This week's list of new and returning products follows a few words about old Lake County barns
Preamble by Steve Siciliano
When I drive to one of my favorite fishing spots on the Sauble I pass by an old barn on the edge of an overgrown field. Unlike many old barns it has gracefully survived the passing of years. There are no boards missing in its weathered walls. The metal roof is rusted and worn but still intact.
Maybe someday after a few snorts of bourbon I’ll have the cojones to disregard the "No Trespassing" signs and slither under the wire fence next to the dirt road. Hopefully there won't be a padlock on the large swinging door and after making sure the coast is clear I'll pull on the antique iron latch. I'll slip inside and as I wait for my eyes to adjust to the dusty gloom I'll breathe in the fading scents of local history.
Maybe the folks who raised that barn were some of the Lithuanian immigrants who made their way to the northwest part of Lake County in the early 1900's. Perhaps they fell for the line of a fast talking real estate agent who promised open fields and fertile soil. What they got instead were acres of white pine stumps, a scattering of hard woods and sandy ground suitable only for cultivating pickles and potatoes. After a few years some left for greener pastures. Many of the area's roads, creeks, lakes and towns bear the names of the hardy folks who stuck it out.
It's easy to forget that before city dwellers began trekking north to their Lake County cottages there were people who put down roots and called the area home. The old barns that I come across while driving around on the rural county roads help to remind me of that.
Featured Wines of the Week
Treasure Hunter, Trophy Wife, Chardonnay, California, 2018, $17.99/750ml- Trophy Wife is an exquisite ravishing wine. It’s taut and tight from daily workouts but really opens up when it’s top is a bit exposed. All thoughts on how pricey this beauty will vanish once you get a taste. BUT, since it’s a Treasure Hunter wine, it’s within reach - the best of both worlds. This wine is a golden-hued blonde with creamy long legs and a wink of coastal charm. Trophy Wife is terroir-driven with aromas of chamomile and lemongrass and a blush of apricot and tropical Star Fruit. A luxurious hint of lemon custard complements the well-balanced acidity. (Source)
Provenence, Rose, non-vintage, France, $10.49/750ml- Refreshing & balanced, Provenence perfectly exemplifies joie de vivre! The color is a stunning, light rose-petal pink and lively citrus aromas abound. Fleshy notes of white peach and nectarine lead into honeysuckle, zesty pink grapefruit, and juicy strawberry flavors, followed up with a backbone of great acidity and a round mouthfeel. The delicate salinity on the finish leave you wanting another sip! (Source)
Merkin Vineyards, Shinola Red Blend, 2018, $26.19/750ml- Our Italian based red blend. 95% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon from Buhl Memorial Vineyard in Willcox, AZ. (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
Hamilton 86, Demerara River Rum, $26.29/750ml- Deep Amber rum distilled from fermented molasses. Aged up to five years. This blend of aged Demerara rums is bottled at 86 proof to bring the full flavor to tiki and other cocktails that call for Demerara rum. Rich flavors of dark, stone fruit, smoky wood, burnt cane, treacle and brown spice. Despite being much lower proof than the Hamilton Rum at 151 proof, this is bottled from the same bulk rum blend. (Source)
Ardbeg, Uigeadail single malt, Scotland, $86.29/750ml-Rich and weighty with heady and smoky aromatics. At full strength, the initial aroma is a beguiling mix of warm Christmas cake, walnut oil and parma violets fused with fresh ocean spice, cedar and pine needles falling from the Christmas tree. A smouldering coal fire and the scent of well-oiled leather brings warmth. The sweetness of treacle toffees and chocolate-coated raisins emerge through the smoke. With water, the deep smokiness increases in intensity, reminiscent of a fired Christmas pudding. Rich flowering currants and warm baked banana and walnut bread are served with simmering mocha espresso. Full flavoured and rich with a deep mouth-coating texture, the taste is an intriguing balance between sweet, spicy and deep smoky flavours. The flavour is initially sweet. A burst of winter spices sets off a smoky-spicy explosion countered by a sumptuous mid-palate of honey glazed smoked food and chewy treacle. Waves of deep smoky tones and rich aromas build up on the palate like a fine Montecristo cigar. (Source)
Luxardo, Sour Cherry Flavored Gin, Italy, $37.89/750ml- Deep red in color, Luxardo Sour Cherry Gin has a pungent marasca cherry aroma with intense juniper notes. The initial taste is typical of gin with spicy and long lasting sour aftertaste. Luxardo Sour Cherry Gin can be used to twist many classic cocktails such as the Martinez and the Gin Fizz, or it can be enjoyed neat or over ice as an after dinner drink. (Source)
New and Returning Products
Brew Detroit Hala Kahiki, $1.49/12oz - No commercial description
Brewery Vivant Beach Patrol, $3.79/16oz - Refreshing, zesty and light. This is your companion to Michigan summer days and nights, pool days, backyard grilling, lake trips, boat rides, and everything we love to do in the Sun! (Source)
Collective Arts Ultras Soft, $4.39/16oz - Since we can't hang out in person these days, we teamed up remotely with our pals @stillwater_artisanal to help support the hospitality industry! Featuring Mosaic, Hallertau Blanc, and of course, Cashmere hops, Ultra Soft is a limited release DIPA that won’t last long. But please don’t feel the need to stockpile, this beer is best enjoyed fresh! Net proceeds of this collaboration are going towards hospitality workers: Bartenders Emergency Assistance Program and Bartenders Benevolent Fund. Help support the wonderful people who serve you delicious beer! (Source)
Drafting Table Coffee with a Blond, $2.79/16oz - Easy drinking blonde ale made with Higher Grounds coffee from Traverse City, MI. The coffee flavor is accompanied by a sweet finish and hints of honey & toasted malt. (Source)
Drafting Table Mosiac Waves, $3.79/16oz - This hazy IPA is brewed and dry hopped with all Mosaic hops. It has an apricot and peach aroma with a bright juicy hop flavor. This beer is brewed with wheat. (Source)
Dugges Chinook Citra Denali, $4.89/16oz - No commercial description
Fat Orange Cat I Don't Like Monday's, $3.79/16oz - Galaxy, Mosaic and Simcoe hops.
