tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59257421182094542024-03-18T07:32:56.897-04:00The Buzz: Siciliano's Market News & NotesBe(er) here now.Siciliano's Markethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07752113885750531982noreply@blogger.comBlogger865125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-5038513043384315592019-03-15T05:40:00.000-04:002019-03-15T05:40:25.168-04:00New Beer Friday, Return of the Snowbirds Edition (March 15)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR0dY5Hx0JBdeO0577mQsgMDqpcwo1fju1JhZW_K0shncNXQFAeUpeuNZ6QokK7Asga9bk8Hcz6DUPaN7-y-XOhEffhAqTg1Fe-U5KSXFH5UmRioVfNswzB3HurJqhpDuNCVfnpm6UbU/s1600/steve-barb-spring-training-2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR0dY5Hx0JBdeO0577mQsgMDqpcwo1fju1JhZW_K0shncNXQFAeUpeuNZ6QokK7Asga9bk8Hcz6DUPaN7-y-XOhEffhAqTg1Fe-U5KSXFH5UmRioVfNswzB3HurJqhpDuNCVfnpm6UbU/s320/steve-barb-spring-training-2019.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowbirds: Steve & Barb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>By Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
Well, I’d like to say it’s nice to be back in Michigan but you have to be a little crazy if you like coming home to grey skies and frigid temperatures after the warmth and blue skies of Florida.<br />
<br />
Actually, weather notwithstanding, it <i>is</i> good to be back in Beer City USA. I’ve been reclaiming my perch in the corner of the store for a few hours each day and it’s been nice reconnecting with friends and customers between periods of working on the Siciliano’s Homebrew Competition and May 4th’s Big Brew at Trailpoint Brewing Company. <br />
<br />
Folks who have been to Ft. Meyers Beach warned Barb and I that the traffic would be a bit of an annoyance and they were right. Estero Boulevard is the town’s only main thoroughfare and there are times that it can take an hour to drive five miles. You quickly learn that if you want to get off the island you have to leave early and return late. You also learn that hoofing it is sometimes the best way to get around. There is a trolley that runs up and down Estero but it’s usually as packed as a cattle car and about as reliable as my former cable provider. After waiting for the trolley for forty-five minutes one evening we gave up and walked the mile to our destination. From that time on we referred to the Beach’s public transportation as the “Effin' Trolley.” <br />
<br />
In spite of the traffic we thoroughly enjoyed our extended stay on Ft. Meyers Beach. The weather for the most part was great, the beach itself is beautiful, the restaurants are good and there are some nice watering holes where you can kick back and listen to some solid live entertainment. We even formed a friendship with a couple of transplanted Midwesterners who traveled with us on the ferry down to Key West. <br />
<br />
The area draws a good number of vacationers of all ages looking to get away from the cold for a spell but it is also a popular winter roosting place for thousands of snowbirds. Like many of these retired and semi-retired sojourners, Barb and I took a brisk walk on the beach almost every day in an effort to stay in shape. One day while walking out on the pier we stopped to watch two dolphins frolicking in the surf. It was also pretty cool watching squadrons of pelicans soaring in formation over the Gulf of Mexico and then plunging like dive bombers down into the water and coming up with a meal.<br />
<br />
The realization that Barb and I now officially belong to the ranks of older folks who get out of Dodge for the winter really sank in on the day we went to a Minnesota Twins spring training game. Before walking through the metal detector, I informed the elderly fellow who was manning the station that I have titanium hips.<br />
<br />
“Don’t worry about it, buddy,” he said and smiled. “Almost everyone down here this time of year sets this gizmo off.”<br />
<div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Anderson Valley Brut IPA, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Extra dry IPA brewed with Champagne yeast" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/anderson-valley-brut-ipa/685091/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Atwater Whango, $1.59/12oz</b> - "There’s nothing complex about this beer: it’s a straightforward, pale wheat ale made with mango that finishes clean. A real easy drinker" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/86391-atwater-whango#">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Big Lake Little Red Ale, $2.79/16oz</b> - No commercial description.</li>
<li><b>Destihl Wild Sour Apricot, $2.99/12oz</b> - "Dry-hopped sour ale with apricot" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/destihl-wild-sour-series-synchopathic-apricot/421189/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Glutenberg Stout, $3.19/16oz</b> - "Robust notes of espresso coffee, dark chocolate and ripe dark malted fruit give it a pleasant mouthfeel that will not leave Stout lovers indifferent. The Glutenberg Stout is distinguished by its opaque black color and its powerful scents of cocoa and roasted cereals" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/237968-glutenberg-stout#">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Grand Armory BBA Sap On Tap, $5.19/12oz</b> - "Bourbon barrel aged for three-plus months, this complex and full bodied imperial rye stout showcases its natural roasty and chocolate malt profile with a smooth rye finish" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/grand-armory-bba-sap-on-tap/627616/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Hemptails Citrus Gold, $1.89/16oz</b> - "Stay gold with big hemp aromas and fresh twist of citrus flavors" (<a href="https://www.drinkhemptails.com/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Hemptails Passion Fruit, $1.89/16oz</b> - "Tart passionfruit flavors gives a tropical twist to herbal hemp flavors" (<a href="https://www.drinkhemptails.com/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Double Brut, $2.79/12oz </b>- "Double Brut IPA. Fermented very dry with almost no residual sugar along with retained bitterness showcase the full flavor and aromas of the hops finishing clean and crisp" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/298919-oddside-double-brut-ipa#">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Fruitsicle Boysenberry, $2.89/12oz</b> - "Juicy, fruity, slightly tart ale brewed with lactose, boysenberry, and blueberry" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/odd-side-ales-blueberry-boysenberry-fruitsicle/658137/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Perrin Lil' Griz, $2.49/12oz</b> - "Deliberately blazing our own trail, we brewed this barrel aged brown ale believing there is room for a new craft beer category: “Sessionable Bourbon Barrel Aged Beers”. Weighing in at 6.8% ABV ( Alc. 6.8% by Vol. ), the rich chocolate notes & creaminess of the flaked oats easily justify this beer bringing home a FoBAB medal this year" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/perrin-39lil-griz/338968/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Roak Wee Who See, $3.39/16oz</b> - "Beguiling undertones of dark berries and citrus subtly illuminate the bold, dark palate of coffee and chocolate in this sour ale" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/306174-roak-wee-who-see#">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Tripelroot Eighteen 99, $2.09/12oz</b> - "German Style Hefeweizen with subtle notes of cloves and bananas" (<a href="http://tripelroot.com/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Anderson Valley</h2>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l_-Wje0a8pc" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to the Valley.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-52562483359142073912019-03-08T07:41:00.000-05:002019-03-08T07:41:19.390-05:00New Beer Friday, A Formal Call for Judges Edition (March 8)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9PPnsF1b33kpvHN7j8GsWt28DTLS-GD9_4GneOLkwO-XS2cBjw4mkD6I_L1xOUZO_a8paDVZE6JJ9fBmf-71iPuUX8M8KCUibGBGkbCm-FvkhOQaBZy7e4S0iJmagbn_qaH7ahujwqo/s1600/Formal+Call+for+Homebrew+Judges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9PPnsF1b33kpvHN7j8GsWt28DTLS-GD9_4GneOLkwO-XS2cBjw4mkD6I_L1xOUZO_a8paDVZE6JJ9fBmf-71iPuUX8M8KCUibGBGkbCm-FvkhOQaBZy7e4S0iJmagbn_qaH7ahujwqo/s320/Formal+Call+for+Homebrew+Judges.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let the judging begin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>By Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
This is a formal call for judges and stewards for the 16th Annual Siciliano's Homebrew Competition. This a BJCP registered event.<br />
<br />
The following is pertinent information regarding the judging for the 2019 Siciliano's competition.<br />
<br />
<ul><ul>
<li>Date: Saturday, April 27</li>
<li>Location: 17 Seward Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504</li>
<li>Check in for judges & stewards: 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.</li>
<li>Judging: 11:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.</li>
<li>Best-of-Show judging: 3:30 p.m.</li>
<li>Competition organizer: Steve Siciliano, steve@sicilianosmkt.com, 616-453-9674</li>
</ul>
</ul>
Coffee and pastries will be provided in the morning and there will be a lunch and liquid refreshments at the conclusion of the judging.<br />
<br />
If you plan on participating in this year's competition either as a judge or a steward please go to<br />
<a href="https://reggiebeer.com/ReggieEntry.php?CompetitionID=BBJZLZ1000430">https://reggiebeer.com/ReggieEntry.php?CompetitionID=BBJZLZ1000430</a>.<br />
<br />
After logging in you will be able to register as a judge or a steward.<br />
<br />
IMPORTANT<br />
<br />
After logging in, click on the 4/27 Judging Session and indicate whether you will be participating as a judge or a steward. If you are registering as a judge, click the "Update Judging Preferences" button after indicating your judging preferences and dislikes.<br />
<br />
Preregistration is encouraged as it will help reduce lines at the check-in table on the day of the judging.<br />
<br />
Please ensure that you arrive at the judging venue by 10:30 a.m. so that the competition staff can organize flights and complete table assignments by the 11:15 judging start time.<br />
<br />
Please be reminded that your participation as a steward or judge does not preclude you from entering a beer in this competition.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<ul>
<li><b>Arvon Beach Day, $5.49/16oz</b> - " unique creation that pushes the bounds of possibilities. Brewed with more than the recommended amount of oats and without wheat. Smooth, silky, full-bodied and drinkable" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/arvon-brewing-co-beach-day/2846427">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Arvon The Grand, $4.69/16oz</b> - "New England style IPA hops with Citra and Mosaic" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/arvon-brewing-co-the-grand/2818771">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Arvon White Shoal, $5.49/16oz</b> - "Arvon Brewing Co.'s Lighthouse Series of New England IPAs are each distinctly hopped with a single varietal, displaying the unique character of the hops as a shining beacon. The explosive hop flavor and aroma of Mosaic Hops featured in White Shoal IPA is best experienced when this beer is kept cold and enjoyed fresh - drink now" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/arvon-brewing-co-white-shoal/2366703">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Big Lake Razz Shandy, $2.79/16oz</b> - No commercial description.</li>
<li><b>Big Lake Z's Pet Dinosaur, $3.99/16oz</b> - "NEIPA with Galaxy and Citra hops" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/big-lake-brewing-zs-pet-dinosaur/3024691">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Brewery Vivant Citron Saison, $3.79/16oz</b> - "Light, bright and lemon-forward, this straw yellow farmhouse saison is brewed with lemon peel and lemon drop hops" (<a href="https://www.breweryvivant.com/eat-drink/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Drie Fonteinen Armand and Gaston, $18.39/375ml, $34.89/750ml</b> - "3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze Cuvée Armand & Gaston is a blend of one-, two-, and three-year old traditional lambics, all brewed at Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen. Spontaneous fermentation, patient maturation in oak barrels, and continued evolution in the bottle result in a distinctively complex beer. No two bottlings are alike, as there are multiple variables in the blending process, a variety of barrel sizes and shapes, differences in aged lambic proportions, etc. This cuvée, like all of our lambic, is 100% natural, authentic, spontaneously fermented, and crafted with steadfast adherence to tradition, like Armand and Gaston Debelder have always done it. This geuze has fermented in the bottle and will continue to develop its tastes and aromas over its long life when properly cellared. Traditional Lambic is living, cultural heritage rooted in the Zenne valley! Taste, savour, enjoy, and experience this unfiltered, unpasteurised, and unadulterated beer with friends new and old" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/brouwerij-3-fonteinen-3-fonteinen-oude-geuze-cuvee-armand-and-gaston/1594814">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Drie Fonteinen Golden Blend, $59.49/750ml</b> - "Drie Fonteinen Oude Geuze Golden Blend is the first commercially released geuze with a four-year-old component included in the blend, as well as the standard one-, two-, and three-year-old lambics" (<a href="https://www.lambic.info/3_Fonteinen_Oude_Geuze_Golden_Blend">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Drie Fonteinen Oude Gueuze, $15.29/375ml, $27.19/750ml</b> - "Blend of 1, 2, and 3 year old lambics. A true Geuze - a blend of 1, 2, and 3 year-old lambic, unfiltered and unpasteurized, and aged in the bottle for at least a year after blending. Refermentation in the bottle gives this Geuze its famous champagne-like spritziness. The lambic that goes into it is brewed only with 60% barley malt, 40% unmalted wheat, aged hops, and water, spontaneously fermented by wild yeasts, and matured in oak casks" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/3-fonteinen-oude-geuze/11168/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Lagunitas Dark Swan, $2.29/12oz</b> - "Observers of yestercentury once denied the existence of the Dark Swan as obstinately as flat-earthers once denied the shape of our spherical home. They insisted the species was confined to a singular snowy hue. But there is a fragile futility to such narrowness of thought. The broader of mind understood that light and dark must forever compliment each other as eternal counterpoints. And just as Aristotle convinced us of our circularity, so adventuring ornithologists eventually contradicted the misconception of the monochrome swan, astonishing the world and casting light upon the Dark. This beer may well do the same" (<a href="https://lagunitas.com/beer/dark-swan">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Lord Hobo Angelica, $1.99/12oz</b> - "A New England take on a classic beer style, Angelica offers the refreshing drinkability of a wheat beer combined with fruit juice characteristics and elegant haze" (<a href="https://lordhobobrewing.com/beer/angelica/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Lord Hobo Boomsauce, $3.79/16oz</b> - "Our flagship IPA features six hop varietals and a blend of spelt, oat and wheat. A late hop addition of Mosaic, Falconer’s Flight and Amarillo delivers a notable citrus and tropical fruit finish" (<a href="https://lordhobobrewing.com/beer/boomsauce/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Lord Hobo Glorious, $379/16oz</b> - "This beautifully smooth New England-Style Pale Ale pours a hazy, straw color. A double-dose of sought-after Galaxy hops delivers a silky peach-grape aroma, tropical fruit flavors, and an elegant mouth feel" (<a href="https://lordhobobrewing.com/beer/glorious/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Lord Hobo Meat and Potatoes, $3.49/16oz</b> - "A hearty seasonal offering, this American Stout features a generous amount of Roasted Barley, Chocolate Malt and Midnight Wheat balanced with Nugget and Centennial hops. Medium-bodied with a silky mouth feel, Meat & Potatoes boasts classic flavors of roasted malts and dark chocolate with hints of dried fruit" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/287617-lord-hobo-meat-potatoes">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Lord Hobo Virtuoso, $4.69/16oz</b> - "A style-defining New England-Style Double IPA that delivers big on juice and haze" (<a href="https://lordhobobrewing.com/beer/virtuoso/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Bean Flicker Hoof Hearted, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Our Bean Flicker Blonde Ale brewed w/ an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe blend of coffee from Hoof Hearted" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/298896-odd-side-hoof-hearted-bean-flicker-ethiopian-yirgacheffe">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Rochester Chocolate Cheesecake Milkshake Stout, $2.69/16oz</b> - "Fans of the 12 Days of Milkshake Stout were especially fond of this one – pours a super dark brown with an off-white foamy head. Chocolate notes are more prominent than those found in the original Milkshake Stout™ mingling with rich, velvety cheesecake. Medium to full-bodied with no booziness. Chocolate Cheesecake is a well balanced beer that pairs nicely alongside a smoked brisket, beef barbecue or vanilla ice cream for a dessert" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/rochester-mills-beer-co-chocolate-cheesecake-milkshake-stout/907598">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Saugatuck Blueberry Lemonade Shandy, $1.89/12oz</b> - "You’re craving something light, refreshing and unique. That’s why we created our tasty version of a Radler with an added twist of blueberries. The tart lemonade will help quench your thirst, while the blueberry finishes off this perfectly invigorating beer" (<a href="https://saugatuckbrewing.com/beer/blueberry-lemonade-shandy/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's Soft Parade Shandy, $1.79/12oz</b> - "Soft Parade Shandy is a blend of Short’s flagship Fruit Ale, Soft Parade, and homemade lemonade. This beer is raspberry in color and smells like fresh berry lemonade. Soft Parade’s signature berry flavor is enhanced by the addition of citrus. Soft Parade Shandy finishes with the faint taste of fruit candy. It is light in body and very refreshing" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/soft-parade-shandy/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stone Enter Night, $2.59/16oz </b>- "In collaboration with Metallica, this beer represents the cataclysmic collision of two uncompromising supernatural forces. It's a crisp and refreshing Pilsner that, much like the band, transcends genres, shatters preconceptions and challenges convention" (<a href="https://www.arrogantconsortia.com/beer/year-round-releases/enter-night-pilsner#ageGatePassed">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stone Espresso Totalitarian, $3.19/12oz</b> - "With a beer as bold and robust as Stone Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout, it’s not easy to build another level of flavor. That’s why we use hundreds of pounds of espresso beans to give Stone Espresso Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout an added layer of rich complexity. The coffee flavors meld beautifully with the roasty bitterness of the dark malts for an intense complement of flavors, while staying true to the essence of this classic, historical style" (<a href="https://www.stonebrewing.com/events/stone-espresso-totalitarian-imperial-russian-stout">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Wild Tonic Hoppy Buzz, $4.89/12oz</b> - No commercial description available.</li>
<li><b>Wild Tonic Mango Ginger, $4.89/12oz</b> - No commercial description available.</li>
<li><b>Wild Tonic Raspberry Goji, $4.89/12oz</b> - No commercial description available.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Enter Night</h2>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PrckTkcFP7Q" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stone Enter Night is available now at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(While supplies last.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Cheers!</i></b></div>
</div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-14704500547883895232019-03-01T07:41:00.000-05:002019-03-01T07:45:22.020-05:00New Beer Friday, Great Equilibrium Edition (March 1)With Steve in transit back from Florida, we thought this week, rather than trouble him for a preamble, we'd repost something the from the extensive <i>Buzz</i> archives. Our pick: A post from March 29, 2012, in which former <i>Buzz</i> advice columnist Hey Kevin explains the phenomenon of out-of-season seasonal beer releases. Please enjoy.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirY2ZNc69Lv1vo0DEQXs1LpVA6ERn9C9S_MkqQP2j0kgLk2TD_nJPqy6oNMvoxxKqW_CSaurdkmahpxBWkh8xbXgW_H40IulL0ps3WxIB_y73gkpKcXp1d4qJ1l7QKjevIrqaFnAgrmGA/s1600/michigan-winter-nbf-march-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirY2ZNc69Lv1vo0DEQXs1LpVA6ERn9C9S_MkqQP2j0kgLk2TD_nJPqy6oNMvoxxKqW_CSaurdkmahpxBWkh8xbXgW_H40IulL0ps3WxIB_y73gkpKcXp1d4qJ1l7QKjevIrqaFnAgrmGA/s320/michigan-winter-nbf-march-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bring on the spring/summer beers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Hey Kevin,</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I was in Siciliano's the other day and even though it's March, the spring and even summer beers are out in full force. What gives?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Lem in Cedar Springs</i><br />
<br />
Hey Lem,<br />
<br />
You often hear it said that professional brewers and brewery owners march to the beat of their own drum. The out-of-season-seasonal-beer-release is scientific proof that this and similar statements are absolutely true.<br />
<br />
We should not attribute the phenomenon solely to the quirkiness of idiosyncratic beer folk, however. What's happening is far more complicated than that, and to pin it all on mere personality traits is shortsighted.<br />
<br />
I'll spare you the physics lesson (mostly because I don't know physics), but the appearance of seasonal beers before they're "due" has everything to do with regular (aka seasonal) distortions in the space-time continuum, particularly the way light bends around conical fermenters in the brewhouse. Such bending will often cause brewers and the beer they make to literally catapult back and forth through time, more so in certain "transitional" months of the year. In the simplest terms, the beer we're drinking now doesn't actually exist. It will at some point, but not yet. Follow me?<br />
<br />
To date, there is no way for the individual brewer to anticipate or compensate for time travel, neither in his brewing schedule nor his shaving ritual (another reason why professional brewers tend to have such epic beards).<br />
<br />
On a grander scale, the relative intensity of time travel is subject to evolving patterns within a 28-year cycle—we've figured that out at least. In other words, the lag between beer and season will grow more and more extreme at a generally predictable rate until summer beers are released in the dead of winter and vice versa. The phenomenon will then reverse itself, wrap back around the calendar and eventually settle for a short time—just a week or two—in a sweet spot, a space where season and beer are paired in perfect harmony.<br />
<br />
According to our best calculations, the next projected balance in the seasonal beer release schedule will occur in November 2030, at which time enthusiasts will enjoy harvest and pumpkin beers at their most logical point in years.<br />
<br />
Some in the industry have named this event The Great Equilibrium of 2030 and a number of breweries are planning to release special beers to commemorate the occasion. Expect to see them begin to hit shelves in early 2028.<br />
<br />
Hope this helps.<br />
<br />
Kevin<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<ul>
<li><b>Alaskan White, $1.79/12oz</b> - "Alaskan White Ale is based on a Belgian-style witbier, literally translated to “white beer.” White beers, or “witbieren,” are named for the suspended wheat proteins creating a cloudy appearance in this unfiltered beer" (<a href="https://alaskanbeer.com/our-beers/white/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Arcadia Whitsun, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Brewed in the style of a mid-19th century English Festival Ale, this unfiltered wheat beer displays a translucent orange color topped with a creamy, white head. Wheat enhances the mouthfeel of the beer and produces pleasant bread-like notes while Michigan honey provides a caramelized sweetness in the flavor profile. This beer is spiced with orange peel and coriander and small amounts of three hop varieties pleasantly counterbalances the sweetness" (<a href="http://arcadiaales.com/beer/whitsun/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Big Lake Dinosaur Death, $3.99/16oz</b> - "A New England Style IPA with bitter orange peel" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/big-lake-brewing-dinosaur-death/2663756">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Big Lake Midnight Rider, $3.19/16oz</b> - "This is our Black IPA brewed with Columbus, Amarillo, and Simcoe hops. The mix of citrus, pine, lemony hops, and debittered roasted malts help create a beer to not be forgotten" (<a href="http://biglakebrewing.com/beer_type/beer/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Brewdog Juggernaut, $2.29/12oz</b> - "Imperial IPA" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/brewdog-usa-juggernaut/606796/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State DDH New Money, $4.09/16oz</b> - "Double Dry-Hopped Hazy India Pale Ale — New Money vs. Old Money. A Rivalry that spans the ages. The Old guard holding onto tradition. The new kids trying to break down walls and redefine norms. This beer is firmly planted in the new. Brewed with malted Indiana oats and aggressively double dry-hopped with Mosaic, Hull Melon, and Simcoe hops this beer is anything but old school" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/central-state-brewing-company-ddh-new-money/2933445">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dark Horse Toonila, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Cream stout brewed with coffee from Dark Street Roasting Company and vanilla beans" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/148514-dark-horse-toonilla">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Decadent Mango Coconut Smoothie, $6.29/16oz</b> - "DIPA brewed with Mango & Coconut" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/282263-decadent-ales-mango-coconut-smoothie">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Deschutes Da Shootz, $1.79/12oz</b> - "Clean, lightly toasted, light citrus, bubbly, and refreshing. A simple style with low ABV and low IBU so you can keep on keeping on" (<a href="https://www.deschutesbrewery.com/beer/da-shootz/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin 90 Day Dry Aged Stout, $4.09/16oz</b> - "Milk stout brewed with dry-aged malt" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/303131-evil-twin-brewing-90-days-dry-aged">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Fat Orange Cat/Decadent Baker's Dozen, $6.49/16oz</b> - "Collaboration with Decadent Ales. Cinnamon Chocolate Fudge Imperial Stout brewed with ancho peppers and a hint of vanilla, creating a unique, smooth blended flavor" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/305047-fat-orange-cat-decadent-baker-s-dozen">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Foundation Brewing Afterglow, $4.89/16oz</b> - "Afterglow is an American IPA, rich in West Coast and South Pacific hop flavors and aroma. The juicy malt base enhances the notes of tangerine, pine, and berries from the hops. It finishes with a pleasingly dank and firm bitterness" (<a href="http://foundationbrew.com/beer/afterglow/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Foundation Brewing Epiphany, $5.19/16oz</b> - "We indulged in our desire to create an IPA that personifies the vivid flavors that can be coaxed from the hop cone, painted on a canvas of soft malt that allows the flavors to shine through. Extensively hopped in the kettle and in the fermentor, we spared nothing in making this beer" (<a href="http://foundationbrew.com/beer/epiphany/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Foundation Brewing Venture, $5.19/16oz</b> - "Venture is a Maine IPA created to revel in the breadth of flavors and aromas that can be coaxed from hops. The blend of hops in this beer provide rich flavors of berries, tropical fruit, citrus and pine without lingering bitterness" (<a href="http://foundationbrew.com/beer/venture/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Golden Road Agua Fresca Mix Pack, $14.39/12pk</b> - "Aguas Frescas are classic Mexican fruit drinks made with fresh fruit and pure water. Enjoy this refreshing, subtly sweet Agua Fresca mix pack with cucumber lime, mango and strawberry pineapple flavors" (<a href="https://www.billsdist.com/product/details?prodID=1551">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Golden Road Melon Cart, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Second in a series inspired by the iconic fruit cart vendors of Los Angeles.Tastes like freshly cut Melons and the California sun right in your hand. This light, crisp Wheat Ale is bursting with Watermelon, Honeydew, and Cantaloupe flavors, finishing bright and refreshing" (<a href="http://goldenroad.la/melon-cart">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Great Divide Hop Disciples, $2.59/12oz </b>- "Rotating Hop Project takes a bright, clean IPA and puts a different hop variety at the forefront of the sensory experience every year. The 2019 release features Callista, which showcases floral and tropical notes with hints of citrus and pine. Hop Disciples may look tough on the outside, but with its golden blonde hue and approachable ABV, we promise it’s a lover not a fighter" (<a href="https://greatdivide.com/beers/hop-disciples/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Great Divide Chocolate Cherry Yeti, $11.69/22oz</b> - "CHOCOLATE CHERRY YETI is the newest version in our revered Yeti Series. We’ve tweaked the hop bitterness for this special release and then added sweet and sour cherries and cacao. The roasty malt backbone of Yeti melds perfectly with the cherries and cacao to make this one smooth sipper. A Yeti in a cherry orchard can be a great thing" (<a href="https://greatdivide.com/beers/chocolate-cherry-yeti/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Great Divide Orabelle, $2.19/12oz</b> - "ORABELLE is brewed with barley, wheat, oats, and rye. This Belgian-Style Tripel is a golden beauty. Its two yeast strains, orange peel and dash of coriander impart surprising complexity and richness to this delicate ale. Don’t let Orabelle’s demure nature fool you; this is one flavorful pour. Watch out, she’s a charmer – one sip and you’ll be in love" (<a href="https://greatdivide.com/beers/orabelle-belgian-style-ale/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Great Lakes Chillwave, $3.49/12oz</b> - "Inspired by the North Coast’s dedicated (and sometimes chilly) surf community, our Double IPA will melt the ice in your beard and never lose its balance" (<a href="https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/chillwave">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Hoof Hearted Belloq, $5.49/16oz</b> - "Smooth caramel & chocolate notes get a massive coffee rogering. Competitively intellectual flavor that makes you feel smarter than you look. Pair with a corduroy blazer and look out world" (<a href="http://www.hoofheartedbrewing.com/beers/belloq.html">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Hoof Hearted Dorks of Hazard, $5.49/16oz</b> - "Double dry-hopped IPA in collaboration with Embassy Boardshop and #dudleyclips" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/279457-hoof-hearted-dorks-of-hazard">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Belgium Mural, $1.79/12oz </b>- "This agua fresca ale features hibiscus, agave, watermelon and lime for a fresh, vibrant sip. Settling of sediment may occur as Mural is unfiltered in the agua fresca tradition" (<a href="https://www.newbelgium.com/beer/mural/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Holland Kombucha IPA, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Kombucha IPA blends the bright citrus flavors of an india pale ale with tart kombucha tea and a hint of ginger in perfect harmony" (<a href="http://newhollandbrew.com/beer/kombucha-ipa/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Omnipollo Agamemnon, $5.69/16oz</b> - "Invited to brew in the US I wanted to use local ingredients. Agamemnon is an Imperial Stout brewed with maple syrup. Boiled 7 hours" (<a href="https://omnipollo.com/products/agamemnon">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Omnipollo Pleroma, $4.39/12oz </b>- "Raspberry crème brûlée sour ale brewed with lactose sugar, raspberries and vanilla" (<a href="https://omnipollo.com/products/pleroma">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Omnipollo Shploing!, $4.59/12oz</b> - "This beer is an IPA brewed with marshmallows, graham crackers, salt and lactose sugar and the beer erupts in at 7%-Abv" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/195731-omnipollo-shploing-mango-s-mores-ipa">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's Batch 10,000, $2.99/12oz</b> - "Batch 10,000 is a Double Brut IPA with mango and black currant celebrating the 10,000th batch brewed at Short’s. Powerful flavors of mango fruitiness and black currant tartness blend with alcohol notes from the high ABV. A huge amount of hops contributes to a palate coating body that smooths as you enjoy more. The burnt orange color is indicative of the warming finish" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/batch-10-000/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's ControversiAle, $1.99/12oz</b> - "ControversiALE is an American IPA brewed exclusively with Simcoe hops originally brewed for the City Park Grill in Petoskey, MI. Earthy, citrus and pine laced aromas are instantly delectable. Large amounts of toasted grains and high alpha hops form a perfect union that creates the cool sensation of toasted sourdough covered with zesty grapefruit hop marmalade. ControversiALE has an enchantingly straightforward hop aroma, flavor, and overall intensity through ample additions of Simcoe hops. While this beer is hopped like an IPA, it drinks like a pale ale. The light, refreshing qualities of this beer make it perfect for springtime" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/controversiale/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Southern Tier Swipe Light, $1.89/12oz</b> - "Swipe Light isn’t like the other basic light beers. This ale provides a complex and refined craft flavor at only 110 calories. With a 4% ABV, it’s a match for those who crave a refreshing, easy drinking experience" (<a href="https://www.stbcbeer.com/beer/swipe-light/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stella Spritzer, $1.79/12oz</b> - "A bubbly and refreshing cider made from crisp apples & hibiscus, it is the perfect complement to your afternoon. Using centuries of French & Belgian tradition, Stella Artois created this naturally gluten-free spritzer specifically for the wine glass. It impeccably pairs with an apple walnut salad, romano cheese, prosciutto and apricot jam" (<a href="https://www.stellaartois.com/en_us/stella-artois-spritzer.html">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Weyerbacher BA Insanity, $4.89/12oz </b>- "Aging adds a combination of vanilla & oak notes to the intense malt profile" (<a href="https://weyerbacher.com/beers/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Weyerbacher Sexy Mother Pucker, $2.79/12oz</b> - "Inspired by a classic beverage blending lemonade and iced tea, Sexy MotherPucker is a 7.5% ABV sour ale with bright citrus notes. Amber hued, tangy and dry on the palate, this tart beer nicely balances sour and malt with a late addition of Citra hops to give it a nice citrus kick in both flavor and aroma" (<a href="https://weyerbacher.com/sexy-motherpucker/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Alaskan White</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JbQYlg9cgCI" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Available now at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-85363071162418471272019-02-22T06:37:00.001-05:002019-02-22T06:37:59.802-05:00New Beer Friday, Sandy Ridge Hops Edition (February 22)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9EnVm1923hvDY0rZg7-t3lgRjBJvLlPM7ATD8OxCZOWpPx8cZWpIJ7XuDZCLnAsILH7HLyhmtLLm4gF3m_VsYeWbA6vw85y9sPzXi3iDMOGi8aXwABnTWXg8VDHDAq01cE71THT8rmQ/s1600/sandy-ridge-hop-plants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9EnVm1923hvDY0rZg7-t3lgRjBJvLlPM7ATD8OxCZOWpPx8cZWpIJ7XuDZCLnAsILH7HLyhmtLLm4gF3m_VsYeWbA6vw85y9sPzXi3iDMOGi8aXwABnTWXg8VDHDAq01cE71THT8rmQ/s320/sandy-ridge-hop-plants.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of <a href="https://sandyridgefarmsinc.com/#home-aboutUs">Sandy Ridge</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>By Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
