New Beer Friday, Farewell Doug Edition (March 20)

Good luck, Doug!

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

It is with mixed emotions that I am prefacing this New Beer Friday with the news that long time staffer Doug Dorda is leaving Siciliano’s Market to take a position as a cellarman at Founder’s Brewing Company.

While I’m pleased that we can add another name to the list of former Siciliano’s employees who are working in the local brewing industry I’m also sorry to see Doug go. His excellent customer service, his knowledge of homebrewing and his passion for craft beer, fine wines and quality spirits have been instrumental in helping Siciliano’s Market maintain its status as one of West Michigan’s premier specialty stores.

I would like thank Doug for his efforts over the past six years and I wish him much success in his future endeavors.

Just a reminder that the window for entry registration for the 12th Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Contest will open Monday, March 23 at 8 a.m. and close Sunday, April 12 at 10 p.m. Complete details can be found on the competition website. Participants will be able to print entry forms and bottle labels off the site after registering their entry.

This year’s Best of Show winner will have the opportunity to brew a double batch of the winning recipe with 2012 contest winner and current pub brewer Russ Smith on Odd Side Ales’ one-barrel pub system. The BOS winner will also receive a $500 gift card to Siciliano’s Market in addition to having his or her name engraved on the prestigious Siciliano’s Cup.

Finally, we are returning to the popular Johnson Park on Saturday, May 16 for the 12th Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Party. Tickets are $40.00 per person and will go on sale Monday, March 23. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Please note that party attendees will again be receiving T-shirts this year and we will be asking for sizes at the time you purchase your ticket. If you are purchasing tickets for a spouse, friend, family member or significant other, you will need to know the correct size. Please don’t guess.

New and Returning Beer

• Summit Hop Silo, $3.09/16oz cans - "Introducing Unchained #18, Hop Silo. Brought to you by Summit Brewer Eric Harper, it’s our first Double IPA. With an intense hop profile of citrus with herbal and pine undertones and a supporting backbone of imported UK malts. Available in 16 ounce cans (another Summit first!) and on draught at select bars, pubs and restaurants." (source).
• Sam Adams Tetravis, $11.19/750ml - "Its deep complexity begins with a molasses sweetness with notes of dark fruits like raisin and fig and develop further with an undercurrent of tart spice from its distinctive Belgian yeast for a truly transfixing brew" (source).
• De Proef Signature Ale, $17.19/750ml - "A stylish and artistic collaborative brewing effort that combines the enormous talents of Dirk Naudts, at Belgium’s De Proef Brewery, and Tomme Arthur of Port Brewing and Lost Abbey in southern California" (source).
• Odd Side Paranoia, $2.49/12oz - "An imperial IPA" (source).
• Weyerbacher Tango, $9.59/750ml - "Tango is a big, bold, Belgian-style dark ale brewed with 1,200 pounds of cherries! Tango pours a beautiful ruby color with a nice fluffy head, offering a very complex aroma of cherries and other dark fruits. The strong 750 ml glass bottle finished with a cork and cage allows the very robust bottle-conditioning responsible for Tango’s effervescence. Dark fruit flavors join the cherries to match up with the strong malt bill with the Belgian yeast adding its 2 cents along the way" (source).
• Green Flash Green Bullet, $8.29/22oz - "A full-bodied Triple IPA, Green Bullet combines New Zealand grown Pacific Gem and Green Bullet hops. Significant pine and citrus hoppiness hit the palate at first sip, accentuated by tropical notes of mango and pineapple, ending with a moderately aggressive, bitter finish" (source).
• New Holland Incorrigible, $4.79/22oz - "Incorrigible celebrates the beauty of mischief. Wild yeasts and bacteria run free in our sour-aging cellar, the House of Funk, creating vibrant sour and acidic character in this delicate, yet complex wheat beer. The refreshingly tart session beer will tease your palate with a subtle, layered nuance" (source).
• Sierra Nevada Hop Hunter, $1.69/12oz - "Hop Hunter IPA harnesses the complex flavors of just-picked hops through an all-new method of steam distilling wet hops before they even leave the fields. This revolutionary technique captures and intensifies the natural flavors, creating a unique and intensely aromatic beer. Our custom process gathers pure hop oil which, when combined with traditional whole-cone hops in the brew kettle and makes for an incredible IPA experience" (source).
• Sierra Nevada Nooner, $1.59/12oz or $18.39/12pk cans - "Gather your friends, pack the gear, and head out to wherever the day may take you. A midday go-to, Nooner is our take on the classic German-style pilsner—one of the original session beers. Nooner is easy drinking yet packed with the big flavor of spicy and floral whole-cone hops. Its brilliant golden color begs you to take a sip and sink your taste buds into an extremely welcoming beer, full of flavor and balanced by a crisp, dry finish" (source).

Early Sign of Spring | New Rosé Wines

• Pellehaut Rosé, $9.19/750ml - "Salmon pink color, slightly pale. Intense nose, very fragrant, characterized by cherry and strawberry which mix of floral notes. Beautifully balanced palate, fresh but not excessive acidity. A beautiful "Harmony" between 5 varieties each bringing their qualities" (source).
• Bargemone Rosé, $16.89/750ml - "Pale cherry color, the rosé wine of Bargemone offers aromas of flowers and red berries, which make it harmonious and balanced" (source).
• Villa Des Anges Rosé, $9.89/750ml - "A light-bodied wine, intensely crisp and vividly fresh, it offers complex aromas of strawberries and red currants, with a hint of quince" (source). 
• Lancyre Rosé, $18.09/750ml - "At Lancyre, rosé has its own special place, firstly because we enjoy it – and not just on summer’s evenings on the patio – but also because it’s a wine that needs attention, finesse and meticulous care. So we grow vines especially for our rosé on two plots of red clay for fruitiness and hard limestone for minerality" (source).

