A big weekend sale on premium cigars, information on pre-ordering hop plants and a reminder that the entry window for this year's homebrew competition is now open.
By Steve Siciliano
Last week when the temperature was stuck in the twenties and a north wind made it painful to be outside, I hunkered down with a glass of bourbon and thought about a few of the times last summer when I was wading in a river. I remembered that sultry June evening on the Rogue. A storm was blowing in and I was about to call it quits when a big brown slammed my woolly bugger. There was nothing to do then but fight the brute in the monsoon and hope that a bolt of electricity wouldn’t strike my nine foot graphite lightening rod.
Then there was that July morning when it was so hot I had to keep splashing the Little Man’s cold water on my face and that scorching afternoon in August when I tripped on a rock in the Sauble and stayed down for a few minutes to cool off. That’s what I thought about on that frigid February evening last week. I’m not sure if it was the whiskey or those warming summertime angling memories, but when I went outside to grill some steaks it didn’t seem to be quite as cold.
Speaking of warmth, last Sunday marked the beginning of meteorological spring which means the days are getting longer and the average daily temperatures are rising. That also means I'll be fly fishing again soon and will be able to smoke a cigar outside without freezing my tush off. To celebrate the onset of spring we’re running an incredible weekend sale on cigars. Buy three or more premium cigars, get 10 % off. Sale runs through Sunday, 3/8.
Continuing with the warming weather motif, it’s a sure sign that winter is waning when we announce that it’s time to pre-order hop plants. If you are looking to establish or expand a hop garden this spring, the folks at Sandy Ridge Farms in Zeeland, Michigan, are once again supplying us with established plants. According to the growers at Sandy Ridge, the advantages to purchasing established hop plants versus rhizomes are three-fold:
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.
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.
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.
We will be taking hop plant pre-orders now through the end of business on Sunday, March 29. Those wishing to place orders may do so via email (steve@sicilianosmkt.com), 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. 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 here to see a full list of this year’s offerings.
Finally, just a reminder that the window for entering the 17th Annual Siciliano’ s Homebrew Competition is now open. Go here for complete details.
NEW WINES OF THE WEEK
Tarima Monastrell, Spain, 2017, $10.49/750 ml bottle - Cherry color with purple highlights. Hints of licorice and chocolate and a subtle depth of herbs and floral qualities. Young and expressive with a fruit forward attitude.
The Curator Red Blend, South Africa, 2018, $11.39/ 750 ml bottle - Produced from grapes grown in the granite soils of Swartland, South Africa. Predominately shiraz with small percentages of cinsaut, mourvedre, grenache, tinta barocca and pinotage. Aromas of black cherry, meat and blackberries. Hints of red plums, currants and licorice with a tinge of spice. A perfect accompaniment for pork, beef or game.
Patton Valley Vineyard White Table Wine, Oregon, Non Vintage, $9.99/750 ml bottle - A wine made specially for Johnny Noodle King, a restaurant in Detroit, Michigan. A blend of three different pinots, a touch of chardonnay and a bit of riesling. Pairs well with spicy Asian cuisine.
Buy three or more bottles from our revamped wine section and get 10% off.
"It's our mission at Siciliano's to sell quality wine at affordable prices."