If you are looking to establish or expand a hop garden this spring, the folks at <a href="https://sandyridgefarmsinc.com/">Sandy Ridge Farms </a>in Zeeland, Michigan, are once again supplying us with established hop plants. According to the growers at Sandy Ridge, the advantages to purchasing established hop plants versus rhizomes are three-fold:<br />
<ol>
<li>An established plant eliminates the risk of questionable viability as often found with rhizomes. It is typically recommended to plant more than one rhizome per pot/hole which increases costs.</li>
<li>An established plant with a developed root system and mature top growth will produce larger yields in the first 2 years than a planted rhizome.</li>
<li>Hop plants are susceptible to virus and disease out in the hop yard. A rhizome from an infected plant will produce another infected plant. Plants are obtained from the National Clean Plant Network at Washington State University where they are virus/viroid tested prior to being shipped. Sandy Ridge Farms has a strict protocol in place regarding clean plants and preventative pest-management. A healthy plant produces more hop cones.</li>
</ol>
We will be taking hop plant pre-orders now through the end of business on Thursday, March 21. Those wishing to place orders may do so via email (<a href="mailto:steve@sicilianosmkt.com">steve@sicilianosmkt.com</a>), 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 plant is $8.59 and payment will not be due until the time of pickup.<br />
<br />
We anticipate that the hops plants will be available for pickup by the end of May. Those placing orders will be personally notified when the shipment arrives. Go <a href="https://sandyridgefarmsinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Hop-Varieties-2019.pdf">here</a> to see a full list of this year’s offerings.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beers</h2>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Arclight BBA Berrien County Stout, $15.59/22oz</b> - "Maple Variant of BBA Berrien County Stout" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/arclight-brewing-company-berrien-county-stout-maple/3053224">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Arclight Pineapple Mango, $21.79/750ml</b> - "American wild ale with pineapple and mango" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/293083-arclight-soursmith-pineapple-mango">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Arclight Swayze Crazy, $13.19/22oz</b> - "Golden Imperial Java Milk Stout. This beer goes against everything you come to know about stouts. But damn it is delicious" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/arclight-swayze-crazy/376641/">source</a>).<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><b>Barrel + Beam Grisette, $5.19/375ml</b> - "A light, hop forward belgian ale. Very sessionable and crisp. Subtle melon in the aroma and a clean finish" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/barrel-beam-grisette/3000908">source</a>).<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><b>Barrel + Beam Terre Magique, $8.99/375ml</b> - "Light, tart, dry and fruity" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/barrel-beam-terre-magique/3042373">source</a>).<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><b>Big Lake Stoner, $3.19/16oz</b> - "A dank, resinous medium bodied IPA. Goes well with the munchies" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/big-lake-brewing-stoner-ipa/639922">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Boulevard Tequila Barrel Lime Gose, $1.99/12oz</b> - "A traditional German-style sour beer, infused with sea salt, coriander and lime peel, goes on holiday to the home of the blue agave, sunny Mexico. The aroma offers assertive notes of oak, vanilla, caramelized banana, and coconut. A malty sweetness is balanced by tart lime and hints of lively tequila, tapering to a slightly salty finish" (<a href="https://www.boulevard.com/beerinfo/tequila-barrel-lime-gose/">source</a>).<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><b>Brewery Vivant Love Shadow, $7.19/16oz</b> - "Taking up his (or her) mash paddle on brew day, the brewer has his (or her) eye on the future months when flavors all come together. However, there is always a shadow of mischief that comes in the forms of fermentation, wooden barrels, grain terroir or water pH. Still, guiding this magical elixir from start to finish is the brewer's duty. With Love Shadow, we have guided a powerful Belgian inspired Imperial stout through the bourbon barrel aging process and come out the other side with a full bodied behemoth with notes of chocolate, vanilla, and oak char. Drink Up" (<a href="https://www.breweryvivant.com/beer/love-shadow-2/">source</a>).<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><b>Ellison Haz'N'Stein, $3.59/16oz</b> - No commercial description.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><b>Epic Son of a Baptist, $2.59/12oz</b> - "Son of a Baptist is an 8% ABV imperial stout. It is not barrel aged like its father, Big Bad Baptist; instead its flavor profile was designed to highlight the complex and often unique flavors of small batch coffees. Instead of sourcing a coffee that would play well in a beer we sought out creative and innovative roasters, then asked them which beans they’re passionate about. Each resulting release of Son of a Baptist is widely different depending on the coffee selected. Some are fruity and sweet with notes of jam and chocolate, others are rich and earthy with a big roasted finish. Each limited release will return to the Roaster’s home market where the beer and the coffee can be sampled side by side" (<a href="https://www.epicbrewing.com/the-beers/exponential-series/item/7101-son-of-a-baptist">source</a>).<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><b>Ommegang BA Smoked Vanilla Porter, $8.89/12oz</b> - "falling in love with, our Ommegang Smoked Porter. Sampling the first pilot batches, it was clear that this was a beer that was meant for barrel ageing. Thus, when we brewed Smoked Porter to release in the winter of 2017, we also set some aside in bourbon barrels. Each individual barrel then received additions of several whole Madagascar vanilla beans to impart their rich and creamy flavors into the beer as it aged. Now, six months later, it is ready to drink. Only 100 1/6 bbl kegs of this beer were produced for distribution, making this one of our most limited releases ever" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/ommegang-bourbon-barrel-vanilla-smoked-porter/623169/">source</a>).<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><b>Pigeon Hill MI Irish Stout, $1.99/12oz</b> - "As with any proper dry Irish Stout, this beer was brewed to be drank (and we don't just mean a single pint) - and, at 5% ABV, it isn't merely a sipper. Slight notes of coffee, chocolate, and sweetness are balanced by a clean, dry finish - leading you to want the next pint sooner rather than later" (<a href="https://pigeonhillbrew.com/our-beers/">source</a>).<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><b>Prairie Bible Belt, $4.89/12oz</b> - "Let’s face it – we love big, flavorful stouts. As luck would have it, our friend Jeppe at Evil Twin Brewing feels the same way. We decided to brew a beer together that took elements from our favorite stouts we each produce to come together as one beer. Bible Belt takes elements we love from Prairie Bomb! and combines them with Evil Twin Brewing’s world famous stout, Even More Jesus. The end result is a smoky, spicy stout that is sure to please the pallet" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/prairie-evil-twin-bible-belt/253908/">source</a>).<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><b>Stone Moxee Gold, $2.29/12oz</b> - "Behind every great beer are amazing stories of all the people, places and ingredients that culminate in what you have in your hand. The Stone Farm to Can Series is our heartfelt tribute to the dedicated farmers who cultivate the hops that help bring our beers to life. Each beer in this series features hops grown at a single specific farm as our way of paying homage to their harvest. Many of these growers breed and develop their own varieties, like CLS Farms in Moxee, Washington did with El Dorado hops, named for the mythical hidden City of Gold. Moxee lies nestled in Yakima Valley, the very real paradise of hop production in the American Pacific Northwest. Stone Moxee Gold IPA is loaded with Centennial and of course El Dorado hops, all sourced from the fruitful bines of CLS Farms. The valley itself may be mostly green, but its bounty of hops are as good as gold" (<a href="https://www.stonebrewing.com/beer/stone-seasonals/stone-moxee-gold-ipa#ageGatePassed">source</a>).<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><b>Upland Champagne Velvet, $1.49/12oz</b> - "Champagne Velvet has a refreshingly light pilsener body with some sweet complexities given off by the corn malt used in this recipe, making this the perfect lager. It’s smooth and light, but still full of flavor, the perfect everyday beer for craft beer drinkers and a step up for domestic drinkers" (<a href="https://www.uplandbeer.com/beers/champagne-velvet/">source</a>).<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li><b>Wolverine Snakes & Shamrocks, $2.99/16oz</b> - "Now the actual beer we’ve brewed here is based on an Irish Red Ale style which is the predominant style in the style guidelines but it lends itself to much interpretation. Including reformulating the recipe to be a LAGER. The recipe is very simple but makes for a very quaffable and flavorful beer because of the way Oliver designed it" (<a href="https://www.wolverinebeer.com/snakes-on-a-shamrock">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Must Read: A Rising Tide</h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZMLN4-aE0lI" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A Rising Tide: Stories of from the Michigan Brewers Guild</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is now available at Siciliano's Market ($20).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Cheers!</i></b></div>
<br />Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-51636981040508712632019-02-15T08:23:00.001-05:002019-02-15T08:23:10.600-05:00New Beer Friday, American Oak Barrel Edition (February 15)<i>By Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
We have exciting news for our beer and winemaking customers. <br />
<br />
We have been able to secure a small quantity of new, unused 5-gallon American oak barrels that we are retailing for $199.00 each. These barrels have a medium char (Level 3) and are approximately 16 inches high and 12 inches wide. Each barrel comes with a silicone bung.<br />
<br />
Our source is indicating that this will probably be a one-shot deal. Please note that supplies are limited and barrels will be available on first-come, first-serve basis. We are expecting the barrels to arrive this weekend. Please call for additional details.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Siren/Cigar City Collab Barrel Aged Caribbean Chocolate Cake, $10.89/12oz</b> - "First available at Copenhagen Beer Celebration 2016 (Yellow session) at 8.4%. Bourbon Barrel Aged Tropical Stout with Cacao Nibs & Cypress Wood. The barrel aged version has been ageing in a selection of bourbon barrels, picking up delicious vanilla, whiskey and wood character" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/siren-cigar-city-caribbean-chocolate-cake-barrel-aged/419051/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Siren Barrel Aged Shattered Dream, $8.79/12oz</b> - "Shattered Dream is the imperial version of our favourite breakfast stout - Broken Dream. Even more unctuous than the original, we’ve amped up the flavours to deliver sweet biscuit, dark chocolate and deep roasted coffee notes. This rare release has been aged in a selection of bourbon barrels which accentuates the delicate vanilla and offers distinct whiskey tones with a drying oak finish" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/siren-craft-brew-barrel-aged-shattered-dream-2018/2535965">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Siren Old Fashioned, $7.69/12oz</b> - "We’re big fans of the classic old fashioned a 19th Century cocktail traditionally made by muddling sugar with butters then adding whiskey and a twist of citrus. This is our take with barley wine as the base as the base beer and the classic orange zest to serve. It’s been in barrels for 12 months picking up a well rounded bourbon profile with some vanilla and caramel sweetness" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/siren-old-fashioned-barley-wine/512217/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Batch Gentle Jack Jones, $2.79/12oz</b> - "Gentle Jack Jones Brown Ale from Batch Brewing Company in Detroit, Michigan is a 5.8% ABV Brown Ale" (<a href="http://drafttherapy.com/batch-brewing-company-gentle-jack-jones-brown-ale-review/#.XGYq-89KgWo">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Batch Vault of Heaven, $3.69/12oz</b> - "A New England IPA with a vivid, fresh hop aroma & flavor of citrus, pine needles, apricot, mango & grapefruit pith. Hazy, full-bodied and a smooth mouthfeel with a soft, inviting finish that lacks a hop bitter harshness" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/299425-batch-brewing-vault-of-heaven">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Bell's Official, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Two of our favorite ingredients come together in the brewhouse; pungent American hops and delicious wheat malt. This Hazy IPA is double dry-hopped (a combination of Mosaic, Citra, Azacca, Amarillo and El Dorado hops) resulting in complex peach, stone fruit and tropical notes with a dry finish and balanced bitterness. A refined beer for those who love hops and for those who prefer wheat beers. Go ahead and make it Official" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/year-round/official">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Holland Dragon's Milk White, $2.59/12oz</b> - "A full flavored White Stout with strong notes of vanilla, cocoa, coffee roast, and oak from its time in bourbon barrels, drinkers can expect a smooth, velvety mouthfeel that compliments the flavor profile" (<a href="https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/2019/01/24/new-holland-brewing-dragons-milk-white-stout/2666625002/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Revolution Northwest Hero, $2.39/12oz</b> - "A burly Cascadian hulk featuring hops from the Pacific Northwest, this uncompromsing IPA cuts balanced grapefruit and pine bitterness with floral and spice notes" (<a href="https://revbrew.com/beer/hero-series/northwest-hero">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Revolution Spirit of Revolt, $2.99/12oz</b> - "Spirit of Revolt is brewed with specialty malts from woman-lead Weyermann Malting, with an addition of oat malt, giving it a smooth, round body. A unique dry-hop blend of Michigan grown Cascade, Cashmere, and Slovenian Styrian Fox hops add notes of citrus, pineapple, and melon features. Both Revolution’s Tap Room and Brewpub locations are donating 100% of the beer’s sales to Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC) for Spirit of Revolt’s entire duration on tap" (<a href="https://revbrew.com/news/spirit-of-revolt">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Diggity Dank Amarillo, $2.39/12oz</b> - No commercial description.</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Ocular Pat-Down, $2.39/12oz</b> - "Vanilla Coffee Porter." (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/233266-odd-side-ales-ocular-pat-down">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Perrin Blonde Porter, $2.09/12oz</b> - "A new take on a classic style creating a light blonde-colored, full flavored beer" (<a href="http://www.perrinbrewing.com/news/2019-new-brand-launch">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Shorts FLOAD, $2.59/12oz</b> - "FLOAD is a Dark American Sour Ale brewed with raspberries. Very dark in color with a red hue and mauve head, this beer smells of fresh fruit, sour raspberries, and a hint of chocolate. Leading with an intense raspberry tartness, FLOAD is complemented with a light chocolate malty backbone. The finish is dry with lingering sourness" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/fload/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Inside the Cooperage</h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e_GxHtenhms" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In light of the limited supply of barrels we are receiving,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
here's a fascinating look at how such barrels are made.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-74300790723777783242019-02-08T08:26:00.001-05:002019-02-08T08:28:41.872-05:00New Beer Friday, Help Wanted Edition (February 8)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipor4BpW8vxnthKpKJrkOk2grihHrIEDVrz_UdrBYegzgF8r7S8_RiSPlWpdRkVHo93D63i6RcLjbrFPCGo7AgTt2_o1AolIZALREw8kj430XMVr7WjQaeMjUuUHp7heSEbhw8ebV09MM/s1600/nowhiring.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="800" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipor4BpW8vxnthKpKJrkOk2grihHrIEDVrz_UdrBYegzgF8r7S8_RiSPlWpdRkVHo93D63i6RcLjbrFPCGo7AgTt2_o1AolIZALREw8kj430XMVr7WjQaeMjUuUHp7heSEbhw8ebV09MM/s320/nowhiring.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
It was Confucius who said that when you choose a job you love you will never have to work a day in your life. I have a feeling that the members of Team Siciliano would beg to differ with the great sage on this one.<br />
<br />
I can say with certainty that our employees love helping customers with craft beer, fine wine, liquor, homebrew and winemaking supplies, cheese-making supplies, coffee, tea, premium cigars and every other lifestyle enhancing product that we sell here at the store. I also know that there are many times when they are working their tails off.<br />
<br />
During an average week the members of our staff price and stock hundreds of cases of beer, wine and liquor. They unload skids of inventory and unpack dozens of boxes. They keep the shelves full, the coolers stocked and the store looking good. That’s a lot of hard work. But they are passionate about selling the things we offer here at the Siciliano's and that is what makes the job so enjoyable.<br />
<br />
We are now looking to add a part time person to our sales team who is equally passionate. The successful candidate will be someone who loves craft beer and fine wine. A knowledge of homebrew and winemaking is always a plus.<br />
<br />
If you would like to join the sales staff of one of the area’s premier specialty stores and if you wouldn’t mind working hard at a job you can love, I urge you to drop a resume off at the store or contact me at <a href="mailto:steve@sicilianosmkt.com">steve@sicilianosmkt.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<ul>
<li><b>Blackrocks Classic Pils, $1.99/12oz</b> - "With German malt, American hops and Lake Superior water, it’s a crisp and refreshing nod to a European tradition with a distinct American disobedience" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/87342-blackrocks-classic-pilsner">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Blackrocks Flying Sailor, $2.29/12oz </b>- "This Red Rye IPA combines Falconer’s Flight and Falconer 7C’s hops, along with Malt and Rye to form the perfect storm of flavor, aroma and color" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/126305-blackrocks-flying-sailor">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Blakes Great Blakes, $2.09/12oz</b> - "Our take on a cold brew, Great Blakes is steeped with sustainably-sourced coffee grounds from our friends at Great Lakes Coffee, resulting in bold flavor & a smooth finish" (s<a href="https://www.blakeshardcider.com/greatblakes/?age-verified=cec36014d6">ource</a>).</li>
<li><b>Decadent Ales Blueberry Frosted Pastry, $5.99/16oz</b> - "India Pale Ale with blueberry, marshmallow, all spice - reminiscent of a blueberry pop tart" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/decadent-ales-blueberry-frosted-pastry/3011822">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Decadent Ales Pecan Pie IPA, $5.49/16oz</b> - "Session IPA hopped with Mosaic Hops. We then added crushed pecans and burnt sugar reminiscent of pecan pie" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/301308-decadent-ales-pecan-pie-dipa">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Decadent Ales Strawberry Frosted Pastry, $5.99/16oz</b> - "India Pale Ale with Strawberry, marshmallow, all spice - reminiscent of a blueberry pop tart" (s<a href="https://untappd.com/b/decadent-ales-strawberry-frosted-pastry/3011825">ource</a>).</li>
<li><b>Griffin Claw Downtown Bourbon Brown, $3.59/16oz</b> - "Brown ale aged in bourbon barrels" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/griffin-claw-downtown-bourbon-brown/374981/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Hoof Hearted Everybody Wants Some, $5.99/16oz</b> - "And he's got me vuelto loco, amigos. Everybody Wants Some!! is a rotating single-hop DIPA. It's the only acceptable response to the call of DLR-era Van Halen + 80's cult classic movies. A giant teddy bear, bigger than you. Sounds great. No, it really does sound good. But look Beth, I gotta go. The Christmas tree is on fire" (<a href="http://www.hoofheartedbrewing.com/beers/everybody-wants-some.html">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Hoof Hearted Rose Gose, $4.09/16oz</b> - "Rosé Gosé is hot pink in appearance with a tart berry flavor" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/207609-hoof-hearted-ros-gose">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Hoof Hearted Slo Turbo, $6.79/16oz </b>- "Double IPA brewed with New Zealand Hops" (<a href="http://www.hoofheartedbrewing.com/beers/slo-turbo.html">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Hoof Hearted Tickling the Ivories, $5.99/16oz</b> - "A 7.2 percent ABV IPA brewed with a blend of Conan and the yeast formerly known as Brett Trois as well as calypso, comet and eureka hops" (<a href="https://tenemu.com/news/hoof-hearted-releasing-tickling-the-ivories-cans-sunday/08/2016">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Jolly Pumpkin Co-Operation Ale, $16.29/750ml </b>- "This ale is the first collaboration we’ve brewed with our friends and cohorts over at Bastone Brewery. Our brewpubs now share a space together in Royal Oak, Michigan and what better way to solidify the partnership than with a collaboration? We took the recipes for our two greatest hits, Jolly Pumpkin La Roja, and Bastone Brewery Nectar des Deux, then fused the ingredients together making what will forever be known as Co-Operation Ale. Aromas of brown sugar and sweet candy fill the nose. Flavors of molasses, chocolate, and oak blend nicely with the light acidity and slight Jolly Pumpkin funk. Team work makes the dream work" (<a href="http://brewery.jollypumpkin.com/cooperation-ale/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Jolly Pumpkin Lo Fi Mai Tai, $16.29/750ml</b> - "ALE brewed with Almonds, sugar, honey with ORANGE peel, pineapple juice and lime juice added" (<a href="http://brewery.jollypumpkin.com/lofi/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Old Nation Electron Brown, $4.09/16oz</b> - "In honor of our dear friend, and engineer, Ron Brown, we released this special tribute! Electron Brown is an aggressive, double brown ale finished with fresh ground coffee beans for a huge espresso aroma and flavor" (<a href="https://oldnationbrewing.com/beer/electron-brown/?age-verified=e24eced94d">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Oskcar Blues Death by Coconut, $3.39/12oz</b> - "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" (<a href="https://www.oskarblues.com/beer/dbc/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Perrin Clear Coast, $15.99/12pk</b> - "Continuing to push the boundaries of craft beer, Perrin Brewing launches Clear Coast Fresh Hard Seltzer, the first ever Michigan-made craft hard seltzer. Clear Coast is a low-calorie, refreshing alternative to traditional adult beverages, offering unique flavor profiles crafted with natural flavoring" (<a href="https://www.brewbound.com/news/perrin-brewing-to-begin-statewide-distribution-of-clear-coast-fresh-hard-seltzer">source</a>). </li>
<li><b>Perrin Kingdom of Tonga, $2.49/12oz</b> - "The vanilla beans used in this beer come from... you guessed it: The Kingdom of Tonga. Tonga has over 170 islands and is located in the South Pacific. The taste profile is much different than our former Vanilla Porter. Those beans were sweeter; whereas the profile of these beans consists more of fig and raisin . Chocolate and coffee notes (with a subtle caramel touch) set this beer off while the vanilla beans lead into a delightfully dry finish" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/perrin-kingdom-of-tonga-vanilla-porter/250816/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's Juicy Brut, $2.09/12oz</b> - "Juicy Brut is a sessionable Ale with the best of both hop juiciness and brut dryness. It has a relentless tropical aroma emphasized by the increased carbonation level. This easy-drinking beer has a light body filled with tropical, juicy flavors before finishing dry" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/juicy-brut/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stillwater Password, $5.69/16oz</b> - "NE DIPA" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/300105-stillwater-password">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stillwater Remember Me, $5.69/16oz</b> - "Double India pale ale double dry-hopped with citra and nelson sauvin" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/stillwater-artisanal-remember-me/3028018">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Blackrocks Brewery</h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9PIFAIIhTHY" width="500"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Dive into craft beer."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-33449016790532268172019-02-02T08:47:00.000-05:002019-02-02T08:47:02.811-05:00New Beer Saturday, Polar Vortex Edition (February 2)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXCZuiX-4sBzoXJ6EexKvReA4_6HBUPDAqgVRSgoQqdv_-DIPfOHU1a132uelfG005bLBs3XFWyg7hseJM88LZrObdahmbbZcVM-Tddmyo2wmnRi1is_T-U8q1XnY7gU5kiJ9ZOz5Kls/s1600/nbf-manatee-2-2-2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="395" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXCZuiX-4sBzoXJ6EexKvReA4_6HBUPDAqgVRSgoQqdv_-DIPfOHU1a132uelfG005bLBs3XFWyg7hseJM88LZrObdahmbbZcVM-Tddmyo2wmnRi1is_T-U8q1XnY7gU5kiJ9ZOz5Kls/s320/nbf-manatee-2-2-2019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hey Steve, you bring any KBS to Florida with you?"<br />
(Photo courtesy <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwssoutheast/23866028129">US Fish & Wildlife</a>.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
“How’s it going down there?” Siciliano’s GM Sarah Derylo asked during a phone conversation a few weeks ago.<br />
<br />
“Fine,” I replied. “Big thunderstorm rolling through. Our power is out.”<br />
<br />
“Getting a little excitement, huh?”<br />
<br />
“Yeah, like I need more excitement.”<br />
<br />
“What do you mean?” Sarah asked.<br />
<br />
“Barb got into a bar fight last night,” I told her. “She actually held her own. I was quite proud of her.”<br />
<br />
I was fibbing of course. While Barb and I have had a drink or two in one or two Fort Meyers Beach bars over the last four weeks, the chances of my wife getting into a bar fight are about as remote as me being awarded the Pulitzer Prize for a New Beer Friday preamble. <br />
<br />
Now I don’t want to give the impression that Barb and I are spending an inordinate amount of time hanging out in southwest Florida watering holes. We’ve been doing a ton of walking, sometimes as much as fifteen thousand steps a day, and we’ve taken trips to the Naples Zoo, some nature preserves and a park where you can rent kayaks and have up close encounters with manatees. One of those big, placid “sea cows” swam right underneath our kayak. Pretty cool!<br />
<br />
Barb and I have also been closely monitoring the weather back home and our hearts go out to our friends, relatives and customers who have dealt with the drifting snow, hazardous roads and sub-zero temperatures this past week. Thankfully it appears that things are finally improving.<br />
<br />