Infographic of the Week

View the expanded infographic on the Brewer's Association website

Cheers!

New Beer Friday, Credit Where Credit's Due Edition (3/13)

Kati

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

I’m very proud of the fact that Siciliano’s Market has garnered accolades as one of Beer City USA’s premier craft beer purveyors but I’m equally pleased that our shop is quietly developing a reputation as one of the best places in town to purchase unique spirits and affordable boutique wines.

Because I’m the one who writes the checks around here, I could take at least some credit for the quality, depth and breadth of our adult beverage selections. But if I'm completely honest, I must admit that there are three members of our staff who deserve to get the majority of recognition.

John

The almost Herculean task of ordering our massive amount of craft beer is the responsibility of certified cicerone Kati Spayde. Kati not only orders the bulk of our beer, she works closely with the local wholesalers to ensure that we receive our fair share of allocations, and she does a great job of keeping up on the dozens of one-offs and seasonal releases.

Ever since John Barecki took over the liquor orders two years ago there has been a dramatic uptick in the quality and number of interesting spirits on our shelves. John is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to bourbons, ryes and scotches, and he is currently focusing on bringing some highly rated aged rums and tequilas into the store.

And last but certainly not least, if you like our offerings of fine wine you have Sarah Derylo to thank for that. Sarah takes great pride in stocking interesting yet extremely affordable wines that can’t be found in the large box chains and grocery stores.

I’d like to publicly acknowledge Kati, John and Sarah for their hard work, passion and dedication. I know for a fact that Siciliano’s Market would not be the store it is without them.

Sarah

New and Returning Beer

• Sam Adams New World Golden Tripel, $11.19/22oz - "Pale gold in color, this ale is big, flavorful and complex. A special Belgian yeast strain adds tropical fruit and spice notes to the crisp dry ale, while Saaz hops add a subtle herbal note" (source).
• Ommegang Glimmerglass, $2.89/12oz - "The name given to our lake by James Fenimore Cooper - is a beautiful body. Nested between gentle mountains, it reflects any object held up to it, just as it reflects our joy at the arrival of each spring. To help celebrate, pour new spring saison offers a perfect balance of maltiness and hops, with a touch of yeasty fruitiness and a whiff of pepper" (source).
• Saugutuck Hop On a Blonde, $2.59/12oz - "We took our classic Oval Beach Blonde and increased the malt profile to boost up the body and the ABV, plus we added a boatload of hop additions to amp up the flavor and bring this beer to a whole new level" (source).
• Southern Tier Where The Helles Summer, $1.69/12oz - "Where the Helles Summer? is a classic German style lager.  These beers originated in the 19th century as a response to Pilsener beers from Czech brewers. Helles is German for “bright.”  In the brewing world we translate it as “light” – light in color and light in alcohol. Where the Helles Summer? is a clean & bready “beer drinker’s beer” balanced with austere noble hop varieties. It’s malt-forward and forward thinking to the warmer days just ahead" (source).
• North Peak Maylem, $3.39/12oz - "Deep copper in appearance, this brew will also please hop-hunters looking for a break, but still in need of bold flavor and aroma, thanks to Amarillo, Willamette and Celia hops" (source).
• North Peak Furry, $1.89/12oz - "North Peak Furry Black India Pale Ale is a complex, easy drinking yet remarkable American Black IPA. Furry is clean and crisp throughout with a Centennial hop finish" (source).
• Shiner Prickly Pear, $1.69/12oz - "This small batch brew is the third in our Limited Edition Brewer’s Pride Craft Brew Series. A combination of Citra and US Golding hops gives this refreshing lager its citrus flavor and floral aroma. The brew’s signature tartness comes from the fruit of the prickly pear, a cactus native to our brewery’s landscape that’s hearty, rugged and unmistakably unique - qualities we surely appreciate" (source).
• Oscar Blues Pinner, $1.69/12oz - "How do you cram as much hop & malt flavor and aroma as possible into a beer but make it crushable too? That’s the challenge we answered with PINNER Throwback IPA. At 4.9% ABV and 35 IBUs, this drinkable IPA uses several varieties of hops to target the ever-evolving flavor. With tropical fruits, citrus juices, pineapple and spice berry up front in the aroma and flavor, the biscuit & toasted bread at the back balance out all the hops and make a great finish to go on to your next can of PINNER. It’s the perfect beer for a little sip, sip, give" (source).
• Dark Horse Sapient, $1.99/12oz - "Why is the Grim Reaper holding a mailbox? Well, that mailbox is from a dead Dark Horse beer. The Grim Reaper better know as "Death" was quite fond of our classic Sapient Summer Wheat Ale. When we changed it into a Belgian Style Triple, Death thought it would only be appropriate to bring something from that beer into this beer. So he picked the mailbox, and we weren’t about to argue with him. You can say what you want about him, but that Death sure has a big heart. So anyway...we brewed this beer with a Trappist yeast strain so it is very traditional. The flavors are incredibly complex with notes of mild fruit and finishes with a bit of clove. Although this beer is higher in alcohol it is very smooth and finishes dry on the palate" (source).
• Brasserie Les 3 Fourquers Lupulus, $11.09/750ml - "Lupulus is a blonde ale with an alcohol proof of 8,5 %, refermented in champagne bottles and in casks. The choice not to filter the beer, as well as not to pasteurize it ensures its taste and aromatic quality" (source).
• Short's Moher Stout, $2.39/12oz - "Moher Stout is a medium bodied double Irish Stout, black in color with a rich brown lace.  Light roast malt and bitter cocoa aromas lead into a big creamy mocha flavor.  Aided by the addition of flaked oatmeal, the finish is exceptionally smooth, with only a slight dryness and moderate roasted bitterness" (source).
• Kona Castaway IPA, $1.69/12oz - "Take a sip of this copper-colored India Pale Ale and you’ll taste bold, citrusy hops with a touch of tropical mango and passion fruit, balanced by the rich caramel malts. Castaway IPA has a clean, crisp finish that’s as refreshing as the wind in your face when you set sale for adventure" (source).
• Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager, $1.69/12oz - "Abita Strawberry Harvest is a lager brewed with pilsner and wheat malts and Vanguard hops. Real Louisiana strawberry juice is added after filtration resulting in a crisp lager with a sweet strawberry flavor, aroma and haze. It is wonderful with desserts or lighter fare such as salads and pastas. Fresh cheeses such as Burrata, chèvre, Crescenza, mozzarella or Teleme pair well with Strawberry Harvest" (source).

