Information on our phased reopening
By Steve Siciliano
After ten weeks of conducting curbside deliveries through pouring rain, biting wind, stinging sleet and driving snow, Barb and I along with our incredible staff are pleased to announce that we are implementing a phased reopening of the store beginning on Monday, May 25.
This is the first step in a measured reopening to the public. While we are not completely going back to the way things were, I’m not exactly sure when that will happen, we are confident that the policies and procedures we have put in place will help ensure the continued safety of our customers and staff. We are well aware of the threat that Covid-19 still poses to the community and the new policies and procedures reflect this troublesome reality.
We will continue the pre shutdown regimen of sanitizing frequently touched objects on a regular basis and as an added safety measure we have installed sneeze guards at the registers.
Finally, we know that some folks have strong feelings about social distancing and donning masks and there are some who might question the wisdom of keeping a few sections of the store closed to the public. We are asking for the cooperation of all our wonderful customers and we are hopeful that we will be able to navigate through this reopening stage without problems and confrontations.
The salient points of this first reopening phase are as follows:
Hours on Monday, 5/25 will be 10 AM to 6 PM. Going forward after Monday 5/25, hours will be 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Sunday.
We will continue to offer curbside deliveries as an option. Phone orders may be placed by calling 616-453-9674 or 616-453-9687. Email orders can be sent to steve@sicilianosmkt.com.
The bulk grain, bulk liquid malt, bulk honey, the hops cooler and the walk-in humidor will still be closed to the public. The staff will continue to expeditiously fill orders for these items.
The moratorium on deposit returns will continue. We will begin taking returns as soon as the Department of Health lifts the suspension.
Our staff is required to wear masks and we strongly encourage customers to do the same. In an effort to minimize crowding we ask that only one person per household enter the store. Please try to maintain an appropriate distance between yourself and other shoppers.
Featured Wines of the Week
Paxton Now, Shiraz, 2019, Australia, $20.69/750 ml *organic*- "Vibrant purple and red hues with an explosion of berries form the forest highlighted with raspberries, strawberries, mulberries and plums. This wine is a medium bodied drink “NOW’ style of wine, bright and fresh red berry fruits followed by a fantastic mid palate packed full of vibrant layers of fruit intensity and topped off with silky tannins and a velvet finish." (Source)
Villa Rosa, Moscato D'asti, 2019, Italy, $12.19/750 ml - "Villa Rosa Moscato is frizzante, or lightly sparkling, with an aromatic bouquet of sweet peach and apricot and delicate mineral qualities. A pleasantly sweet, yet refreshing way to end a meal." (Source)
Art of Earth, Montepulciano D'Abruzzo, Italy, $11.99/750 ml *organic* - "Dark dusty violet color. Aromas and flavors of marinated blackberries, Fountain pen ink, Herbs de Provance, and green peppercorn with a slightly chewy crisp finish." (Source)
Domaine Saint-Lannes, Cotes de Gascogne, $8.99/750 ml - "80% Colombard and 20% Gros-Manseng from 25 year old vines located in the commune of Lagraulet-du-Gers, near Condom, in the northern part of the Gers region. The vineyards are 165 meters above sea level and the vines grow on a clay/limestone soil over pure limestone. The continental climate provides cold winters and warm, dry springs and summers. The Colombard is picked 2 weeks before the Gros-Manseng. The fruit is cooled and given 12 hours of maceration on its skins. The juice is then cold stabilized and lightly cleared. It ferments at low, controlled temperature and is aged on the fine lees for 3 months. The wine is assembled the January after harvest. Energetic, intense and expressive citrus and tropical fruit flavors, and elegantly bright, mineral length." (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
Islay Mist, Blended scotch whisky, Scotland, $24.19/750 ml - "Islay Mist was created on Islay in the 1920s using whisky from the Laphroaig Distillery as well as choice Speyside distilleries. Initially blended for the 21st birthday celebration of the son and heir of the then Lord Margadale, this gold-medal winning whisky still carries the seal of the Lord of the Isles. Staying true to the founding recipe, Islay Mist remains the original peated blend with characteristic balanced smoky and peaty tones between layers of mellow oaky maltiness.Nose: Enchanting aroma of sea air, peat and light smoke. Palate: Wispy peat smoke infused with citrus fruits, cinnamon and heather honey. Finish: Lingering hints of salt with layers of peat smoke." (Source)
Teachers Highland Cream, Blended Scotch Whisky, Scotland, $15.79/750 ml/ $31.59/1750ml - "A deep and robust maltiness shows through at the start accompanied by a gentle highland peat smoke tang. This fuller flavor slowly fades to allow the sweeter fruity flavors of apples, pears and heavy honey." (Source)
Ardbeg, Wee Beastie, 5yr single malt whisky, Scotland, $47.39/750 ml - "In the nose: Very shiny, fresh and herbal, with a hint of vanilla, pear, black pepper, freshly ground, and glazed ham. Strong Turkish coffee, juicy pine resin. With a little water, more herbal notes such as vetiver grass, fennel and anise, green apple and leather.