Stay warm and stay safe everyone!<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Central State Lazer Raptor, $4.09/16oz </b>- "Once thought to be extinct, Lazer Raptor is a gose style beer brewed with cranberries, limes, sea salt, and fermented with our unique yeast blend" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/lazer-raptor/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Polyjuice Potion, $2.99/12oz </b>- "Brewed with our friends from Emporium Chicago, this collaborative ale is for wizards & muggles who solemnly swear they are up to no good. A sour brew concocted with plums, elderberries, and magical bits and bobbles" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/polyjuice-potion/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Left Hand Hard Wired Nitro, $2.39/16oz</b> - "Innately predisposed to be smooth when Poured Hard, this nitro coffee porter builds a pillowy, toffee-sweet head. Coffee and flavors of caramelized sugar, cacao and hints of blueberry lead to a light, smoky finish" (<a href="http://lefthandbrewing.com/beers/hard-wired-nitro/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Jared's Mom, $2.39/12oz</b> - "Love Belgian IPAs? So does Jarod’s Mom. Nelson Sauvin hops are the highlight in this IPA" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/178998-oddside-ales-jared-s-mom-ipa">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Mosaic Dank, $2.39/12oz</b> - "100% Mosaic hopped version of our New England IPA. Aromas of tangerine, grapefruit, and berries give way to a smooth, hazy beer with citrus flavors with a hint of pine" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/odd-side-ales-mosaic-dank-juice/542047/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Oskar Blues Can-O-Bliss, $1.79/12oz</b> - "A hopped up, tropical-fruit-packed island experience. A rogue wave of kiwi, papaya, pineapple, mango and citrus flavor crashes into a jungle of Mosaic, Azacca, Galaxy, Eldorado, and Idaho 7 hops to create a tropical paradise" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/289295-oskar-blues-can-o-bliss-tropical-ipa">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Oskar Blues Guns ‘n’ Rosé, $1.79/12oz</b> - "A 6% ABV ale brewed with hibiscus and prickly pear" (<a href="https://tenemu.com/news/oskar-blues-files-label-for-guns-n-rose-ale/09/2018">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Perrin Fiesta, $12.69/22oz </b>- "Take a swing at this barrel aged coffee cake stout. A full-body, robust stout with a balance of malts and spices. Each sip filled with hints of cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, and coffee" (<a href="http://www.perrinbrewing.com/news/perrin-fiesta">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Prairie Okie, $12.69/12oz</b> - "Okie is an imperial brown ale aged in whiskey barrels. Notes of toffee and brown sugar are infused with sweet notes of bourbon, vanilla, oak, and molasses" (<a href="https://www.sheltonbrothers.com/beers/prairie-artisan-ales-okie/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Sam Adams Cold Snap, $1.79/12oz</b> - "The crisp character of this lively unfiltered White Ale gets a kick from a bright blend of spring spices. Orange peel and plum add subtle sweetness, while coriander contributes a peppery bite, creating a refreshing flavor that signals spring is on its way" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/196043-sam-adams-cold-snap">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Saugatuck Bourbon Barrel Blueberry Maple, $5.39/12oz</b> - "We took our Blueberry Maple Stout and kicked it up a few notches for this release by amping up the ABV to 9.5% and aging it in bourbon barrels for 10 months. This aging process perfectly adds in a hint of vanilla and bourbony good-ness to this already unique and incredible brew" (<a href="https://saugatuckbrewing.com/beer/bourbon-barrel-aged-imperial-blueberry-maple-stout/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's Woodmaster, $2.59/12oz</b> - "Woodmaster is a high gravity, American Brown Ale fermented with Northern Michigan maple syrup and toasted pecans. This dark brown, full bodied ale is rich with sweet malt and syrup flavors. These flavors are complemented by the presence of hop aromas and a faint nuttiness" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/woodmaster/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stone Grapefruit Slam, $3.19/12oz </b>- "We’ve made a hell of a lot of beers since 1996. Probably thousands at this point. Some stick around for decades, somefor a few years and some are brief visits, gracing us with their hoppy presence fora short time before becoming fond memories. Occasionally stars, planets and brewing schedules align and we bring back one of these ephemeral creations. In fallof 2014 we created a draft-only version of this delicious double India pale ale. Its bitter, zesty grapefruit peel infusion created a bright accent to flavors of pine resin and fresh citrus well in advance of the explosionof fruited beers we’re all reveling in atthe moment. We never stopped thinking about it, so a long five years later, we’re bringing back Stone Grapefruit Slam IPA for round two. It’s a link to the past planted delightfully in the present" (<a href="https://www.stonebrewing.com/beer/special-releases/stone-grapefruit-slam-ipa">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Stone Brewing 2019</h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dcaOE99HRHg" width="500"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Find a wide selection of Stone beers at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com158tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-77934281603866223652019-01-25T06:49:00.001-05:002019-01-25T08:09:25.022-05:00New Beer Friday, Homebrew Competition Edition (Jan 25)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ6B2OEGIAVU8OaBJONh-N_lUqEHrzr5ak6rLu3aTtc410DDos9UgnL-fBifFj9eJbMpQpBz3pIefbx8Xd5VbQEHPkz9RpXR1K8bmtGkY9HOsWUFl72ieFsCo23EaNs0K67MbET0DGSg/s1600/gold+medal+v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="603" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ6B2OEGIAVU8OaBJONh-N_lUqEHrzr5ak6rLu3aTtc410DDos9UgnL-fBifFj9eJbMpQpBz3pIefbx8Xd5VbQEHPkz9RpXR1K8bmtGkY9HOsWUFl72ieFsCo23EaNs0K67MbET0DGSg/s320/gold+medal+v1.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<i>By Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
From its humble beginnings sixteen years ago, the Siciliano’s Homebrew Competition has developed into one of Michigan’s most respected competitive homebrewing events.<br />
<br />
We are pleased to announce that once again, this year’s Best of Show (BOS) brewer will have the opportunity to brew his or her winning recipe at a local brewery. The BOS winner will also receive a $500.00 gift card to Siciliano’s Market and, per tradition, will have his or her name engraved on the prestigious Siciliano’s Cup. See below for contest rules and regulations for the Sixteenth Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Competition. Good luck, everyone!<br />
<br />
<ul><ul>
<li>Every homebrewer is allowed one (1) beer entry. All entries must be brewed by the registrant on a homebrewing system. Please do not submit entries under the names of significant others, insignificant others, siblings, offspring, distant relatives, estranged roommates, pets, fictional characters, imaginary friends or anyone else. </li>
<li>Beers are submitted according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines. Ciders and meads are excluded from this competition. If you are unsure of which is the correct style for your beer, contact us and we will help. </li>
<li>Entries require two (2) plain, unlabeled/unmarked 12-ounce amber bottles. Please no clear bottles or bottles of any other size. </li>
<li>We are again using Reggiebeer as our competition website. Go <a href="https://reggiebeer.com/ReggieEntry.php?CompetitionID=BBJZLZ1000430">here</a> to enter your beer and print bottle labels. </li>
<li>The entry fee is $7.00. </li>
<li>The total number of contest entries will be capped at 200. Do not delay in submitting your entry. Once the cap is reached no additional entries will be accepted. </li>
<li>Online registration for entries will be accepted from Monday, March 18 through Sunday, April 14 or until 200 entries are submitted, whichever occurs first. </li>
<li>Entries must be received by Sunday, April 14. Entries will not be accepted after that date. If mailing an entry, please include paperwork and submission fee. Ship in a well-packed box to: Siciliano’s Market // 2840 Lake Michigan Dr. NW // Grand Rapids, MI 49504</li>
</ul>
</ul>
All entries in the Siciliano’s Homebrew Competitions are judged by industry professionals and/or trained judges according to the standards of style, not in comparison to each another, with the exception of Best of Show. Entries that receive scores falling within designated point totals will be awarded bronze, silver or gold medals. <b>A reminder too that we are looking for judges and stewards to help us evaluate all that homebrew.</b> Judging will be held on Saturday, April 27 at 17 Seward Avenue in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Registration for judges and stewards is now open. Please visit <a href="https://reggiebeer.com/ReggieEntry.php?CompetitionID=BBJZLZ1000430">this page</a> for sign-up information.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Batch Brewing Empire Pale, $2.79/12oz</b> - "American Pale Ale featuring Michigan grown Empire Hops. Light and crisp with a nice floral/fruity finish" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/88485-batch-empire-pale-ale">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Batch Centennial Pilsner, 2.79/12oz</b> - "A German style pilsner brewed with whole Michigan-grown Centennial hops and Weyermann malt. Light straw colored, clear with a bright white foam. Aromas of fresh herbs, grapefruit and freshly kilned pilsen malt. Dry, crisp and lightly bitter" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/batch-brewing-company-centennial-pils/2585135">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Atwater Bavarian Cream VJP, 1.99/12oz</b> - No commercial description.</li>
<li><b>Brewery Vivant Space Queen Immortal, 5.79/16oz</b> - "Sour Golden Ale aged in oak barrels for one year. Double dry-hopped with with Citra and Amarillo" (<a href="https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Brewery Vivant Nordhouse IPA, 3.79/16oz</b> - "Juniper IPA" (<a href="https://www.grmag.com/2018/02/14/beer-month-kicks-off-downtown/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree, 4.69/12oz</b> - "We actually took the Crooked Tree recipe and doubled all of the ingredients except the water, just the way a DOUBLE should be made. Big hops balanced with tons of malt give this beer a huge body. Enjoy right away or let it mellow and smooth with some age" (<a href="http://www.darkhorsebrewery.com/double-crooked-tree-ipa/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Mitten Doc's No-No, 3.29/12oz </b>- "Our house Double IPA showcases honey malt and a single hop varietal. This batch features Mosaic hops" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/123637-mitten-doc-s-no-no">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Cheboygan Cherry Chocolate, 2.99/16oz </b>- "A cordial stout rich in malts, dark chocolate and cherries. Reminiscent of its namesake this ale is the perfect blend of decadent chocolate and tart cherry" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/182200-cheboygan-chocolate-covered-cherry-stout">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Perrin Soops Joos, 4.29/16oz</b> - "Soops Joos is our first double dry hopped New England IPA. Blending an array of exotic hops, this NEIPA finishes super juicy" (<a href="http://www.perrinbrewing.com/soops-joos/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Petoskey Robusta Nut, 2.79/16oz</b> - "Robust porter, brewed with shredded coconut amd cocoa nibs, meshing nicely with the rich coffee undertones" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/247703-petosky-robusta-nut-chocolate-coconut-porter">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Pura Still Spiked Water, 1.79/12oz</b> - "The first spiked water that doesn’t need bubbles to keep things interesting. Made with a splash of coconut water and a hint of fruit flavor" (<a href="https://www.purastillbeverage.com/">source</a>). Available flavors: Mandarin Orange, Blackberry and Mango.</li>
<li><b>Dogfish Head The Perfect Disguise, 2.79/12oz</b> - "On the surface, The Perfect Disguise looks like a straightforward Kölsch with a crisp Kölsch yeast and traditional German malts and hops … but things aren’t always what they seem. With a quick sniff and a slight sip, you’re greeted by a creamy mouthfeel and full body thanks to the addition of a unique German chit malt - the first hint that this beer may be somewhat different. Hiding deeper behind that German disguise is the double dry-hopping of an American Double IPA, with nearly 4 lbs. of German and American hops per barrel. It brings tropical flavors of citrus, tangerine, mango, gooseberries and peach" (<a href="https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/beer/perfect-disguise">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Incline Cider, 2.79/12oz</b> - "Utilizing only 100% fresh pressed apples as the base for ciders that stand in a category of their own." Flavors available: Scout Hopped Marionberry Cider, Explorer Hopped Cider, Compass Rosé Hibiscus Cider (<a href="https://www.inclinecider.com/team/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Planet Seclusion, 2.39/12oz</b> - "An India Pale Ale brewed with light malts and dry hopped to create a hop forward citrus note. This four-times hopped IPA is robust and aromatic with just the right amount of bitterness" (<a href="https://www.newplanetbeer.com/gluten-free-and-gluten-reduced-beer/seclusion-ipa/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Planet Tread Lightly, 2.19/12oz</b> - "A well balanced and easy drinking ale with subtle citrus hop character and a crisp, clean finish. As refreshing as a summer ale but made to enjoy all year" (<a href="https://www.newplanetbeer.com/gluten-free-and-gluten-reduced-beer/tread-lightly-ale/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ommegang Saison Rosé, 5.89/12oz </b>- "We’re pleased to announce Saison Rosé, a new limited edition blend that will make you want to “rosé all day.” This blend of saisons, one aged in oak, the other brewed with hibiscus flowers and co-fermented with chardonnay grape juice, is fruity, tart, dry, and incredibly quaffable" (<a href="http://ommegang.com/blog/meet-saison-rose/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Image of the Week | Best of Show</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5El5wbsolKt1N1q9JPH8ELw0uMeCtOXfFKAJExeFG2m4BFDrQJJUcpyw0-ZQIDXyOsI1pt2zGws_gr6Ec0phuFqxGcoHETuuJEnR8gh1bpldaF5snu-ZWx8cIK6V3mgOZqetu5IdmF0/s1600/phil-pierce-bos-winner-2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5El5wbsolKt1N1q9JPH8ELw0uMeCtOXfFKAJExeFG2m4BFDrQJJUcpyw0-ZQIDXyOsI1pt2zGws_gr6Ec0phuFqxGcoHETuuJEnR8gh1bpldaF5snu-ZWx8cIK6V3mgOZqetu5IdmF0/s400/phil-pierce-bos-winner-2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homebrewer Phil Pierce celebrates winning Best of Show<br />
at the 15th Annual Siciliano's Homebrew Competition.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-82579791544710360582019-01-18T06:48:00.001-05:002019-01-18T06:48:22.518-05:00New Beer Friday, The Beauty of Beards Edition (January 18)<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>With Steve out of town, we're taking the opportunity this week to repost one of our favorite Buzz pieces — an explanation from now-retired advice columnist (Hey Kevin) regarding the evolutionary reasons so many professional brewers wear beards. Enjoy!</i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqM9qKN2LcQWTFNiEfU3k_hJO5tmDJesJALCoMaRychC6MU6Xp8a4nsKa1YROKQ2eGMpfWBrekg4HAap8qGxDY-VyMeHDu-usILuLaax8VwJTErHVUB2hZnLvJ5EaoYzrOqjga6s1iw/s1600/darwin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqM9qKN2LcQWTFNiEfU3k_hJO5tmDJesJALCoMaRychC6MU6Xp8a4nsKa1YROKQ2eGMpfWBrekg4HAap8qGxDY-VyMeHDu-usILuLaax8VwJTErHVUB2hZnLvJ5EaoYzrOqjga6s1iw/s320/darwin.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darwin's Beard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Q: Hey Kevin, Like many obsessed homebrewers, I aspire to become a professional brewer one day. Just one thing worries me: my beard sucks. It’s patchy at best and sorry in general. It seems like a lot of pro brewers wear beards. What are my chances of succeeding in the beer world if I can’t grow a sweet face-coat?</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
—Chuck in Bay City</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
A: It depends, Chuck. How are you at adapting? Conventional thinking has it that brewers grow beards in order to identify each other in large groups of people. Recently scientists have uncovered evidence suggesting something else is at work. Evolution.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Have you ever seen a bloodhound close up? If not, Google it. The distinctive wrinkly face and folds of skin have a very important job to do — they trap scent from the environment and direct it toward the bloodhound’s greatest tool. Its nose.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Though the professional brewer is tracking neither rabbits nor convicts on the run, his face full of whiskers functions in much the same way, trapping scent in the thousands of empty pockets created by the confluence of individual beard hairs. It’s these pockets wherein aromas and even flavors are stored for future reference.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
When a brewer scratches his beard, it’s not because his face itches. It’s because he’s working on a new IPA recipe. Said scratching prompts the release of microscopic chemical compounds which are directed toward the brewer’s nostrils and up into his brain where they are combined to recreate, or rather <i>pre</i>-create the beer that will eventually find its way into your pint glass. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Research has shown that different flavor and aroma compounds are stored in different subsections of the beard. For example, notes of caramel sweetness are found in the left sideburn while the distinctive grapefruit quality of certain hops is common to the extreme right quadrant of the mustache. Interestingly, the entire “goatee zone” appears to be a scent-neutral locale, storing different compounds at different times, depending on the season. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It’s important to note that there are successful brewers who do not have any facial hair at all, particularly women but also many men in the industry. Researchers believe (and I agree) that these brewers have necessarily experienced positive biological mutations elsewhere. Studies show, for instance, that members of the beardless population typically score better in the Barron-Shaw Taste-Memory test. Armed with the pronounced ability to remember taste, it would seem the beardless have little reason to store a database of flavor on or near their faces. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, the question is ultimately one for you, Chuck. If you can’t grow a beard, in what way can you evolve? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hope this helps. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Kevin</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<ul>
<li><b>Abita Mardi Gras, $1.89/12oz</b> - "Mardi Gras Bock is the first of our seasonal brews. Abita Mardi Gras Bock is brewed with pale, pilsner and caramel malts and German Perle hops. Our bock is similar to German maibocks with its rich malt flavor and full body. A perfect choice during Carnival season in New Orleans. Gruyére, Emmental and Swiss are nice cheese choices with Bock. Great with roasted beef or pork. Try it with Mexican food, too" (<a href="https://abita.com/brews/bock#">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Atwater Voodoo Vator, $3.19/12oz</b> - "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. Be warned" (<a href="https://www.atwaterbeer.com/beer-type/voodoovator-doppelbock-4-pack/#">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Bell's Flamingo Fruit Fight, $2.19/16oz</b> - "The name “Larry’s Latest” is a nod to the spirit of innovation and experimentation that Larry started in 1985 and continues within the brewery to this day. Our latest Tart Fruit Ale is brewed with passionfruit and lime zest, resulting in a tart blend of tropical, citrus flavors and aromas" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/seasonal/larrys-latest-flamingo-fruit-fight">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Bell's Hopslam Mini Keg, $37.99/5L</b> - "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" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/specialty/hopslam-ale">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Boulevard Bou Lou, $4.69/16oz</b> - "Drawing inspiration from the ingredients and flavors that Tech melded in his original cocktail invention, Bou Lou starts with a wheat beer base that’s enhanced by additions of juicy pineapple and tropical coconut. At 5.5% ABV and bursting with fruit flavor, these 16oz cans are ready to be enjoyed at a show, a party, or wherever you need a refreshing beer that reps KC to the fullest" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/boulevard-tech-n9ne-bou-lou/616262/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Boulevard Chocolate Ale, $4.69/12oz</b> - "Smooth layers of dark chocolate intertwine with threads of caramel, vanilla, and nutty malt as the flavor warms and rounds to a bittersweet finish" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/125748-boulevard-chocolate-ale-with-raspberry">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Detroit Garage Project Test Drive PJDIPA, $4.49/16oz</b> - "Pineapple Jalapeño DRIPA collaboration with Wolf Moon Mixers" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/detroit-garage-project-test-drive-001/2996060">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Lagunitas Daytime, $1.89/12oz</b> - "The beer in this can has achieved what we all hope for ourselves; to be made new again. There is freedom in burning down the house of expectations and it confers an undeniable lightness to being. We didn't invent these truths; they invented us" (<a href="https://lagunitas.com/beer/daytime">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Revolution A Little Crazy, $2.09/12oz</b> - "A Pilsner malt base provides a nice toasty flavor with hints of caramel and enough fermentable sugar to make this a rather substantial beer. The Belgian-Style Pale Ale is brewed with Magnum, Cascade and Citra hops in the brewhouse and then dryhopped with a blend of Citra and Cascade. This drives home the aromas of fresh citrus rind to make this a very drinkable and extremely aromatic beer" (<a href="https://revbrew.com/beer/seasonals/a-little-crazy">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Roak Blow Your Face Out, $3.59/12oz</b> - "A double IPA loaded with Mosaic and Chinook hops" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/roak-blow-your-face-out/402306/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Shorts Not Unofficial, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Not Unofficial is a dry-hopped India Pale Ale brewed with mango and guava in collaboration with Lagunitas Brewing Company. Golden in color and slightly hazy, this beer has huge aromas of juicy tropical fruit. Medium bodied this beer leads with flavors of mango and guava before finishing with dank hoppiness" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/not-unofficial/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Sierra Nevada Bigfoot, $2.49/12oz</b> - "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" (<a href="https://sierranevada.com/beer/high-altitude/bigfoot-barleywine-style-ale">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Sierra Nevada Resilience, $1.79/12oz</b> - "When the Camp Fire started in the hills above our Chico brewery on November 8, 2018, it soon became the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. The fire burned more than 153,000 acres, killed at least 85 people, and destroyed more than 13,000 homes. Many of our employees and community members were severely impacted by this tragic event. In the days following the fire, we announced plans to brew Resilience Butte County Proud IPA, a fundraiser beer for Camp Fire relief. We committed to brewing the beer and donating 100% of the sales to the Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund, aimed at long-term community rebuilding support. And we asked every brewery in the country to do it with us. We sent out the “bat signal” calling our friends in the industry, asking our suppliers to donate ingredients, asking other breweries (our competitors) to donate their time and labor costs, and asking our wholesalers and retailers to carry the beer for free. It was a big ask, and we never could have anticipated the response. More than 1,400 breweries signed up to brew Resilience. Our suppliers donated ingredients to every brewery nationwide. Wholesalers and retailers agreed to carry the beer and donate every dollar they received. All of them agreed to do this for free to benefit people they had never met. In all, Resilience Butte County Proud IPA should hit the market in mid-late December more than 17,000 barrels—or 4.2 million pints—strong. Every dollar Sierra Nevada receives will go to those impacted by the Camp Fire. Thank you to the brewing community. Thank you to our suppliers. Thank you to our wholesalers and retailers. And thank you to every single customer who is helping us rebuild our Butte County community—one pint at a time" (<a href="https://sierranevada.com/resilience-butte-county-proud-ipa">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ska Euphoria, $2.09/12oz</b> - "This seasonal beer is brewed in the DIY spirit along with our friends from Venture Snowboards. We brew Euphoria with them, and they make a Euphoria snowboard with us. We call it a Ska/Venture venture. Both make winter better, and both are hand-crafted in the mighty San Juans" (<a href="http://skabrewing.com/brews/euphoria-pale-ale/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ska Modus Hoperandi, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Strong citrus aromas followed by pine rise from the glass. As it moves across your tongue... bitterness... following close behind is a melding of citrus and pine with light caramel sweetness" (<a href="http://skabrewing.com/brews/modus-hoperandi-ipa/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ska Modus Mandarina, $2.19/12oz</b> - "A unique twist on Modus Hoperandi, this citrus IPA is dry-hopped with a generous portion of Mandarina Bavaria hops and brewed with sweet orange peels" (<a href="http://skabrewing.com/brews/modus-mandarina-ipa/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ska Moral Panic, $2.19/12oz</b> - "A wealth of Galaxy and Citra hops added post-boil give this Brut IPA low actual bitterness and big tropical flavor. Fruity and citrus notes abound in this smooth and refreshing, Champagne-like brew. Moral Panic Brut IPA is well carbonated and spritz; drinks easy and finished dry" (<a href="http://skabrewing.com/brews/moral-panic-brut-ipa/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ska Pinstripe Red, $2.09/12oz</b> - "The balance of this beer is what has made it our flagship. The hops simply meld with the caramel malts into a nice sessionable ale. This beer is brilliantly clear and is a beautiful copper penny color" (<a href="http://skabrewing.com/brews/pinstripe-red-ale-2/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ska Rue B Soho, $2.09/12oz</b> - "If where you want to go is beer heaven. At first, your nose is treated to the aroma of bright and crisp citrus. Then your tongue is tickled by the carbonation that delivers flavors of tart and light grapefruit juice. Lightly acidulated, Rue B. Soho is a refreshing lager brewed with Cascade hops and grapefruit" (<a href="http://skabrewing.com/brews/rue-b-soho/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ska Sour Apple Gose, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Tastes like you’re sipping on a crisp apple juice with a bright tartness that’s refreshing, not drying" (<a href="http://skabrewing.com/brews/sour-apple-gose/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | A Rising Tide</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZMLN4-aE0lI" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stories from the Michigan's Brewers Guild.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Cheers!</i></b></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-32761634938584487672019-01-11T06:00:00.000-05:002019-01-11T09:40:18.928-05:00New Beer Friday, Michigan Beer Champion Edition (1/11)<i>Last night the Michigan Brewers Guild presented Steve Siciliano with The Michigan Beer Champion Award at the Guild’s annual winter conference in Kalamazoo. According to Scott Graham, the executive director of <a href="http://www.mibeer.com/">The Michigan Brewers Guild</a>, this award is given to a person who continually strives to promote or protect the craft beer industry in Michigan. Steve was unable to attend the event so Siciliano’s general manager Sarah Derylo read his prepared remarks and accepted the award on his behalf.</i><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVyI7Yf1J2VhqPa5VoKOMSMKBPYozEQAz7WG_-4-mxpyP56xT5HhEHQlGqRJFLEOW1XSlVtucrNiH5zUyM20YMqiCLRs-oo-o0WGV0ZMWdmzLVp3fEB2QNvAXsDBHTjj0VWqW-qVJ7ek/s1600/sarah-accepts-award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVyI7Yf1J2VhqPa5VoKOMSMKBPYozEQAz7WG_-4-mxpyP56xT5HhEHQlGqRJFLEOW1XSlVtucrNiH5zUyM20YMqiCLRs-oo-o0WGV0ZMWdmzLVp3fEB2QNvAXsDBHTjj0VWqW-qVJ7ek/s320/sarah-accepts-award.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah accepts the Michigan Beer<br />
Champion Award from Isaac Hartman<br />
on behalf of Steve Siciliano</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Remarks by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When Scott Graham notified me that I was to be honored with the Michigan Brewers Guild’s <b><u>Michigan Beer Champion Award</u></b> at this year’s Winter Conference, I immediately asked him if there were any other nominees.<br />
<br />
Scott chuckled and assured me that there were.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I am humbled and extremely appreciative to be the second recipient of this award. At the same time, I am well aware that there are many other folks in the craft beer industry who are just as deserving of this high honor.<br />
<br />
For those of you who are not familiar with the story of Siciliano’s, I’d like to share a brief history of the market. After a five-year stint as a 7-11 franchisee followed by eight years owning a small convenience store in the Creston Heights area of Grand Rapids, I was ready for a new challenge and in the early 90s began looking for a location where I would be able to focus on selling fine wine.<br />
<br />
The party store that I bought on Lake Michigan Drive on the West Side of Grand Rapids seemed an ideal location, the only problem being the store was on the verge of going out of business. After remodeling and restocking I began waiting for what I expected to be hordes of customers. <br />
<br />
Five years later I was still waiting. <br />
<br />
Recognizing that I had to do something to bring people through the door, I made the decision to bring in some hand-crafted beer from a few relatively obscure local Michigan breweries. I distinctly remember the day that I received my first case of Bell’s Amber. After working out the retail I couldn’t imagine that anyone would pay such a high price for a six pack. I decided to price and sell the bottles as singles. It’s a practice that we continue to this day.<br />
<br />
The response to craft beer was positive. It’s not an exaggeration to say that craft beer saved Siciliano’s.<br />
<br />
There’re two other instances from those early days that I distinctly remember.<br />
<br />
The first was when a customer suggested that I begin carrying brewing supplies. I took the suggestion and filled three feet of shelf space with products I knew nothing about. The rest, as they say, is history, and today Siciliano’s has about a thousand square feet of beer- and winemaking supplies.<br />
<br />
That customer was Tom Buchanan and whenever I see Tom, he never fails to remind me about that day. I am proud of the fact that a number of professional brewers in this room purchased their first brewing supplies from our store. I’m also proud of the fact that Siciliano’s has become somewhat of a farm team for local breweries and that a number of our former employees work in the industry. <br />
<br />
The other instance I would like to share involves the time a sales rep from a local macro beer distributor told me that craft beer was a passing fad and that I couldn’t do what I was trying to do on the West Side of Grand Rapids. I’m happy to say he was totally and emphatically mistaken on both counts.<br />
<br />
Before closing I want to say a few words about the good woman who has been standing not behind, but rather shoulder to shoulder, with this very lucky man. Many of you have gotten to know my wife Barb over the years and know how hard she has worked behind the scenes. Barb has been with me every step of the way and she shares in this high honor.<br />
<br />
Finally, I would like to recognize our current and past employees. Siciliano’s wouldn’t be the store it is today without their efforts. As some of you may know, for the past year or so I’ve been easing into semi-retirement and now Barb and I are relying on them even more. <br />
<br />
In view of this, it is perhaps appropriate that one of those employees, our very capable General Manager Sarah Derylo, is accepting this award on my behalf. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oC3fq2tCmnsdDeAawg2IgbyNBnT970UjUn-73knZFfMPj0xT-JgaUNqqSZrKrfDn4BOy8KB3YJMu0y0QkaMReUrLhPjlPbhyphenhyphenPxJt6pQcrM1aQNfdtjGeP8ouT1LZGrV-jilcf72eoDY/s1600/michigan-beer-champion-award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oC3fq2tCmnsdDeAawg2IgbyNBnT970UjUn-73knZFfMPj0xT-JgaUNqqSZrKrfDn4BOy8KB3YJMu0y0QkaMReUrLhPjlPbhyphenhyphenPxJt6pQcrM1aQNfdtjGeP8ouT1LZGrV-jilcf72eoDY/s400/michigan-beer-champion-award.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Arbor Brewing Faricy's Dry Stout, $2.19/12oz</b> - "To create our World Beer Cup Bronze Medal winning Irish-Style Dry Stout, we blend black malts with roasted and flaked barley to give it a full body, notes of roasted coffee and dark chocolate, and smooth dry finish" (<a href="https://arborbrewing.com/beer/michael-faricys-irish-stout/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Arcadia Salted Caramel Morning Nightcap, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Coffee Porter brewed with BIGGBY Coffee, now with the flavor of salted caramel" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/253874-salted-caramel-morning-nightcap">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Bell's Hopslam, $3.19/12oz</b> - "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" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/specialty/hopslam-ale">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Decadent Winter Spice French Toast, $5.49/16oz</b> - No commercial description.</li>