Video of the Week | Coldbreak Brewing

Check out these jockey boxes custom built by

GR-based Coldbreak Brewing.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday, Beer Fest Success Edition (March 6)

Beer fest tokens circa 2013

By Steve Siciliano

I’m sure I’m not the only Grand Rapidian who’s happy that February is in the rear view mirror. According to the National Weather Service, the average temperature in the environs of Beer City USA last month was 13.3 degrees, making it the coldest February in GR’s recorded history. Even in mild winters February can be a hard month to slog through in West Michigan. Unless, of course, you’re one of those hardy folks who enjoy skiing, snowmobiling, fishing on frozen lakes or going to outdoor beer festivals.

Judging from the positive comments I heard last Sunday morning from festival attendees who stopped by Siciliano’s to stock up on Michigan beer on their way out of town, the Tenth Annual Michigan Brewers Guild Winter Beer Festival was another huge success. The frigid temperatures last weekend may have done nothing to cool the enthusiasm of these diehard craft beer lovers but they did make dispensing beer rather difficult. It’s a good thing that we had plenty of replacement parts on hand at the store so that the breweries could keep the suds flowing through constantly freezing and consequently breaking kegging systems.

Just a reminder that general registration for the 12th Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Contest will open on Monday, March 9 at 8 a.m. and will close Sunday, April 12 at 10 p.m. The window for entry registration will open Monday, March 23 at 8 a.m. and close Sunday, April 12 at 10 p.m. Complete details can be found on the competition web site. Once your entry is registered you will be able to print entry forms and bottle labels directly from the site.

New and Returning Beer

• Arcadia Whitsun, $1.79/12oz - "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" (source).
• Rogue Rooster Sauce, $14.39/22oz - "ROGUE Sriracha Hot Stout Beer, made from Huy Fong original hot chili sauce and sun ripened Rogue Farms ingredients, is ready to drink with soups, sauces, pasta, pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, chow mein, or anything you'd like to wash down with a spicy kick" (source).
• Odd Side Project Mayhem, $2.59/12oz - "Belgian IPA" (source).
• Dogfish Head Aprihop, $1.99/12oz - "A strong IPA brewed with real apricots and finished with whole leaf Willamette and Cascade hops" (source).
• GreenBush Indespensible, $2.19/12oz - "Indispensable, our 8.4% IPA with mandarina hops is now on tap" (source).
• GreenBush 400 Divine Rabits, $1.99/12oz - "This heavenly brew is sure to satisfy all who you offer it to… and by all, we mean ALL. Two or twenty, be sure to keep enough of this Agave Nectar Wheat Ale on hand lest you anger the gods" (source).
• Great Lakes Chillwave, $3.29/12oz - "Hop-forward with a balanced blend of Mosaic and Nugget hops" (source).
• Saugutuk Back Yard IPA, $1.79/12oz - "A refreshing IPA, light-bodied with a hoppy burst of flavor. This 4.5% ABV Session IPA is ‘the perfect beer if you like to do stuff" (source).
• Leinenkugel Grapefruit Shandy, $1.49/12oz - "Weiss beer brewed with honey with natural flavors added" (source).
• Leinenkugel Summer Shandy, $1.49/12oz - "Beer with natural lemonade flavor" (source).
• Boulder Shake, $1.89/12oz - "Our twist on the traditional robust American Porter, Shake Chocolate Porter is dark black in color with rich, sweet aromatics and flavors of dark chocolate, coffee and caramel. This unique brew blends five different grains, including Chocolate Wheat, that along with cacao nibs create a devilishly delicious chocolate finish with a velvety mouthfeel" (source).
• Abita Spring IPA, $1.69/12oz - "Spring IPA (March-May) is a West Coast-style IPA with an up-front intense hop flavor and aroma. Amarillo and Centennial hops give the brew a rich and resinous flavor of citrus and spice. This bright pale ale has a malt sweetness that will give way to a pleasant bitterness. It pairs well with Mexican or spicy Szechwan Chinese food. Spring IPA is a nice accompaniment for cheeses with strong flavors, like sharp cheddar or goat cheese" (source).

Reminder of the Week | Bread-Making Supplies

Remember, folks. Siciliano's is now carrying bread-making supplies!

Cheers!

