This week's list of new and returning products follows a few words about a fly fishing trip to Idaho
Preamble by Steve Siciliano
The late Pete Hamlin once told me that you always remember the big ones that get away and while I never heeded my good buddy's unsolicited advice about women (he was married six times) and we didn't quite see eye to eye on politics (he was a die hard Libertarian), when it came to the subject of fly fishing I have to admit that the old codger's philosophical pontifications were always on point.
The sinking feeling of losing a trophy trout at the boat on the Madison last summer haunts me to this day and Barb still talks about that huge brown that she lost on the Beaverhead three years ago after a forty-five-minute fight. And for the past three weeks or so I’ve been dissecting and analyzing an all too brief tussle with a lunker rainbow that broke me off on the Snake River in Idaho.
The Snake is a big river. It rises in western Wyoming and flows through Idaho's Snake River Plain before turning north and emptying into the Columbia River in Washington. There are twenty-two dams on the upper and middle stretches Six are used for the generation of electricity, the rest provide water for irrigation. During periods of scarce rainfall more water is released from the reservoirs which is good for the potato farmers, not so good for fly anglers. During our visit the river was running at18,000 cubic feet per second, about double the average for that time of year, which made for some pretty challenging fishing.
Despite the high water flows Barb and I had a productive four days on the river. We caught and released our fair share of trout--a scattering of browns and a good number of acrobatic rainbows, but the majority were beautiful native cutthroats. I tied into the aforementioned rainbow seconds after Barb latched onto a hard fighting cuttie--a rare double hookup. Barb landed her fish but after mine went airborne it bee-lined upriver and rather than letting the brute run I reefed down on the fly line, snapping the leader and eliciting a mild scolding from the guide. I can only imagine the brutal tongue lashing I would have gotten from Pete.
Our base of operations for our five day visit was the Teton Valley Lodge. The rustic but well maintained operation sits in a wide valley on the banks of the Teton River with the majestic Tetons to the east and the Big Hole Range to the west. Guests have their own well appointed cabin, each with a porch where you can relax with a cigar and a tumbler of bourbon after a long day on the river.
When you're casting large flies all day you need to keep your strength up and the lodge provides excellent meals to ensure that no angler goes hungry. It also offers all the complimentary craft beer and fine wine you can handle.
On our last day we fished the stretch of the Teton River right in front of the lodge then spent the afternoon floating a gorgeous section of the South Fork. My last fish of the trip was a diminutive six inch brown that I hooked just before the takeout. Landing the pipsqueak was a bit anticlimactic but as I released the little aquatic jewel I remembered what old Pete used to tell me. "If it's a trout, it damn well counts."
Featured Wines of the Week
Due Torri, 2020, Pinot Grigio, Italy, $12.49/750ml- DueTorri Pinot Grigio is an exquisite dry white, fragrant on the nose bursting with citrus fruit aromas. It is fresh on the palate with an excellent balance of acidity and minerality. Vinified entirely in stainless steel, enjoy this wine in its youth for maximum fruit expression. (Source)
Donati, Sisters Forever, 2019, un-oaked Chardonnay, California, $12.49/750ml- TASTING NOTES - AROMA – LEMON FRESHNESS, LIME MERENGUE, BANANA CREAM PIE. PALATE – STONE FRUIT AND MARSHMALLOW FLUFF, BALANCED ACIDS. FINISH – TANGERINE AND LIME LINGER ON PALATE, RICH FULLNESS. (Source)
Prisma, 2020, Sauvignon Blanc, Chile, $12.79/750ml- This hand-harvested, un-oaked, 100% Sauvignon Blanc is produced from a blend of two Casablanca Valley vineyards: Belén and El Principal. The sandy, clay soils and cool, coastal climate contribute to a bright, fresh character in the wine. Passionate Fruit and Mango jump out of the glass with underlying citrus notes of lemon, lime, and grapefruit, combined with a mineral undertone lead to a crisp, elegant, and well-balanced finish. (Source)
Buy three or more bottles of wine get 10 % off.
"It's our mission at Siciliano's to sell quality wine at affordable prices
Featured Spirits of the Week
Glencadam, 'origin 1825', Highland single malt whisky, Scotland, $47.39/750ml- Glencadam Distillery opened in 1825 and since then little has changed.
A very special collection of casks were chosen for the Origin 1825 edition. The final selection consisted of a unique marriage of whisky matured in first-class American white-oak bourbon barrels with whisky “finished” in the finest Spanish Oloroso Sherry butts. (Source)
Glen Scotia, Campbeltown Malts Festival 10yr single malt whisky, Scotland, $84.19/750ml- The Campbeltown Malts festival takes place in May each year and is a celebration of all that is unique and special surrounding Campbeltown and it's whisky making heritage.