Grand Armory Blurred Limes, $2.19/12oz - Everybody get up! Blurred Limes is highlighted by flaked maize, lime, and Cascade hops that creates a distinctive Key Lime Pie flavor. We know you want it! (Source)
Hoof Hearted Mom Jeans, $5.69/16oz - Ever wondered what your favorite stout would taste like if it was wearing silk pajamas? Well the wait is over, Mom Jeans was brewed with malted oats and lactose sugar to insure a creamy, sumptuous, saxually mouth coating flavor. Notes of malted milk chocolate & coffee are delivered as smoothly as if Toto was jamming "Rosanna" in your mouth. (Source)
Hoof Hearted Teletrilldonics, $3.79/16oz - Farmhouse pale ale
Hopewell Cold Brew, $3.29/16oz - Cold Brew is borne out of our love of iced coffee in the summertime. Subdued dark malts lay the foundation for heavy doses of coffee, resulting in a beer as refreshing and tasty as its inspiration. Brewed in collaboration with Metric Coffee. (Source)
Hopewell Foeder Saison, $3.79/16oz - This Belgian-style Saison was fermented and then conditioned in a large oak vessel known as a foeder. Notes of spice, hay and clove are accentuated by a slight oakiness and dry finish. (Source)
Hopewell Get Set, $3.99/16oz - Get Set is a Double Dry-hopped Lager featuring Ekuanot and Wakatu hops. Highly aromatic and bright with notes of papaya, melon, fresh pepper and lime zest. 6.7% ABV (Source)
Hopewell Something or Other, $4.39/16oz - Sour IPA
Illuminated Watermelon Gum, $5.19/16oz - Farmhouse ale
Mikkeller No Handlebaers, $5.99/16oz - Cream ale
Mikkeller Tumble Dry Low, $5.99/16oz - India Pale Ale Brewed w/ Citra, Mosaic, & Simcoe Cryo Hops
New Holland Passion Blaster, $1.99/12oz - Passion Blaster’s aroma and flavor stem from a bouquet of incredible fruit. Passionfruit adds tartness while raspberries and apples create a nuanced sweetness and a beautiful red color. (Source)
Rivers Edge Bahia Mamba, $2.99/16oz - Golden, hazy, dry and erupting with tropical fruit aromas, Bahia Mamba is the perfect hot weather quencher, packed with Taiheke Rakau, Citra, and Magnum Hops. If you hear the hiss…run! (Source)
Rivers Edge Miles Away, $2.99/16oz - This is it. The classic American IPA. Bold, bitter, hoppy and a bit malty. Brewed with 100% Michigan hops including a whole pile of Centennial for citrus and a handful of Chinook for pine. Twist all of that together with a few pounds of caramel malt in the mash and you have a well balanced, thirst quenching haymaker of an IPA. The way it should be. (Source)
Short Throw Dripping with Class, $5.49/16oz - Clock in at 10% abv. Triple IPA brewed with our extremely classy buds at Bottle Logic Brewing. Seriously smoove; notes of orange creamsicle and mandarin, a dominating floral nose, and drinkable AF. Brewed with Strata, Lotus, and Mosaic hops; dry-hopped with the same varietals. (Source)
Shorts Melt My Brain, $2.09/12oz - Melt My Brain is an experimental Golden Ale brewed with coriander, juniper berries, limes and blended with Short’s made tonic water to create the tasting experience of drinking a gin and tonic cocktail. Delicate aromas of citrus and pine flow into bold bright flavors of sweet lime with a slightly sticky bitterness. Refreshing and clean, a tasty tonic effervescence provokes the palate for more. (Source)
Timber Ales Fallen Between the Lines, $5.69/16oz - New England Hazy DIPA
Urban Artifact Paperweight, $3.59/12oz - Fruit and field beer
Urban Artifact Pickle, $2.39/12oz - Brewed with cucumbers, sea salt, coriander, and fresh dill; this tastes like biting into a juicy dill pickle! (Source)
Witches Hat This Guy, $3.59/12oz - We added oats and lactose to the grist to give a bigger mouth feel and we used over 10 pounds of hops per barrel! (Source)