This week's list of new and returning products follow a few words about the elusive northern lights
Preamble by Steve Siciliano
I've never been lucky enough to see the northern lights so when I read that the conditions were right for an aurora borealis appearance one night last week I was understandably excited.
The article stated that chances of observing the colorful show were better if you were away from the bright lights of the city. Check. Barb and I were up at the cottage and Irons, the nearest burg, has only one street light. Of course, any chance of seeing the electrical display is predicated on having clear skies. Check. A glance at the weather app on my phone was calling for a cloudless night in the environs of the cottage. Finally, I read that the optimum time for viewing was around 3:30 a.m. Check. That's the time I usually have to get up to heed nature's call. I went to bed with visions of pulsating red and green lights dancing in my head.
Just like clockwork I awoke at 3: 35 a.m. I slipped into my battered Sebagos, threw on my old fleece, donned my tattered Stormy Kromer and went out in the early morning chill. While taking care of business I looked up to the sky. If there was a light show going on out there it was obscured by a thick fog rising off the lake.
I briefly considered hopping in the truck and driving out of the soup. There's a wide expanse of open field off 8 Mile Road and I imagined standing there looking up at the northern horizon in wide eyed amazement. Should I stay or should I go? I decided not to go. Sometimes elusive wonders of nature must be left to serendipity.
* * *
ATTENTION WINEMAKERS
Just a reminder that we are now taking pre-orders for the 2021 and 2022 Winexpert Limited Edition offerings. Go here for complete details.
Featured Wines of the Week
Fetzer, Series '68, California Red Blend, $9.99/750ml- Somewhere between a trend and a classic, series '86 is a stand-out. Timeless, yet in the moment. Five decades of winemaking have shown us that classics never cut corners when it comes to quality. You'll taste that dedication in this wines rich notes of black plum, cherry jam, and hints of mocha. (Source)
Le Calendre, Istadela, Veronese, Italy, $33.19/750ml- It's name refers to the istadela de San Martin, or the “little summer” which, towards the middle of November, warms up the winter days in Verona in a unique way. In this period, after about 40-50 days of drying, the grapes are pressed: a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon combined with the typical blend used in Valpolicella. It is then aged in large oak barrels for 24 months. Excellent to combine with red meats and aged cheeses. (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 Spirit of the Week
Bardstown distillery, Discovery #5, Bourbon, Kentucky, $136.79/750ml- Four straight bourbon whiskies aged 17, 13, 7, and 6 years old are blended to create a smooth and unique expression.
TASTING NOTES
Ripe, vibrant cherry over rich caramel and roasted marshmallow is accented by a touch of orange zest in this welcoming bouquet. The smooth mouthfeel is enhanced by light tannins from the rare, aged expressions that lead to a wonderfully warming finish. (Source)
New and Returning Products
21st Amendment Hell or High Mango, $1.99/12oz-As the days get shorter, Lady Liberty glows at our sunset gate with her welcoming arms. A light and refreshing straw-colored beer, fruity and sweet, brewed with real mango's, brimming with tropical floral notes. You’ll feel transported to an oasis during the orange and red leaves of fall. (Source)
Arbor Satin Skies, $2.19/12oz-Stout - Oatmeal
Arvon Classic Crusher, $3.29/16oz-American Pilsner dry hopped with Cascade
Arvon Leaves of Change, $7.49/16oz-White stout with cocoa nibs, vanilla, and lactose.