On the palate: Powerful, explosively filling with lots of chocolate, tar, creosote tar oil and smoked bacon, followed by an eruption of antiseptic lozenges, eucalyptus and more anise.
Finish: A long, salty and palatable finish with notes of cocoa, fudge butter caramel and hearty meat." (Source)
El Jimador Blanco and Reposado Tequila, Mexico, $24.79/ 1000ml -
Blanco: "Young and fresh, el Jimador Silver tequila steps up with truly authentic character. It’s made with 100% hand-harvested blue Weber agave and double distilled with sparkling clarity. We’ve perfected the skills to produce a spirit so rich in flavor that every sip comes to life. Crisp and buzzing with citrus flavors, take a sip or shake it up." (Source)
Reposado: "An inviting aroma of vanilla, toasted wood, fruits, spices and cooked agave with a rich combination of spice, fruit, wood, vanilla and subtle toasted hazelnuts that finishes soft and long-lasting with the warm flavors of vanilla and subtle spice rested in oak." (Source)
New and Returning Beer & Cider
Boulevard-Rye on Rye Maple/12oz/4.59 - "Our friends in Iowa recently filled some ex-Templeton Rye barrels with fresh Vermont maple syrup. After two months, they were emptied and filled again with straight rye whiskey. Two more months and, voila! Templeton Rye Maple Cask Finish was born. We were lucky enough to procure these special barrels and some additional maple syrup barrels, so we concocted a monster of a blend. Pouring a deep amber, this celebration of spicy rye malt, rye whiskey and maple syrup finishes with a delightful, boozy sweetness." (Source)
Oddside-Black Raspberry Seltzer/12oz/$1.89
Oddside-Strawberry Seltzer/12oz/$1.89
Prairie-Stuft/12oz/$15.19 - Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels with Vanilla, Cacao Nibs, and Double Stuf’t Oreos.
Prairie-Rainbow Sherbet/12oz/$3.29 - "Summer forward sour ale with raspberry, pineapple and orange. Do yourself a favor and toss one in the cooler on your way to the pool or river, you deserve a rainbow!" (Source)
Prairie-Blueberry Boyfriend/12oz/$3.29 - Sour ale with blueberries and lemon zest.
Prairie-'Merica/12oz/$3.29 - "For Merica, Nelson Sauvin hops have been selected at a rate of 3lbs per barrel. Nelson Sauvin, a New Zealand grown hop, is known for its Sauvignon Blanc grape aroma and flavor. Merica is heavily dry hopped for an intense hop flavor. Merica has a bitterness of 35 IBUs. The malt used in this beer is a highly specialized and traditional Bohemian Pilsner malt. This malt is produced in the authentic, traditional “Floor Malted” fashion. The color of the beer is very light in color, yet has an authentic, Bohemian flavor and aroma." (Source)
Stone-Buenaveza/12oz/$2.19 - "In 1996, Stone Brewing was founded in San Diego County, just minutes from the border. Since then, influence from our southern neighbors has enriched and inspired us on our undying mission to brew bold, flavorful beers. One such inspiration is Stone Xocoveza, our imperial stout originally released in 2014 to bring the rich, complex flavors of Mexican hot chocolate to beer. It’s with mucho gusto that we now follow with our take on a classic lager that is similarly inspired (and tasty) - Stone Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager." (Source)
Collective Arts-Guava Gose/12oz/$3.59 - "Pouring a beautiful soft cloudy pink and smelling of a tropical vacation, our Guava Gose is like a sour mashed wheat beer dosed with the largest batch of guava we could get away with. The base Gose has a balanced lemony tartness from the presence of malted wheat, Himalayan pink sea salt and coriander with a flowery bright smoothness from guava. The end result is a perfect balance of tart, sweet, and sour, leaving you refreshed and wanting more. " (Source)
Ace-Guava Cider/12oz/$2.19 - "Fresh Pink Guava juice blended with our semi-dry apple cider. Fruit forward with semi-dry undertones. Enjoy this taste of Brazil!" (Source)
Great Divide-Car Camper/12oz/$2.19 - "CAR CAMPER is the beer to fuel your next adventure. Generously hopped and dry-hopped with Sabro hops, the aroma hints at cantaloupe, mango and coconut and finishes evenly with a pleasant mouthfeel. Surrender to your wanderlust and be sure to pack plenty of CAR CAMPER." (Source)
Great Divide-Strawberry Rhubarb/12oz/$2.89 - "Strawberry Rhubarb Sour is a gift for the senses. Strawberry is the yin to rhubarb’s yang—the sweet to the tart. This beautiful partnership creates a beer that glows ruby in the glass, bursts with strawberry aroma, and bites with every sip. Bright and effervescent, this sour is a fun and refreshing, lip-puckering treat perfect for every occasion, any time of the year." (Source)
Short's-Internet Dating/12oz/$2.59 - Sour - Gose
Ciderboys-British Dry/12oz/$1.89 - "Like a dry sense of humor, our English-style dry cider has a refined bite. Not sweet, but bittersweet in the best meaning of the word. Ripe apple aromas teeter on the edge with a crisp sharp zing. Blow the doors off with Ciderboys British Dry. Gluten free. Available Year-Round." (Source)