To celebrate the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2021, we have created a 10 year old, unpeated single malt, finished in first fill Bordeaux red wine casks. Bottled at 56.1%, this single malt combines the Glen Scotia distillery character of maritime influence, fruity notes with a hint of spice, married with succulent red berries, citrus and sweet honey. (Source)
New and Returning Products
Atwater Blocktoberfest, $1.99/12oz-Absolutely traditional in design and execution, Atwater’s Bloktoberfest exhibits bready, nut-like characters with a clean, light sweetness brought to heel by a crisp hop finish. (Source)
Atwater Pumpkin Spice, $1.99/12oz-Pumpkin Spice Latte features a Munich Dark malt which lends a walnut-like presence, Honey malt which lends a light honey note and Melanoidin malt which lends a bright sweetness. Flaked Barley creates a full mouthfeel. Our Pumpkin Spice and Coffee Extracts are custom designed locally and provide a balanced representation of this seasonal fascination. (Source)
Barrel + Beam Bliss, $4.39/16oz-Farmhouse Kellarbier, lagered in Oak, featuring Michigan ingredients. Naturally Carbonated with Michigan Beet Sugar. (Source)
Barrel + Beam Lime Wit, $8.69/375ml
Hop Butcher Giardiniera, $4.89/16oz-Citra, El Dorado & Mosaic-hopped Double India Pale Ale. (Source)
Hop Butcher Loophole Technicality, $4.89/16oz-Amarillo, Strata & Galaxy-hopped Double India Pale Ale
Middle Coast Breakout, $3.29/16oz
North Peak Dauntless, $1.89/12oz-Brewed with a traditional Munich lager yeast, Dauntless is a copper colored malt forward salute to the Oktoberfest celebration taking place in Germany every year since 1810. Tettnang and Hallertauer hops compliment the malt flavors by adding subtle, spicy hop notes. Malty, smooth and eminently drinkable. (Source)
Old Nation Oktoberfest, $2.99/16oz
Rake Beer Project Marley, $3.29/16oz-100% Brettanomyces fermented Tart Table Beer.
Saugatuck Pumpkin Chai, $1.89/12oz
Shorts Sabrotage, $1.29/12oz-We harnessed all the complex flavor of the one-and-only Sabro for an IPA that’s bright, tropical and citrusy while being delightfully bitter with hints of herbaceousness. (Source)
Southern Tier Warlock, $4.09/12oz-The unbeatable Pumking recipe was adapted for the stout beer style in 2011. Dark and mysterious, reignite your senses with Warlock's huge roasted malt character, moderate carbonation and a spiced pumpkin aroma. (Source)
Stem Chili Guave, $3.09/12oz-A blend of off-dry cider made from fresh pressed apples from the Pacific Northwest, guava puree infused with guajillo and ancho chiles. Now a year round favorite, this cider is packed in guava goodness, smoky, and mild with a soft lingering heat on the finish. (Source)
Stem Paloma, $3.09/16oz-A fresh new twist on the classic cocktail. Made from fresh pressed apple juice, grapefruit, key lime juice, agave, black peppercorns, and juniper berries. This off-dry cider is crisp, citrusy, bright, and peppery with a smooth agave finish. (Source)
Stem Real Dry, $2.99/12oz-Cider - Dry
Tightheads Bears Choice, $3.19/16oz-American IPA brewed with a mix of base, specialty, and aromatic malts combined with the mango and tangerine citrus from copious amounts of Mosaic hops create a perfectly balanced IPA. (Source)
Tightheads Chili Water, $3.19/16oz
Tightheads Irie IPA, $3.79/16oz-A malty and complex IPA which support the generous amount of Chinook, Centennial and Columbus hops. American Ale yeast ferments this beer cleanly allowing the dank hop qualities to shine though… IRIE Mon! (Source)
Tightheads Scarlet Fire, $3.19/16oz-Irish/American style Red Ale. The name is reference to the often played combination of Grateful
Dead song’s Scarlet Begonias and Fire on the Mountain. This beer features a great balance of malt sweetness from caramel malt and subtle toasty notes from roasted
barley. Brewed with American Ale yeast, and East Kent Golding hops, it pays tribute to its heritage as an Irish Red Ale. (Source)
Trail Point Druken Hank, $5.49/16oz-Bourbon barrel aged Old ale/strong ale.
Trail Point Perked Up Kilts, $5.49/16oz-Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
Transient Electric Mayhem, $3.79/16oz-Mango, chili, lactose, lime
Transient Hyper Drive, $4.89/16oz-IPA - Imperial / Double
Upland Oktoberfest, $1.99/12oz-Our Oktoberfest is a traditional Bavarian lager featuring all-German malts and rare German hops. This dedication to authenticity produces a beer that would be as at home in Munich as it is here in the Midwest United States. The aroma is authentic, the taste sweet and malty, and the finish crisp and hoppy; perfect for a beautiful fall day! (Source)