This week's list of new and returning products follows a few words about a good food joint in Ludington
Preamble by Steve Siciliano
Ludington has plenty of good eating and drinking establishments but the next time you're in this small burg on the shores of Lake Michigan and if you don't mind hanging out in a rather divish atmosphere consider checking out the Grand, a hole in the wall bar off the beaten path that has been serving up some solid eats for over
thirty-five years.
Barb and I stumbled upon this hidden albeit unpolished gem this past summer during the height of the tourist season when there were long waits at a couple of our favorite northern Michigan breweries--Jamesport and Ludington Bay. We've been back a handful of times since and have never been disappointed.
The food is a step or two above the typical dive bar fare but for my money it's the home made soups that are the main attractions. While many joints make the dubious claim that their soups are made in house I have zero doubt that at the Grand they really are. On our last visit the turkey noodle was so good that I hoisted the bowl to my lips so I could slurp up every drop. Now, normally I wouldn't dream of doing that in public, partly because of the certainty of getting a reprimand from my wife and partly because I don't want to be gauche. The expected reprimand came. An old dude at the next table, a dead ringer for Willie Nelson, gave me the thumbs up and smiled.
Featured Wines of the Week
Grasa de cotnari, 2018, Romania, $10.39/750ml- From Romania, Grasa De Cotnari Cotnari 2018 is fragrant with summer florals, dried apricot and sweet with citrus, apricot, nougat and vanilla flavours balanced with bright acidity on the palate. The first archaeological evidence of grapevines and wine in this area was since the Neolithic period, 5,500-2,700 BC. Grasa only has about 450 hectares of total acreage in the world and all of it in Romania. The wine is made in dry and botrytis-affected semi-sweet styles.
Grasa De Cotnari food pairings: blue-vein cheeses, roasted nuts, apricot galette. (Source)
Jidvei, 2019, Gewurztraminer, Romania, $10.39/750ml- Gewürztraminer, an expressive and aromatically distinctive white grape variety, is considered a noble variety in the Alsace region of France, and produces wonderful wines in the mountainous Alto Adige region of NE Italy. Generally this grape grows well in cooler regions and its natural intensity makes it a great ally for flavorful cuisine such as Indian, Middle Eastern or Moroccan. Somm Secret—Because of a charming perfume and tendency towards slight sweetness, Gewürztraminer makes for an excellent gateway wine for those who love sweet wines but want to venture into the realm of drier whites. (Source)
Bovin, 2019, Cabernet Sauvignon, Macedonia, $16.59/750ml-
Bovin Winery is the first privately build winery in Macedonia. Bovin owns 60 hectares of prime vineyards in Tikvesh wine district. The Tikvesh district has approximately 11,000 ha of grapes, which represents about one third of the total vineyard area of Macedonia. It is the driest area of Balkan Peninsula. The maximum daily temperature during July and August is regularly around 40ºC. With a deep plowing layer, the rich soils supply the grapes with a constant supply of water. The Cabernet Sauvignon from BOVIN is a quality red wine with a brilliant ruby color. This highly aromatic wine has notes of herbs, blackberry and cherries. The Cabernet Sauvignon from BOVIN goes well with game, pork cutlets, lamb, grilled meats, and is excellent with hard cheeses. The wine should be served at 12-14ºC. (Source)
Koha, 2020, Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, $13.99/750ml- Pungent aromas of gooseberry, florals and citrus. Hints of nettle, with melon and mineral notes add allure and complexity.
On the palate this wine possesses nectarine, pink grapefruit and guava leading to a vibrant citrus finish.