NEW AND RETURNING BEER
Alesmith Forgeberry, $2.59/12oz - "This deliciously fruity creation combines the sweetness of raspberries with a bright tartness and refreshing drinkability, all within 120 calories per serving." (Source)
Arbor Brewing Trail Lyte, $1.99/12oz - "99 CALORIES - 3g CARBS - 0g SUGAR - 0g FAT per 12 fl. oz! Trail Lyte is our easy drinkin’ low calorie raspberry ale that's made with REAL FRUIT. It’s activated with salts to create a thirst quenching beer that is light and crisp, with bright flavors of red raspberries accented by additions of Lemondrop hops and hibiscus. Let Trail Lyte fuel your next adventure!" (Source)
Austin Brothers Sumo Sumatra, $4.09/12oz - "You hear Sumo you think big. So thats what we did. 4 hour boil to build a strong body, we then rested this for 5 days on Sumatra Coffee, Cocoa nibs and Madagascar vanilla bean. The outcome is just that, BIG flavors. Sneaky smooth and very drinkable for this high of an ABV beer." (Source)
Austin Brothers We Can Juice It, $3.79/16oz - "Austin Brothers hosted female brewers, cellar staff, front of house, homebrewers and others from the beer industry to brew this Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day Beer. We Can Juice It is a New England style IPA with a hop blend specially chosen for the Pink Boots Collaboration beers. It was chosen by the staff at Yakima Valley Hops, along with over 100 members of the Pink Boots Society, and features Azacca, El Dorado, Idaho Gem, and Loral Hops. The Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day is the largest fundraiser for the Pink Boots Society, which provides scholarships and programming for its members. Yakima Valley Hops donates $3 from every pound sold of the Pink Boots hop blend to the scholarship fund. ABBC is also making a donation to the fund as well." (Source)
Austin Brothers X Murks the Spot, $3.79/16oz - "A New England style IPA that showcases Lotus, Sultana, and Cryo Citra hops, to the tune of 5 pounds per barrel! Pours out a murky light golden color, and follows with a pillowy delivery of citrus and tropical fruit flavors." (Source)
Beards Brimly Stout, $2.39/12oz - "A full bodied and roasted oatmeal stout." (Source)
Big Lake Mango Haze, $3.39/16oz - "A new England style IPA featuring citra and mosaic hops and brewed with real mangos." (Source)
Big Lake Swing Juice, $3.19/16oz - "A juicy IPA brewed with Citra and Mosaic Hops, and drinks clean from the can or glass." (Source)
Black Project Magic Lantern, $5.69/16oz - "MAGIC LANTERN is a standard offering with rotating fruits. The base is 100% wheat, fermented with unisolated coolship-caught microbes. Nearly all of the sourness comes only from the fruit, so acidity will range from mid to high. Himalayan pink sea salt adds a slight, balanced salinity, and completely changes the experience of the beer." (Source)
Black Project Raider, $6.29/16oz - "Salted Sour Ale with Guava and Strawberry." (Source) Broadleaf De-Extinction, $3.99/16oz - "Triple dry-hopped red ale. Bursting with ripe tropical notes." (Source)
Broadleaf Paradise Mutation, $3.99/ 16oz - IPA - Sour
Brooklyn Spritz, $2.19/12oz - "Bright, citrusy Spritz that's equal parts fizzy and fun. Ready to drink right away or enjoy over ice with an orange wheel." (Source)
Brooklyn Total Request, $4.09/16oz - "Chart-topping dry hopped hazy & juicy double IPA brewed with Citra & Ekuanot hops." (Source)
Conneticut Valley Mackinaw peaches, $4.89/16oz - "The aroma of a sweet juicy Peach greets you at the first sip and draws you in for more. This 5.5% brew was Kettle soured and fermented over 1,700+ pounds of peaches. Not overly sour, but refreshingly tart, the taste of peaches lingers long after the first sip. Find out why Mackinaw peach has us all saying “Love you to peaches!” (Source)
Conneticut Valley The Great Escape, $3.59/16oz - "Our classic Porter. Dark brown and malt-forward, this medium bodied brew hits you with a rich malt-derived coffee aroma from the first sip. Notes of Toffee and biscuit, finishing with a slight chocolate sweetness. Just the ticket!" (Source)
Conneticut Valley The Ledge, $3.59/16oz - "This German Style Gose soured with pinot noir grapes (the oldest grape variety in the world dating back to the first century, when the Romans enjoyed them) is a beautiful rose color with the wonderful aroma of tart berries and currants that that entice your palette to take a sip. It is tart, but not overly sweet as it is balanced nicely with the sea salt. Flavors of black cherry, strawberry, savory spice and everything nice is what makes this Gose the perfect drink Anytime, Anywhere, Any weather." (Source)
Decadent NYC Snowball, $5.69/16oz - No commercial description.