<li><b>Dogfish Head Raison D'extra, $10.69/12oz</b> - "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" (<a href="https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/beer/raison-dextra">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Elk Brewing Hefe Bridges, $1.99/12oz </b>- "Unfiltered Hefeweizen" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/elk-brewing-hefe-bridges/2853121/photos">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin Learn What is to be Taken Seriously, $5.49/16oz</b> - "Erase & Rewind #28" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/evil-twin-brewing-learn-what-is-to-be-taken-seriously-and-laugh-at-the-rest/2964846">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin/Prairie Bible Belt, $8.99/16oz </b>- "Let’s face it – we love big, flavorful stouts. As luck would have it, our friend Jeppe at Evil Twin Brewing feels the same way. We decided to brew a beer together that took elements from our favorite stouts we each produce to come together as one beer. Bible Belt takes elements we love from Prairie Bomb! and combines them with Evil Twin Brewing’s world famous stout, Even More Jesus. The end result is a smoky, spicy stout that is sure to please the pallet" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/prairie-evil-twin-bible-belt/253908/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Fat Orange Cat Write Drunk Edit Sober, $5.69/16oz</b> - "Citra, Mosaic and El Dorado hops" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/fat-orange-cat-brew-co-write-drunk-edit-sober/2879555">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Founders Blushing Monk, $4.59/12oz</b> - "When our love of fruit and our love of beer come together, Blushing Monk happens. Brewed with a ridiculous amount of raspberries for tart yet luscious raspberry-jam character and fermented with Belgian yeast for subtle fruit and spice esters. Think of Blushing Monk as Rubaeus’ older sibling – more intense, slightly larger and just a little bit more mature" (<a href="https://foundersbrewing.com/our-beer/blushing-monk/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Great Lakes Conway's Irish Ale, $1.89/12oz </b>- "A malty beer with a notable toasty flavor derived from lightly roasted malt. Slight fruit and hop accents add to the overall complexity" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/great-lakes-conway39s-irish-ale/4771/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Hoof Hearted Thanks for Letting us Play, $5.99/16oz</b> - American Pale Ale.</li>
<li><b>Lagunitas Monzango, $2.29/12oz</b> - "The flesh is weak, but the spirit is willing. So, what's at the heart of it? Is it the patient and diligent servant or the committed messenger, through their many routes and vessels? The salient soldier, slinging suds on the front lines daily, or the very brewers themselves? The answer is... we can't tell you here. From seed to sprout to fruit, and back to seed, we're all tangled on the same vine. And while fruit is momentary, the roots hold on for another season. It's all just a matter of perspective" (<a href="https://www.lagunitas.com/beer/mozango">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Hop Milk, $2.79/12oz </b>- "Milkshake IPA. India Pale Ale with lactose and vanilla added" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/291113-odd-side-hop-milk">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ommegamg Brut IPA, $3.79/12oz</b> - "With Brut IPA, we’ve created a distinctively Ommegang expression of this hop-driven style, using high attenuation and bottle conditioning to achieve a bright, dry, champagne-like character" (<a href="http://ommegang.com/blog/meet-ommegang-brut-ipa-a-different-breed-of-bubbly/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Omnipollo Fatamorgana, $4.99/16oz</b> - "Drawing inspiration from the fidelity of a saison — rustic, alluringly cloudy and crisp — this imperial IPA was brewed using oats and wheat. Dry-hopped twice and completely untouched post fermentation to preserve aroma and flavor" (<a href="https://omnipollo.com/products/fatamorgana">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Rochester Mills Milkshake IPA, $2.69/16oz</b> - "A tropical smoothie hop sensation. This IPA combines the citrusy and tropical hop flavors of Citra & Mosaic hops with ripe mangos, subtly sweet lactose and a hint of vanilla" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/rochester-mills-beer-co-lush-milkshake-ipa/2984982">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Sierra Nevada Brut IPA, $1.79/12oz</b> - "This is our Brut IPA, a new take on IPA brewed for a bone dry champagne-style finish. Late hop additions give the beer balanced bitterness and a bright pop of citrus flavor. It’s as intriguing as it is drinkable" (<a href="https://sierranevada.com/beer/seasonal/brut-ipa">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Sierra Nevada Sierraveza, $1.79/12oz </b>- "pired by the classic cervezas served ice cold by the beach, we created our own take on those light and easy beers born south of the border. Sierraveza is golden and crisp, with a balanced malt flavor and a hit of floral hops that will have you calling out for another round" (<a href="https://sierranevada.com/beer/year-round/sierraveza">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Victory Storm King, $2.79/12oz </b>- "A thundering hop presence collides with massive espresso and dark chocolate flavors in our dense and full-bodied imperial" (<a href="https://www.victorybeer.com/beers/stormking/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Hopslam</h2>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kGZWxnwHd3g" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Available now at Siciliano's Market.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Cheers!</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-55387284676278638022019-01-04T06:30:00.002-05:002019-01-04T06:30:31.458-05:00New Beer Friday, Angling in Asheville Edition (January 4)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImvQsclsmzlF5wxFiSQ3wdwqg1LgmJpZbQS-mra3Wtoo2C-_cZ5_vPjIve7N9FAw4ywbfRzmlYoj1AXDu0NTsDM2PTAVriyZOagELNNJ4UaZgekKQGxgcQhB8jbrVELXzg-NT6VvBUeE/s1600/steve-asheville-fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImvQsclsmzlF5wxFiSQ3wdwqg1LgmJpZbQS-mra3Wtoo2C-_cZ5_vPjIve7N9FAw4ywbfRzmlYoj1AXDu0NTsDM2PTAVriyZOagELNNJ4UaZgekKQGxgcQhB8jbrVELXzg-NT6VvBUeE/s320/steve-asheville-fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve with a nice 'bow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>This past November Steve and Barb took a road trip through Kentucky and North Carolina. Go <a href="https://sicilianosmkt.blogspot.com/2018/11/new-beer-friday-bourbon-on-main-edition.html">here</a>, <a href="http://sicilianosmkt.blogspot.com/2018/12/new-beer-friday-bourbon-trail-edition.html">here</a> and <a href="http://sicilianosmkt.blogspot.com/2018/12/new-beer-friday-great-smoky-edition.html">here</a> to read about the first three legs of their journey.<br />
<br />By Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
In the morning the high regard we had for our Asheville accommodations ratcheted up another notch when we went downstairs and saw the complimentary breakfast that was laid out in the dining area adjacent to the lobby. It was a smile-inducing sight in view of our disappointing meal the previous night. After mollifying our hunger with scrambled eggs, sausage links, fried potatoes and fresh fruit we were ready for a day of fly fishing on the Laurel River. <br />
<br />
During the half hour drive to meet up with our guide I kept one nervous eye on the sky and the other on the temperature. My wife loves fly fishing for trout almost as much as I do but she’s a self-avowed fair-weather angler. That early morning sky was threatening and the temperature was hovering around freezing.<br />
<br />
When we pulled into a supermarket parking lot in a small burg northwest of Asheville we immediately spotted a silver pickup with rod racks suspended above the bed and a tall young man leaning against the tailgate. “That’s gotta be Paul,” I said to Barb.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6F9vGFnKRvwoJuWoRN3EUu-h0KfguXMJr3MnqpC9WcZ51wnJaAWieGM2DUuB6y2VIg46Cw0Iq-b56VdvOq4r1B6ypOUmK4NXTlSidUxt4m07M_HstyoRKusuz3oPznej6-ovCM1L0sDQ/s1600/barb-asheville-fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6F9vGFnKRvwoJuWoRN3EUu-h0KfguXMJr3MnqpC9WcZ51wnJaAWieGM2DUuB6y2VIg46Cw0Iq-b56VdvOq4r1B6ypOUmK4NXTlSidUxt4m07M_HstyoRKusuz3oPznej6-ovCM1L0sDQ/s320/barb-asheville-fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barb with a nice brook trout.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Paul Kisielewski from Southern Appalachian Anglers (SAA) is an excellent guide. On the drive to the river he told us that he began fly fishing at the age of three, has a degree in business administration from Appalachian State and has been guiding on the area’s rivers since forming SAA in 2003. After tucking his pickup in a clearing on the side of a winding mountain road, Paul rigged up the rods while Barb and I put on layers of clothing and slipped into our waders. “My wife’s a bit anxious in the water,” I whispered to Paul while we were walking down to the river.<br />
<br />
“No problem,” he whispered back. “I’ll stay with her.”<br />
<br />
Sometimes I think Barb feigns nervousness about wading so she can have the undivided attention of the guide.<br />
<br />
As usual Barb started off fast, netting and releasing a twelve-inch rainbow and two nice brookies before I even had a strike and, as usual, I began fretting about getting skunked. But by the time we sat down for lunch at a table Paul set up beside the river, I had netted four nice fish of my own. It ended up being a pretty good day both fish wise and weather wise. By mid-afternoon the sky had cleared and the temperature had reached the mid-fifties. Between us we had landed fourteen nice-sized trout. <br />
<br />
That night we Ubered downtown and had an excellent meal at <a href="https://theblackbirdrestaurant.com/">The Blackbird</a>. When we returned to our motel we watched Animal Planet and sipped our nightly nightcaps. The next day we were going brewery hopping in Asheville.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLiwFPVwOg8Z4HuO9sjtqP2mrv_QHAvgY-_WA4louZxbfd211cVckFjcrq1YWj5WVnZZOVJL13idYunRD2Y_UhAo2o3cRZ2gC7t3LuCeV0ULZNJ4wYuUJWzaRfPMreNJitd9w4tzzEB0/s1600/asheville-shore-lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLiwFPVwOg8Z4HuO9sjtqP2mrv_QHAvgY-_WA4louZxbfd211cVckFjcrq1YWj5WVnZZOVJL13idYunRD2Y_UhAo2o3cRZ2gC7t3LuCeV0ULZNJ4wYuUJWzaRfPMreNJitd9w4tzzEB0/s400/asheville-shore-lunch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shore lunch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Alaskan Spruce IPA, $1.79/12oz</b> - "This IPA is brewed with Sitka Spruce tips – a flavorful, Alaskan twist on the American IPA" (<a href="https://alaskanbeer.com/our-beers/spruce-ipa/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Blackrocks BA Barbaric Yawp, $5.19/12oz</b> - "A burly Scotch ale clocking in at 8.5% ABV and full of malty, smokey flavors. Pairs great with grilled meats and open flames" (<a href="https://www.blackrocksbrewery.com/barbaric-yawp/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Lagunitas Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale, $2.09/12oz </b>- "IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE 2005 ST. PATRICK’S DAY MASSACRE and in commemoration of the 20-day suspension that followed, Lagunitas brewed this especially bitter ale. See, the ABC conducted an undercover investigation of our brewery, finding us guilty of operating a “Disorderly House.” We did the crime. We did the time. We got the bragging rights. Watch the full story below…" (<a href="https://lagunitas.com/beer/undercover">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Southern Tier Samoa This, $4.09/12oz</b> - "We’re well known for our affection for decadent, flavorful, dessert-like beers, which has put us on an endless quest to brew the ultimate indulgence. Our dessert beers are a fusion of flavors, making each of them a perfect pairing when one craves an exceptional stout full of personality. With booming notes of chocolate, caramel, and coconut, Samoa This is our interpretation of the famous seasonal treat. We went to great lengths carefully crafting each flavor, right down to the savory shortbread-like cookie base" (<a href="https://www.stbcbeer.com/beer/samoa-this/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stone Tropic of Thunder, $2.19/12oz & $2.99/19.2oz</b> - "Imagine you set sail for a three hour tour. Let’s say from the Port of Escondido (work with us here). The weather started getting rough. Your tiny ship (but not lunch, thankfully) was tossed. Long story short: You’re marooned on a remote island somewhere near the Tropic of Thunder. The good news is that the Capt. of the S.S. Stone and her brewing kit were among the small cast of colorful characters that survived the rough voyage with you. Mainstays Citra & Mosaic along with newcomer Cashmere hops are joined by their juicy tropical aromas of citrus, pineapple and coconut (try stringing all that together in a catchy tune). The rescue ship will find you all soon enough. For now, set aside the non-working cell phone and lack of social media (again, work with us here), kick back and revel in your moment of tropical island lagoon serenity" (<a href="https://www.stonebrewing.com/beer/year-round-releases/stone-tropic-thunder-lager#ageGatePassed">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Lagunitas</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LfW3MWqkpW4" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Available now at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-74951133254443797172018-12-28T07:18:00.000-05:002018-12-28T07:18:45.132-05:00New Beer Friday, Happy New Year Edition (December 28)<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
Well I’m happy to report that this old, semi-retired merchant still has the stamina to put in a full day’s work. Because most of our part-time employees traveled to locations across the state to spend time with their families over the Christmas holiday, the GM (Sarah) asked me to pinch hit on a couple of days last weekend. It took a while to shake off the rust but after ringing up a few transactions, I found my groove and it felt like old times again. <br />
<br />
I’ve always enjoyed working during the busy holiday season and despite being exhausted after those three eight-hour shifts, I think I enjoyed this year even more. It felt good to be helping folks with beer, wine, liquor, cigars, coffee, tea, brewing ingredients and winemaking supplies again. <br />
<br />
Barb and I were pleased Sarah was able to honor everyone’s request for time off. We realize that the continued success of Siciliano’s Market is directly related to the efforts of our great staff and we believe in treating them the same way we would treat our own children. We’re just a mom-and-pop operation after all and we have always referred to our employees as our kids, an apt description considering how long some of them have been with us.<br />
<br />
Of course, it goes without saying that Siciliano’s wouldn’t be the store it is today without our loyal customers and Barb and I are deeply grateful for your continued patronage. On behalf of the staff we would like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24I55QT6my_8bSwe8km9noivtHmibdkspi_SwDVKp4D6b0Eh1YZgjBVQhTMws8kwK2T2n7MaKoKXalfIUH4t8MRS1oM6nNs5XRXYH_VV-Kl2ykxvI7DEIbjAEEEudDMlLS-EgfBrZFwY/s1600/vivant-plein-de-vie-nbf-12-28-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24I55QT6my_8bSwe8km9noivtHmibdkspi_SwDVKp4D6b0Eh1YZgjBVQhTMws8kwK2T2n7MaKoKXalfIUH4t8MRS1oM6nNs5XRXYH_VV-Kl2ykxvI7DEIbjAEEEudDMlLS-EgfBrZFwY/s400/vivant-plein-de-vie-nbf-12-28-18.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brewery Vivant Plein De Vie Sereis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Brewery Vivant Plein De Vie Escoffier, $12.99/500ml</b> - "Auguste Escoffier is considered the master chef of the 20th century. His ideas and methods left an indellible imprint on the culinary world, and are still in use to this very day. We named our beer ’Escoffier’ to celebrate the relationship between great food and excellent beer, and how they elevate each other when enjoyed together" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/brewery-vivant-new-belgium-escoffier/184224/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Brewery Vivant Plein De Vie Strawberry Rhubarb, $10.89/500ml</b> - "A Belgian-weiss beer soured in a melange of barrels and aged with Strawberries and Rhubarb" (<a href="https://www.brewerydb.com/beer/HAmZ3W">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Brewery Viviant Plein De Vie Tower of Sour, $10.89/500ml</b> - "The tower we refer to here is our 40-barrel French oak foeder. It’s a large wooden tank that holds beer, allowing it to ferment with the wild yeasts already present in the oak. This beer was first debuted at our Wood-Aged Beer Festival in September 2016. Aged for six months in oak, this malty-forward ale presents a subtle chocolate, coffee roastiness, but has taken on a distinctly sour character from the wild yeast" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/brewery-vivant-tower-of-sour/451360/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Nice Pair of Slacks, $4.09/16oz</b> - "This sharp looking beer is brewed to be as dry and hop-forward as possible. From the effervescent carbonation to the low residual sugar, this beer is designed to showcase the copious amounts of Hallertauer Blanc & Mosaic hops used to produce it" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/a-nice-pair-of-slacks/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Rose, $3.29/16oz</b> - "To craft this light and refreshing pink drink we combine our Rustic Blonde Ale, Table, with a few hundred pounds of raspberries and referment them with our house yeast cultures" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/rose/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>City Built Anabatic Flow, $4.39/16oz</b> - "Hazy IPA. Pine Resin, Pineapple & Peach Flavor" (<a href="https://citybuiltbrewing.com/beer/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Belgium Brut, $1.79/12oz</b> - "Bubbly, dry, crisp, and refreshing, Brut IPA is inspired by our favorite sparkling wines. With hints of tropical fruits and champagne, this effervescent brew is the perfect cheers to the New Year" (<a href="https://www.newbelgium.com/beer/brut-ipa/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Belgium Liquid Paradise, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Using Mosaic Incognito, Azacca and Cascade hops, Liquid Paradise boasts a mélange of tropical notes to create a delicately bitter and extremely aromatic IPA" (<a href="https://www.newbelgium.com/beer/voodoo-ranger-liquid-paradise/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Oskar Blues Barrel Aged Ten Fidy, $14.29/19.2oz (1 per)</b> - "Aged through four seasons and from a blend of the top Bourbons around, this Ten Fidy has morphed into a monster of cranked up flavor. Espresso, burnt sugar, rich chocolate, caramel notes are now driving alongside the vanilla, oak, bourbon from the barrel and been smoothed out during maturation. Even at 12.9% (75 IBUs) it is cool and drinkable, letting each sip add more and more complexity" (<a href="https://www.oskarblues.com/beer/batenfidy/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Tilquin Gueuze, $13.99/375ml</b> - "The Gueuze Tilquin à l’ancienne (6.4% alc / vol) is a spontaneous fermentation beer obtained from the blending of 1, 2 and 3 years old lambics" (<a href="http://www.gueuzerietilquin.be/en/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Tilquin Pinot Noir Gueuzerie Pinot Noir Lambic, $35.69/750ml</b> - "Oude Pinot Noir Tilquin à l'Ancienne is a blend of 1-, 2-, and 3-year old lambics with Pinot Noir grapes" (<a href="https://www.lambic.info/Oude_Pinot_Noir_Tilquin_%C3%A0_l%27Ancienne">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Plein De Vie Series</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yafs2mMrq_U" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Limited selections from Vivant's Plain de Vie Series</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
are now available at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-89990463274933616422018-12-21T06:41:00.000-05:002018-12-21T06:41:10.902-05:00New Beer Friday, Great Smoky Edition (December 21)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWBXSBVXTPeEXrR0PeRklM6BpPDENxZjn0kq7_vT0DbZyjfwv3-S9rqTUGtRaIEOHa-C0o48uXVP37yVsQWQg7mSXxHrqIMyGMfdKtMqqdzrURLynuNH3Ck6xCEbTEE-A2Je0x0erBXU/s1600/Great-Smoky-Mountains-National-Park-Photo-At-Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWBXSBVXTPeEXrR0PeRklM6BpPDENxZjn0kq7_vT0DbZyjfwv3-S9rqTUGtRaIEOHa-C0o48uXVP37yVsQWQg7mSXxHrqIMyGMfdKtMqqdzrURLynuNH3Ck6xCEbTEE-A2Je0x0erBXU/s320/Great-Smoky-Mountains-National-Park-Photo-At-Sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>This past November Steve and Barb took a road trip down through Kentucky and North Carolina. Go <a href="https://sicilianosmkt.blogspot.com/2018/11/new-beer-friday-bourbon-on-main-edition.html">here</a> and <a href="http://sicilianosmkt.blogspot.com/2018/12/new-beer-friday-bourbon-trail-edition.html">here</a> to read about the first two legs of their journey.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
When Barb and I were planning our road trip we agreed that she would drive and I would be the navigator. It was an arrangement that we first used while vacationing in Italy five or so years ago. On that trip I started out in the driver's seat but because my poky driving infuriated some aggressive Italian drivers and because Barb kept erroneously yelling out that we had missed a turn we thought it would be prudent to flip flop our roles.<br />
<br />
Actually I rather enjoy sitting in the navigator's seat because I'm better able to observe and enjoy the passing scenery — the old farmhouses, silos and barns, the small streams and wide rivers, the rocky outcrops, forested foothills and tall mountains.<br />
<br />
I've always had an affinity for mountains. While were were on the stretch of I-40 that winds through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I imagined how that section of the Appalachians looked 480 million years ago. According to geologists, the Appalachians are some of the oldest mountains on earth and when first formed were as high as the Alps and Himalayas.<br />
<br />
It was late afternoon and the sun had dipped behind the Smokies when we pulled into the Country Inn and Suites on the southern outskirts of Asheville. After our experience with that seedy motel in Frankfort, Kentucky, we were glad to see that there was a good number of vehicles in the parking lot. We were even happier when we walked into the lobby, happier still when the clerk told us there would be no problem getting Ubers and downright overjoyed when we walked into our nicely appointed room.<br />
<br />
It was dark by the time we were unpacked so rather than taking an Uber downtown we decided to drive to a chain restaurant down the road for dinner. That was a mistake. My entree of spaghetti and meatballs was nasty and Barb's chicken dish was worse. “Is there something wrong with your meals?” the waitress asked after eying our plates.<br />
<br />
“I guess we weren't very hungry,” I replied.<br />
<br />
“Would you like boxes?”<br />
<br />
“Sure.”<br />
<br />
As soon as we were outside we threw the to-go boxes in a trash receptacle.<br />
<br />
After returning to our nice motel I mixed up a couple of nightcaps and turned on the TV. While we lay in bed sipping our drinks and watching Animal Planet we were practically giddy about the fact that there were no partying sounds coming from the adjacent rooms. We wanted a good night's sleep because in the morning we were going fishing.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<ul>
<li><b>Big Lake Brakewall, $2.99/16oz</b> - "A juicy IPA made with loads of Citra, and Mosaic hops. Weighing in at 20 IBUs, and loaded with hops this one will crash the traditional IPA wave" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/big-lake-breakwall-ipa/636670/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Big Lake Snow Machine, $3.19/16oz</b> - No commercial description.</li>
<li><b>Blackrock Starman, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Simcoe, Citra, Amarillo, Columbus, Mosaic. Take an adventurous exploration on a classic style" (<a href="https://www.blackrocksbrewery.com/starman/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dogfish Head American Beauty, $2.79/12oz</b> - "American Beauty, an Imperial Pale Ale inspired by the Grateful Dead, captures the spirits of the band's 30 years of touring and recording. Dogfish Head and the Dead both built their followings by connecting directly with beer lovers and music lovers, so we asked those loyal fans to help drive the recipe" (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFsbAuX9P4w">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dogfish Head IPAs for the Holidays, $23.99/12pk</b> - "'Tis the season for family, friends and IPAs! Why IPAs, you ask? Think of the citrusy and piney characteristics this style is known to bring to the table, and then think about those foods you'll be bringing to the table. IPAs have a tendency to pair with an assortment of holiday favorites - everything from shrimp cocktail to chicken wings, and a little ham in-between" (<a href="https://www.dogfish.com/blog/ipas-holidays">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Haymarket The Defender, $2.39/12oz</b> - "</li>
<li>This big dark ale is brewed with copious amounts of roasted barley, chocolate malt and oats, then hopped and dry-hopped with loads of Chinook. Flavors and aromas of coffee and chocolate are complimented by citrus and pine. A truly complex and intense brew" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/haymarket-the-defender-dry-hopped-double-american-stout/143348/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Kuhnhenn DRIPA, $2.99/12oz</b> - "Double Rice India Pale Ale. This gold colored West Coast style Double India Pale Ale has an intense hop nose, with aromas mainly of citrus. The high hop character dominates this IPA’s flavor pro-file. Made with American long grain rice, it is quite difficult to make but the rice con-tributes to this beer’s crisp aftertaste" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/kuhnhenn-double-rice-india-pale-ale-dripa/73550/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Kuhnhenn White Devil, $2.99/12oz</b> - "Our Imperial White Ale is a cloudy straw color, and has a zesty citrus nose and a medium sweet aroma. It is refreshingly crisp with a bit of a wheat flavor. With medium hop bitterness, this is a delight-ful brew for any season" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/kuhnhenn-white-devil/117280/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Holland Blue Sunday, $9.09/22oz</b> - "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" (<a href="http://newhollandbrew.com/beer/blue-sunday/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>North Coast BBA Old Rapsutin XXI, $25.89/500ml</b> - "Russian imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels, the depth, intensity and complexity of this beer makes it what it is" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/north-coast-brewing-company-bourbon-barrel-aged-old-rasputin-xxi/2936327">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>North Coast Rye Barrel Aged Rasputin, $25.89/500ml</b> - "Stout Aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/north-coast-old-rasputin-rye-whiskey-barrel/370037/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Firefly, $2.89/12oz</b> - "The blend of papaya and a small dose of habaneros provide an ideal mixture of spicy and sweet" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/odd-side-ales-firefly/151019/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Revolution Freedom of Press, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Keep currant with the latest entry in our session sour series — sweet, earthy berry flavors from black currants to complement this 140-calorie, easy-drinking, lightly tart ale" (<a href="https://revbrew.com/beer/session-sour/freedom-of-press">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Right Brain Mangalista Pig Porter, $18.69/22oz</b> - "Porter Brewed with Real Pig Parts. Who would have thought that what started as an inside joke amongst the Right Brain brew team would evolve into out most acclaimed beer ever? Brewed with REAL Mangalitsa pig heads and bones, this rich and chocolaty porter is infused with a symphony of salty, smoky, and savory flavors. Some have hailed it as the ’quintessential bacon beer’ while others call it a true breakfast brew. Regardless of what you call it, this imaginative and complex beer has to be tried to be understood" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/right-brain-mangalitsa-pig-porter/152621/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's Uber Goober, $2.59/12oz</b> - "Über Goober is an Oatmeal Stout brewed with peanuts. Pitch black in color with a mocha head, this beer has strong aromas of peanut butter, roast, chocolate, and oats. Full bodied with a creamy mouthfeel, the well-balanced chocolate and peanut flavors meld together like a peanut butter cup with a smooth finish. One of the oldest stouts in the Short’s portfolio, when found on tap at the pub it can be blended with Soft Parade to create PB&J Stout" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/uber-goober/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Tripelroot Tripel Stout, $17.19/22oz</b> - "Imperial stout Coffee, chocolate, and vanilla" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/tripelroot-tripel-stout/2536340">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | American Beauty</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aGl7J-bQ1Vg" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dogfish Head American Beauty is available now at Siciliano's Market.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
<br />Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com881tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-50575361080250621012018-12-13T21:50:00.000-05:002018-12-14T05:50:06.767-05:00New Beer Friday, Bourbon Trail Edition (December 14)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOzn7gAeA2Q9IZn1qahBD_st3La5yxTW_0qGLx15pYmiV6JJ_6VhGXPBTW4964fRE_qTKtkAQW3ARDtUq9Z0-batxqNFFPSnvx8R6N1X_8F4ETLTT2VFICxJcPiCtkhpX8s7T5M3QzB4/s1600/buffalo-trace-distillery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOzn7gAeA2Q9IZn1qahBD_st3La5yxTW_0qGLx15pYmiV6JJ_6VhGXPBTW4964fRE_qTKtkAQW3ARDtUq9Z0-batxqNFFPSnvx8R6N1X_8F4ETLTT2VFICxJcPiCtkhpX8s7T5M3QzB4/s320/buffalo-trace-distillery.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffalo Trace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>This past November Steve and Barb took a road trip down through Kentucky and North Carolina. The following is a narrative of their visits to Frankfort and four stops on the Bourbon Trail. Go <a href="https://sicilianosmkt.blogspot.com/2018/11/new-beer-friday-bourbon-on-main-edition.html">here</a> to read about the first leg of their journey.<br />
<br />
Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
Apparently whatever was going on in that upstairs room in that seedy motel didn’t go on all night because we woke up rested and ready for our day of Bourbon tasting. After scoping out the pathetic complimentary breakfast — anemic looking bagels, white bread for toast and a selection of cold cereal — we hightailed it to the Big Boy down the road for some rib-sticking fare. After fueling up on eggs, sausage, bacon, toast and coffee we were ready to hit the road. Stop one on our itinerary was the Buffalo Trace distillery.<br />
<br />
The first thing I noticed when we pulled into the visitors parking lot of the sprawling Buffalo Trace campus was the soot-black stains on the outside walls of the ancient brick rick houses. The stains are caused by <i>Baudoinia compniacensis</i>, a black fungus that has a taste for airborne alcohol. <i>Baudoinia</i> forms on virtually anything in the environs of a distillery and is nourished by the Angel’s Share, the worldwide term for the alcohol that evaporates from barrels during the maturation process. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6JIBoxvF59MwyS_GKlxB0L2l7bnENL4KrSxqx_L5D3BDUZE5YUCcHcB2igEhb3VkZi-I_d2walz5feBz_KbJywSQW0GSsedK_vxut4daDPkMF-NGx64lvbV4XP91cg1zBGVavCSuzm4/s1600/four-roses-distillery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6JIBoxvF59MwyS_GKlxB0L2l7bnENL4KrSxqx_L5D3BDUZE5YUCcHcB2igEhb3VkZi-I_d2walz5feBz_KbJywSQW0GSsedK_vxut4daDPkMF-NGx64lvbV4XP91cg1zBGVavCSuzm4/s400/four-roses-distillery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four Roses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In 2012 a group of Louisville property owners filed a class action suit against five area distilleries claiming that the fungus was hurting their property values. The suit was dismissed in 2017. While each of the tour guides at the four distilleries we visited talked briefly about the black stains, none of them mentioned the lawsuit. Bubba (his real name), the guide at Wild Turkey, acknowledged that the staining was an ongoing issue but tersely sloughed it off. “Distilleries were here before the property owners,” he growled.<br />
<br />
Each of the tours provided similar information about the distilling process but they were also uniquely different. Buffalo Trace had the most impressive facility (those spotless ancient buildings), Four Roses the most rustic (cobwebs in the ceilings above the open wood fermenters), Woodford Reserve had the best sampling (Bourbon paired with chocolate) and Wild Turkey has a nice cash bar that mixed up some tasty cocktails. Each distillery has a gift shop that offers a selection of their respective wares. I picked up a bottle of Blanton’s at Buffalo Trace and now I wish I had picked up a couple more. Siciliano’s hasn’t been able to get it in months and it’s a damn fine bourbon. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB96U1znDJtsq07LgBX_GMPjIsidQU663Qhxqdm1u9vywAacbp4UKVnFGl2LftHLlR1W2hhRuyyPswJkBPLgdSuXeGzqMVFi3hTRvADiWuM3IqlYw93gynP2H2gv3iWWTT2KlqhwIOzk/s1600/open-fermenters-woodford-reserve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB96U1znDJtsq07LgBX_GMPjIsidQU663Qhxqdm1u9vywAacbp4UKVnFGl2LftHLlR1W2hhRuyyPswJkBPLgdSuXeGzqMVFi3hTRvADiWuM3IqlYw93gynP2H2gv3iWWTT2KlqhwIOzk/s400/open-fermenters-woodford-reserve.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open fermentors at Woodford Reserve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After touring the Wild Turkey facility, our last stop of the day, Barb and I sat in the bar sipping very good Manhattans while we searched on our phones for a spot for dinner. Barb found a Mexican restaurant in downtown Frankfort that looked promising but after peering through the plate glass window we decided to keep walking and went back to Bourbon on Main. When we returned to our seedy motel I made a couple of nightcaps and we lay in bed watching Animal Planet while listening to the sounds of another party coming from that upstairs room.<br />
