didn’t take long,” I said, motioning my cigar towards the roaring fire.
“I’m a master fire builder. Those dry pine needles do the trick.”
“Well we certainly have plenty of those laying around.”
“Did you hear the loons?” Harry asked. “There were two of them about twenty yards off shore. I’m surprised they haven’t gone south yet.”
“Nope, I was busy getting water out of my ears.”
“I sure wish Barb was here to see that,” Harry chuckled. He reached for a burning twig and lit his cigar. “How’s she doing by the way?” he asked after a few moments.
“She’s doing alright. It’s been a tough week.”
“It’s never easy,” Harry said. “You guys did everything you could.”
“I know we did,” I said then reached down for the tumbler of Bourbon. “They brought a blanket in and we sat with Ellie on the floor. Barb and I held her while Jay injected the pentobarbital.” I took a sip of the Blanton’s after taking a pull on the cigar. “Ellie Mae sure did love it up here. That crazy little white dog would stay in the lake all day.”
“Give it some time. It’ll get easier.”
“Oh, I know it will,” I said.
We had another Bourbon and talked about bow hunting and fly fishing and the upcoming college basketball season. Every once in a while Ellie Mae worked her way back into the conversation.
“Well, I’ve got to get going,” Harry said after finishing his drink and tossing the last two inches of his cigar into the fire. “I’m definitely going out in the morning.”
I picked up the empty glasses and walked with him back to the driveway. “I’ll get the Blanton’s” I said after remembering the bottle.
“Keep it,” Harry said while climbing into his truck.
“Thanks Harry,” I said. “I really appreciate it. Thanks.”
“No need to thank me, sport. Lord knows I’ve drunk plenty of your Bourbon.”
“You know what I mean,” I said.
Before going into the cottage I stood on the sea wall and imagined Ellie Mae swimming somewhere in a glassy smooth lake then I gazed up at the stars in the cloudless November sky.
New and Returning Beer
Sam Adams White Christmas, $1.79/12oz - "This unfiltered white ale has a unique and festive twist. Its crisp wheat character combines with warming holiday spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange peel for a flavorful yet refreshing brew that's perfect for the season" (source).
Arcadia Shipwreck Porter, $9.39/12oz - "The Baltic-style porter has a robust malt character and a slight herbal hop bitterness. Aged for 12 months in 10-year-old Kentucky bourbon oak barrels, this alluring dark liquid features appealing undertones of vanilla, oak, cocoa and coffee. The aging occurs in abandoned mines in Michigan, at a constant temperature of 45F" (source).
Arcadia Porter Rico, $1.89/12oz - "Take a trip to the lost island of Porter Rico, where cacao and coconut live in harmony and frolic on the sandy shores. Our island getaway takes the form of a dark, chocolatey beer, with a balancing sweetness, medium body, and rich mouthfeel, creating the sensation of biting into dark chocolate coconut candy. Brewed with real coconut and bittersweet malt. This perfectly balanced porter rides the trade winds for a truly exotic, yet comfortingly familiar pint" (source).
Rochester Mills 12 Days of Milkshake Mix, $30.29/12pk - "What started out as a crazy idea to take twelve different versions of our original Milkshake Stout brew to twelve different bars over twelve days seemed pretty audacious at the time, especially during the busy holiday season. Over the next few years, we increased the number of bars in the program, changed up the line up of beers, and last year we introduced a mixed 12-pack containing one of each variety" (source).
Deschutes Dissident, $18.69/22oz (1 per) - "Introducing our wildest brew yet, The Dissident 2017 is a distinctive Belgian-style brown ale. Fermented with wild yeast, we have to isolate this brew so as not to influence the others. Otherwise, we might have anarchy on our hands. So, here’s to solitary confinement" (source).
Oskar Blues Death by Coconut, $3.39/12oz - "Intense pure liquid cacao flavors swirl with popping coconut aromas, all supported by a semi-sweet porter made from loads of our dark chocolate and extra dark caramel malt. This limited release specialty comes around once a year to satisfy that sweet tooth, so get ’em while you can before they disappear. At 6.5% ABV and 25 IBUs, this choconut goodness will have you yellin’ “Pass. Dash. Hit.” all winter long" (source).