New Beer Friday, Updates and Reminders (Feb 27)

A celebrity guest at the first
Big Brew on the Calder.

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

We are very excited about the fact that we now have a dedicated web site for the annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Contests. General registration for the competition will open this year on Monday, March 9 at 8 a.m. and will close Sunday, April 12 at 10 p.m. The window for entry registration will open Monday, March 23 at 8 a.m. and close Sunday, April 12 at 10 p.m. Complete competition details can be found on the site. Once your entry is registered you will be able to print entry forms and bottle labels. Please note that we are loooking for more stewards and qualified judges for the competition. The registration for judging and stewarding is open now. The pertinent information can be found on the competition web site under Volunteer Info.

Just a reminder that the Best-of-Show winner for the 2015 Siciliano’s Homebrew Contest will receive a $500.00 gift card from Siciliano’s Market and will have the opportunity to brew the winning recipe on Odd Side Ales’ one-barrel pub system.

There are still a few open spots for brewing teams for the Third Annual Siciliano’s Big Brew on the Calder. Complete details for the May 2nd event can be found here. Anyone interested in being assigned as a brew team captain can contact Steve at this address: steve@sicilianosmkt.com.

We are returning to the popular Johnson Park on Saturday, May 16 for the 12th Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Party. Tickets are $40.00 per person and will go on sale Monday, March 23. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Please note that party attendees will again be receiving T-shirts this year and we will be asking for sizes at the time you purchase your ticket. If you are purchasing tickets for a spouse, friend, family member or significant other, you will need to know the correct size. Please don’t guess.

New and Returning Beer

• Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA, $1.99/12oz - "This mouthwateringly delicious IPA gets its flavor from a heavy helping of citra and mosaic hops. Don’t worry, no fruit was harmed in the making of this beer" (source).
• Deschutes Black Butte XXVI, $17.19/22oz (limit 1) - "Our 26th anniversary Imperial Porter was aged in bourbon barrels and dry spiced with Theo Chocolate's cocoa nibs, revealing hints of vanilla and chocolate. Pomegranate molasses and Oregon cranberries complement the robust flavor with a hint of fruit and just enough tart to make you smile" (source).
• Deschutes Jubel 2015, $17.19/22oz (limit 1) - "Affectionately referred to as “Super Jubel”, Jubel 2015 is an imperial take on our festive winter ale. Notes of toasted caramel, raisins, dates and figs are complemented by spicy and herbal hop aromas. Originally planned as a once-a-decade-ale; we just couldn’t wait another five years" (source).
• Deschutes Mirror Mirror Oak Aged Barley Wine, $17.19/22oz (limit 1) - "The Reserve Series romance all began with our first release of this limited-edition brew. Mirror Mirror, born of a double batch of Mirror Pond Pale Ale, is an inspired barley wine ale layered with intriguing nuances. Explore this latest incarnation and enjoy its delicious complexity in every sip" (source).
• Deschutes Not the Stoic, $17.19/22oz (limit 1) - "Aged and sequestered in select oak casks. The result – a contemplatively brewed quad created in homage to all those who doubted the original. This unrepentant rendition is definitively Not The Stoic" (source).
• Griffin Claw Mr. Blue Skies, $2.19/16oz - "This American wheat ale is crisp and refreshing light in appearance and a slight haze makes this the perfect summer beer" (source).
• Breckenridge Ophelia, $1.99/12oz - "Subtle hints of citrus round out the complex aroma of Mosaic hops, for a beer so drinkable, it’ll last through multiple acts" (source).
• Shorts Woodmaster, $2.39/12oz - "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" (source).
• Weyerbacher Heresy, $3.39/12oz - "We take our Old Heathen and age it in oak bourbon barrels. The result is our silky smooth Heresy, 8% ABV. The aroma is filled with vanilla, cocoa and roasted coffee. Notes of oak, whiskey, roasted barley and vanilla dance across your taste buds. This dark stout is the perfect accompaniment for hearty stews and roasted meats. Heresy is also great in brownies, poured over ice cream or as that secret ingredient in your favorite icing recipe" (source).

Pic(s) of the Week | Homemade Bread

We're pleased to announce the return of bread ingredients to Siciliano's. Come check out our selection and feel free to use our flour mill to grind your very own whole wheat flour.

Smoked Cheddar Red Pepper Flake No Knead Bread (recipe)

Homemade whole wheat tortillas with fresh-milled flour (recipe)

Pizza Siciliano with fresh-milled flour (recipe)

Roasted Garlic No Knead (recipe)

Green Olive No Knead (recipe)

Cheers!

New Beer Friday, Big Brew News Edition (Feb 20)

On Saturday, May 2, Siciliano’s Market will once again be sponsoring an American Homebrewers Association Big Brew Day at the Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids.

As the sponsor for the Big Brew at the Calder, Siciliano’s Market will be donating and providing the following:

• The ingredients for forty-eight all grain batches of Calder Red Ale.
• Bottled water for brewing. 
• A chilling station capable of simultaneously cooling six kettles of wort.
• Platform hand carts for moving brewing equipment to and from vehicles and transporting kettles of wort to and from the chilling station. 

We are now asking those who wish to participate in this event to complete a sign-up sheet at Siciliano’s Market or contact us (steve@sicilianosmkt.com) with the following information:

• Whether you would like to brew one of the forty-eight batches of Calder Red Ale with your own equipment (mash/lauter tuns, propane burners, kettles, etc.) and be designated as a captain of a brewing team.
• Whether you will need electricity for your brewing system. Spots with electrical access are limited and will be assigned on a first come basis.
• Whether you would like to brew but are unwilling or unable to transport your equipment to the event. In this case you will be assigned to a brewing team. 
• Whether you would like to participate as a member of a specific brewing team. If so, indicate the captain you would like to brew with.
• Whether you wish to participate as a volunteer helper.

