This week's list of new and returning products follows a few words about the certainty of change
“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.”-- Heraclitus
Preamble by Steve Siciliano
The weather wasn't great but I was able to break away from chores around the cottage last week to go fishing for the first time this year. It's always best to be on your toes when you're wading in rivers in the spring. Rain and melting snow can transform normally gentle runs into raging torrents. Tree limbs that toppled into the watercourse over the winter can create obstacles and new holes that can cause problems for an inattentive angler. On the short drive to one of my favorite spots on the Little Manistee I knew I would be stepping into a river that would be different from the one that I stepped out of last fall.
The man working his way up and down that river that day, a fly rod in one hand and a wading staff in the other, was different as well. He was a bit older, hopefully a little wiser, and perhaps for the first time in his life unencumbered by a simmering undertow of frustration that would inevitably bubble to the surface if he didn't catch a fish. He stood for long minutes surveying the water. He moved with careful deliberation, remembering the time last spring when he lost his footing and took a dive in the frigid water. Rather than berating himself when he made a sloppy cast he analyzed what he did wrong and then cast again.
When the man landed the one rainbow and two brookies he caught that day he made sure to dip his hands in the stream before handling the fish. After removing the hooks he briefly admired the aquatic jewels before thanking them for playing and letting them go.
Heraclitus said that the only thing constant is change. I'm reminded of that every time I step into my familiar but constantly changing home river.
Featured Wines of the Week
Longevity, 2018, Chardonnay, California, $14.49/750ml- This is the first offering of a California-label wine from Livermore Valley winemaker Phil Long, and it's a very good one. The medium-bodied wine offers buttery, toasted-oak aromas, mild flavors of pear, apple and vanilla bolstered by more oak spices, and a smooth, rather soft texture. Long blended in 13% Viognier. (Source)
Recanati, Yasmin Red, Israel, $12.49/750ml- A sensational all-occasion red. Extremely versatile, this supple and appealing medium-bodied red exudes generous aromas of succulent red berry fruit. (Source)
Sui Generis, Red Blend, Spain, $16.79/750ml- Cherry red color with violet tones. Aromas of ripe cherry, black berry and plum, with notes of Mediterranean spices and light toasted oak. Lively and sharp in the palate, with hints of licorice, red fruits, mild spices and light mineral structure. Round and well balanced, with mature tannins and a long and pleasant aftertaste. (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
Garrison Brothers, Small Batch Straight Bourbon, Texas, $41.79/750ml-
Subtle nose of golden delicious apple-meat and honey. Sweet floral verbena, fresh-cut grass, saddle leather, cinnamon, and honey. Springtime flavors of honeysuckle and orange candy, yellow pound cake, baking spices, lemon gumdrops, and sugar cookies. Long and engrossing finish. Complex. Smoky county fair caramel apple sprinkled with walnuts and cinnamon. (Source)
Filibuster, Straight Rye, Virginia, $43.19/750ml- Aroma : Cinnamon bark with oak spice and tropical fruit that plays up classic caramel and vanilla aromas. Taste : Very rich and soft texture, spice, caramel, honey with hints of rye toast. Finish : A warm and creamy finish that lingers with notes of baked apple. (Source)
Sagamore Spirit, Distiller's Select, Straight Rye Finished in Extra Anejo Tequila Barrels, Indiana/Mayland, $73.69/750ml- Rich agave and sweet notes of honey paired with bitter orange, dried fig and floral notes. Spicy peppercorn creates a lasting finish. (Source)
New and Returning Products
Cajun Fire Big Chief, $4.09/16oz-Sessionable Stout that is Light as a feather. Wonderful head and lacing. Light Bodied. Rich Creaminess. Smooth mouth feel. Not too aromatic, hop flavor and aroma is similar to a dry stout. Goes good with salty foods & seafood. Versatile with humid weather conditions. (Source)
Cajun Fire Honey Ale, $3.09/16oz-Hypnotizing golden flare. Sweet tones and a broad range of citrus aromas compliment a unique spin on a traditional Munich-amber style. We use all natural domestic honey to give this ale a pleasant saturation of quality. (Source)
Cajun Fire P-Train Funk, $4.69/16oz-IPA brewed with Raspberry Puree
Canarchy IPA Mix 12pk, $19.99
Evil Twin Pink Pineapple, $3.59/16oz-A 7%, tart, slightly sweet, very refreshing sour IPA, with pineapple of course. (Source)