Perrin Special Two Pack, $34.39/2pk - Featuring No Rules and Malted Milk Ball.
Short's Juicy Tree, $2.89/12oz - "Juicy Tree is an experimental India Pale Ale made with blue spruce tips, juniper berries, and cranberries. Big aromatics of piney evergreen and sweet berries tingle the senses. After some slightly tart and tangy flavors up front, a harmonious balance between pleasant fruit sweetness and bitter pine is reached. The finish is laced with a resiny stickiness that flows naturally into a lasting bitterness" (source).
Nowhere in Particular Batch 013, $2.99/12oz - "As the warm weather comes to an end, theoretically at least, we decided to make a nice bright but kinda different IPA. We took a ton of citrusy hops, added lactose to give a nice full body and lemon juice to give a nice citrus finish. The results were fucking awesome. Drinkable with a nice round body, and nice bright citrus flavors blend nicely with a slight bitterness" (source).
Nowhere in Particular Batch 014, $2.99/12oz - "All the buzzwords in this guy. If we are going to make a pale ale, you better believe we are going to drop a metric fuck ton of hops in it, and do it our own way. This beer has no hops in the boil, just in the whirlpool and in the dry hop. This huge late addition of hops gives this guy tons of tropical fruit hop flavors while keeping the bitterness low, so this is kinda a juice bomb. Low alcohol and light body on this brew means you can drink a bunch of them if you wanted to, and we bet you will after trying this tasty liquid" (source).
Ballast Point Victory at Sea, $2.59/12oz - "Our Ballast Point Victory at Sea Imperial Porter is a bold, smooth brew with just the right amount of sweetness. We infused this robust porter with vanilla and San Diego’s own Caffe Calabria coffee beans. The subtle roasted notes and minimal acidity of the cold brewed coffee, balances perfectly with the sweet caramel undertones of the malt, creating a winning combination for your palate" (source).
Ballast Point Coconut Victory at Sea, $9.69/22oz - "This Coconut Ballast Point Victory at Sea takes our popular Imperial Porter to another place. We added sweet roasted coconut to our robust porter brewed with Caffe Calabria coffee and vanilla, the perfect complement to this beer’s subtly roasty intensity. A favorite at our annual Ballast Point Victory at Sea Day, but it’s worth enjoying anytime you need to be transported" (source).
Ballast Point Peanut Butter Victory at Sea, $9.69/22oz - "This version has both Chocolate and Peanut Butter" (source).
Odd Side Jared's Mom, $2.39/12oz - "Belgian IPA" (source).
Odd Side Chocolade Koffie Stout, $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).
Kentucky Ales Old Fashioned, $4.459/12oz - "It’s a copper-colored brew that plays off the beloved taste of a bourbon Old Fashioned – the most iconic of Southern cocktails. This seasonal is brewed with tart cherries and orange peel, then aged in fresh bourbon barrels as well as bourbon barrels used to age bitters. Kindly donated Cherry Bitters barrels, originally used by Kentucky’s finest distillers, impart their wonderful character on this beer. Subtly sweet, it’s balanced by bitter hints of hops and bitters, as well citrusy notes of orange" (source).
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice, $2.19/12oz - "Winter Solstice® is our take on the classic style of “winter warmer.” Boasting a deep amber hue and rich mouthfeel, its creamy finish will lift your spirits. Hints of toffee, spice, and caramel tease the senses making this the perfect ale to share with friends and family during the cold days and long nights of winter" (source).
Alaskan Smoked Porter, $9.79/22oz - "Known as “rauchbier” in Germany, smoke-flavored beers were virtually unknown in the U.S. until Alaskan Smoked Porter was developed in 1988" (source).