<br />
“I hope that doesn’t go on all night,” Barb said, reprising her sentiments from the previous evening. We wanted a good night’s sleep because in the morning we were heading to Asheville.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Blackrocks 51k Azaccanot, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Experimental variation on 51K IPA. Dry hopped with Azacca and Ekuanot hops. Bright aromas of melon, guava, pine and more" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/288700-blackrocks-the-azaccanot-51k">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dogfish Head Siracusa, $4.59/12oz</b> - "Combining a roasty Imperial Stout with a jammy Syrah wine, this beer is bold and complex. Notes of coffee, dark chocolate and anise from a blend of roasted malts meld with flavors of plums, cherries and stewed fruits from Syrah grape must in this jet black stout. Aged on American oak to add some light toasty vanilla to the mix" (<a href="https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/beer/siracusa-nera">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin Bozo, $9.99/16oz</b> - "This is a really strong beer and we wanted to put it in small bottles but the two bozos were so fat they couldn't fit on the label. Enjoy this rich, ridiculous and screwball-ish Imperial Stout with hints of: molasses, lactose, chocolate, almond, hazelnut, vanilla bean, cinnamon, oak spiral, chili, marshmallow, muscovado sugar, chestnut and coffee. Made for Bozos" (<a href="https://eviltwin.dk/Bozo-Beer">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin Hot Toddy-ish, $5.49/16oz </b>- "Blond Barleywine" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/evil-twin-hot-toddy-ish/632808/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin Saigon Selfie Scooter, $3.79/16oz</b> - "Vietnamese style coffee stout. Rich, thick mouthfeel gives way to lush sweetness with hints of coffee character followed by notes of cream, toffee, and vanilla" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/293411-two-roads-evil-twin-saigon-scooter-selfie">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin The Pure and Simple, $3.79/16oz</b> - "Session IPA" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/291944-evil-twin-the-pure-and-simple">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin This IPA is Kind of a Big Deal, $5.49/16oz</b> - "Double dry hopped DIPA brewed with raw wildflower honey" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/292009-evil-twin-i-don-t-know-how-to-put-this-but-this-ipa-is-kind-of-a-big-deal">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin Wet Dream, $2.99/16oz</b> - "This is truly a beautiful brown ale boosted with a delightful aroma of citrus, spice and gourmet Keini, Kenya Beans from The Coffee Collective, Copenhagen - the result is amazing, lusty and incoherent – yes, it’s your wildest desires in a bottle. Close your eyes and let the drops do the talking. Enjoy y’all" (<a href="https://eviltwin.dk/Wet-Dream">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil TwinBA Maple Even More Jusus, $24.99/22oz</b> - "Imperial stout aged in bourbon-flavoured maple syrup barrels" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/evil-twin-even-more-jesus-bourbon-maple-syrup-barrel-aged/486495/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Fat Orange Cat Bloody Orange Billy, $5.69/16oz</b> - "The blend of Azacca and Mosaic hops bring out orange notes and coupled with blood orange puree creates a strong grapefruit flavor" (<a href="https://fatorangecatbrewco.com/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Fat Orange Cat She Drives a Plymouth Satellite, $5.69/16oz</b> - "Galaxy, Simcoe and Citra hops" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/291512-fat-orange-cat-she-drives-a-plymouth-satellite">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Foundation Afterglow, $4.49/16oz</b> - "Afterglow is an American IPA, rich in West Coast and South Pacific hop flavors and aroma. The juicy malt base enhances the notes of tangerine, pine, and berries from the hops. It finishes with a pleasingly dank and firm bitterness" (<a href="http://foundationbrew.com/beer/afterglow/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Foundation Epiphany, $4.79/16oz</b> - "Citrus, tropical fruit and pine blend to provide you with a sublimely juicy hop experience" (<a href="http://foundationbrew.com/beer/epiphany/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Holland Dragon's Milk Orange Chocolate, $4.89/12oz</b> - "Roasty notes of Dragon’s Milk blended with the zestiness of real orange peel and the richness of cocoa" (<a href="https://dragonsmilk.com/about-dragons-milk">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Java Mint Chip, $2.39/12oz</b> - "Craving ice cream? This stout will ease your taste buds. It the perfect marriage of mint-chocolate-chip-ice cream and roasted coffee" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/odd-side-ales-java-chip-mint-stout/193045/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Perrin Kingdom of Tonga, $2.49/12oz</b> - "The vanilla beans used in this beer come from... you guessed it: The Kingdom of Tonga. Tonga has over 170 islands and is located in the South Pacific. The taste profile is much different than our former Vanilla Porter. Those beans were sweeter; whereas the profile of these beans consists more of fig and raisin . Chocolate and coffee notes (with a subtle caramel touch) set this beer off while the vanilla beans lead into a delightfully dry finish" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/perrin-kingdom-of-tonga-vanilla-porter/250816/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Pigeon Hill Cinna Gram on French Toast, $6.39/12oz (2 per) </b>- "What happens when you throw Your Mom On French Toast in barrels from Journeyman Distillery and let them soak up the whisky goodness for several months? Your Grandma On French Toast. That’s What Happens" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/pigeon-hill-brewing-company-cinna-gram-on-french-toast/2973014/photos">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Pigeon Hill S'mores Beast, $4.89/12oz (4 per)</b> - "Imperial Stout + Chocolate + Vanilla + Graham Cracker = S'More Goodness In Your Cup" (<a href="http://pigeonhillbrew.com/our-beers/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Right Brain Looping Owl, $4.19/12oz</b> - "Amber ale aged in whiskey barrels. Sophisticated. Surprising. Tasty. Our Looping Owl is a medium bodied Amber Ale, brewed with Maris Otter Malt and Northern Brewer & Golding Hops, then aged in Grand Traverse Distillery Whiskey Barrels. A masterfully balanced and satisfying flavor with a slight ’whiskey kick’ and surprising hint of Oak. The owl may be the wisest bird in the forest, but even he needs to kick back and take a break every once in a while" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/right-brain-looping-owl/188386/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Rising Tide Back Cove Pilsner, $3.79/16oz</b> - "Back Cove is a North German-style pilsner fermented with kellerbier yeast. Harmoniously balanced, with hints of orchard fruit, clean malt and earthy bitterness" (<a href="https://risingtidebrewing.com/beer/back-cove/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Rising Tide Cutter, $3.99/16oz</b> - "In a sea of IPAs, Cutter stands tall. This imperial IPA sails with citrus and tropical fruit aromas and a balanced hoppy finish. Big, bold, and beautiful" (<a href="https://risingtidebrewing.com/beer/cutter/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Rising Tide Zephyr, $3.99/16oz</b> - "Refreshing like a westerly breeze, Zephyr is a pleasantly balanced IPA with waves of citrus. A modern classic" (<a href="https://risingtidebrewing.com/beer/zephyr/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's Superfluid, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Superfluid is an American Double India Pale Ale that explodes with a perfume of resiny hop aromas! A simple malt bill allows the hops to shine with flavors of coconut, pineapple, and tropical fruit. The perfect bitterness resonates across the palate, complementing the awesome hop intensity within" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/superfluid/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Dragon's Milk</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eOsaLfFAz04" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Orange Chocolate version of Dragon's Milk is now available at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-1473545018207560182018-12-07T07:35:00.000-05:002018-12-07T07:35:49.689-05:00New Beer Friday, Know Your Port Edition (December 7)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjt6WG1sEa9rcdQoVjhb1bcBl_VhbBsL8bavOVkJyVe-3epoL2XyeK6NAYsN-rCoYK7L5t_p-GS6hX4xTysu8w3J6kJ_tT-WLudXNFi8LMI5WV_VjdS1V5heeDb1mU4S-o40n-rQ2xxkw/s1600/dows-1997-vintage-port-nbf-12-7-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjt6WG1sEa9rcdQoVjhb1bcBl_VhbBsL8bavOVkJyVe-3epoL2XyeK6NAYsN-rCoYK7L5t_p-GS6hX4xTysu8w3J6kJ_tT-WLudXNFi8LMI5WV_VjdS1V5heeDb1mU4S-o40n-rQ2xxkw/s320/dows-1997-vintage-port-nbf-12-7-18.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
<i>I was intending to write about a recent trip to the Bourbon Trail for this week’s edition of New Beer Friday, but there must be a correlation between tooth pain and writer’s block because I’ve been dealing with both all week.</i><br />
<div>
<i><br />
</i></div>
<div>
<i>That upper molar had been bothering me for some time but because I’m a procrastinator and a bit of a wimp when it comes to having teeth ripped from their sockets, I delayed the extraction for as long as I could. As of yesterday I have one less tooth and a partial denture is on the horizon. Hopefully my creative juices will return by next week’s edition of NBF. In the meantime, please enjoy the following piece on port wine that we ran in </i>The Buzz<i> way back in December of 2011.</i><br />
<div>
<br />
A bottle of Dow’s 1997 Vintage Port has been aging in our home wine cellar for about twelve years now. Every so often I’ll pick that bottle up and think about opening it but I always place it back on the rack. I know the wine is ready to drink now and if I was to succumb to temptation we would be entranced by its dark purple color, the aromas of licorice, chocolate and roasted coffee, and by flavors of maple syrup, blackberry and plum. But I also know that it has the potential to age gracefully for at least twelve more years and a wine like that is best enjoyed when marking a special occasion. Maybe I’ll open it when my son Chris and his fiancée Gena get married, or when Barb and I celebrate our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, or when the Lions win the Super Bowl. <br />
<br />
<div>
While there are many fine port-style wines made throughout the world, the wines that can legally be called Porto are produced only in Portugal. The grapes are grown in the upper Duoro Valley in the north where the blazing hot summer temperatures allow them to attain high levels of sugar. Winemakers add neutral grape spirits at a certain point during the fermentation. This stops the yeast from working and results in a sweet, fortified wine. Which part of the Duoro the grapes are from and the quality of the harvest determine the style of port that’s produced — a ruby, an aged tawny, a late bottle vintage or, like that bottle aging in our cellar, a vintage porto. Vintage ports are wines of extraordinary depth and complexity that are produced only in exceptional years. <br />
<br />
Ruby ports are the least complex and the least expensive. They are blends of young wines that are aged in oak for two to three years and are made from grapes that come from the less prestigious vineyards. While a good ruby port is a simple, straightforward wine that will not benefit from extended aging, it will entice you with it fresh berry aromas and nice red fruit flavors. <br />
<br />
Aged tawny ports are blends of wine from several, non-vintage years that are aged in barrels until they develop nutty, brown sugar and vanilla flavors and a soft, silky texture. The extended barrel aging transforms the wine from bright ruby red to the light brown, tawny color from which it gets its name. An aged tawny will usually have a ten, twenty, thirty or forty year designation on the label. This does not necessarily mean that the wine has been barrel-aged for the specified time but rather is an indication of the target age profile. In other words a forty-year-old tawny tastes like it is made from wines that are forty years old. <br />
<br />
Late bottle vintage ports (LBVs) are unblended wines from a single vintage that was a good but not great year. They are aged in oak barrels four to six years and then filtered and bottled. Thanks to the barrel-aging the wine matures more quickly, giving it to some extent the nuances of a vintage port. But LBVs lack the depth and complexity of vintage port and because they are filtered they will not benefit from extended aging in the bottle. <br />
<br />
On average, about three times a decade the Duoro will experience perfect growing conditions resulting in young wines that are almost perfectly balanced. Samples of these wines are sent to the Port Wine Institute and, if approval is given, the year is declared a “Vintage.” Vintage ports are only made from grapes grown in the best vineyards. They are aged in oak barrels for two years and are then bottled unfiltered. As the wine matures the flavors and aromas become deeper, more refined and more complex. <br />
<br />
Vintage ports are extraordinary wines that should be saved for those most special of occasions (providing you have the will power). It doesn’t look like the Lions will win the big one anytime soon, and since our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary is a still silver speck on the horizon, I guess the date Barb and I crack the '97 Dows depends on Chris and Gena.<br />
<br />
<i>Editor’s note: Chris and Gena are now happily married but that bottle of vintage port is still aging nicely in Steve and Barb’s wine cellar.</i></div>
<div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Arvon Fort Gratiot, $9.99/22oz</b> - "Arvon Brewing Co.’s Lighthouse Series of New England style IPAs are each distinctly hopped with a single varietal, displaying the unique character of the hops as a shining beacon. The explosive hop flavor and aroma of Falconer's Flight featured in Fort Gratiot is best experienced when this beer is enjoyed fresh – drink now" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/arvon-fort-gratiot/596748/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Arvon White Shoal, $9.99/22oz</b> - "Arvon Brewing Co.’s Lighthouse Series of New England style IPAs are each distinctly hopped with a single varietal, displaying the unique character of the hops as a shining beacon. The explosive hop flavor and aroma of Mosaic featured in White Shoal is best experienced when this beer is enjoyed fresh – drink now" (<a href="https://www.arvonbrewingco.com/our-brews/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Barrel + Beam Queen City Brut, $8.99/375ml</b> - No commercial description.</li>
<li><b>Big Lake Captians Porter, $3.19/16oz </b>- "A traditional American Porter. Roasted malts blend with just enough noble hops to create an exquisite Porter" (<a href="http://biglakebrewing.com/beer_type/on-tap/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Brewdog Choco Libre, $3.19/12oz</b> - "A Mil Máscaras of flavour. This Imperial stout will wrestle your taste buds to the canvas in a Tag Team of insane sensory assault. Coffee, chocolate and a little spice on the nose. Dark chocolate mixes with mocha, vanilla and spice, all layered over a smooth nitro-styling you never saw coming. This set-up finishes with a delicate habanero drop kick as the bell sounds" (<a href="https://www.brewdog.com/usa/fanzine/scrapbook/choco-libre-nitro">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Brewery Vivant Wizard Burial Ground, $7.19/16oz</b> - "Brewed once a year, this special quadrupel is aged in freshly drained bourbon barrels and disappears into the shadows for a full year of cellaring. This year's brew becomes next year's release. We've been wood-aging beers and experimenting with wild fermentation since we opened in 2010. We encourage those in search of funky flavors to join us at our annual Wood-Aged Beer Festival each Autumn to find out more. *See can for year designation. This beer will age gracefully when cellared appropriately (50°F and below). Enjoy" (<a href="https://www.breweryvivant.com/beer/wizard-burial-ground/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State La Luzerne, $3.79/16oz </b>- "When you find a kindred spirit in the industry, it’s easy to become fast friends - that was the case when we met the folks from Salud a few years ago. Since then they have become some of our best friends. Fresh lemons add brightness, rosemary adds a depth of flavor… and what’s more farmhouse than running your beer through alfalfa hay" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/la-luzerne/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Nephilim, $5.99/16oz</b> - "This giant of a stout is as dark as the night. Rich, smooth, and warming, perfect for aging or drinking fresh" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/nephilim/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State New Money, $3.99/16oz</b> - "New Money vs. Old Money. A Rivalry that spans the ages. The Old guard holding onto tradition. The new kids trying to break down walls and redefine norms. This beer is firmly planted in the new. Brewed using the first batch of malted oats ever produced in Indiana and aggressively dry-hopped with Mosaic, Hull Melon, and Simcoe hops this beer ns anything but old school" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/new-money/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Raspberry, $3.99/16oz</b> - "Dripping with fruit flavor, this sour ale finishes with a touch of smooth sweetness thanks to a dose of lactose sugar" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/raspberry/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Sports Television, $3.99/16oz</b> - "This beverage is a real barnburner – sure to fill up the whole stat sheet. It’s a lineup stacked with a Murderer’s Row of Citra & Simcoe hops in the kettle, with a Cascade, Citra, & Simcoe Cryo dry-hop batting cleanup. And we can’t forget about the hometown hero: the Indiana-malted barley, wheat, & oats brought their A-game today, folks. They have unbelievable chemistry! True professionals all the way, these grains always play the game the right way" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/sports-television">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Swipe Right, $3.99/16oz</b> - "Endlessly scrolling. Swipe. Swipe swipe. But wait… this beer looks pretty cute. It enjoys long walks on the beach, burritos, & loves dogs. Maybe it’s time to swipe right? Loaded up with Mosaic & Hallertau Blanc hops & dry-hopped twice, your taste buds are sure to match with this beer" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/swipe-right">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Deschutes Abyss, $18.69/22oz</b> - "A deep, dark Imperial Stout, The Abyss has almost immeasurable depth and complexity. Hints of molasses, licorice and other alluring flavors make it something not just to quaff, but contemplate" (<a href="https://www.deschutesbrewery.com/beer/the-abyss/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Detroit Garage Project Methode Man, $4.49/16oz </b>- "Brut IPA brewed with Hallertau Blanc and Nelson Sauvin hops, aged on Pinot Gris grape must" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/detroit-garage-project-methode-man/2943592">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ellison Big Black Stout, $3.89/16oz</b> - "A chocolate imperial stout that pours like motor oil and tastes so decadent that you won't be able to stop drinking it. Chocolate up front with a balanced roast finish" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/ellison-brewery-spirits-big-black-stout/2619266">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ellison Mosaic Evolution, $3.29/16oz</b> - "Lighter in color, this beer will surprise you with a white wine character and have the fruit aromas and flavors of grapes, stone fruit and berries" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/255505-ellison-mosaic-evolution-ddh-ipa">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ellison Nelson Evolution, $3.89/16oz</b> - "Lighter in color, this beer will surprise you with a white wine character and has the fruit aromas and flavors of grapes, stonefruit, and berries" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/ellison-ddh-nelson-evolution-ipa/506333/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Griffin Claw Erubescent, $3.59/16oz</b> - "Imperial red ale. Brewed with 100% mosaic hops" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/griffin-claw-erubescent/457492/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Lagunitas Night Pils, $5.19/22oz</b> - "There are two kinds. There is the DayTime kind, which is bright and welcoming, and then there is the NightTime kind, which should never be confused with the DayTime. NightTime is dark and deep and may take you to unexpected places, places that the DayTime can not. But then the NightTime is not suited for ordinary life and ordinary tasks, in fact NightTime may be the answer for that sort of thing, meaning that those sorts of things may never get done. Things take time in the NightTime, things slow down and you can pause (you have to, actually) and investigate carefully to find that level of objective detachment that is only possible under the spell of the NightTime. Seek the Day but fear not the Nighttime" (<a href="https://lagunitas.com/beer/nighttime">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ludington Bay Tangelo Dream, $1.99/12oz </b>- "A citrus twist on our American Pale Ale. Made with Pomelos are a fruit that produces flavors of tangerine and grapefruit" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/ludington-bay-brewing-co-tangelo-dream-pale-ale/2402540">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Motor City Brewing Notorious IPA, $4.49/16oz</b> - No commercial description.</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Chocolade, $2.39/12oz</b> - "Stout brewed with chocolate and coffee. A medium bodied, creamy, everyday stout with aromas of mocha espresso that are followed by earthy roasted malt and lingering flavors of coffee and chocolate" (<a href="http://oddsideales.com/our-beers.html">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Shamone, $2.39/12oz</b> - "Kettle Sour NEIPA" (<a href="http://oddsideales.com/our-beers.html">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's Liberator, $2.59/12oz</b> - "The Liberator was made as a 30th birthday gift to Joe Short. As a double IPA, this beast employs a sizable malt bill, but it is the crazy amount of hops added to the boil every 4 minutes, for 120 minutes, that really make this beer special. Fruity, floral, and piney hop flavors penetrate throughout the caramelized malt profile. The Liberator is a well-balanced, full bodied brew that has a bitter finish due to the post fermentation addition of lemon and orange zest" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/liberator/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>White Flame Kooky Monster, $2.79/12oz</b> - "Brown Ale made with Steenstras Windmill (cinnamon and ginger) cookies" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/white-flame-brewing-co-kooky-munster/611018">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>White Flame Suck My Kiss, $2.99/12oz</b> - "Sweet Hard Cider" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/suck-my-kiss-suck-my-kiss/1358957">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>White Flame Super G, $2.79/12oz</b> - "Brewed to showcase the bitterness of the high alpha-acid hops. The bitterness is derived from the early hop additions while the citrusy aromas are attributed to the late hop additions during the boil process" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/white-flame-super-g-ipa/165207/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Open Port Like a Boss</h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8p0-gJF65q8" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Study this video, then come buy a bottle of Vintage Port at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
<br />Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-35331911674477641912018-11-30T08:27:00.001-05:002018-11-30T08:53:06.006-05:00New Beer Friday, Bourbon on Main Edition (November 30)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyMIpD5FJUCoy1SxAoRYtJHNVAM0eu9W1PLPb-tAsQTWVSUw8dajrhMZaFytnRCFgARbZhEYXAf57sU_pbD3K-KAVv6u07MiA9MIrPfTgh9TV5iz_asG_yqouI-5ddHhMVtlDMXcLrW8/s1600/bourbon-on-main-nbf-nov-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyMIpD5FJUCoy1SxAoRYtJHNVAM0eu9W1PLPb-tAsQTWVSUw8dajrhMZaFytnRCFgARbZhEYXAf57sU_pbD3K-KAVv6u07MiA9MIrPfTgh9TV5iz_asG_yqouI-5ddHhMVtlDMXcLrW8/s320/bourbon-on-main-nbf-nov-30.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bourbon on Main</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
It was late afternoon when we pulled into the motel parking lot on the outskirts of Frankfort, Kentucky. <br />
<br />
“This doesn’t look good,” my wife said as we sat in the truck and looked around at the empty lot and rundown building. “It doesn’t even look open.”<br />
<br />
“It sure doesn’t,” I said. “Are you sure you put the right address into the GPS?”<br />
<br />
We had left Grand Rapids at nine that morning and headed south down I-196. After we were past Benton Harbor and had merged onto I-94 towards Chicago I began sensing there was something amiss with the route that the GPS had mapped out for us. <br />
<br />
“Is there a problem?” Barb asked while I was studying a map.<br />
<br />
“She has us going all the way to Gary and getting on 65,” I answered, referring to the female voice that periodically spoke to us through the truck’s radio. “That’s pretty far out of our way. Get off at the next exit.” After stopping for directions, after a number of audibly nervous sighs from the driver and after repeatedly ignoring the female voice’s curt commands to make a U-turn, we eventually found US-31 and from there it was smooth sailing down to Frankfort. <br />
<br />
Back to that seedy motel. Barb had indeed entered the right address and it was indeed open. “Where’s a good restaurant?” I asked the clerk after returning to the office because the key card to our room wouldn’t work. <br />
<br />
“There’s a Big Boy down the road,” she said.<br />
<br />
“Um, anything else? Anything that serves alcohol?” <br />
<br />
The clerk thought for a few minutes. “Oh, there’s a place downtown. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/*http://www.bourbononmain.com/">Bourbon on Main</a> I think it’s called. I haven’t been there but I hear it’s pretty good.”<br />
<br />
“How’s the Uber service around here?” I asked.<br />
<br />
“Uber!” the clerk repeated incredulously. “There ain’t no Ubers in Frankfort!” <br />
<br />
For being the state capital Frankfort is a pretty sleepy town. <br />
<br />
Bourbon on Main was easy to find and was very good. The restaurant has an incredible bourbon list and since I wasn’t driving I indulged in a few. When we got back to our seedy motel I fixed my driver a big Manhattan and since I didn’t want her to drink alone I fixed a smaller one for myself. While we lay in bed watching Animal Planet we sipped our cocktails and listened to the sounds of a party coming from an upstairs room.<br />
<br />
“I hope that doesn’t go on all night,” said Barb.<br />
<br />
We wanted a good night’s sleep because in the morning we were hitting the Bourbon Trail.<br />
<div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Atwater Mint Double Decadent, $3.19/12oz</b> - "Chocolate beer" (<a href="https://www.beerxchange.com/beer/2433800">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Atwater Hazelnut VJ Porter, $1.99/12oz</b> - No commercial description available.</li>
<li><b>Atwater Raz Whango, $1.59/12oz </b>- "Raspberry Mango Wheat" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/atwater-brewery-whango-raz/2012891">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Blackrocks 51k Azaccanot, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Our normal 51K dry hopped with Ekuanot and Azacca hops. Expect more tropical/mango aromas and flavors to jump out while remaining balanced and clean" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/blackrocks-azaccanot-51k-ipa/678708/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Brew Detroit Cornerman, $2.79/16oz</b> - Red ale.</li>
<li><b>Central State Hickory Ridge, $3.79/16oz</b> - "Named for one of our favorite trail networks in Southern Indiana, this beer is the perfect complement for a fall hike. Crisp malt is backed by an assertive dose of Belma & Cryo Citra hops followed up by spicy farmhouse funk" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/hickory-ridge">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dark Horse Plead the 5th, $3.59/12oz</b> - "Our Russian Imperial Stout is pitch black in color with a faint tan head that immediately identifies this beer as BIG. Aromas of dark fruits, chocolate, caramel and roast also make it even bigger. Roasted coffee and fruity chocolate notes are just the beginning of this beers complex flavor. You have the right to enjoy or remain silent (ha, ha!)" (<a href="http://www.darkhorsebrewery.com/plead-the-5th/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dark Horse Scary Jesus Rockstar, $1.79/12oz</b> - "This collaboration beer made with Chef Cleetus Friedman of Chicago's Fountainhead will save your soul and then melt your face off. Aromas of chamomile touch your nose as they lead into the soft body and mouthfeel of this liquid symphony. Just as your mind is clear and your sins are washed away, a tasty riff of sweet and earthy fresh apricots hit your palate and rock your tastebuds finishing dry and hoppy. Drink, rock, repeat" (<a href="http://www.darkhorsebrewery.com/smells-like-a-safety-meeting-1/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Deschutes Obsidian, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Deep, robust and richly rewarding, this is beer to linger over. Obsidian has distinct notes of espresso, chocolate, roasted malt and black barley, with just enough hop bite to cut the sweetness" (<a href="https://www.deschutesbrewery.com/beer/obsidian-stout/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Destihl Wild Sour Cranberry, $2.99/12oz </b>- "Our non-traditional Cranberry Criek evolved by merging tart cranberries with sweet cherries, normally associated with a traditional Kriek, but in a kettle sour beer that is wonderfully intricate, balanced, fruity and tart. We then dry-hopped this crimson-colored beer for a touch of citrus aroma and flavor, adding another layer of complexity and a perfect finish" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/destihl-wild-sour-series-cranberry-criek/568077/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Hop Concept Citrus & Pine, $3.39/16oz</b> - "Bold orange peel and honey aromas with a faint hint of bready malt define this IPA. The citrus and piney are both on full display, with tangerine and grapefruit notes that lead to a crisp spicy finish. Brewed with orange zest" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/hop-freshener-series-citrus-piney/327801/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Madtree PsycHOPathy, $1.89/12oz</b> - "Explore the blend of bright, citrus, and floral aromas. Additional citrus flavors follow alongside a smooth bitterness. It finishes with a medium body and a slightly sweet, malty backbone. Trust your senses" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/madtree-psychopathy/204908/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>N.I.P. Batch 31, $2.99/12oz</b> - "Big, black, and delicious. Sounds like something that just belongs in your mouth right? This beer definitely belongs there. This is our riff on the traditional German style, schwartzbier. Usually these are nice mellow guys, but ours clocks in at 8.5% ABV. Black as night, extremely smooth and drinkable, with slight notes of chocolate and roast, and a devilishly clean finish. Drink some as you see the snow start to fall, with family and friends, just remember to drink promiscuously" (<a href="https://www.nipbrewco.com/batch-031">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Imperial Mayan Mocha, $2.89/12oz</b> - "Imperial version of our Mayan Mocha Stout. Inspired by Mexican hot chocolate. It is carefully blended with Dutch chocolate coffee, cinnamon, nutmeg, and habaneros which will leave you with the perfect balance of chocolate and heat" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/odd-side-ales-imperial-mayan-mocha-stout/2139360">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Rye Hipster Brunch, $7.99/12oz</b> - "A delectable stout with coffee, maple syrup, and bacon with rye malt added, and then aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/odd-side-ales-rye-hipster-brunch-stout/1776484">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Wishes & Dreams, $7.99/12oz (2 per)</b> - "Bourbon barrel aged porter with maple syrup and pecans" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/odd-side-ales-bourbon-maple-wishes-pecan-dreams/647551/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Petoskey Blueberry Cranium Crush, $2.79/16oz</b> - "This unique all had actual waffle cones added into the mash. Hints of this ingredient can be picked up in the finished beer. Raspberry puree is also added during fermentation" (<a href="https://www.petoskeybrewing.com/ontap">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper, $3.99/12oz</b> - "Santa’s Little Helper, our Imperial Stout, starts with an emphasis on dark cocoa and roasted coffee aromatics. The finish lends hints of sweet crystal malt, warming tones of alcohol and a touch of hops, making a perfect accompaniment to leftover fruit cake and sugar cookies" (<a href="http://portbrewing.com/beer/santas-little-helper/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Roak BBA French Toast, $3.69/16oz - $3.69 (4 per)</b> - No commercial description available.</li>