While we will do our best to accommodate everyone who would like to participate as a brewer at this event, please keep in mind that the number of donated batches and the number of spots per team is limited. 

Also, just a reminder that we now have a dedicated web site for the annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Contests. General registration for the competition will open this year on Monday, March 9 at 8 a.m. and will close Sunday, April 12 at 10 p.m. The window for entry registration will open Monday, March 23 at 8 a.m. and close Sunday, April 12 at 10 p.m.  Complete competition details as well as bottle label printing can be found on the site. Please note that the registration for judging and stewarding is open now. If you are interested in volunteering as a judge or a steward you can find the pertinent information on the competition web site under Volunteer Info.

New & Returning Beer

Now available at Siciliano's

• Vivant Pothole Stout, $3.39/16oz - "A dark chocolate brown pour with lingering tan head in your glass. Rich roasty coffee notes greet the nose. Creamy, luscious, and balanced on the sip" (source).
• Anderson Valley Blood Orange Gose, $1.99/12oz - "Our Blood Orange Gose is a tart, refreshing wheat ale that is kettle-soured with lactobacillus and brewed with sea salt and coriander.  However, unlike traditional versions of the style, ours features liberal additions of blood oranges during fermentation.  This imparts tangy citrus notes that complement the champagne-like flavors, creating a complex and sessionable ale perfect for any occasion" (source).
• Anderson Valley Spring Hornin' Spring IPA, $2.19/12oz - "With floral, spicy aromas reminiscent of lilacs, white pepper and Bartlett pears, our new Spring Hornin’ IPA embodies the season with a clean malt profile and herbal hop flavors lasting into a dry, refreshing finish" (source).
• Stone Old Guardian, $8.99/22oz - "Barley wines are traditionally hefty brews, but ours is downright excessive. The huge maltiness of this beer is only tamed by an equally prodigious addition of hops, creating a rich, slightly sweet, caramel-hued ale infused with assertive bitterness and bright hop notes, all culminating in a pleasing dryness. While it will evolve into an even more glorious brew with age, this beer's delicious onslaught of flavors will seriously challenge your ability to wait any longer to drink it" (source).
• Stone Extra Hoppy Old Guardian, $8.99/22oz - "2015 is an odd year, so we followed our five-year tradition of brewing a variation of the classic Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine recipe. This year we decided to focus on an extra-hoppy version, using the classic recipe as the base. We dry-hopped the beer with a new hop variety, Azacca…a dwarf variety with a name that sort of sounds to us like an all-powerful genie who lives in a bottle (coincidently enough) that was recently developed in Yakima Valley, Washington, and formerly known by the decidedly less genie-like name of "13-AD-483." We’ve used it before, most notably in last summer's Stone Collaboration beer Beachwood/Heretic/Stone Unapologetic IPA, but this is the first opportunity we’ve had to really showcase the Azacca hop at this level." (source).
• Shorts Chatterbox, $1.69/12oz - "Chatterbox is an American Pale Ale that has inviting hop aromas of sweet orange and tangerine. A balanced presentation of light toasted malt and fruity hop flavors lead into a bold bitterness. Chatterbox’s hoppy characteristics resonate in the finish, creating a very subtle dryness" (source).
• New Belgium Cocoa Mole, $9.19/22oz - "The cult classic returns! Chocolate, cinnamon and chilies combine for a sweet and spicy burst of fun in this Lips of Faith offering. Brewed with deep caramel and dark chocolate malts and a healthy dash of chocolate rye, Cocoa Molé pours midnight dark with a subtle reddish hue, lifting a pillowy burnished head. The cocoa and cinnamon accompany plentiful ancho, guajillo and chipotle chilies to bring the molé merriment to the forefront. Cocoa Molé starts on the tongue with the sweet and finishes with the fine-spun heat of peppers. A worldly contrast in a glass, this beer will get you dancing with Mexican hats" (source).
• Stone Saison Du Buff, $2.49/12oz (limit 1 per) - "This beer is collaboration between Dogfish Head, Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, CA) and Victory Brewing Company (Downingtown, PA). The idea for this beer germinated way back in 2003 when the three guys (Sam from Dogfish, Greg from Stone and Bill from Victory) formed the BUFF alliance (Brewers United for Freedom of Flavor) - a noble endeavor with the goal to highlight the passion and camaraderie of the American craft brew movement. So, BUFF didn't really do anything (beyond talk a lot of talk) until 2010 when the three brewers finally got together to jointly brew at beer at the Stone Brewery. Saison du BUFF was first brewed at Stone and then replicated at each of the other two breweries - same recipe, same ingredients, three different breweries throughout 2010. The brewers have a repeat performance planned for 2012! Saison du BUFF is a 6.8% ABV Saison brewed with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. The beer is brewed three times, once at each brewery using the same recipe." (source).

GR Beer Week Beer Tastings

In honor of Grand Rapids Beer Week (2/22 through 2/28), we will be hosting four tastings next week with the following breweries. All tastings are from 5 p.m. to 7p.m.