Alaskan Winter Ale, $1.79/12oz - "Traditionally malty with the warming sensation of alcohol, Olde Ales are brewed in the fall as winter warmers" (source).
Anchor Christmas Ale, $2.39/12oz - "A smooth and creamy winter warmer with rich flavors of cacao, toffee and roasted nuts, and subtle hints of honey and herbal spice, this year’s brew marks the 43rd annual release of this Anchor tradition" (source).
Atwater Voodoo Vator, $3.19/12oz - "VooDoo Vator Dopplebock tempers the sweetness of caramel malt with the crisp, more nutty flavor of Munich malt. Despite the depth of color, burnt flavors are not present. Traditional extended lagering makes the VooDoo Vator deceptively smooth though high in alcohol" (source).
Brewery Vivant Tart Side of the Moon, $4.69/16oz - "One of our most anticipated and highly talked about specialty releases, this hearty stout is kettle soured and blended for a slight tartness along side big dark chocolate notes and hints of black cherries. No adjuncts are added to this beer-- these robust layers of flavor are yeast driven. Listen to the lunatic" (source).
Dark Horse Fore Smoke Stout, $2.19/12oz - "Number four in our stout series, this beer is brewed with all malted barley and hardwood smoked malt. Aromas of smoked chocolate and coffee leave way to a full-bodied stout with a smokey finish. Fore is a house favorite among our brewers" (source).
Founders Azacca, $1.39/12oz - "Named after the Haitian God of agriculture, the Azacca hop has an intense tropical aroma with hints of citrus and mango. A touch of caramel malt gives a sweet backbone to support the righteous fruit character of this beer. Pouring a burnt orange color and registering at 7.0% ABV, your taste buds will worship this heavenly, hopped delight" (source).
Revolution Fistmas, $1.99/12oz - "Our holiday red ale is steeped with fresh ginger root and orange peel, resulting in a beer with aromas of fresh baked bread, caramel, and stone fruits. Fistmas was brewed with specialty malts to achieve a beautiful deep red hue" (source).
Upland Darken, $15.29/500ml (1 per) - "Belgian-style sour ales heavily influenced our Sour Program in the beginning, and Darken is a take on an "old ale" or Flanders Oud Bruin style. We add nearly the entire spice rack to this ale, including star anise, ginger, grains of paradise, black pepper, and coriander. Formerly named Dantalion (the powerful Great Duke of Hell, if you’re curious), Darken is complex ale with an approachable tartness and flavors of spice, fruit, caramel, and chocolate. Darken has a medium-low body, with a dry, spicy finish" (source).
Upland Revive, $9.99/500ml (1 per) - "After extensive experimentation and feedback from our retail staff, customers, and brewing team, Revive was one of the first beers released out of the Wood Shop. The base beer is Basis, which was inspired by traditional brewing methods of Belgium brewing. The beer is aged for three to four months in oak barrels with pineapple fruit and whole chamomile flowers. That sweet tanginess of fruit combines beautifully with the floral aroma for a tart, dry, and refreshing sour ale" (source).
Upland Cherry Lambic, $24.99/750ml - "Brewed with whole cherries. Aged in oak casks for over a year, which creates a tart, complex beer" (source).
Omnipollo Nebuchadnezzar, $3.79/16oz - "Neb is a home brew recipe that has been scaled up with no consideration to economies of scale. Some say idiotic, and as an economist I would have to agree. Get fresh or die trying" (source).
With the popularity of last year's single-barrel 1792, we decided to have a go at it again and were lucky enough to procure for your enjoyment a Buffalo Trace single barrel. The interesting thing about a Buffalo Trace single barrel is that the usual bottle you see on the shelf is comprised of multiple barrels ranging from 8 to 10 years old that are blended together in order to form continuity in the brands overall characteristics. The single barrel variety allows the consumer the ability to experience one part of the whole spectrum, which can differ from barrel to barrel and can only be found in stores that participate in the barrel program.