<li><b>Saugatuck Stout Variety, $18.29/12pk</b> - "It’s good to be stout with the Saugatuck Brewing Company Stout Pack! This Variety Pack contains three of each of the following 12 oz bottles: Neapolitan Milk Stout, Blueberry Maple Stout, Darker Than Your Soul (available only in Stout Packs), Beam Me Up, Stouty (available only in Stout Packs)" (<a href="https://saugatuckbrewing.com/beer/stout-variety-pack/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Port Brewing</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VxARhBBo2n8" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Santa's Little Helper, Available now at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Cheers!</b></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-3024912293125732702018-11-16T06:46:00.000-05:002018-11-16T06:46:14.016-05:00New Beer Friday, Deer Camp Edition (November 16)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t1tCVJopl8Y5nq-zaedP6sIN0hmz_xQnI4gAF-DRpH_DVgw_G9O87s20740PIUod3FhFLujolJxNOSauxbV86Re2-0-C_EQ1lbd9gp6517TRN8qJpeGu4RaDlvNjiS051ZLWJ4aK2IM/s1600/still-life-with-grandpa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t1tCVJopl8Y5nq-zaedP6sIN0hmz_xQnI4gAF-DRpH_DVgw_G9O87s20740PIUod3FhFLujolJxNOSauxbV86Re2-0-C_EQ1lbd9gp6517TRN8qJpeGu4RaDlvNjiS051ZLWJ4aK2IM/s320/still-life-with-grandpa.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer Camp, circa 2005</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
It’s a longstanding tradition for the men in the Siciliano family to gather at a cabin Up North in Michigan’s Lake County to take part in the annual fall ritual known as deer hunting. Ours is not a traditional Deer Camp. My brother Matt is the only one who owns a firearm and I’m quite sure the rifle hasn’t been fired in years. We tend to focus on things like cooking, eating, playing poker and smoking cigars. There’s also a good amount of chops busting and a fair amount of drinking. <br />
<br />
The tradition of the Siciliano Deer Camp dates back to the mid 1960s when my father bought a twenty-acre plat of wooded property near the small burg of Irons, Michigan. Sam Siciliano had lots of friends and the cabin he built, mostly with his own hands, became a mecca of sorts over the years, a place that drew a steady stream of camo- and orange-clad visitors on the opening weekends of deer season.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JSMEF1QSDoTDGv3Jk7QmyglC0MINXakYmBJ1S4883iSLmOPNSFZXra1-zxniOA8C8PCqW9F2hCWVKUQelFHyuo7KydbjxHWziy9uYGcAF6wwXHvYRyn7wy2C_Xi6JL9CK1MvL1IpDDw/s1600/grandpa+wave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JSMEF1QSDoTDGv3Jk7QmyglC0MINXakYmBJ1S4883iSLmOPNSFZXra1-zxniOA8C8PCqW9F2hCWVKUQelFHyuo7KydbjxHWziy9uYGcAF6wwXHvYRyn7wy2C_Xi6JL9CK1MvL1IpDDw/s320/grandpa+wave.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam at Deer Camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You never know what conditions will be like in northern Michigan in mid-November but since none of us sets an insulated boot in the woods we really don’t fret too much about the weather. A cold, steady rain is bad because it makes it hard to keep a camp fire going. There was one year when six inches of wet snow fell and we had to use leaf blowers to clear off the area around the fire pit.<br />
<br />
That fire pit is usually the epicenter of the two days of unrestrained debauchery. My nephew Jacob Derylo is a self-proclaimed camp fire expert and he does a pretty good job of maintaining a roaring blaze. If someone dares offer a bit of unsolicited advice there’s a very real chance that a loud but good natured argument will ensue. Our clan, it seems, will argue about almost anything at Deer Camp.<br />
<br />
The visitors start coming around about noon on Saturday. Many come bearing gifts — a bottle of wine, growlers of homebrew, links of homemade sopressata, a bag of venison jerky. Last year Randy Joppie, one of the <a href="http://thegrillinguys.com/">Grillin' Guys</a>, roasted lamb chops over the open fire. <br />
<br />
At various times throughout the day one of us will grab a bottle. Shots of booze will be poured and passed around. “To Sam,” one of us will say while raising his glass. “To Sam,” the assemblage of sons, grandsons, nephews and friends will repeat while raising theirs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOgoUNU1gHE_iQC0mUd95MDXZj7XQFwmyaXM4hFfRD8LVqRdmtrNTzwRpKnIBSVRn0GbRZLVM-UE9N3Bv1WJ0RjbL-trYQN576Pu1C9iWARamFktVwcY5CgqfxQDicFbfQeejKUgKops/s1600/cheers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOgoUNU1gHE_iQC0mUd95MDXZj7XQFwmyaXM4hFfRD8LVqRdmtrNTzwRpKnIBSVRn0GbRZLVM-UE9N3Bv1WJ0RjbL-trYQN576Pu1C9iWARamFktVwcY5CgqfxQDicFbfQeejKUgKops/s320/cheers.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<ul>
<li><b>Anderson Valley Michigan Cherry Gose, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Brewed with Michigan cherries, this cherry gose is a complex and sessionable ale perfect for any occasion" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/256494-anderson-valley-michigan-cherry-gose">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Anderson Valley Winter Solstice, $2.19/12oz</b> - "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" (<a href="https://avbc.com/our-beers/winter-solstice-seasonal-ale/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Arbor Brewing Good and Proper, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Brut IPA is the latest evolution of the ever-changing American IPA. Brewed to remove residual sugars, this developing IPA style features a bone dry finish coupled with big hop flavor. The uniqueness of the Brut IPA is its ability to keep IBUs low while showcasing the entire hop aroma and flavor spectrum. Good & Proper takes advantage of this with a robust hop blend that gives this beer huge tropical melon, strawberry, citrus, and lemongrass character" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/arbor-brewing-company-good-and-proper/2933426">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Arbor Liquid Vinyl, $2.99/12oz</b> - "Our Russian Imperial Stout is full bodied and complex, with layers of flavors that develop with every sip. Aromas of licorice and dark cocoa yield to notes of sweetened coffee and toasted cookies, before finishing with a light smokiness that lingers on the palate. Like a good LP, this beer will age well and improve with time. Music, beer… some things are best enjoyed in analog" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/arbor-brewing-company-liquid-vinyl/2931877">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ballast Point Manta Ray, $2.39/12oz</b> - "We’ve developed many IPA recipes in our R&D program, but right from the tank, our Manta Ray Double IPA was a winner. Aromas of fresh, citrusy tangerine, melon and light pine leap from the beer and linger over a smooth finish. Like its namesake, this brew can sneak up on you – a big beer without a bite" (<a href="https://www.ballastpoint.com/beer/manta-ray-double-ipa/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ballast Point Spruce Tip Sculpin, $2.39/12oz</b> - "Ballast Point Spruce Tip Sculpin" (<a href="https://www.ballastpoint.com/beer/spruce-tip-sculpin-ipa/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Bell's Lampshade Party Ale, $2.99/12oz</b> - "This big, strong Double IPA is dry-hopped with Australia’s Galaxy and the Pacific Northwest’s new-school IPA hop, Idaho 7. The hop character jumps out at you with juicy aromas of fruit punch, red berry and pineapple. The bitterness is strong, but balanced with a nice malt character" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/specialty/lampshade-party-ale">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Bell's Two Hearted Mini Keg, $25.59/5L</b> - "Brewed with 100% Centennial hops from the Pacific Northwest and named after the Two Hearted River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, this IPA is bursting with hop aromas ranging from pine to grapefruit from massive hop additions in both the kettle and the fermenter" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/year-round/two-hearted-ale">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Big Lake Barrel-Aged Darkstar, $4.69/16oz (2 per)</b> - "Darkstar Stout aged in bourbon barrels. Aromas and flavors of vanilla, coffee, and chocolate with a hint of heat from aging in bourbon barrels" (<a href="http://biglakebrewing.com/beer_type/on-tap/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Boulevard Plaid Habit, $4.69/12oz </b>- "Born a double-mashed imperial brown ale, then matured for 18 months in freshly drained 10-year Canadian rye whisky barrels, the beer features checkered notes of rich vanilla, charred oak, warming whisky and spicy rye. With a lingering, boozy sweetness and round, resonant flavor, Plaid Habit clearly earns its name" (<a href="https://www.boulevard.com/beerinfo/plaid-habit/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Brewery Vivant Paris, $12.99/500ml</b> - "Saison aged in red wine barrels for one year with brettanomyces" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/81379-vivant-paris">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Brewery Vivant Tart Side of the Moon, $4.69/16oz </b>- "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" (<a href="https://www.breweryvivant.com/beer/tart-side-of-the-moon/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dark Horse Four Elf Maple, $2.29/12oz</b> - "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" (<a href="http://www.darkhorsebrewery.com/4elf-winter-warmer-ale/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Elk PB Porter, $1.99/12oz</b> - No commercial description.</li>
<li><b>Right Brain Naughty Girl Stout, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Thin mint cookie, meet John Niedermaier. A stout made with organic locally-grown whole leaf mint. She’s just back from a stint in the cooler for being too naughty. She might have mellowed out but this stout is still naughty at heart" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/right-brain-naughty-girl-stout/88359/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Sam Adams Winter Lager, $1.79/12oz</b> - "The cinnamon, ginger, and hint of citrus from the orange peel blend with the roasty sweetness of the malts to deliver a warming, spicy flavor" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/933-sam-adams-winter-lager">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Shiner Cheer, $1.79/12oz</b> - "An Old World Dunkelweizen brewed with Texas peaches and roasted pecans" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/shiner-holiday-cheer/94839/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's MI - Bonsai Project, $2.29/12oz</b> - "MI is a Tonic-inspired Specialty Ale brewed with lemon, lime, and orange juice and zest, cinchona bark, allspice, cubeb pepper, and lemongrass best layered with OH from MadTree Brewing Company. Golden with great clarity, MI has aromas of citrus mingled with pepper, allspice, and malt. Leading with citrus along with hints of pepper and lemongrass, the cinchona bark flavors come near the end giving it a traditional tonic essence. Medium bodied this beer finishes dry and malty and acts as the base for the Bonsai Project" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/mi/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Da Yoopers</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UU1b_D4pLu4" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"The greatest time of year."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
</div>
<br />Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-74698122939126953932018-11-09T07:29:00.000-05:002018-11-09T07:29:14.303-05:00New Beer Friday, Advent Calendar Edition (November 9)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBmbsk8J4FBkH2I9GnX2pgCuV2wRQsuNdhttyCgBzpTCFXQUs4sAT5wTKAZw8AjxqdJc22p1y69gWddKwf_w9HvcUU-5-ccUPAl2TVHDHEcXOlqejE3qEPTLt3qX-LLQCXyY-Fad8Pp4/s1600/craft-beer-advent-calendar-square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1388" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBmbsk8J4FBkH2I9GnX2pgCuV2wRQsuNdhttyCgBzpTCFXQUs4sAT5wTKAZw8AjxqdJc22p1y69gWddKwf_w9HvcUU-5-ccUPAl2TVHDHEcXOlqejE3qEPTLt3qX-LLQCXyY-Fad8Pp4/s320/craft-beer-advent-calendar-square.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
Craft beer aficionados looking for a fun way to count off the days until Christmas should consider putting together a beer Advent calendar this holiday season.<br />
<br />
Advent calendars were first used by German Lutherans in the 19th century as a way of building anticipation for Christmas Day and are now popular among adherents of many Christian denominations. Old-fashioned Advent calendars focused on traditional Christmas motifs but today it appears that any theme is fair game, including craft beer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Traditional Advent calendars often take the form of a large rectangular card with doors for each day of December leading up to and including Christmas Eve. A door is opened every day and can reveal images, poems, small gifts or, in the case of a beer calendar, different hand-crafted beers.<br />
<br />
If you’re interested in putting together a selection of twenty-four beers, one for every day of Advent, the Siciliano’s staff is here to help. Let us know what you’re looking for and we’d be happy to put it together for you. Send inquiries to k<a href="mailto:ati@sicilianosmkt.com">ati@sicilianosmkt.com</a> for more information.<br />
<br />
Please note that we do not carry boxes that are specifically designed to be used for beer Advent calendars. Go to <a href="http://christmasbeer.net/christmas-beer-advent-calendars/">this website</a> for instructions on how to make one.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Anchor Christmas, $2.39/12oz</b> - "Our annual Christmas Ale is a subtly spiced and sumptuously smooth winter warmer. This year’s brew marks the 44th annual release of this Anchor holiday tradition" (<a href="https://www.anchorbrewing.com/beer/christmas_ale">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Atwater Christmas, $2.09/12oz</b> - "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" (<a href="https://www.atwaterbeer.com/beer-type/christmas-ale/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>B. Nektar Believe, $6.49/500ml </b>- "Orange Blossom honey & fresh pressed Michigan cider" (<a href="http://www.bnektar.com/brews/believe/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Batch Brewing Empire Pale, $2.79/12oz</b> - "American Pale Ale featuring Michigan grown Empire Hops. Light and crisp with a nice floral/fruity finish" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/88485-batch-empire-pale-ale">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Bell's Christmas, $2.19/12oz</b> - "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" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/specialty/christmas-ale">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Bell's Hopsolution, $2.29/12oz</b> - "A remarkably drinkable Double IPA that pays tribute to one of Mother Nature’s finest creations, as several hop varietals combine for massive aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and pine. A mild caramel malt character and dry finish provide balance" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/library/hopsoulution-ale">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Blackrocks Potter's Porter, $2.19/12oz </b>- "A beer originally brewed for the man behind the mugs, known by his friend as Rad. This is a robust porter that's full of deep chocolate and dry roast flavors. A beer suited to help Rad get through those 24 hour kiln firings" (<a href="https://www.blackrocksbrewery.com/potters-porter/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Blake's Fido, $2.09/12oz</b> - "FIDO (Latin for faithfulness) is the second release in our #KinderCider series. Enjoy this hopped raspberry and grapefruit hard cider made in support of non-profits that pairs veterans and shelter animals" (<a href="http://www.blakeshardcider.com/fido/?age-verified=818c571d3d">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dark Horse Stout Pack, $24.89/12pk</b> - Variety pack.</li>
<li><b>Decadent Ectoplasm, $5.79/16oz</b> - "DIPA with orange and tangerine" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/288184-decadent-ectoplasmic-orange">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Decadent Strawberry French Toast, $5.49/16oz</b> - "DIPA with Vermont Maple Syrup, sugar burned and caramelized stove top, and a touch of cinnamon. Notes of dough and pancake batter round out the finish. Excellent for cooler nights ahead" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/decadent-ales-french-toast-dipa/555988/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Deschutes Jubelale, $1.79/12oz</b> - "Warm spiciness and tradition grace this bold, complex winter ale. The deep garnet color pairs perfectly with holiday celebrations" (<a href="https://www.deschutesbrewery.com/beer/jubelale/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dogfish Head 120 Minute, $10.99/12oz</b> - "Clocking in at 15-20% ABV, 120 Minute IPA is continuously hopped with a copious amount of high-alpha American hops throughout the boil and whirlpool, and then dry-hopped with another pallet of hops. Unfiltered and abundantly hoppy, it's the Holy Grail for hopheads" (<a href="https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/beer/120-minute-ipa">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Epic Oak Cab Sauv, $9.99/375ml</b> - "Fruited with blackberry, black currant, and black cherries. Big fruity aroma with a sharp acidity and earthy well-cellared funk" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/epic-brewing-co-utah-colorado-oak-and-orchard-cabernet-sauvignon-sour/2791435">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Epic Sour Pink Guava, $9.99/375ml</b> - "An approachable tartness with hints of citrus and tropical fruits with a crisp, dry finish" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/epic-brewing-co-utah-colorado-sour-brainless-on-pink-guava/2847714">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin Even More Coco Jesus, $4.59/16oz</b> - "Imperial Stout with Maple Syrup and Coconut added" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/evil-twin-even-more-coco-jesus/524849/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin Privilege of a Lifetime, $5.49/16oz</b> - "Double dry-hopped IPA that will never see a C&D letter" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/284022-evil-twin-the-privilege-of-a-lifetime-is-to-become-who-you-truly-are">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Fat Orange Cat FOCLess Monster, $4.99/16oz</b> - "NE IPA • 8% Citra and Ahtanum hop combination" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/fat-orange-cat-foc-less-monster/624729/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Left Hand Wake Up Dead Nitro, $2.89/16oz</b> - "Super smooth with notes of cocoa and dried fruit" (<a href="http://lefthandbrewing.com/beers/wake-up-dead-nitro/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Mitten Triple Crown Brown, $1.99/12oz</b> - "A mild English Brown. Slight roast and chocolate, easy to drink" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/mitten-triple-crown-brown/199443/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Belgium Accumulation White IPA, $1.79/12oz </b> - "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" (<a href="https://www.newbelgium.com/beer/accumulation/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Holland Pilgrim's Dole, $4.69/12oz</b> - "A barleywine-style ale made with fifty percent wheat malt, or what we at New Holland call a wheatwine. Pilgrim’s Dole blends warming and slightly sweet flavors with a unique caramelized character" (<a href="http://newhollandbrew.com/beer/pilgrims-dole/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Barrel Aged Mayan Mocha, $6.29/12oz</b> - "Imperial version of Barrel aged Mayan Mocha aged for 8 months in bourbon barrels" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/odd-side-ales-bourbon-barrel-aged-imperial-mayan-mocha/295702/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Barrel Aged Nightman Leaveth, $8.09/12oz (4 per)</b> - "We aged this imperial milk stout to perfection in Rye whiskey barrels and added vanilla beans. The result is a slightly sweet, smooth, creamy stout with an underlying rye spiciness and boozy finish" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/odd-side-ales-the-nightman-leaveth/502177/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Barrel Aged Sweet Potato Rye, $8.09/12oz (4 per)</b> - "Rye ale with sweet potatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lactose. Aged in rye whiskey barrels" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/odd-side-ales-sweet-potato-souffle-rye-whiskey-barrel-aged-ale/467840/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Caged Wisdom White Grape, $2.79/12oz</b> - "Fermented very dry with almost no residual sugar along with retained bitterness showcase the full flavor and aromas of the hops finishing clean and crisp. White Grape Juice added" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/odd-side-ales-caged-wisdom-white-grape/2912695/photos">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ominipollo Maz, $4.39/16oz</b> - "Maz, formerly known as Mazarin, is my take on a “thinker’s beer”. Rather than being big and undecipherably complex I wanted to create something that would calm a hop yearning nerve without fuddling the brain too much. In other words, a lavishly hopped ale of judicious ABV — an Extra Special Pale Ale if you will" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/omnipollo-maz/166518">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Perrin Dragon Fruit Berliner, $2.09/12oz</b> - "The beer pours a bright magenta and is filled with tropical fruit aromatics creating a natural tartness followed by a sweet finish" (<a href="http://www.perrinbrewing.com/news/dragon-fruit-berliner-release">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Perrin Push Hop, $2.49/12oz</b> - "This New England Style IPA is made with lactose sugar and fresh strawberries to create the perfect sorbet IPA" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/287704-perrin-push-hop">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Rochester Mills 12 Days of Milkshake Stout, $29.99/12pk </b>- "Variety Pack" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/230146-rochester-mills-the-12-days-of-milkshake-stout">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Saugatuck Bourbon Barrel Aged Neapolitan Stout, $5.39/12oz</b> - "A full bodied Milk Stout with chocolate, vanilla and strawberry added during brewing. This beer was barrel aged for four months" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/saugatuck-barrel-aged-neapolitan-milk-stout/253614/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Southern Tier Paradox of the Powerful, $4.09/16oz</b> - "The swan song of our Science is the Art Collection, Paradox of the Powerful, is hopped six ways from Sunday. We hit it with a dose of Mosaic hops in the kettle on its way to the whirlpool, then we open the floodgates and soak whole flower Mosaic in the hopsack at over 1/2 A pound per barrel. We lace the fermenters with Citra and Simcoe hop duSt over the course of several days to produce juicy tropical flavors and aromas. Notes of grapefruit and berries coupled with low IBU make this a crusher, much like our space heroine" (<a href="https://www.stbcbeer.com/beer/sita-6/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Startcut Mosa, $1.79/12oz</b> - "Mosa is a crisp, refreshing blend of Hard Cider made from Michigan apples and sweet orange juice. This cider is slightly hazy and light orange in color, a true mimosa in cider form. Let the fruity harmony of citrus and bright apple flavors make your tastebuds do a happy dance" (<a href="http://starcutciders.com/our-ciders/mosa/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stillwater Dank Dank, $4.39/16oz</b> - "Double dank india pale ale" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/stillwater-dank-dank/671932/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stillwater This is Only a Test: Sparkling Rose, $5.49/16oz</b> - "Sparkling rosé sour ale brewed with cabernet franc grapes" (<a href="https://www.pjsmarket.net/products/stillwater-artisinal-this-is-only-a-test-04-sour">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Trailpoint Cipapotamus, $3.49/16oz</b> - "This citra IPA utilizes all citra hops. Inhale through your nose and be greeted by heavy-duty citrus, flora, and tropical notes. Take a sip and treat your palette to a balanced IPA with a wicked awesome hop finish" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/trail-point-brewing-company-cipapotamus/1182066">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Uinta Rise & Pine, $1.69/12oz</b> - "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" (<a href="http://www.uintabrewing.com/products/rise-pine">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Weyerbacher Dallas, $2.39/12oz</b> - "Flavor forward, this brew was made for tailgating in parking lots, celebrating first downs and big hits, high-fiving friends & basking in the thrill of victory" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/220946-weyerbacher-dallas-sucks">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Weyerbacher Rico Guave, $3.59/16oz</b> - "Sour Ale Brewed with Pineapple and Guava" (<a href="https://weyerbachertaproom.com/menu-item/rico-guave/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Wolverine Massacre, $4.89/12oz </b>- "In the nose is sweet bourbon, with soft sugar and malt, hints of cocoa and mild roast. The flavor is layers upon layers of malt, bourbon, and a mix of dark dried stone fruits coated in dark chocolate. The body of this dark, looming brew is full and coating, which begs for sipping and savoring. The finish on this unique lager is exactly what you don’t get from all the big, barrel aged beers out there...the crisp and clean lager finish the Wolverine State Brewing Co. is known for" (<a href="https://www.wolverinebeer.com/oktoberfest-1/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | 120 Minute IPA</h2>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ozUXyGsorrQ" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Available now at Siciliano's (while supplies last).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
</div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-45262108239588897242018-11-01T21:07:00.000-04:002018-11-01T21:07:20.774-04:00New Beer Friday, Mysterious Paintings Edition (November 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssRDTQYWcAygTetaR1T4ehTR_JAa7tMRrK9UE05zuxJ9Czm89p8-WiMPvpAyNGEc_Q-p0tzxQwSVWVxt-8h2NXeB1ELCHPJTpYxnhu2BHAXr8ZEafkwE5xMsKskQHZfgh3CzwxJ-dnvA/s1600/mysterious-man-nbf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgssRDTQYWcAygTetaR1T4ehTR_JAa7tMRrK9UE05zuxJ9Czm89p8-WiMPvpAyNGEc_Q-p0tzxQwSVWVxt-8h2NXeB1ELCHPJTpYxnhu2BHAXr8ZEafkwE5xMsKskQHZfgh3CzwxJ-dnvA/s320/mysterious-man-nbf.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
Back in the mid 90s during the interval between my first and second marriages I lived in a house on Lincoln Street on the lower west side of Grand Rapids. It was a bittersweet time for me. There was a dull but persistent ache caused by the events of the recent past but also interludes of keen anticipation about the prospects of the future. It was period of reflection and self-discovery, a phase in my life that I now refer to as my Lincoln sojourn.<br />
<div>
<br />
That rental house on Lincoln was in many ways similar to the house that my wife Barb and I live in today. There was a big front porch where it was pleasant to sit in the evenings with a cocktail after the sun had dipped behind the high-branching maples that lined the street. Inside there were plaster walls, wooden floors and decorative molding. There were French doors between the foyer and the living room and glass cabinets in the kitchen. </div>
<div>
<br />
I furnished that old house with second-hand furniture and decorated it with tacky items that I found in local antique stores — garish pole lamps, brass candelabras, a neon clock for the kitchen, a collection of old cork screws, an old radio cabinet, minus the radio, that I used as a storage space for my liquor. I bought an antique buffet for the dining room. Halfway through my Lincoln sojourn I began dating Barb, and while I’m sure she was horrified by my décor, she was kind enough not to say anything. One day I told her about a painting I spotted in an antique shop on Leonard Street.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7keNfByJ3lEVhD8XH5MiqAgBiayoiZx_hyy9X-W76gTuwtqoKGBZkNfcWKImBzwY32K8ayR3DUEkwc-jbOFE9VisSlOarA0TB65sus8h9EyhLcjFQX9CKQNaOZSnQw6PNB8_kA8syjWQ/s1600/mysterious-woman-nbf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7keNfByJ3lEVhD8XH5MiqAgBiayoiZx_hyy9X-W76gTuwtqoKGBZkNfcWKImBzwY32K8ayR3DUEkwc-jbOFE9VisSlOarA0TB65sus8h9EyhLcjFQX9CKQNaOZSnQw6PNB8_kA8syjWQ/s320/mysterious-woman-nbf.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The painting is the close-up of a distinguished older man against a jet black background. The subject has an inscrutable, sidelong stare, his smile is as enigmatic as Mona Lisa’s and his visage is illuminated by the blaze of the match that he is using to light his pipe. I can’t remember why I didn’t snatch up the painting on the spot but I do remember telling Barb about it. She bought it for me the next day and when I came home from work I found it propped up on the buffet. For the past fifteen years the painting has hung on a dining room wall in our old Craftsman Style bungalow.</div>
<div>
<br />