• Bell's (Monday, 2/23)
• Dark Horse (Tuesday, 2/24)
• Arbor Brewing Co. (Wednesday, 2/25)
• Cellar Brewing (Thursday, 2/26)

Drink of the Week | The Bloody Mitten

The Bloody Mitten is an all-Michigan version of your favorite morning mixed drink. Featuring Valentine vodka, McClure's Bloody Mary mix and a sidecar of Third Coast Beer from Bell's Brewery. All ingredients available now at Siciliano's!

Cheers!

New Beer Friday, Keeping You Informed Edition (Feb 13)

Medals from a previous year

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

Team Siciliano has been putting a lot of time in lately working out the specifics of our annual trio of spring homebrewing events. Running a good-sized homebrew competition, organizing a massive Big Brew Day in downtown Grand Rapids and throwing a large celebration of homebrewing in a county park may be a lot of work, but I can’t think of more rewarding ways to give thanks to our loyal customers for their continued support.

Information regarding the 12th Annual Homebrew Contest was presented in a previous post and is now listed on the competition web site. More detailed information on the 3rd Annual Big Brew on the Calder and the 12th Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Party will be coming shortly. In the meantime here are a few of the pertinent details.

• Despite the inclement weather our second Big Brew Day was another huge success and if Mother Nature cooperates this May I’m confident that the 2015 edition will be even better. The 3rd Annual Siciliano’s Big Brew at the Calder is scheduled for Saturday, May 2.  Details on how to captain or participate on a team will be posted in the February 20th edition of New Beer Friday.
• We are returning to the popular Johnson Park on Saturday, May 16, for the 12th Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Party. Tickets will be $40.00 per person and will go on sale Monday, March 23. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance.
• General registration for the competition will open this year on Monday, March 9, at 8 a.m. and will close Sunday, April 12, at 10 p.m. Complete competition details as well as bottle label printing can be found on the competition site. Please note that the registration for judging and stewarding is open now. Anyone who is interested in volunteering as a judge or a steward for the competition can find pertinent information under Volunteer Info.

Just a reminder that the Best-of-Show winner for the 2015 Siciliano’s Homebrew Contest will receive a $500.00 gift card from Siciliano’s Market and will have the opportunity to brew the winning recipe on Odd Side Ales’ one-barrel pub system.

Finally, I’ve had a few inquiries as to whether we’ll be using the new BJCP guidelines for this year’s competition. The 2014 guidelines have been drafted but have not officially been adopted and the BJCP is asking that they not yet be used in competitions. In view of this, we will be using the 2008 guidelines for the 2015 competition.