Earlier this year we were treated to a handful of different barrel samples each containing different intensities of flavor, aroma, body and balance in the final spirit. We deliberated on each one and made a mostly unanimous choice on the barrel that now resides in our store. It was laid down in October of 2008 making it 9 years old, and we believe it to be a fine bourbon that contains a wonderful harmony of spirit and barrel notes that can be equally enjoyed as a sipper as well as a wonderful accompaniment to your favorite cocktails.
In comparison to the original Buffalo Trace bourbon, our single barrel holds more weight on the palate, and contains flavors and aromas of brown sugar, baking spice, orchard fruit, roasted corn, leather and charred barrel notes. While these are similar to the regular bourbon, they are amped up in our barrel giving more complexity to the final spirit. That said, there were only sixteen cases of fifths and four cases of pints that were bottled from this barrel due to evaporation over the years, so stocks are limited, and at $29.99 a fifth and $16.99 a pint it is an affordable way to enjoy a “rare” bourbon when many of the special releases around this time of year can climb into the triple digits.
New and Returning Beer
Mikkeller SD Windy Hill, $3.29/16oz - "Windy Hill IPA dry hopped w/Mosaic & Simcoe" (source).
Prairie No Chill, $3.89/12oz - "Milk stout conditioned on Mexican coffee beans sourced from Spaceship Earth Coffee in McAlester, OK" (source).
Bernard Bohemian Lager, $2.29/12oz - "This unpasteurized light lager is a beer with a balanced bitter taste in harmony with its tasty fullness, hop aroma and rich foam" (source).
Bernard Dark Lager, $2.29/12oz - "This non-filtered dark lager with a fine yeast culture is an unpasteurized beer brewed from four types of malt, with a distinctive full taste and a fine bitterness. Its special flavour makes it unique on the Czech beer market" (source).
Bernard Bohemian Ale, $3.09/12oz - "Spice up your day with top fermented special beer Bernard Bohemian Ale. The beer is bottle conditioned. Despite its 8.2 % alcohol has a fresh fruity scent, clean malty flavor with a pinch of spicy coriander and subtle warmth in the aftertaste" (source).
Short's Sticky Icky Icky, $1.99/12oz - "Sticky Icky Icky is a radiantly dank, clear copper-colored American India Pale Ale loaded with citrusy hop aromas. This light, yet full-bodied, ale seems perfectly balanced by equal parts sweet malt and fruity juicy hops. A medium bitterness lingers in the finish with a subtle earthiness" (source).
Short's Double Magician, $1.99/12oz - "Double Magician is a dark red Double London-Style Ale. Deep mahogany in color with an off white head,Double Magician has aromas of toffee, light citrus, and just a hint of roast. Double Magician is medium-bodied with flavors of raisin, toffee, and a slight hop bitterness. The finish is balanced and dry" (source).
Southern Tier 2xMas, $1.99/12oz - "2XMAS ale combines traditional brewing ingredients with figs, orange peels, cardamom, cinnamon, clove and ginger root. It’s a holiday addition to the 2X line and another reason to toast to the season, but unlike Glögg, we recommend serving this one chilled" (source).
Southern Tier Old Man, $1.69/12oz - "Our winter offering is here to quell your shivers and get you through the coldest of nights. A rich marriage of hops and barley to cast light upon the evening and melt your mind out of the snowdrifts. Old Man Winter’s earthy hue and thickness lace around the glass, inviting you to linger in its warmth and share the spirits of the season with your friends and family. A deceptively strong brew, it’s best to sit and ponder with this old man, sip by sip" (source).
Odd Side Citra Dank Juice, $2.19/12oz - "This is our take on an N.E. IPA. Low bitterness gives way to juciy hops and a smooth, creamy, hazy beer" (source).
Odd Side Passion Fruit Dank Juice, $2.39/12oz - "Dank Juice, our East Coast IPA with passion fruit" (source).
Odd Side Barrel Aged Night Man Leaveth, $7.49/12oz (1 per) - "Rye whiskey BA imperial milk stout with vanilla" (source).