Arvon Strawberries and Cream, $6.29/16oz-5.0% Sour with Strawberries, Marshmallows, Vanilla and Lactose
Brewery Vivant Cran Blueberry, $5.29/16oz
Dark Horse Double Crooked Tree, $3.79/12oz-Have you read the description for the regular Crooked Tree yet? Well this beer is almost the same just double the flavor and alcohol. We actually took the Crooked Tree recipe and doubled all of the ingredients except the water, just the way a DOUBLE should be made. Big hops balanced with tons of malt give this beer a huge body. Although this beer is as cool as "The Fonz" when first purchased, it gets really mellow and smooth with some age. After a year or two stored in a cool dark place you'll notice the heavy caramel and malt flavors are trying to sneak past the hops. This beer is hugely delicious so it will need your undivided attention (the chores can wait....trust us). (Source)
Dogfish Head Utopias BA World Wide Stout, $11.69/12oz-The experience of drinking Utopias is often described as ritualistic. Rare and often rumored about in the darkest corners of the beer community, this variety of World Wide Stout is dark, rich, roasty, and complex. (Source)
Elk Calebs Coconut Craze, $2.19/12oz-Made with real coconut this stout is creamy, slightly sweet and will transport you to an island oasis. (Source)
Luddington Bay Captain D'booty, $3.29/12oz
Middle Coast Emotional Support Animal, $3.29/16oz-Big and Bold. This DIPA is smooth and drinkable balanced with just enough malt to balance the alcohol without making it a sugary malt bomb. Drink this one carefully, it will sneak up on you. (Source)
Middle Coast Hessian Revelry, $3.29/16oz-A Classic Dunkel brewed with Toasted Pecans
Revolution Cafe Deth, $9.39/12oz-A weaponized quantity of freshly roasted whole bean coffee from Dark Matter Coffee imbues our Deth’s Tar Barrel-Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout with assertive coffee aromatics without overshadowing the base beer on the palate. Pair with rich food or enjoy on its own. Keep cold. Enjoy now. We mean it. (Source)
Rogue Santa's Private Reserve, $4.39/16oz-This year, Santa visited us in Newport and brought along some candy cap mushrooms that he had picked himself. He said they would add a delicious maple flavor to the brew, and boy, was he right. Boasting a copper color and a deep, sweet maple flavor & aroma, this year’s Santa’s Private Reserve is certain to bring holiday cheer. (Source)
Shorts A Trible Called Zest. $2.59/12oz-A rhythm recipe that you’ll savor, this American Double IPA boasts a robust hop profile of Columbus, Amarillo, El Dorado, Citra, Azacca, and Mosaic, and is brewed with ALL the zests: lemon, grapefruit, lime, tangerine, and Seville orange. This full bodied brew is extra citrusy and has a complex, resinous mouth-feel, all balanced by that classic double IPA malt backbone. Go ahead and kick it with A Tribe Called Zest. (Source)
Sierra Nevada Celebration, $1.79/12oz-The long, cold nights of winter are a little brighter with Celebration Ale. Wonderfully robust and rich, Celebration Ale is dry-hopped for a lively, intense aroma. Brewed especially for the holidays, it is perfect for a festive gathering or for a quiet evening at home. (Source)
Stone Xocoveza Tres Lecha, $3.19/12oz-Stone Xocoveza Tres Leches combines the inspiration of Oaxacan Hot Chocolate and Tres Leches treats in an imperial stout that’s smooth, creamy and intensely indulgent. Made from all that’s good about the holidays, Stone Xocoveza is brewed with chocolate, coffee, Pasilla peppers, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. At the pop of the can, the aroma is intense – cinnamon and spice up front with lingering coffee, caramel and sweet vanilla. It is a lively blend of flavors. Sweet spices are balanced with rich and creamy chocolate. Mild roast coffee flavor shines through and vanilla enhances the intense combination. Pasilla peppers impart a light hint of heat in the finale. With all that complexity, the beer is surprisingly bright on the palate, with just a touch of the residual sweetness that all the decadent flavors imply. Like a slice of Grandma’s tres leches cake and a sip of Oaxacan Hot Chocolate, the result is creamy, intensely flavorful and silky smooth. (Source)
Surly Serpents in the Garden, $4.89/16oz-Serpents in the Garden leads you into temptation with a mix of strawberries, black currants, lactose, and vanilla. This lush blend of sweet and tart gives our new imperial kettle sour an almost sinful amount of flavor. (Source)
Transient Hand Made Lager, $2.79/16oz-Lager - American
Transient Indestroyable, $3.79/16oz-DDH IPA a smooth undestroyable crusher. Ripe mango, hints of orange and a small bitter bite at the end. (Source)
Watermark Brown Bag Special, $4.89/16oz-Double Dry-hopped w/ Michigan Copper, Southern Cross, Chinook, Centennial. (Source)
Watermark Citra Crucible, $4.69/16oz-Dry-hopped with loads of Citra! (Source)
Watermark Mikey G, $4.59/16oz-IPA - American