New and Returning Beer

• Dark Horse Reign in Blood Orange, $2.19/12oz - "A pale ale made with blood orange peels & fruit" (source).
• Dark Horse Plead the 5th Imperial Stout, $3.29/12oz (limit 4 per) - "It's big and full bodied with lots of roasted malts and balanced with heavy hops to put this imperial in a league of its own" (source).
• Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree,  $4.49/12oz (limit 4 per) - "Have you read the description for the regular Crooked Tree yet? Well this beer is almost the same just double. 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. Although this beer is as cool as "the Fonz" when first purchased, it gets really mellow and smooth with some age. After a year or two stored in a cool dark place you'll notice the heavy caramel and malt flavors are trying to sneak past the hops, they’re just not fast enough. This beer is hugely delicious so it will need your undivided attention" (source).
• Coronado Brewing / Devils Backbone Devils Tail IPA, $8.19/22oz - "This is a tale of shared passion, mojo and simpatico that spells the impetus of this fine collaboratively birthed IPA. Picture it, Washington D.C., May 2014: Brewers hailing from both sides of the country find each other in a tightly packed room. They share beers, stories and laughs, forming a friendship that will stretch far beyond SAVOR, the two-day beer-and-food fete that’s brought them together. Skip ahead to fall of the same year and it’s plain to see, 2014 has been a good year for both factions, with Coronado Brewing Company being named Champion Mid-Sized Brewing Co. and Brewmaster at the World Beer Cup and Devils Backbone Brewing Company capturing Mid-Sized Brewery of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival. Such feats are made to be celebrated and, in the brewing industry, beer is how that’s done. This is the first of two collaboration beers this dynamic duo will brew-an IPA collaboration with Virginia’s award winning Devils Backbone Brewing Company. This beer has bright citrus and tropical fruit character care of Centennial and Mosaic hops, plus a burst of woody rusticity from the Northern Brewer hops. Consider it Chapter One of an epic saga that’s only getting started" (source).
• Triporteur From Heaven, $5.29/12oz - "A heavily hopped beer brewed using home-baked malt. Triporteur From Heaven is the modern version of traditional hopped Belgian ale. It is a heavenly beer brewed with home-baked BOM malt" (source).
• Triporteur From Hell, $5.29/12oz - "Triporteur From Hell is a dark beer brewed with hellish burned and roasted BOM malt. The beer reminds us of chocolate, caramel, recently brewed coffee and freshly baked bread. The wheat malt in the unfiltered beer can cause a slight cloudiness. The taste of Hell keeps evolving in the bottle" (source).
• Dupont Triomfbier Vooruit, $11.99/22oz - "Brewed only once before in celebration of the 100 year anniversary of the Vooruit art center in Ghent. An innovative updated version of the classic Saison style made with the addition of smoked crystal malt. Brewed with the same yeast used to make the award-winning and world famous Saison Dupont. A Belgian Smoked Saison with citrus flavors of sweet orange peel and grapefruit balance with a hint of campfire smoke. An easy-drinking session beer that will please even the most sophisticated beer lover" (source).
• 5 Quinto Belgian Blonde Ale, $6.09/12oz - "Brewed for the opening of the new Dilewyns brewery and sold as Dilewyns Openingsbier. Marketed since 2012 as Vicaris Quinto" (source).
• Gruut Belgian Wit, $3.99/12oz - "Gruut is an ancient Flemish coin. In medieval Ghent, brewers used Gruuts to pay taxes on the richness of their brew. Gentse Stadsbrouwerij has revived this tradition with Gruut Wit Beer. Enjoy it’s natural cloudiness, golden color, and refreshing finish (source).
• Lupus Wolf 7, $4.79/12oz - "Golden beer with a beautiful firm white head. In the aroma you distinguish mainly vanilla, white pepper and some fruity scents. The main palate is soft sweet, creamy with a sober alcohol impression. In the aftertaste you notice some stone fruits (peach, nectarine) and a soft and smooth bitterness is elegantly present. In short, a savoury blond with a complaisant character" (source).
• Lupus Wolf 9, $4.79/12oz - "Deep-amber coloured beer with a dense rocky head. It has a fruity aroma with scents of banana and pear. The palate is sweet and fruity, with some apricot. The finish is strong and spicy, with a sweet, warm alcohol impression" (source).
• Shepherd Neame Spitfire, $2.19/12oz - "An infusion of three Kentish hops adorns this beautifully balanced, blood-orange tinted British bitter with an acutely aromatic allure. Hints of marmalade, red grapes and pepper are thrust from a springboard of warm, mellow malts. The floating fruity finish signs off with a smidgen of spice and raspberry" (source).
• Dinkelacker Schwaben Bräu Das Naturtrübe, $4.19/500ml - "Das Naturtrübe is an unfiltered natural Pilsener beer which has been brewed from selected ingredients. Brewed according to all rules of brewery and the German Reinheitsgebot, this beer will be the perfect choice for all experts and lovers of extraordinary beers" (source).
• Schmohz Barley Wine, $5.99/12oz - "A very special celebration ale, crafted from unbelievable amounts of barley and hops. Enjoy the complex hop tones as you warm the glass in your hand and smell the gentle roasts. Citrus and plum flavors will dance on your tongue as you taste each sip. Enjoy in moderation with friends to take the edge off the cold days of winter" (source).
• Weyerbacher Insanity, $4.29/12oz - "Insanity, 11.1% ABV, is made by aging our Blithering Idiot Barleywine Ale in whiskey barrels. The barrel aging imparts an additional level of complexity to an already intense malt profile by adding a combination of vanilla, oak and whiskey notes" (source).
• Weyerbacher Tiny, $9.29/22oz - "Tiny is a Belgian inspired Imperial Stout weighing in at 11.8% ABV. You’ll find big chocolate and roasted notes, balanced with the Belgian flavors from the Abbey yeast strain" (source).
• Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot, $3.39/12oz - "Blithering Idiot, 11.1% ABV, is brewed in the British tradition of balanced, hearty ales.  It’s a deep-copper ale with notes of date and fig. The finish is warm and fruity and begs for the next sip" (source).
• Weyerbacher Double Simcoe, $3.39/12oz - "Double Simcoe IPA, 9.0% ABV, is a full flavored ale with hints of pineapple and citrus up front, a good malt backbone in the middle and a clean finish" (source).
• Weyerbacher Merry Monks, $2.69/12oz - "Merry Monks, 9.3% ABV, is a Belgian-style Tripel. Pilsner malt combined with an Abbey yeast strain yields a remarkable and complex flavor packed with notes of spice, banana and pear. Nicely balanced, with a moderate to dry finish" (source).
• Weyerbacher LAst Chance IPA, 2.29/12oz - "Last Chance IPA, 5.9% ABV, is a full-flavored hop assault delightfully lacking in balance. We’ve added a combination of Centennial, Cascade, Simcoe® and Columbus hops to produce pungent aromas of grapefruit, pine and citrus" (source).

Book of the Week | Grand Rapids Beer

Grand Rapids Beer by Pat Evans is now available at Siciliano's.

Cheers!

New Beer Friday, Homebrew Contest Edition (Feb 5)

Will you be the next winner
to drink from the Siciliano Cup?

By Steve Siciliano

From its humble beginnings twelve years ago, the Siciliano’s Homebrew Contest has evolved into West Michigan’s premier homebrew competition. We are pleased to announce that this year’s Best of Show winner will have the opportunity to brew a double batch of the winning recipe with 2012 contest winner and current pub brewer Russ Smith on Odd Side Ales’ one-barrel pub system. The fact that the BOS winner will also receive a $500 gift card to Siciliano’s Market in addition to having his or her name engraved on the prestigious Siciliano’s Cup should provide even more incentive to tweak those recipes, fire up those burners and get those competitive homebrew juices going.

Please see below for contest rules and regulations for the 12th Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Contest. Best of luck everyone!

1. Every homebrewer is allowed one (1) beer entry. All entries must be brewed by the registrant. Please do not submit entries under the names of significant others, etc.
2. Beers are submitted according to the BJCP Style Guidelines. Ciders and meads are excluded from this contest. If you are not sure which is the correct style for your beer, contact us and we will help.
3. Entries require two (2) plain, unlabeled/unmarked 12-ounce amber bottles. Please no clear bottles or bottles of any other size.
4. We are currently working on setting up new competition website for the Siciliano’s homebrew contests. More information regarding the online entry format will be detailed as we near the opening of registration, including the website URL, directions on how to enter your beer and label printing.
5. The entry fee is $6.00, cash or check only.
6. The total number of contest entries will be capped at 250. Don’t delay in submitting your entry. Once the cap is reached no additional entries will be accepted.
7. Online registration for entries will be accepted from Monday, March 23, through Sunday April 12, or until 250 entries are submitted, whichever occurs first.
8. You will have until Wednesday, April 15 to drop off entries at Siciliano’s Market. 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 

All entries in the Siciliano’s Homebrew contest will be 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 in Show. Entries that receive scores falling within designated point totals will be awarded bronze, silver or gold medals.