Odd Side Hazel's Nuts, $7.49/12oz (1 per) - "Stout aged in bourbon barrels with coffee and natural hazelnut flavoring" (source).
Odd Side Barrel Aged Mayan Mocha, $5.99/12oz (1 per) - "Stout with coffee, cinnamon, nutmeg, and habanaeros added then aged in bourbon barrels" (source).
North Coast Laguna Baja, $1.99/12oz - "Laguna Baja is a classically styled Vienna lager (in the Mexican mode), rich dark amber, with a malty aroma and a full, creamy body" (source).
North Coast Cranberry Quince Berliner Weisse, $6.49/22oz - "The third offering in our spontaneously soured seasonal Berliner Weisse series, North Coast Brewing Cranberry-Quince Berliner Weisse is made with the juice of Oregon cranberries and the pear-like quince—the perfect accompaniment for all your autumn celebrations" (source).
North Coast Barrel Aged Old Rasputin, $23.39/500ml (1 per) - "Every year we age a special batch of our much-loved Russian Imperial Stout in Bourbon barrels. The depth, intensity, and complexity of the flavor profile of this special release, like its predecessors, make it a worthy tribute to Old Rasputin" (source).
Great Divide Hibernation, $1.99/12oz - "This robust, dry-hopped ale has a malty richness balanced with a complex hop profile and hearty, warming character" (source).
Great Divide Chai Yeti, $10.79/22oz - "Our beloved Yeti is going back to its roots with this Himalayan-inspired variation. Traditional Chai spices of cinnamon, green cardamom, black pepper, ginger, nutmeg, and vanilla blend seamlessly with Yeti’s rich, roasted malt backbone for a spicy beast fit to tackle Everest" (source).
Bell's Christmas Ale, $1.89/12oz - "This traditional Scotch Ale is rich and malty with notes of caramel and a warm finish. Certain to make any occasion festive, or at least a bit more bearable. Enjoy with the company of friends and family" (source).
Bell's Winter White, $1.99/16oz - "Fermented with a Belgian ale yeast, this blend of barley and wheat malts yields a mixture of clove and fruity aromas, all without the use of any spices. Deliberately brewed to retain a cloudy appearance, Winter White is a beer for embracing winter" (source).
Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Aged Quad, $4.09/12oz - "Barrel aged Quad is brewed in the spirit of collaboration. We combine traditional techniques and ingredients like Belgian candi sugar with American innovation and experimentation by the use of bourbon barrels" (source).
Dark Horse 4 Elf, $2.09/12oz - "4 Elf is holiday cheer in liquid form. Spicy aromas like cinnamon and clove give this dark brown winter warmer a proper holiday welcome. Balanced between malt, hops, and spice at 8.75% ABV this beer goes great with all holiday foods—from sweet snacks to the roast beast" (source).
Latitude 42 Mayan Sunrise, $2.29/12oz - "A stout with Mexican Chocolate, Guajillo and Habenaro Peppers, finished off with 6 gallons of espresso" (source).
New Holland Cabin Fever, $1.79/12oz - "Cabin Fever is a roasty brown ale and a hearty, comforting companion for long, mind-bending winters" (source).
North Peak Gnarl, $1.79/12oz - "Chestnut Amber Ale" (source).
North Peak HooDoo, $2.29/12oz - "North Peak Hoodoo Midwest Wet Hop IPA is the first of it’s kind. Brewed with fresh from the farm Michigan hops for exceptional flavor. Hoodoo is hops from start to finish with a little malt in the middle, just enough to keep Hoodoo from going Voodoo on you. not to worry - pretty much nothing but hops" (source).
Sierra Nevada Trip in the Woods, $19.69/750ml (1 per) - "Narwhals are things of legend, myth, and mystery. Every so often, a rare specimen surfaces for a moment, but then dives back into the deep, never to be seen again. This very special version of our Narwhal Imperial Stout was brewed with toasted coconut and then left to mature in Kentucky bourbon barrels for nearly a year. To the barrels, we added additional coconut and cocoa nibs to create a uniquely rich and decadent stout. Catch a glimpse while you can before this rare treat slips below the surface forever" (source).