Griffen Claw El Ligero, $2.39/16oz-Crisp Mexican Lager brewed with lime that's just so fresh and so clean clean. (Source)
Griffen Claw Raspberry Mr. Blue Sky, $2.39/16oz-Mr. Blue Sky American Wheat Ale brewed with coriander, grapefruit peel, and raspberries. (Source)
Luddington Bay S.S. Badger Blue, $1.99/12oz-Blueberry Ale
Mikkeller SD Mt Akina, $4.69/16oz-Rice Lager w/ Motueka and Wakatu Hops
Mikkeller SD Passion Pool, $3.89/16oz-Our legendary Passionfruit Gose, 'Passion Pool' is enveloped in juicy tropical fruit, mild salinity, and a befuddling drinkability. Restrained acidity and zippy carbonation makes this our favorite hot weather treat. (Source)
Mikkeller SD Super Citra, $5.99/16oz-New-England Style Double India Pale Ale Brewed w/ Citra & Galaxy Hops
New Belgium Voodoo Ranger V2K, $1.99/12oz-Say goodbye to your semi-charmed life, and wassap to a bittersweet symphony of grapefruit and guava, perfectly in sync in this hazy IPA. (Source)
Nowhere in Particular Orange You Glad I Didn't Say Strawberry, $4.09/16oz-Strawberry Orange Creamsicle IPA
Oddside Bomb Pop Mix 12pk, $17.99
Off Color Beer for Burgers, $3.29/16oz-Inspired by the classic fizzy lager and shot specials enjoyed at corner bars everywhere, a base Helles Bock starts out quite plain to maximize contributions from its time in bourbon barrels. The final beer is a blend of freshly used bourbon barrels, second use barrels, as well as fresh beer. During aging, Beer for Burgers picks up notes of coconut, vanilla, alcoholic heat, and roasted wood tannins. Like a beer and a shot special, this beer is ever changing. The barrel stock changes as well as the blend. The goal is not to make the same beer over and over again, rather to maximize the flavors coming out of the barrels as they are… and make sure it tastes like a beer and shot you’d get with your burger. (Source)
Off Color Troublesome, $3.59/16oz-Slightly tart wheat beer with coriander. Most brewers spend a lot of time and effort keeping lactobacillus out of their breweries; it's the first thing we brought in. (It still has to stay in the corner though.) We blend together two different beers to make Troublesome. The first is a somewhat uninteresting wheat beer and the second is an overly acidic and funky beer fermented solely with lactobacillus. We blend the acid beer into the wheat beer with coriander and salt at the tail end of fermentation to create a mild, lemony tartness and a fuller sensation of mouthfeel. And, yes, it's hard to make. (Source)
Old Nation 70+, $3.19/16oz-With the introduction of 70+ West Coast IPA (ABV 6.8%), Old Nation brings a classic, straight down the middle pilsner malt bill with a more classic aggressive 72 IBU providing the traditional bitter balance of the style. Using a combination of Columbus and Simcoe hops for their pine/resiny notes along with Amarillo for citrus and floral notes, Old Nation’s brewers added the proprietary Idaho 7 for a new-school tropical twist. (Source)
One Well Unclear Future, $3.69/16oz-A Coconut, Pineapple Milkshake IPA. We use lactose to add the right amount of residual sweetness to perfectly compliment the tropical fruit flavors. Has often been compared to a Pina colada. (Source)
Rogue Raspberry Tartlandia, $2.19/16oz-Inspired by the culinary wonderland that is Portland, Oregon, we created Raspberry Tartlandia: an outrageously delicious combination of raspberry juiciness, sea salt and refreshing tartness. It’s a flavor-packed experience just like visiting Portland that’ll make you want to move there or thank your lucky stars that you already have. (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)
Southern Tier Nice Slice, $1.89/12oz-Natural watermelon flavors balance with wheat and subtle caramel malt to land a perfect summery session ale. (Source)
Transient Bare Knuckley, $22.79/500ml-Imperial maple stout aged 12 months in a freshly charred whiskey foeder. (Source)
Transient Catch These Paws, $15.19/500ml-American Imperial Stout aged on roasted hazelnut, vanilla beans, and toasted coconut. (Source)
Transient Maple BA No Cake, $20.69/500ml-Imperial stout with Violet Sky cacao nibs, vanilla, cinnamon, and graham cracker aged in BLIS maple syrup bourbon barrels. (Source)
Transient Weller BA No Cake, $20.69/500ml
Upperhand Dry Kriek, $10.79/500ml-Red wine barrel aged sour ale with tart cherries
Upperhand Laughing Fish, $1.79/12oz-Similar to a German Kolsch, this lighter-bodied, easy-drinking ale showcases clean malt and crisp hop characters. Brewed with raw U.P.-sourced wheat, Laughing Fish is the perfect companion to northern summers. (Source)
Vandermill BA Totally Roasted, $3.59/16oz-Bourbon barrel-aged hard cider with pecan, vanilla and cinnamon
Waypost Small Soiree, $3.89/16oz-
Witches Hat Blueberry Lemonade Gose, $3.49/12oz-Blueberries and lemon zest