Judging for this year’s competition will take place Saturday, April 25. Winner of Best of Show will be announced and the awards ceremony will be held Saturday, May 16, at the 12th Annual Siciliano’s Homebrew Party. Entrants need not be present to win. Those not attending the party may pick up their medals at Siciliano’s Market beginning Monday, May 18, or request to have their medals mailed by contacting the competition organizer at steve@sicilianosmkt.com.

New and Returning Beer

• Arbor Phat Abbot Triple, $2.79/12oz - "This traditional Belgian-style triple is strong, fruity, and slightly sour. It starts with a big malt presence, followed up by a pronounced candy sugar sweetness, and balanced with a spicy hop finish. A must-try" (source).
• Bell's Consencrator Doppelbock, $2.79/12oz - "Consecrator is a traditional doppelbock-style fermented with a Bohemian lager yeast. Reddish brown in color, with a mild hop profile, Consecrator is a well balanced, full bodied beer with hints of caramel and molasses in its smooth, malty finish. Brewed for a Fat Tuesday release" (source).
• Angry Orchard Hop Madness, $1.69/12oz - "Newest hopped cider with bright apple sweetness that is compliments by floral notes from the Strisselspalt hops and tropical notes from the Galaxy hops. All the hop goodness and none of the hop bitterness" (source).
• Stone Delicious IPA, $1.99/12oz - "While our beers are many and diverse, yet unified by overarching boldness, India pale ales are our undeniable bread and butter. We’ve brewed many over the past 18 years, from double-down bitter bombs to piney session sippers. Whether it’s big IBUs or a precise ABV, there’s usually a target we’re shooting for. The same is true of this, our latest IPA, but we gave zero thought to any acronyms. This one was all about packing as much unique and, you guessed it, delicious flavor into a glass as humanly possible, regardless of oomph or octane. This intensely citrusy, beautifully bitter beer is worthy of the simple-yet-lordly title of Stone Delicious IPA. Lemondrop and El Dorado hops combine to bring on a magnificent lemon candy-like flavor that’s balanced by hop spice. It’s unlike anything we’ve tasted in nearly two decades of IPA experimentation, and another lupulin-laced creation we’re excited to introduce to hopheads everywhere" (source).
• De Troch Gueuze, $7.79/12.7oz - "The beverage testing institute recognized De Troch Chapeau Gueuze Lambic with a Golden Medal" (source).
• Abita Strawberry Cans, $1.69/12oz - "Abita Strawberry Harvest is a lager brewed with pilsner and wheat malts and Vanguard hops. Real Louisiana strawberry juice is added after filtration resulting in a crisp lager with a sweet strawberry flavor, aroma and haze. It is wonderful with desserts or lighter fare such as salads and pastas. Fresh cheeses such as Burrata, chèvre, Crescenza, mozzarella or Teleme pair well with Strawberry Harvest" (source).
• Atwater Poorboy Smoked Porter, $2.19/12oz - "Poured black with an average light brown frothy head that was mostly lasting with very good lacing. Moderate to heavy smoke and toasted malt aroma. Medium body with a dry smooth texture and flat carbonation. Medium to heavy toasted sweet malt and smoke flavor with a medium to heavy dark sweet finish of moderate duration" (source).
• Odd Side Jesse's Party IPA, $2.29/12oz - "Pours a deep orange with a medium head that laces nicely as it dies down and aromas of peaches, orange blossom, pear and mango. It’s an interesting blend, that’s for sure… not a typical resin blast. Flavor is more of the juicy/fruity part of the nose than anything else" (source).
• Boatyard Hold Fast Pale Ale, $6.09/22oz - "Hold Fast is a simple, yet delicious pale ale made in a truly American style.  The crystal malts and brown sugar add a touch of caramel and toffee flavors.  A great selection of American grown hops provide for floral and citrus notes that make this pale ale very easy to drink.  This pale ale is easy to drink and friendly with most foods" (source).
• Boatyard Kay-Lips-O Chocolate, $6.69/22oz - "To honor all of the lovely “Kays” in their life, Dan and Brian created Kay-Lips-Chocolate Milk Stout.  This stout starts with a base malt loaded with chocolate, black and Midnight wheat malts.  To compliment those rich dark flavors, lactose was added to smooth out the texture and produce a silky mouth feel.  The lactose also leaves a little residual sweetness and creates a thick, creamy head.  Right after fermentation, the addition of a rich chocolate extract produces great flavor without being overwhelming.  This stout is great all alone and made better with a scoop of vanilla gellato" (source).
• Short's Goodnight Bodacious, $2.39/12oz - "Goodnight Bodacious has the maltiness of a barleywine and the hoppiness of an India Pale Ale. A rich, hoppiness dominates the aroma, with earthy and loamy scents. A medium body presents big, bitter black barley and roasted coffee flavors, with subtle compliments of dark fruit and green hops. Strong alcohol flavors and pleasant warming qualities become more noticeable as the beer approaches room temperature" (source).

Picture of the Week

Inside Ridge Cider Co., a very cool new cidery
opening this sping on M-37.

Cheers!