I’ve often wondered whether the subject of the portrait was an actual person or a figment of the artist’s imagination. It’s a question that probably will never be answered. A few years ago we had the painting cleaned and the wooden frame repaired and the mystery doubled. Behind the portrait of the distinguished elderly gentleman was another portrait, a pencil drawing of an equally distinguished and beautiful young lady.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Abita Christmas, $1.89/12oz</b> - "Our Christmas Ale is a brown ale that is brewed with six types of malted barley and fermented with American Ale yeast. It is brewed with pale malt as well as a combination of caramel, biscuit, Munich, and chocolate malts. It is hopped and dry hopped with Columbus, Cascade, Centennial, and Amarillo and has a nice piney and citrus hop flavor and aroma. The result is a flavorful brown ale that is sweet and malty with a pleasant hop aroma" (<a href="https://abita.com/brews/christmas-ale#">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Big Lake Haze and Confused, $3.29/16oz</b> - "Crushable New England IPA Featuring Citra and Mosiac Hops and Brewed with Real Blueberries" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/big-lake-brewing-haze-and-blue/2756084">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Brewery Vivant Ski Patrol, $3.79/16oz</b> - "Whether you’re stuck on the chairlift waiting to get to the top of a black diamond, or you’re soaking in the hot tub after a long day of destroying some moguls, it’s Ski Patrol Wit to the rescue! This crushable slopes-inspired beer complements our Michigan winters with a hazy golden pour and a warming spice on the nose. Pack your long johns and swimsuit. Ski weekend is upon us. Cans are light and easy to pack so you can take them wherever the trail takes you" (<a href="https://www.breweryvivant.com/beer/skipatrol/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Cigar City Marshal Zhukov's, $16.19/22oz</b> - "This Russian Imperial Stout is dedicated to Georgy Zhukov, arguably one of the finest generals of World War II. Opaque black in color, with notes of espresso, chocolate, dark toffee and hints of blackstrap molasses. The English hop varietals provide a subtle herbal dryness, and the beer finishes with a hearty slap of roasty espresso. Pair Marshal Zhukov’s with mushroom solyanka, dark chocolate, cherries and ground wars in Russia" (<a href="https://cigarcitybrewing.com/beer/marshal-zhukovs/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Deschutes Chasin Freshies, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Like fresh powder, it’s a seize-the-moment thing. This year we’ve chased down Strata fresh hops to add to this bright IPA. 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 fresh, bold aroma and flavor that comes but once a year" (<a href="https://www.deschutesbrewery.com/beer/chasin-freshies/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dogfish Head 75 Minute, $2.79/12oz</b> - "It’s been a minute … but 75 Minute IPA is back! What began as a cask-conditioned ale at our Rehoboth brewpub back in 2011, quickly grew to become a cult-favorite amongst craft enthusiasts. From the groucho glasses that adorned the label to it’s slightly dry and lingering bitterness, 75 Minute was (and is) beloved by many. Now in our latest iteration, this classic IPA is again brewed with maple syrup from Sam’s family farm in Massachusetts, while being continually hopped throughout the boil, and then dry-hopped with a slew of cascade hops. The result is a malty and earthy brew with citrusy-pine aromas, balanced by subtle maple notes" (<a href="https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/beer/75-minute-ipa">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Frankenmuth Christmas Town, $1.89/12oz</b> - "Christmas Town Ale combines sweet toasted dark malts with American hops to create a medium-bodied spiced ale with a taste and aroma that is unmistakably Christmas. You will enjoy subtle notes of nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and clove with our festive holiday-themed packaging to match the taste. Christmas Town Ale is a must-have brew in the wintertime" (<a href="http://frankenmuthbrewery.com/beer/christmas-town-ale/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Great Lakes Christmas Ale, $2.49/12oz</b> - "Do not open ‘til Christmas? Whoever coined that phrase obviously hasn’t tasted Christmas Ale’s fresh honey, cinnamon, and ginger flavors" (<a href="https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/christmas-ale">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Latitude 42 South Pacific Breakfast, $2.49/16oz</b> - "Imperial porter is brewed with toasted coconut, roasted cacao nibs and Ron's cold pressed coffee for the morning kick" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/latitude-42-brewing-company-south-pacific-imperial-breakfast-pprter/2905120">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Old Nation Cart Horse, $4.09/16oz</b> - "NE IPA" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/257139-old-nation-cart-horse-ipa">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Prairie Ales Christmas BOMB!, $10.89/12oz</b> - "Imperial stout brewed with spices" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/prairie-christmas-bomb/297795/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Prairie Ales Double Dunk, $10.89/12oz</b> - "Imperial Stout brewed with Oreo Cookies" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/prairie-artisan-ales-double-dunk/2645021">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Shiner Cheer, $1.79/12oz</b> - "’Tis the Season for Cheer Happy Holidays from the "Little Brewery" in Shiner, TX. We hope you enjoy your Shiner Cheer, an Old World Dunkelweizen brewed with Texas peaches and roasted pecans. The malty flavors of this dark wheat ale are enhanced through the use of malted barley and wheat. And Kräusening ensures a smoothness that makes the subtle peach and pecan flavors all the more satisfying. May your days be merry and bright and your Shiner be cold" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/shiner-holiday-cheer/94839/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's Super Hoppy Holiday, $33.79/12pk</b> - "It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Time for the Super Hoppy Holidays Variety Pack to return! We’re mixing up the pack this year and bringing back a couple longtime favorites like Dan’s Pink Skirt and Goodnight Bodacious, plus we’re introducing a brand new IPA, Yoda’s Blend. Keep an eye out for it on store shelves starting November 1st and seize the hopportunity to grab one (or 2 or 3) before they’re gone. We look forward to celebrating the holidays with you. On behalf of all of us here at Short’s Brewing Company, we wish you a Super Hoppy Holiday and Happy New Beers" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/superhoppyholidays2018/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Sierra Nevada Celebration, $1.79/12oz</b> - "The start of Celebration season is a festive event. We can’t start brewing until the first fresh hops have arrived, but once they have the season is officially under way! First brewed in 1981, Celebration Ale is one of the earliest examples of an American-style IPA and one of the few hop-forward holiday beers. Famous for its intense citrus and pine aromas, Celebration is bold and intense, featuring Cascade, Centennial and Chinook hops—honoring everything we have at Sierra Nevada" (<a href="https://sierranevada.com/beer/seasonal/celebration-ipa">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Southern Tier 2xMas, $1.99/12oz</b> - "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" (<a href="https://www.stbcbeer.com/beer/2xmas/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stone Mojay, $9.69/22oz</b> - "Tropical, juicy, orange and citrus, subtle spice, bright fruit character with a nice bitter finish" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/287181-stone-mojay">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stone Sanctimonious, $2.39/12oz</b> - "Stone Sanctimonious IPA represents the elevated state of reverence that Stone extols for the venerable and almighty Hop. Amarillo & Simcoe hops have been anointed to bestow their divine qualities on this sacred brew. This limited release is part of Stone’s Hop Worship Series… Glory be to those who imbibe it in its freshest form…and faithfully worship thy Hop in the beauty of blissful bitterness" (<a href="https://www.stonebrewing.com/events/stone-pilot-sanctimonious-ipa">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | 75 Minute IPA</h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vzxYZTmK0RM" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Available now at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-54846492629932751682018-10-26T06:16:00.001-04:002018-10-26T06:38:44.871-04:00New Beer Friday, To Sell or Not to Sell Edition (October 26)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLdEb5UehMTehEYVlfpmtYKEwGtTqCrIGyh445I2AG_oQhnMU9UDAuQPDtCkeXeSGEyMUGgNreiyqtkiIUzfHgdsn2LfDKWA1Hr1IPVX8htlx8rIbYJhyphenhyphenBPeQKXOghLL76jT6J84tzhE/s1600/1041-Collindale-nbf-10-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLdEb5UehMTehEYVlfpmtYKEwGtTqCrIGyh445I2AG_oQhnMU9UDAuQPDtCkeXeSGEyMUGgNreiyqtkiIUzfHgdsn2LfDKWA1Hr1IPVX8htlx8rIbYJhyphenhyphenBPeQKXOghLL76jT6J84tzhE/s320/1041-Collindale-nbf-10-26.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old house on Collindale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
Should we stay or should we go? It’s a question my wife and I have been wrestling with since the beginning of summer. Like many folks our age, Barb and I are trying to decide whether to sell our house and move into an abode that requires less maintenance. Not having to worry about mowing the lawn, raking the leaves, cleaning the gutters and shoveling snow is starting to sound pretty good to us.<br />
<br />
Three months ago we met with the realtor we’ll be listing with if we decide to pull the trigger. Vito Dolce from Five Star Realty gave us a list of things we should do to make the house more marketable. Paint the ceilings and walls he told us. Redo the kitchen. Get rid of the clutter.<br />
<br />
We’ve been following Vito’s advice. Barb hired the folks from Shelly’s Kitchens to paint the kitchen cupboards and an electrician to enhance the lighting. For the past three weeks Jim from Grand River Painting has been patching cracks in the plaster and applying fresh paint to one-hundred-year-old ceilings and walls. Barb has been making weekly trips to the Goodwill Store. We’ve given away dressers, old lamps, bookshelves and an assortment of items that we haven’t used in years. We donated six big boxes of books to a used bookseller in Eastown.<br />
<br />
A few nights ago we sat with Manhattans on the back deck watching the sparrows, blue jays and cardinals gorging at the bird feeder. They instinctively know that winter is coming. Plump squirrels scurried around on the freshly mowed lawn. Every so often one stopped scurrying to bury a walnut. A gaggle of honking geese flew high overhead. Light from the setting late October sun splashed against the turning leaves of the tall maples.<br />
<br />
While we watched the birds and squirrels I reminisced about the day Barb came home and told me that “our house” was for sale. We had spotted the 1920s Craftsman Style Bungalow a few years earlier when we were driving down Collindale. It sat a ways back from the road and was tucked behind a wall of overgrown evergreen shrubs. From that day on we admired it from afar during the few seconds it took to drive by it. The first thing we noticed was the big front porch. On subsequent drive-bys we admired the tapered brick columns and triangular knee braces under the broad, overhanging eaves. We wondered what it was like inside. We made an appointment to see the house on the same day Barb saw the <i>For Sale</i> sign in the yard. We made an offer that night. While I was remembering that day my wife said something that I didn’t quite catch.<br />
<br />
“What’s that?” I asked her.<br />
<br />
“I said I think the house is looking pretty good.”<br />
<br />
“It sure is,” I agreed.<br />
<br />
“I’m not sure I’m going to want to sell this old place,” she said a few moments later.<br />
<br />
I told her that I’m not sure that I do either.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Special Announcement: Fresh cider is back! On Saturday, November 3rd, from 10am to 1pm, the owners of <a href="https://www.squarenailfarm.com/">Square Nail Farm </a>in Allegan will be in our back parking with fresh cider for sale. Cider is a blend of Jonagold, Jonathan, Baldwin, Gala, Original Yellow Delicious, Ida Red, Empire and Smokehouse apples. Cost is $4.00 per gallon. Bring your own containers or purchase them for us.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br />
</i></div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Atwater First Brown, $1.99/12oz</b> - "First Brown ale features a brown color, arising from the use of pale, crystal (caramel), Victory (rich in nutty, toasty, and biscuit-like flavors) and cara brown traditional English malts. In brewing, we use 100% imported English hops (East Kent Goldings and Fuggles) It is sweeter on the palate, with a fuller body and a nutty character" (<a href="https://www.atwaterbeer.com/beer-type/first-brown-ale/#">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ballast Point Victory at Sea, $1.99/12oz</b> - "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" (<a href="https://www.ballastpoint.com/beer/victory-at-sea/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Bell's 30th Anniversary Cherry Stout, $4.19/12oz </b>- "This version was brewed in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of our Cherry Stout, another specialty beer that was first brewed in 1988 as a nod to a local homebrew club in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It has grown to be one of the most anticipated beers we brew at the brewery every year" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/specialty/30th-anniversary-cherry-stout-reserve">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Bell's Cherry Stout, $2.99/12oz </b>- "Rather than doubling up on sweetness, this tart cherry varietal serves as a counterpoint to the warm, dark chocolate notes from the malt bill. Lightly hopped for balance, this stout is one of the cornerstones of our stout portfolio" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/specialty/bells-cherry-stout">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Bell's Whiskey Barrel Aged Cherry Stout, $6.99/12oz </b>- "Aged for up to 12 months in whiskey barrels, our signature Cherry Stout evolves into something even more flavorful and complex. Notes of oak, vanilla and dark chocolate are intertwined with tart Michigan cherries in a stout that seduces the palate" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/specialty/whiskey-barrel-aged-cherry-stout">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Brew Detroit Electro Brut, $3.59/16oz</b> - "Aggressively dry hopped with mosaic, citra, mandarina & Amarillo hops. This brew is fiercely hop forward with a delicious balanced finish" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/284367-brew-detroit-electro-brut">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Gus, $3.59/16oz </b>- "Farmhouse India Pale Ale — Named in honor of Indiana-born astronaut Gus Grissom who lost his life in the pursuit of taking a man to the moon, this IPA is aggressively hopped with Australian Galaxy and American Mosaic hops" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/central-state-brewing-company-gus/2861076">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Hot Yoga, $4.39/16oz</b> - "This Double IPA is fermented with a special Norwegian Farmhouse yeast strain called Kviek. Fermented in half the time and at temperatures in excess of 95 degrees that would cause normal yeast to produce off flavors, this DIPA features both flaked & malted wheat and a double dose of Citra, Loral, and Mosaic hops" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/hot-yoga/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Noyau, $3.79/16oz</b> - "House beer with secondary fermentation on 250 lbs each of of peach and apricot puree" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/96913-central-state-house-noyau">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Snake Skin Boots, $3.99/16oz</b> - "Hazy India Pale Ale with Simcoe Hops — Flashy? Maybe. Practical? Maybe. Tasty? Coiled up like a rattler ready to strike, this beer is loaded up with the finest Simcoe hops we could get our hands on" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/central-state-brewing-company-snake-skin-boots/2877474">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Turn the Page, $4.39/16oz</b> - "Turn the page and begin the next chapter. Time and progress stop for no one. Aggressively hopped with Warrior, Simcoe, & Citra hops, including a double dose of Simcoe & Citra dry hops, this DIPA has a soft mouthfeel thanks to a healthy dose of wheat and lactose sugar" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/285351-central-state-turn-the-page">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Griffin Claw Idiom, $2.39/16oz</b> - "Porter" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/285881-griffin-claw-idiom">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Griffin Claw You Figure it Out, $2.39/16oz</b> - "We had to beg Dan to make this and it turned out awesome! Coconut & Vanilla stand strong in this easy drinking Milk Stout" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/griffin-claw-you-figure-it-out/464574/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Lagunitas Sparkling Swan, $1.59/12oz</b> - "This sparkling beer-wine hybrid is something to toast to... brewed with red wine grapes and super bubbly like champagne, but with a gentle kiss of hops and a light malt backbone like a beer. It's a purple people pleaser, perfect for any celebration" (<a href="https://lagunitas.com/beer/sparkling-swan">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Belgium Oakspire, $2.59/12oz</b> - "A limited-edition collaboration between New Belgium and Knob Creek, Oakspire is a unique bourbon barrel ale aged with bourbon-steeped oak spirals and char from inside the barrel. Smooth notes of toffee, vanilla and caramel wrap up with a pleasantly warm finish. Oakspire: Where innovation meets tradition" (<a href="https://www.newbelgium.com/beer/oakspire/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Holland Cabin Fever, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Cabin Fever is a roasty brown ale and a hearty, comforting companion for long, mind-bending winters" (<a href="http://newhollandbrew.com/beer/cabin-fever/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>New Holland Sour Inc Sour Stout, $3.49/12oz </b>- "As the name implies, Sour Inc. Cherry Stout is a 6.7 percent ABV sour stout brewed with cherries. The fourth and final addition to the Holland, Mich.-based brewery’s Sour Inc. Series, which is made up different styles of sour beers" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/285470-new-holland-sour-inc-sour-stout-with-cherries">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Hoppin Mad, $2.79/12oz</b> - "Rye Double NEIPA" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/282492-odd-side-ales-hoppin-mad">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ommegang Barrel Aged Adoration, $5.69/12oz</b> - "The beer is brewed with coriander, mace, cardamom, grains of paradise and sweet orange peel, and if that’s not enough fun, this dark ale is then aged in Bourbon barrels" (<a href="https://mybeerbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/07/brewery-ommegang-bourbon-barrel-aged.html">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Perrin Malted Milk Ball, $12.69/22oz</b> - "A 12% Imperial Porter brewed with lactose and spiced with vanilla and cacao nibs then laid down and aged in Woodford Reserve Oak bourbon barrels for 9 months" (source).</li>
<li><b>Rogue Counter Currant, $2.39/16oz</b> - "On our farm in Independence, Oregon, we grow marionberries, pumpkins, honey and 10 varieties of hops. We also tend the Revolution Garden, where we grow experimental crops for our brewers in Newport. Inspired by the black currants from our garden, our brewers created this lovely tart fruit ale that pours deep purple in color. Join us in our fight against the status quo and go Counter Currant" (<a href="https://www.rogue.com/products/counter-currant">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's Juicy Tree, $2.59/12oz</b> - "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" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/juicy-tree/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Upland Boysenberry, $27.19/750ml</b> - "Boysenberry is a barrel-aged sour ale that combines our take on a traditional, Lambic-style base beer, with a fruit not typically found in traditional Lambics. We ferment our base beer, Basis, for six to eight months in oak tanks to produce tart flavors, fruity notes and a funky character. Then, we blend individual batches before aging on boysenberry fruit for an additional month to extract the perfect balance of fruit flavor. We bottle conditioned this beer, resulting in a fine carbonation and spritzy mouthfeel" (<a href="https://www.uplandbeer.com/beers/boysenberry/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Upland Panorama, $27.19/750ml</b> - "A slightly tart, dry and funky beer developed through the use of naturally occurring microorganisms from Monroe County. Four different regions of microorganism collection developed unique flavors for each of the beers in the Spontaneous Project Series" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/upland-brewing-company-panorama/2154429">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | New Belgium Oakspire</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eKHvxUYXoVY" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now available at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-71080249108391820182018-10-19T05:57:00.000-04:002018-10-19T06:04:06.733-04:00New Beer Friday, Resistance is Futile Edition (Oct 19)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz0ZCANdZW3JpXgz1AI0u2THRt7fvfMqXNTC2Sllz0cCZq6FZmBlmZihq69-ulMjIpM4c1493Pw_ZUkZpx-06t_1ROzi83AgyaK2Zh6lmd8I1-lMaEdn5GuOOrUfGg-psy48nrEvJtv8/s1600/chad-bocian-homebrew-parity-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="1120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz0ZCANdZW3JpXgz1AI0u2THRt7fvfMqXNTC2Sllz0cCZq6FZmBlmZihq69-ulMjIpM4c1493Pw_ZUkZpx-06t_1ROzi83AgyaK2Zh6lmd8I1-lMaEdn5GuOOrUfGg-psy48nrEvJtv8/s320/chad-bocian-homebrew-parity-cropped.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bocian, Controller of Pests</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
My wife has a serious case of arachnophobia. I can empathize because I have a few fears of my own. But sometimes if I’m feeling a bit impish I’ll kid her about it. This past summer a little black arachnid with beady eyes was skittering around on our back deck and Barb was convinced that the tiny critter was stalking her. Instead of trying to abate her irrational fears I told her it was sizing her up for a meal.<br />
<br />
I was smart enough not to joke about the wolf spiders that she would freak out about whenever she spied one loping around in the basement. I went to bat for them and tried explaining that they were more afraid of her than she was of them and that they were good to have around because they ate the nasty house flies. But my appeals were unsuccessful and I had to hire a professional — Chad Bocian from Stealth Pest Control — to eliminate the large, hairy, eight-eyed beasts. I’ve learned that when Barb makes her mind up about something it’s usually futile to resist. <br />
<br />
The trees around our cottage are another example. I could live with the trees the same as I could live with the spiders but Barb claimed they obscured our view of the lake (which they did) and that all the acorns that they dropped every fall were a nuisance (which they were). She orchestrated the removal of twenty-seven of the offending oaks. I have to admit that our view of the lake has improved greatly and that it’s nice not having to worry about acorns beaning us when we’re sitting on the deck.<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago a nasty storm blew through Lake County. There has been an ongoing debate in the bars around Irons whether it was a tornado or straight-line winds that did the damage but it appears that Big Bass Lake was ground zero. A tree fell on a neighbor’s garage, Matson Road looked like it was carpet bombed and a number of big oaks were uprooted in back of our pole barn. I could only imagine what kind of damage might have been done to our cottage if Barb hadn’t insisted on taking down all those trees. I’ve also learned that when my wife thinks something should be done she’s usually right.<br />
<div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Arcadia Apollyan, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Tremble before Apollyon, The Destroyer, for herein is a beer that requires careful handling. Produced using a technique that amplifies the intense apple/pear fruitiness of Arcadia’s house English-style yeast, the result is a straw-colored golden strong ale that hides its strength carefully. Obscured by intense honey notes, hints of cotton candy, fresh-baked bread, and a wickedly dry, crisp body, we took to calling it Apollyon in homage to the Belgian tradition of naming beers after “devilish” figures. Unlike the king of locusts, the only truly dangerous part of Apollyon is how enjoyable and refreshing it is" (<a href="http://arcadiaales.com/beer/apollyon/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Arvon Point Betsie, $9.99/22oz</b> - "Arvon Brewing Co.’s Lighthouse Series of New England style IPAs are each distinctly hopped with a single varietal, displaying the unique character of the hops as a shining beacon. The explosive hop flavor and aroma of Vic Secret featured in Point Betsie is best experienced when this beer is enjoyed fresh" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/arvon-brewing-co-point-betsie/2846440">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Bell's Arabicadabra, $2.29/12oz</b> - "Arabicadabra is brewed with a cold coffee extract made at the brewery using a combination of fair trade, organic Nicaraguan coffee beans and Sumatra coffee beans. Lactose is also used for creaminess (those with dairy allergies or sensitivities should take note). It was inspired by Milchkaffe, another specialty Bell's beer" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/specialty/arabicadabra">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>City Built Melisandre, $3.59/16oz</b> - "Red IPA • Mackinaw Hops • Caramel Malt • The Beer is Red and Full of Hops" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/city-built-brewing-melisandre/2288785">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dogfish Head Pennsylvania Tuxedo, $3.29/12oz</b> - "A spruce-infused pale ale, Pennsylvania Tuxedo pays homage to the flannel-suited hunters and gatherers who dwell deep in the backcountry of north-central PA" (<a href="https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/beer/pennsylvania-tuxedo">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Left Hand Pixan Pepper Porter, $2.39/12oz</b> - "Dried cherry and plum flavors with subtle smoke, roasty malt sweetness and the warmth of chilis" (<a href="http://lefthandbrewing.com/beers/pixan-pepper-porter/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Lost Abbey Farmhouse Lager, $2.69/12oz</b> - "Farmhouse Lager is a lighter version of our long-time brew, Avant Garde. It is our first foray into the 12oz bottle/six-pack world, as we have been mostly known for large format (750ml bottles). Still beginning with an initial malt sweetness and a subtle hop presence, this lager finishes smooth and crisp. Perfect for an evening out on your porch or with some fresh baked bread pulled straight from the oven" (<a href="http://lostabbey.com/beer/farmhouse/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>North Pier Old Shuck, $2.99/16oz</b> - "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" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/north-pier-brewing-company-old-shuck/1564658">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Rochester Mills Warrior Goddess, $2.59/16oz</b> - "Ale brewed with Pink Grapefruit, Lemons and a splash of Pomegranate, this light-bodied, American-style shandy beer has bright citrus aromas and flavors of fresh fruit with a sweet, yet subtly tart finish" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/rochester-mills-beer-co-warrior-goddess-pink-grapefruit-radler/2854533">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Southern Tier Cinnamon Roll, $4.39/12oz</b> - "In this brew, lightly toasted malts with subtly spicy hops blend into cinnamon flavors and creamy lactose sugar. Their coalescence is so uncannily close to fresh baked cinnamon rolls that it was impossible to name this beer anything other than Cinnamon Roll Imperial Ale! Pairs perfectly with Eggs Benedict at brunch, after dinner, or next to the fire for an unforgettable nightcap" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/southern-tier-cinnamon-roll/562768/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Southern Tier Old Man Winter, $1.89/12oz</b> - "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" (<a href="https://www.stbcbeer.com/beer/old-man-winter-ale/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Terrapin Gamma Ray, $3.99/16oz</b> - "Gamma Ray is a wheat beer brewed with a massive amount of honey from Savannah Bee Company. This super powered blast from the past will make you believe time travel is possible" (<a href="https://terrapinbeer.com/portfolio-item/gamma-ray/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Terrapin Moo-Hoo, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Dark brown to black in color. Aromas of dark chocolate. Dark roasted malt flavor with hints of caramel and chocolate, rounded out by a sweet, creamy finish" (<a href="https://terrapinbeer.com/portfolio-item/moo-hoo/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Pennsylvania Tuxedo</h2>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gun7SU11UMs" width="500"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now available at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-268185196883892612018-10-12T07:49:00.000-04:002018-10-12T07:49:04.144-04:00New Beer Friday, One-Winged Gargoyle Edition (Oct 12)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFAbuTL1grkqisuTYQciRQGvVIGq-LuanIDO9VolqnNWr7ZGYsETIbG9ImxnVHJ6ONtiX9U_UnheP3wrxL12T4f0MCUfWcEo6FWLiJO1lpjTNw0EcUWuhiUtKSPku2B6aWROH53l3Ho4/s1600/stolen-gargoyle-edition-nbf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFAbuTL1grkqisuTYQciRQGvVIGq-LuanIDO9VolqnNWr7ZGYsETIbG9ImxnVHJ6ONtiX9U_UnheP3wrxL12T4f0MCUfWcEo6FWLiJO1lpjTNw0EcUWuhiUtKSPku2B6aWROH53l3Ho4/s320/stolen-gargoyle-edition-nbf.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Procured by dubious means</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
I got quite a start the other morning when I glanced in the mirror and saw the reflection of my late father. With each passing year I’m looking more like the elder version of Sam — the thinning hair, the high forehead, the drooping nose, the elongated ears, the tufts of hair growing out of that nose and those ears that would look a tad unsightly if my barber didn’t trim them back every three weeks. <br />
<br />
While I’m beginning to look like Sam in his late sixties, my siblings frequently remind me that I take after my mother. I’m okay with that but it’s not entirely true. I may have Nita’s overall demeanor but she’s generally regarded as a saint and I can state with a high degree of certainty that saintliness is a virtue no one has or ever will be inclined to bestow on me. <br />
<br />
The truth is I’m more like the old man that I’m given credit for. I don’t have his boisterous personality but I too like a good party and I make sure that visitors to our house and cottage have plenty to eat and drink. I love food and wine as much as he did and I’d like to think that I’m a pretty good cook. <br />
<br />
The old man could also be a bit “mischievous.” When they were youngsters he and his brothers pilfered watermelons off produce trucks and one time they came home with a branch laden with sweet cherries that they sawed off a neighbor’s tree. And I’m quite sure the "Dead End" sign he had nailed to a tree along the two-track leading to his property up north wasn't found laying on the side of the road.<br />
<br />
There have been times when I was a bit mischievous too. I also swiped fruit from neighbors’ trees when I was a kid and when I was in college a coed talked me into helping her pinch a street sign that bore her Italian surname. And then there was the one-winged gargoyle affair.<br />
<br />
I won’t delve too deep into the details but the one-winged cement gargoyle that has been perched in Siciliano's for the past twenty years was ill-gotten. I confess that a couple of pints of beer on the night of the caper relaxed my inhibitions. The beer was Two Hearted which should give the astute reader a clue as to where the incident took place. If measured on the Scoville Scale my remorse the next morning registered somewhere between a Scotch Bonnet and a Ghost Pepper. I sent the establishment an apologetic note and a fifty dollar bill, a price I deemed fair for a cement gargoyle that was missing a wing.<br />
<br />
A couple of weeks ago I took the gargoyle down from its perch and placed it on the curling corner of an area rug next to a display case. A few minutes later a customer knocked it over and cracked off the other wing.<br />
<div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<ul>
<li><b>Decadent Ales Pacific Punch, $6.29/16oz </b>- "DIPA featuring a blend of south pacific hops. Notes of citrus, freshly squeezed lemon, lime fresh peaches and apricot compliment the fruit-cup hop profile" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/195139-decadent-ales-pacific-punch">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Decadent Ales Pog Nog, $6.29/16oz</b> - "Brewed with pineapple, guava, & orange peel. Hopped with Citra & Mosaic" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/decadent-ales-pog-nog/541186/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin/Blank Brewing The Check Please, $4.59/12oz</b> - "A double dry-hopped black IPA" (<a href="https://mybeerbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/07/evil-twin-blank-brewing-collaborate-on.html">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin Even More Pecan Pie Jesus, $4.59/16oz</b> - "Imperial Stout brewed with Molasses and with Pecan Extract added" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/evil-twin-even-more-pecan-pie-jesus/596711/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin F Is for Fruit Salad, $4.99/16oz </b>- "Gose-style ale brewed with salt and blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, peach, and blood orange added" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/283338-evil-twin-f-is-for-fruit-salad">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Evil Twin Island Bliss, $5.49/16oz</b> - "Malt beverage with natural flavors" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/271631-evil-twin-island-bliss">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Fat Orange Cat All Cats are Grey in the Dark, $4.99/16oz</b> - "A light colored stout with a hint of coffee and strong notes of both chocolate and vanilla" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/248736-fat-orange-cat-all-cats-are-gray-in-the-dark">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Fat Orange Cat Living in Our Own Private Idaho, $6.29/16oz</b> - "The Azzaca combination brings out an intense orange/grapefruit flavor with a classic Idaho 7 finish" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/fat-orange-cat-brew-co-living-in-our-own-private-idaho/2642252/photos">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stillwater People Power, $5.49/16oz</b> - "Nitro Multigrain Pale Ale in support of the ACLU" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/oliver-brewing-co-people-power/2846847">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stillwater Please Take a Number, $5.69/16oz</b> - "New England style double india pale ale" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/stillwater-artisanal-please-take-a-number/2798850">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Rochester Mills Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake Stout, $2.59/16oz</b> - "This stout is brewed with lactose (milk sugar) to impart a fuller body and sweeter palate. Flavored with toasted marshmallows" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/115160-rochester-mills-toasted-marshmallow">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's Pangalactic Gargle Blaster, $2.59/12oz</b> - "Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster is a Belgian-style Double IPA brewed with Australian Galaxy hops. The nose is an impressive dank blend of citrus aromas reminiscent of guava and lemons, very green and fresh with subtle Belgian yeast esters. An intense clean bitterness dominates the flavor profile with little malt character to compete with. A slight, fruity yeast sweetness is noticeable in the finish alongside a resounding bitterness" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/pan-galactic-gargle-blaster/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Great Lakes Ohio City Oatmeal Stout, $1.89/12oz</b> - "Dark and roasty yet light and smooth as a fresh coat of snow, our Oatmeal Stout will kick your cabin fever and inspire you to toss another log on the fire" (<a href="https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/ohio-city-oatmeal-stout">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Caged Wisdom, $2.39/12oz</b> - "A dry, hoppy, crisp and light Brut IPA" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/odd-side-ales-caged-wisdom/2788141">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Blackrocks Nordskye, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Session IPA" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/97493-blackrocks-nord-skye">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Griffin Claw Haze Force, $3.69/12oz</b> - No commercial description.</li>