Oysters are a natural partner for this refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. White fish or a fresh seasonal salad would also pair exceptionally well. For a flavour sensation try it with grilled scallops with an anchovy, mint, and coriander dressing. (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"
New and Returning Products
Big Lake Pumpkin Porter, $3.19/16oz-Dark and creamy porter with notes of smooth chocolate and a light roast flavor. Flavor and aromas of warm pumpkin spice and pumpkin pie. Brewed with caramel malts, chocolate malts, and dark malts for aroma and color. (Source)
Grand Armory Tied Down to Michigan, $2.19/12oz-Tied Down to Michigan - There ain't no home like this one! This nicely balanced, seasonal IPA draws its rich hop aroma and flavor from locally sourced, all Michigan grown Centennial hops! (Source)
New Holland Dragon's Milk Reserve Salted Caramel, $4.89/12oz-Dragon’s Milk Reserve Salted Caramel is the ultimate liquid indulgence. Smooth and creamy with notes of sweet vanilla and caramel sugar. (Source)
One Well Oktoberfest, $3.09/16oz-A beer rich in malt with a balance of clean, hop bitterness. Deep gold to copper colored with bright clarity. The aroma highlights malt with the rich, a kind toasty caramel. (Source)
Right Brain Chubby Squirel, $1.99/12oz-A seasonal spiced ale brewed with real Madagascar vanilla beans, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and lemon peel. Spice aromas balance out notes of toffee, brown sugar, and vanilla. Medium bodied with a nice dry finish. (Source)
Schilling Konstantin, $3.79/16oz-Konstantin is a rich, light-ruby colored seasonal lager. Double-decocted for complexity. Drier and lighter in color than most German-style Märzens, biscuit and bread-like malt note shine in the flavor and aroma. (Source)
Schilling Paulus, $3.59/16oz-Paulus (pronounced Pow'loos) is typical of the highly drinkable golden lagers brewed for fall Bavarian festivals. Malt forward with Noble hops to provide balance, Paulus reminds us of some of the great times we've had in Munich. Prost! (Source)
Southern Tier Blueberry Whirl, $4.09/16oz-Barley, oats, and milk sugar boil and twirl together with fruity, tropical hops only to mingle and cool with - of course - more hops. The mixture is then conditioned and finished with strawberry and vanilla. Enjoy a bursting aroma, a creamy mouthfeel and rich notes of citrus and blueberry. (Source)
Southern Tier Creme Brulee Nitro , $4.09/12oz-Southern Tier’s Blackwater Series unleashes its popular flavor Crème Brûlée in NITRO. With notes of vanilla and caramel, this stout is sweet, creamy and uncannily true to the namesake dessert. (Source)
Stone Enjoy by 10/31, $3.19/12oz-Stone Enjoy By 10.31.21 Hazy IPA is here to haunt your beer fridge with a hazy look and a heavy helping of Citra, Mosaic, Amarillo and Nelson Sauvin hops. But the refreshing dryness and huge tropical fruit flavors in this double IPA are nothing to be afraid of. The only thing that would truly be terrifying is missing out on this frighteningly fresh creation…(Source)
Stone Let's Bee Homies, $3.19/16oz-Brewed with equal parts Oregon blackberry honey and California orange blossom honey. A craft beer crosspollination collaboration with our friends from Deschutes Brewery. (Source)
Transient Brighter Days, $3.79/16oz-Berliner weisse with strawberry and hibiscus
Transient Compulsory, $3.79/16oz-Bright, floral, and juicy! This DDH IPA is full of summery flavors. Hop characteristics that explore a forest of leafy hops with tropical fruits. (Source)
Transient Cosmic Juice, $5.49/16oz-“Cosmic Juice” is the newest iteration amongst our “Juice” offerings, this time focusing on the yeast. We took the hopping (mostly) and grain (entirely) from our Juice is Loose and fermented it with a new strain of yeast straight from our Chicago friends at Omega. The yeast… Cosmic Punch. We pushed the aroma boundaries of this yeast by playing to its strengths with added mash hopping, our typical large double dry hopping rates, and a small added dose of some noble hops early in fermentation time push the biotransformative properties of this yeast to the moon and beyond. (Source)
Zolupez Amber, $1.99/12oz-Brewed with piloncillo (Mexican cane sugar) and canela (cinnamon sticks). (Source)
Zolupez Golden, $1.99/12oz-Mexican inspired ale brewed with mango, coconut, and lemon peel.