Spencer Holiday Ale, $3.69/12oz - "Mahogany in color, wholesome in body, lightly spiced, a heart-warming feast day ale from our table to yours" (source).
Spencer Imperial Stout, $3.69/12oz - "A massive, roasted, malt-forward American Trappist take on the Anglo-Russo Imperial Stout tradition. Luxuriantly frothy foam, waves of coffee, chocolate and caramel sensations, a generous blend of dark fruit flavors. Intense and robust" (source).
Spencer Festive Lager, $2.19/12oz - "A Trappist Lager inspired by German tradition! Smooth, russet colored, hearty and malt-forward, hints of smoke and spice. Balanced by noble hops and a bitter finish" (source).
Sam Adams Winter Lager, $1.69/12oz - "German brewers were onto something centuries ago when they created rich bock beers for the winter. Our version is spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel for a deep flavor and malty finish that will warm you on a cold winter night" (source).
New Belgium Accumulation, $1.69/12oz - "This winter, IBUs start accumulating like snow in Colorado with our new Accumulation White IPA . Brewing a white IPA was not only a way to salute the white beauty falling from the sky, but a direct revolt to the longstanding tradition of brewing dark beers for winter and winter seasonal beers . At least that’s what our rebellious brewers like to claim as they shovel in plenty of mosaic and Amarillo hop varietals and a bit of wheat for a smooth mouthfeel. Stack up a few cases of Accumulation White IPA to keep your long nights glowing blizzard white" (source).
New Belgium La Folie, $15.99/22oz - "La Folie, French for "the folly," is a beer steeped in New Belgium brewing tradition. This wood-aged, sour brown spends one to three years in big, oak barrels, known as foeders. And when the beer finally hits the glass, La Folie is sharp and sour, full of green apple, cherry, and plum-skin notes. Pouring a deep mahogany, the mouthfeel will get you puckering while the smooth finish will get you smiling. Not a beer for the timid, La Folie is a sour delight that will turn your tongue on its head. Find out why it's considered one of the best sour beers around" (source).
Arcadia Deliverance, $12.59/750ml (1 per) - "Semi-sweet, warm yet crisp flavor with intense notes of malty bourbon" (source).
Frankenmuth Christmas Town, $1.79/12oz - "Measuring in at 6.8% ABV and 24 IBU, Christmas Town Ale balances a nice fruity aroma with a moderately carbonated body, sweet dark malts, and fresh American hops. Since Christmas Town Ale’s inception in 2013, the winter ale has quickly grown to become one of the Frankenmuth Brewery’s most popular and recognizable seasonal Michigan craft beer releases" (source).
Rochester Mills Red Velvet, $2.19/16oz - "Red Velvet Ale is Rochester Mills’ Winter Seasonal offering for 2016 – A decadently dark ale with the rich velvety chocolate notes reminiscent of the popular" (source).
Deschutes Jubelale, $1.79/12oz - "Warm spiciness and tradition grace this bold, complex winter ale. The deep garnet color pairs perfectly with holiday celebrations. To celebrate the 30th bottling, for the first time ever, this year’s packaging features not one, but a series of custom snowflake themed illustrations" (source).
Deschutes Hop Trip, $1.99/12oz - "Vine to kettle in less than four hours, we wait restlessly all year for the hop harvest celebration. After bagging these aromatic jewels, we hustle back and toss them into the brew kettles within hours of picking. It’s our one chance to capture the bright citrus and pine essence of fresh hops" (source).
Deschutes Chasin' Freshies, $1.99/12oz - "Like fresh powder, it’s a seize-the-moment thing. This year we’ve chased down fresh experimental hops #431 from Haas in Yakima, Washington. At harvest, we rush the hops from the vine to our kettles to ensure we capture the purest, juiciest essence of the hop flower in every beer. Enjoy the bright, bold aroma and flavor that comes but once a year" (source).