Dugges Peanut Butter, $6.59/16oz - "Peanut Butter is part of a journey. A journey towards the perfect stout, towards utopia. Step by step, beer by beer, on and on. Forever! A grand canvas colored with your favorite spread. For any nutty needs. Yummy!" (Source)
Evil Twin More Coffee Porter? Sey No More!, $5.99/16oz - "From @eviltwinbrewing “More Coffee Porter? Sey No More,” "An 11.5% Porter with coffee, almond and vanilla." (Source)
Griffen Claw Bonnie's Raggedy Ass, $3.59/16oz - "2010 world beer cup silver medal - brewed and dry hopped with American, Centennial, Columbus, Cascade and Bravo." (Source)
Griffen Claw El Ligero, $2.39/16oz - "Crisp Mexican Lager brewed with lime that's just so fresh and so clean clean." (Source) Lagunitas Phase Change, $3.79/16oz - "A seasonally unexpected unfiltered, wet-hopped ale packed full of lupulin-drenched Simcoe, Citra & Mosaic hops." (Source)
Lord Hobo Hop Evolution, $4.79/16oz - IPA - American
Lost Coast Watermelon Wheat, $1.89/12oz - "A refreshing watermelon ale that combines Lost Coast Berwery's Harvest Wheat with natural watermelon essence for exemplary aromatics while maintaining light, crisp and refreshing flavors. Brewed with a combination of wheat and crystal malts; unfiltered." (Source)
Nightmare Blood Eagle, $6.59/16oz - "Scandinavian Sour Ale Soured on Lingonberries, Hawthorn Berries, Cloudberries & Comice Pears with Strawberries, Plums and Tart Cherries." (Source)
Oddside BA Peanut Butter Cup, $8.19/12oz - "This seasonal favorite hosts a chocolate and peanut butter party in your mouth." (Source)
Petoskey Small Batch #2 Mint Chocolate Stout, $2.79/16oz - No commercial description
Prairie Weekend, $9.79/12oz - "Rum barrel aged stout with coconut, cacao nibs and marshmallow." (Source) Public Access Entranced, $4.09/16oz - Sour - Fruited
Roak Cent'Anni, $3.19/16oz - Sour - Other
Rogue Newport Daze, $2.29/12oz - "This hazy pale ale gives off aromas of pineapple & stone fruit, features tangerine & peach flavors and finishes slightly sweet and very smooth. The morning after a long night, we like to hit the beach for some R&R. Newport Daze Hazy Pale Ale is the perfect day sipper for such an occasion. Featuring mouth- watering tangerine and peach notes from the hops and finishing slightly sweet, it’s an easy, mellow brew to get you through." (Source)
Saugatuck BBA Raspberry Chocolate Stout, $5.29/12oz - "Raspberry chocolate stout aged for 12 months." (Source)
Saugatuck Blueberry Lemon Shandy, $1.89/12oz - "You’re craving something light, refreshing and unique. That’s why we created our tasty version of a rattler with an added twist of blueberries. The tart lemonade will help quench your thirst, while the blueberry finishes off this perfectly invigorating beer." (Source)
Short Throw Cop and Go, $3.79/16oz - "Our American IPA with Galaxy & Mosaic hops, dry hopped with the same varietals." (Source)
Shorts Critterless, $2.59/12oz - "Critterless is an American Sour Ale brewed with mango and cherry. The beer has a pinkish hue and pours with a small white head. The ale's initial flavors of mouth puckering tartness fade into a pleasant sweetness that is accompanied by aromas of ripe fruit. Critterless finishes dry with a hint of rye spice." (Source)
Surly Garden Variety, $4.89/16oz - "Our newest kettle sour has notes of strawberry nestled amongst hints of sweet malt, vanilla, and crusty bread. The sweet-tart flavor is anything but commonplace." (Source)
Surly Grapefruit Supreme, $1.89/12oz - "Braced by bright grapefruit flavor and gentle tartness, this beer reigns supreme. Finishing crisp and citrusy, it sets a new standard for crushable." (Source)
Upland Peach, $16.49/500ml - "Aged on our mildly tart base blonde sour ale, Peach is a fruited sour ale made with whole peaches locally sourced from Huber's Orchard and Winery. Gold and straw colors shine upon pouring, with zesty amounts of carbonation. Fresh peach aromas meld with floral and wine-like notes. Wonderful peach flavors follow in the taste, accompanied by refreshing tartness. The finish is dry with mouthwatering tanginess and peach flavor." (Source)
Upland Petal to the Kettle, $2.19/12oz - "This refreshing kettle sour welcomes in spring with a distinctly tart grapefruit, peach, and strawberry flavor. Hibiscus and rose petals were chosen to compliment the tart and citrusy character, giving this ale a delightful floral nose." (Source)
Upland Raspberry, $27.99/750ml - "Raspberry is a fruited sour ale that showcases the distinct fruit characteristics of whole fresh red raspberries melded with a mildly tart base of sour ale. It showcases a reddish hue with a pink foam that appears upon pouring and zesty amounts of carbonation. Fresh raspberry aromas meld with floral and wine-like notes. Its wonderful rich raspberry flavors follow in taste, accompanied by refreshing tartness. The finish is dry with mouthwatering tanginess and raspberry flavor." (Source)
Witches Hat Defloured, $2.19/12oz - New England Hazy Style India Pale Ale