<li><b>Lansing Brewery Velvet Villain, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Formally known as Black Velvet... Imperial black ale meets oatmeal porter. Silky smooth chocolate dominates the palate throughout this beer. Have it for breakfast or have it for dessert, it doesn’t matter. This beer drinks very easy for an 8.2% ABV beer" (<a href="http://www.lansingbrewingcompany.com/beer/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Lansing Brewery Peninsula Pils, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Forget the watered down domestic pilsner beers. Peninsula Pils is a true to style pilsner with a distinct hop presence.This pilsner has two different hop varietals, Hallertau Blanc and Saaz. Together these hops give Peninsula Pils an herbal and delicate fruit note. We also dry hopped this sessional beer with Hallertau Blanc for your aromatic enjoyment. A perfect thirst quencher after a jog on the river trail" (<a href="http://www.lansingbrewingcompany.com/beer/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Revolution Coffee Eugene, $3.09/12oz</b> - "Our Eugene Porter was sent to a bright tank and aged for an additional week with whole bean coffee from Dark Matter Coffee. The cold-aging allows us to extract the aromatic oils from the coffee without extracting any additional bitterness that it may impart if we were to have added it to the near boiling wort in the kettle" (<a href="https://revbrew.com/news/coffee-eugene">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Revolution Citra-Hero, $2.39/12oz</b> - "Citra-Hero is an elegant American IPA designed to showcase the Citra Hop variety. This IPA is exploding with citrusy flavors and aromas" (<a href="https://revbrew.com/beer/hero-series/citra-hero">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Saugatuck Oak Wizard, $1.89/12oz</b> - "An Oak Aged Imperial Brown Ale with tons of oaky, woody flavors. The base brown malt profile provides a huge caramel, coffee and chocolate body with minimal hop bitterness matched perfectly with the complex flavor profile of the oak chips" (<a href="https://saugatuckbrewing.com/beer/oak-wizard/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Lansing Brewing Co.</h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QAH22vZ_Rvo" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now available at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-25187626224786445152018-10-05T07:06:00.000-04:002018-10-05T07:14:43.670-04:00New Beer Friday, Raw Cider for Sale Edition (October 5)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBckeMfud7OF0ujD1h8JDIvFOgrfiVnArEeGrwqLgQEpuo1CR66Bok3-PpWB0dLjZDtKBhI82bQgMbzeLHKXHcj6zEEF39WvbN0T8aOMuvMmtWH0L9f9q6aokQWaSAZfzShSLYkm4KwPQ/s1600/klein-cider-apple-nbf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBckeMfud7OF0ujD1h8JDIvFOgrfiVnArEeGrwqLgQEpuo1CR66Bok3-PpWB0dLjZDtKBhI82bQgMbzeLHKXHcj6zEEF39WvbN0T8aOMuvMmtWH0L9f9q6aokQWaSAZfzShSLYkm4KwPQ/s200/klein-cider-apple-nbf.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
September is apple harvesting time here in West Michigan and that means there will soon be plenty of fresh juice available for beer and winemaking hobbyists looking to whip up a batch or two of hard cider.<br />
<br />
On Saturday, October 6, Klein Cider Mill will be selling fresh-squeezed juice in our back parking lot between the hours of 10am and 1pm. The price for Klein’s award-winning cider is $3.75 per gallon and you must supply your own containers. Of course, as always, we will have containers available for purchase along with yeast, pectic enzyme and anything else you might need for making hard cider.<br />
<br />
Go <a href="http://sicilianosmkt.blogspot.com/2014/12/keeping-it-simple-lets-make-hard-cider.html">here</a> for a good article on the process of making hard cider.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJH1G5AiwZDSGcGZj7KjdxhI7eXnslACxZU1m-7C7kryGWLvWfy9Z0IXCPiHQxxvHXe9jmluOCzfV_so66B2FQdNkmFHlZ6-Z3BLbEXRKfeqhRDReydGO_afDldGVPmxCPHm6yl7lk8g/s1600/batch-brewing-festbier-nbf-oct-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJH1G5AiwZDSGcGZj7KjdxhI7eXnslACxZU1m-7C7kryGWLvWfy9Z0IXCPiHQxxvHXe9jmluOCzfV_so66B2FQdNkmFHlZ6-Z3BLbEXRKfeqhRDReydGO_afDldGVPmxCPHm6yl7lk8g/s320/batch-brewing-festbier-nbf-oct-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><b>Arcadia Morning Nightcap, $2.19/12oz</b> - "The beer lover’s consummate coffee beer, a perfect marriage of rich coffee and creamy porter. Brewed with BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Papua New Guinea blend, a roast created by Paramount Roasters especially for this collaboration. Emotes rich notes of dark chocolate, fruit, and tons of refreshingly intense coffee flavor. Oat malt lends a powerfully silky body and hints of nuttiness. Reminiscent of a refreshing cold-brew, but with a pleasant buzz. Pairs perfectly with your choice of smoking jacket, bathrobe or favorite slippers. Because when the day drags on and the night’s too long, it’s time to pickup a Nightcap" (<a href="http://arcadiaales.com/beer/morning-nightcap/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Batch Brewing Festbier, $2.79/12oz </b>- No description available.</li>
<li><b>Brewery Vivant Plien de Vie Stone Fruit Sour, $10.89/375ml </b>- "Foeder Aged Weissbier with all-Michigan grown peaches, plums, apricots, and cherries" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/brewery-vivant-stone-fruit-sour/1734593">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Cigar City Cubano Style Espresso Brown, $2.59/12oz</b> - "This English-style Brown Ale is brewed with a heaping of Cuban-style espresso beans from Tampa’s Buddy Brew Coffee. Lactose and cacao are added as well, creating a bold ale that brings to mind a fine cup of Cuban coffee" (<a href="https://cigarcitybrewing.com/beer/cubano-espresso/?age-verified=a6036109a7">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dark Horse Smells Like a Safety Meeting, $1.99/12oz</b> - "S.L.A.S.M. is our most Aromatic IPA. This India Pale Ale is very reminiscent of the hop’s cousin in the Mulberry family. Lots of hop aroma with just the right amount of bitterness as we like to keep balance around here. Between the secret blend of the most DANK hops we can get our hands on and a "more than healthy" dose of double dry hopping, this beer can be announced to the nose from across the room that someone is definitely having a Safety Meeting" (<a href="http://www.darkhorsebrewery.com/smells-like-a-safety-meeting/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Grimm Guava Mango Pop, $15.99/22oz</b> - "This tropical sour beer is a creamsicle in a glass. Mangoes, guavas, vanilla, and milk sugar are backed with a grapefruit-like acidity" (<a href="https://grimmales.com/beer/mango-guava-pop/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>NIP Batch 29, $2.99/12oz</b> - "Cherry Lime-Aid" (<a href="https://www.taphunter.com/beer/nowhere-in-particular-batch-29-cherry-lime-aid/4951062584885248">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>North Coast Barrel Aged Old Rasputin, $25.19/500ml </b>- "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" (<a href="https://northcoastbrewing.com/beers/barrel-aged-beers/barrel-aged-old-rasputin-xx/?ao_confirm">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Cap De Night, $6.29/12oz</b> - "Full bodied imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels. Bold flavors of roasted barley give way to subtle notes of vanilla, cinnamon, bourbon, and oak with a rich cocoa finish. A perfect end to any evening" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/odd-side-ales-cap-de-night/552011/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ommegang Mother of Dragons, $12.99/750ml </b>- "A beer for Daenerys - is a richly complex blend of smoked porter and Belgian kriek" (<a href="https://untappd.com/b/brewery-ommegang-game-of-thrones-mother-of-dragons/2798919">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's Mule Beer, $1.89/12oz </b>- "Mule Beer is an Ale brewed with lime and ginger. Hazy copper in color with an off-white head, Mule Beer pours with aromas of pungent ginger and tangy lime. Pronounced flavors of ginger and lime are accompanied by a biscuit like maltiness and a creamy body. This light-bodied, Moscow Mule inspired brew finishes with a spicy ginger kick" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/mulebeer/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stone Enjoy by 10.31.18, $3.19/12oz </b>- "Consistently delivered faster than any bottled IPA on the planet, Stone Enjoy By IPA facilitated a paradigm shift in respect for and enjoyment of hoppy beers by ensuring craft beer fans the ultimate level of freshness. We brew this intense double IPA with more than 10 different hops, employing hop-bursting and dry-hopping techniques to amp up the peach and tropical fruit notes and overall hop factor. Brewed specifically NOT to last, this devastatingly fresh, golden beauty should be enjoyed within 37 days" (<a href="https://www.stonebrewing.com/beer/stone-enjoy-ipa-series/stone-enjoy-103118-ipa#ageGatePassed">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Stone Xocoveza, $3.19/12oz</b> - "There’s nothing like making a beer so beloved that people feel compelled to campaign for its return. So, in the spirit of the holiday season, we are very pleased to give our fans the number one item on their wish lists. As illustrated by the avalanche of social media requests, that is Stone Xocoveza, an insanely delicious take on Mexican hot chocolate brewed with cocoa, coffee, pasilla peppers, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. First brewed in 2014 with San Diego homebrewer Chris Banker after his recipe won our annual homebrew competition, this imperial stout is layered with smooth roastiness, semisweet chocolate and a touch of spice. Thanks entirely to you, this creamy, mocha stout has gone from initially being a one-time offering to a yearly tradition. Happy holidays from all of us to all of you…and feel free to continue enjoying it long into the spring and summer, as this gem will age beautifully and is definitely not exclusive to the winter season" (<a href="https://www.stonebrewing.com/beer/stone-seasonals/stone-xocoveza">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>To Øl Dangerously Close to Stupid Amounts of Bananas, $7.69/16oz</b> - "Smells like banana, tastes like… sweet malty banana. This is a mellow, malty DIPA with a smooth amber body and medium carbonation. Almost taffyesque in taste, you want to hate it but you can’t" (<a href="https://toolbeer.dk/product/dangerously-close-to-stupid-amounts-of-banana/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>To Øl Dangerously Close to Stupid Lychee, $7.69/16oz </b>- "The more subtle of the trilogy, DCTS Lychee is clean, crisp and malty. Expect ample bitterness without it being overpowering, and subtle end notes of lychee. A clean and clear, west coast style DIPA" (<a href="https://toolbeer.dk/product/dangerously-close-to-stupid-amounts-of-lychee/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>To Øl Ms. Black, $9.79/16oz</b> - "Imperial stout with liquorice & dates Ms. Black is our attempt to make an evil and beastly black imperial stout and we would call it a success. Featuring triple the amount of liquorice we have ever brewed with – Ms. Black is a full, dark, sweet and bitter imperial stout with bitter dark malt notes" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/to-ol-ms-black/654656/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Dark Horse</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/124232303" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Smells Like a Safety Meeting, now available at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
</div>
</div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-60663725764181119972018-09-28T08:12:00.000-04:002018-09-28T08:41:28.775-04:00New Beer Friday, Yeomans Edition (September 28)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitP4Grau4gL-mlcc5jmWnRDvpYOeANkClrMPo2xjC1CFkaKg3xabersyTZsO1ovZkMVxFKn9ObrYDciZyGCf3E1x3xil2HV6IahX7hSQzrilS8Rvc650rErjw6ZEvqSc0XPaAHgnmrayw/s1600/yeomans-nbf+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitP4Grau4gL-mlcc5jmWnRDvpYOeANkClrMPo2xjC1CFkaKg3xabersyTZsO1ovZkMVxFKn9ObrYDciZyGCf3E1x3xil2HV6IahX7hSQzrilS8Rvc650rErjw6ZEvqSc0XPaAHgnmrayw/s320/yeomans-nbf+%25281%2529.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeomans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
I was planning on hitting the Little Manistee one morning last week but we entertained the neighbors the previous night and Yeomans and I stayed up late drinking wine and talking about politics, sports, our dead fathers and the garish lights across the lake. <br />
<br />
Yeomans is a retired high school history teacher. He has a big, bushy grey beard and wears his glasses on the end of his nose. His passions are golf and drinking Strohs out of longneck bottles and he is very good at both. He always golfs during the week so he doesn’t have to pay the weekend rates and he always walks so he can drink beer without putting on extra weight. He’s from Ohio and is a Buckeyes fan, a sin for which I can forgive him because he’s not obnoxiously snooty. <br />
<br />
He also appreciates hand-crafted suds and is particularly fond of Starving Artist, Moose Drool and Ludington Bay’s British Brown. While Stroh’s is his preferred mass-produced lager, he’ll drink whatever is on sale in the bars, and he knows which days the saloons in Lake County run one-dollar specials. One day this past summer my wife and I stopped at Twin Creeks Tavern and just for fun I asked the bartender if a dude with a big bushy grey beard and glasses on the end of his nose had come in lately. When she replied that he had, I asked if she knew where I could find him because I had been looking for him and when I found him I was going to rough him up. She never blinked an eye, which I took to mean that such talk wasn’t uncommon in the environs of Luther, Michigan.<br />
<br />
Back to the morning I was going to fish the Little Man. After two cups of coffee I felt stable enough to walk out to the dock where I made a couple of pathetic casts in an effort to raise some blue gill. By then the sun was already above the eastern stand of trees and was boring into my head with the power of 174 quadrillion watts. I retreated to the relative coolness of the cinder block garage until I recovered my bearings.<br />
<br />
I laid low for most of the day and after dinner spied some bass rising at the end of Yeomans’ dock. Yeomans watched me fish while he sipped a Stroh’s on his deck. On the second cast I hooked the canopy of his pontoon boat and yelled over to him to move his boat. He yelled something back which I couldn’t make out but assumed was nasty. I caught a few decent size bass that fought hard for a few seconds but then gave up and came in like castigated hound dogs. It reminded me of why I prefer to fish for trout.<br />
<br />
That night after getting out of bed to heed nature’s call I stepped out onto the deck. It was one of those moonless, cloudless nights in northern Michigan when you think that if you looked hard enough you could see all the way back to the beginning of the universe. The stars were so bright they reflected off the glassy surface of the water and the only thing that broke the spell were the lights in front of the cottage across the lake. The cottage owner apparently thinks it’s classy to keep those glaring lights burning all night. Yeomans and I have been talking about donning dark clothing, blackening our faces and rowing across the lake on some dark, moonless night to clip the wires.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenISf3rPUoh_6wdFIGBDmDIeZ5R3Qt99NeE6oNM_SfHKeRMZ5E8lxvyvYOMW73JBAWhOKPaglr_qbIAtfN_7Jev-MDfz4-uX78KY5vAejB5dvZ3untjhRhbldqjx3Pg-2vSBqWST6diE/s1600/ludington-bay-nbf-sept-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenISf3rPUoh_6wdFIGBDmDIeZ5R3Qt99NeE6oNM_SfHKeRMZ5E8lxvyvYOMW73JBAWhOKPaglr_qbIAtfN_7Jev-MDfz4-uX78KY5vAejB5dvZ3untjhRhbldqjx3Pg-2vSBqWST6diE/s400/ludington-bay-nbf-sept-28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Bell's Third Coast Old Ale, $2.99/12oz</b> - "Third Coast Old Ale starts with a rich, caramel base, and finishes with a heavy hop bitterness. Sharply intense at first, it will age gracefully, adding complexity and subtlety in your cellar. Go ahead, test your patience" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/specialty/third-coast-old-ale">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central Waters BBA Barleywine, $4.39/12oz</b> - "A barleywine ale aged for a full year on used bourbon barrels, this beer has flavors of dark fruits and wood" (<a href="http://centralwaters.com/beers/brewers-reserve-series.php">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Dark Horse Five High Harvest, $2.89/12oz </b>- "A collaboration with High Five Hop Farm of Marshall, MI" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/222777-dark-horse-five-high-harvest-ale">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Founders Harvest, $3.79/12oz </b>- "Each fall, our brewhouse looks more like a greenhouse as thousands of pounds of wet hop cones arrive within hours of being picked by some of our favorite local hop growers. Acting quickly, we then load up these wet hops into what will become Harvest Ale – an impossibly aromatic and bright IPA bursting with fresh pine, melon and citrus notes. Our ode to the beauty that is the wet, American hop" (<a href="https://foundersbrewing.com/our-beer/harvest-ale/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ludington Bay 9 Wt East Coast Style Double IPA, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Juicy hops and malt up front with a dry finish. Dry hopped with copious amounts of Amarillo and Centennial hops" (<a href="http://ludingtonbaybrewing.com/beer.html">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ludington Bay First Curve West Coast Style IPA, $1.99/12oz</b> - "Pale, coppered-color with a creamy white head. Hop forward with a malty backbone" (<a href="http://ludingtonbaybrewing.com/beer.html">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ludington Bay Lake Phantom, $1.99/12oz</b> - "American Pale Ale with tangelo. Tangelo is a citrus fruit hybrid, with flavors of tangerines and pomelos (grapefruit)" (<a href="http://ludingtonbaybrewing.com/beer.html">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Ludington Bay Jame Street Brown, $1.99/12oz </b>- "Smooth, dark American Brown Ale with a lacy tan head that drinks lighter than it looks" (<a href="http://ludingtonbaybrewing.com/beer.html">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Barrel + Beam Blanc du Nord, $5.19/375ml</b> - "The flavor of this wit bier is herbaceous, wheat and citrusy, with a spicy depth that only our Belgian White yeast strain can produce in our open square fermenters. Our lightest option" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/barrel-beam-blanc-du-nord/636118/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Barrel + Beam Saison Terre a Terre, $5.19/375ml </b>- "Pronounced /tare-ah-tare/. This French sourced saison is spicy, herbal, dry and fruity. The high carbonation is a hallmark of the style" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/barrel-beam-terre-a-terre-saison/636116/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Barrel + Beam Pivot Point, $6.49/375ml </b>- "A toasty, caramel, rich and balanced Bier de'Garde. Lagered in red wine barrels in our cellar at 45° F for four weeks" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/barrel-beam-pivot-point/636121/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Barrel + Beam Golden Partager, $6.49/375ml</b> - "A golden strong ale featuring character Michigan sourced alt and hops, barrel aged with an exceptional years - Brettanomyces Bruxellensis" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/barrel-beam-golden-partager/636124/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Barrel + Beam Harmonie, $6.49/375ml</b> - "Oud Bruin style blend of barrel-soured black ale combined with fresh Saison Terre a Terre. Subtle brett funk and oak, toasty malt and funky plum build to dry, tart finish" (<a href="https://barrelandbeam.com/ales/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Barrel + Beam Spooky Kriek, $7.79/375ml </b>- No commercial description available.</li>
<li><b>Central State Cast No Shadow, $4.09/16oz</b> - "Combining Cascade, Citra, and Simcoe hops with Indiana-malted barley & wheat, this beer is named for a 1922 city ordinance that no building shall be constructed so that it could cast a shadow on Liberty, the statue adorning the top of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Indianapolis" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/cast-no-shadow-on-liberty/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Ottermelon Gose, $3.79/16oz</b> - "Tart and lightly salted wheat beer fermented with Watermelon" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/114047-central-state-ottermelon-gose">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Central State Robur, $3.79/16oz</b> - "Exploring the delicate dance that can take place between beer and oak. We first brewed a simple pale base of Indiana Malted Barley, Wheat and Oats hopped with Citra and Hallertauer Blanc then aged it for several weeks on toasted French Oak staves" (<a href="https://www.centralstatebrewing.com/robur/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Southern Tier Creme Brulee, $4.09/12oz</b> - "The British founders of burnt cream & Spanish founders of crema catalana both stand by their creative originality. We respect that, but it was the French crème brûlée that survived history. How would a brewery determine a likeness to hard-coated custard? Our response is simple; resilience & finesse. Aroma is front & center. Sweet, creamy & uncannily true to the namesake dessert. Contains lactose sugar" (<a href="http://www.stbcbeer.com/beer/creme-brulee/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Short's Hellacious Rock, $2.59/12oz</b> - "An American Double India Pale Ale with bold floral hop aromas of citrus peel and pine. A sizable malt sweetness allows for a balanced presentation of abundant hop flavors, most notably those of sharp grapefruit and fruity berries. The finish is mostly clean with a perfect resiny bitterness, that lingers, but doesn’t overwhelm the palate" (<a href="https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/hellacious-rock/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Petoskey Super Trooper Brown, $2.79/16oz</b> - "Brewed with Columbian coffee beans and donuts from a local producer" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/petoskey-super-trooper-brown-ale/463656/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Video of the Week | Ludington Bay</h2>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qZuwQgTpZuU" width="500"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now available at Siciliano's.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Cheers!</i></b></div>
</div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5925742118209454.post-15182545130818753992018-09-14T07:14:00.000-04:002018-09-14T07:14:10.595-04:00New Beer Friday, Tug is the Drug Edition (Sept 14)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm73D72hlDP4tIrKL-KtaQndcFnbHhAB9xWFQAVyD6-styy9lqBKr9CbrOVnpT0Dl9NRTQmeI6z0_k8AUzodziMrJ_RcngoNPan4BMH4S54unJ15oOc18W9GmzU7FtbBc_xpgjxWR4fH0/s1600/steve-in-montana-with-fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="993" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm73D72hlDP4tIrKL-KtaQndcFnbHhAB9xWFQAVyD6-styy9lqBKr9CbrOVnpT0Dl9NRTQmeI6z0_k8AUzodziMrJ_RcngoNPan4BMH4S54unJ15oOc18W9GmzU7FtbBc_xpgjxWR4fH0/s320/steve-in-montana-with-fish.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve with his fishing fix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Preamble by Steve Siciliano</i><br />
<br />
“The tug is the drug.” —A fly fishing idiom<br />
<br />
It seems like ages since I’ve been able to satisfy my fly-fishing addiction. The last time I felt the tug of a trout at the end of my line was about six weeks ago when my son Chris and I fished a stretch of the Pine just north of Luther. I was reminded that day how physically demanding angling for trout in Michigan can be. After tucking the truck into a clearing on a dirt road we geared up, hiked up a small hill then scrambled over moss-covered logs and through dense patches of brush until we hit the river. It took us about three hours to work our way back upstream. Unfortunately we didn’t have much action that day. Chris netted a decent-sized rainbow but I was daydreaming when I got my one and only hit and after a few rod pulsating seconds the trout shook free. <br />
<br />
The Pine is one of the few rivers in Michigan’s lower peninsula that resembles a western trout stream. It’s rocky, fast and when the water is high it can be difficult to wade. There are times when you have to climb up on the bank to get around a deep hole and you have to stumble through the thick woods until you can skitter back into the river. It’s not easy fishing, especially for an old codger like me who’s had two hip replacements.<br />
<br />
Later that night I was leaning against my neighbor’s deck trying to get him to spill the beans on some of his Little Manistee hot spots when I shifted slightly and felt a sharp pain in my calf. “What the hell!” I thought. I hobbled back to the cottage and before going to bed consumed a large tumbler of bourbon. The pain was still there in the morning so I popped four Advil’s and brooded about the fact there would be no fishing that day. By the time my wife got up I was convinced a blood clot was working its way to my heart and that the grim reaper was rapping on the door. That would mean the end of my fishing.<br />
<br />
“Did the Advil help?” my wife asked coolly when I shared my fears of imminent demise with her.<br />
<br />
I admitted that it did.<br />
<br />
Then it’s not a blood clot,” she said matter of factly. “You’re fine.” I should have known better than to try to elicit sympathy from Barb. Last summer I got a nasty bite on my hand while breaking up a dogfight and my finger ballooned to the size of a hunk of kielbasa overnight. “Suck it up buttercup,” she told me when I suggested that I should probably see a doctor.<br />
<br />
Anyway, back to the pain in my leg. It hung around for about a week and when I felt ready to hit the streams again it began raining and continued to rain for a couple of weeks. It’s not wise for a man my age (recall the two fake hips) to wade in rivers that are nearing flood stage. <br />
<br />
The tug is the drug. It seems like ages since I’ve been able to satisfy my fly-fishing addiction and I’m jonesing for a fix. The other morning I woke up in a cold sweat and now I’m worried that I’m going through withdrawals. When I mentioned that to my wife she looked up from her book and rolled her eyes.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
New and Returning Beer</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Atwater Hey Diddle Diddle, $2.09/12oz</b> - "Brewed with oranges and apricots and finished with a touch of yeast and rose petals" (<a href="https://www.beermenus.com/beers/223863-atwater-hey-diddle-diddle">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Bell's Double Cream Stout, $2.29/12oz</b> - "Named for its velvety smooth, creamy texture, this incredibly rich stout is brewed with 10 different specialty roasted malts chosen that impart notes of rich mocha and espresso. Dark and sweet tones intermingle with a soft, roasty finish" (<a href="https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer/specialty/special-double-cream-stout">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Big Lake Michigan Amber, $2.79/16oz</b> - "A classic Amber Ale made with Lake Michigan water, and locally sourced ingredients" (<a href="http://biglakebrewing.com/beer-type/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Blake's Rosé, $2.19/12oz</b> - "Semi-sweet with a citrus like acidity, this native fermented Rosé was infused with strawberries and rose hips, resulting in a vibrant finish" (<a href="http://www.blakeshardcider.com/rose/?age-verified=dc763b0c18">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Deschutes Schwarzbier, $1.99/12oz</b> - "This full flavored dark lager has some incredible roasty, toasty, nutty, and chocolate notes. Perfect for this time of year when the weather is starting to cool a bit" (<a href="https://www.deschutesbrewery.com/beer/schwarzbier/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Innis and Gunn Gunnpowder, $3.09/12oz </b>- "Our IPA is an explosion of aromas from Cascade, Centennial and Mandarina hops. Think orange, grapefruit and pine turned up to eleven. Its fully charged, hoppy character is perfectly balanced by a sweetness from the Munich malt" (<a href="https://www.innisandgunn.com/item/47/InnisGunn/Gunnpowder-IPA.html">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Odd Side Trendilicious, $2.19/12oz</b> - "India Pale Ale with grapefruit added" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/odd-side-ales-trendilicious/477130/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Rockford Rogue River Brown, $2.09/12oz</b> - "As a two-time Great American Beer Fest winner, this brew is quite the catch. Smooth flowing notes of caramel and maltiness make this ale a refreshing companion to be prized year round. Intrigued? Take the bait and tie one on, you'll be hooked" (<a href="https://www.rockfordbrewing.com/rogue-river-brown">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Saugatuck BBA Imperial Pumpkin Chia, $5.29/12oz</b> - "Some of you may be familiar with one of our past seasonal releases – Pumpkin Chai. While we loved this beer, we decided it was time to kick it up a few notches. We increased the ABV to 9.5% and then aged this delicious concoction in Bourbon Barrels for 8 months. The sweet, strong bourbon flavors are prominent in this beer. The delicate body of this lighter beer is more susceptible to the bourbon flavors and aromas. But don’t worry, we didn’t lose the pumpkin or chai tea flavors here. You will still be hit with strong chai tea up front, followed by a smooth pumpkin finish" (<a href="https://saugatuckbrewing.com/beer/rum-barrel-aged-imperial-pumpkin-chai/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Sierra Nevada Hop Bullet, $1.79/12oz</b> - "Hops are the name of the game with a Double IPA, but we knew we had to take it one step further. With Hop Bullet, we’re using a new technique, hitting the beer with a double-barreled blast of Magnum hops and lupulin dust—pure, concentrated hop flavor—directly into the tank to emphasize the intense pine and citrus flavors of classic West Coast hops" (<a href="https://sierranevada.com/beer/seasonal/hop-bullet-double-ipa">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Sierra Nevada Narwhal, $2.49/12oz</b> - "Narwhal Imperial Stout is inspired by the mysterious creature that thrives in the deepest fathoms of the frigid Arctic Ocean. Featuring incredible depth of malt flavor, rich with notes of espresso, baker’s cocoa, roasted grain and a light hint of smoke, Narwhal is a massive malt-forward monster. Aggressive but refined with a velvety smooth body and decadent finish, Narwhal will age in the bottle for years to come" (<a href="https://sierranevada.com/beer/high-altitude/narwhal-imperial-stout">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Terrapin Luau Krunkles, $1.99/12oz </b>- "Tropical aromas of Passion fruit, Orange and Guava dominate the nose while a big juicy hop flavor and smooth bitterness complement the balance of the beer" (<a href="https://terrapinbeer.com/portfolio-item/luau-krunkles/">source</a>).</li>
<li><b>Uinta Fest Helles, $1.69/12oz</b> - "Fest is a delicate balance of malt and hops. With its bready malt character and grassy aromatics, this German-style lager is the perfect go-to for late Summer drinking, lederhosen optional" (<a href="https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/uinta-fest-helles/432004/">source</a>).</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Pic of the Week | Rockford Brewing</h2>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWhTLbyVn3r9NqQLvjWit20OdDp9jTd-onh4V_wEOJaCB5Z_Cidg3JjcS67V9iVLZXKazuKBxiMHBmVogrBZqlS8desNyDS_sLEXN04BiujjMZOScD73O_I5D03U5rYsXBbocCQiJHlw/s1600/rockford-brewing-rogue-river-brown-nbf-sept-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWhTLbyVn3r9NqQLvjWit20OdDp9jTd-onh4V_wEOJaCB5Z_Cidg3JjcS67V9iVLZXKazuKBxiMHBmVogrBZqlS8desNyDS_sLEXN04BiujjMZOScD73O_I5D03U5rYsXBbocCQiJHlw/s400/rockford-brewing-rogue-river-brown-nbf-sept-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rogue River Brown— Now available at Siciliano's.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Cheers!</b></i></div>
</div>
Chris Sicilianohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04826758055723278433noreply@blogger.com0