This week's list of new and returning products follows a few words about the cinder block garage at the cottage
Preamble by Steve Siciliano
When we're up at the cottage and if it's too hot, too cold or too wet to be outside, Barb and l will often retreat to the rustic comfort of our cinder block garage. As far as garages go it's a nice place to hang out. We sit at a big wooden table. There's a sound system on the work bench and a good horse hair dart board on one of the walls. Because of its cinder block construction it retains heat on chilly evenings and stays cool even when the daytime temperatures soar. The fact that I can smoke a cigar out there is a nice bonus.
One of the previous owners of the cottage was evidently pretty handy judging by the stuff that was left behind in the garage: metal shelves filled with dozens of coffee cans, plastic tubs and glass jars filled with nuts, bolts, nails, screws and hinges; a couple of electric drills dating back to the time when tools were still made from metal; tool boxes filled with drill bits and pipe cutting tools; an ancient metal chain saw, a block and tackle, various lengths of chains, a couple of long pieces of thick rope and a variety of hand saws.
I'm guessing that the guy who left behind all the tools was also the one who expanded the size of the garage. He did such a good job that it was a couple of years before I realized that the length had been extended by a good ten feet.
I've been slowing culling out the stash that the previous owners left behind. I threw away a lot of stuff that probably would have been useful to someone but to me it was just junk. I gave away most of the tools. I can't remember if I gave away or threw away the old self propelled lawn mower and the yard vacuum. I did keep a few things. You never know when you're going to need a nail or a screw, the little air compressor comes in handy and I use the electric leaf blower to clean off the deck.
I've also kept a few things I will never use and I left them hanging right where they were simply because I think they contribute to the overall esthetic. There's a couple of levels, one metal and one wood, an old hand planer, a chain saw blade for that ancient heavy chain saw, a tool belt, two fan belts still in their packages, a couple of metal braces, that block and tackle, a minnow net, a hand saw, a hack saw and two circular saw blades. My own contribution to the ambiance is a new, made-to-look-old metal sign that I picked up at the Elijah Craig distillery in Kentucky last October.
This past spring my brother in law and I installed a wood burning stove. I fired it up on a couple of cold nights last April and it was nice watching the flames through the glass window. It warmed up the space nicely and it's sure more economical and lot more pleasing to look at than those sunflower propane heaters we were using. There's a bunch of downed tree limbs in back of the pole barn that I've been cutting up with a light weight Husqvarna. I really can't remember if I gave away or threw away that ancient heavy chain saw.
Featured Wines of the Week
El Jefe, Reserve Rhone Blend, Washington State, $13.99/one liter - 62% Syrah, 25% Mourvedre, 13% Grenache. This wine is polished and supple with a beam of raspberry and pomegranate fruit teasing the senses. Intense yet harmonious, the El Jefé yields a dark succulence to the palate in the form of cassis, plum and a hint of biodynamic loam. All of this juicy concentration carries nicely into the tannin-laced finish. (Source)
Biographe, Red Blend, Cotes du Rhone, $17.39/750 ml - Biographie tells the story of the South. Its generosity evokes Grenache grapes on round pebble stones; its freshness Syrah and Mourvedre on clay and limestone. The hand-crafted organic viticulture results in a lively harmonious wine with great purity of fruit. (Source)
Cocchi Torino, Vermouth, Italy, $21.79/750 ml, $13.99/375 ml - On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the House of Cocchi, we have resumed production of Giulio Cocchi’s original recipe Vermouth di Torino, previously produced in 1891. This Storico Vermouth di Torino adheres to a long if seldom followed tradition , notably in the selection of its fine wine Moscato of local origin, the botanic formulation and production in the historic Asti region, outside Torino. The flavor profile is unmistakably of Cocchi, with rich and vibrant notes of citrus, cocoa, rhubarb and a balanced bitter undertone. Vermouth di Torino stands apart as one of only two protected geographical indications of origin for vermouth (Chambéry is the other one). Delicious on its own and ideal for use in numerous classic mixed drinks. (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
Lundu Silver, Brazil, $16.89/750 ml - A white Brazilian Cachaça, Lundu is a floral, perfumed spirit, that makes for a superb Caipirinha, thanks too to its crisp, oaky flavour. This was aged for 2 years in oak, before a year in balsam wood. Very distinctive and full of character. Nose: Woody and dry, with black pepper spices, and green wood. Quite fruity with freshly cut grass and rapeseed oil. A touch too of vanilla, with maybe just a suggestion of white chocolate. Palate: Good body, creamy, with vanilla, spices, ginger and pepper. Berry fruits, apples and hay. Finish: Tangy with good length. Drying oak, cocoa, and butterscotch on the finish. (Source)
Lundu Cachaca Gold, Brazil, $22.69/750 ml - This is the best cachaça to be used as the main ingredient of caipirinhas and fruit cocktails. You can also drink it straight, ice cold. Aged for 1 year in amburana and American oak wood barrels. Elegant and mild flavor, with prominent notes of the wood used in the aging process. (Source)
New and Returning Products
Arbor Cucumber Lime, $2.19/12oz - Cucumber Lime Gose is a beer designed for a hot summer’s day! It’s bright acidity complements additions of flaked sea salt, plenty of fresh lime peel and cucumber to bolster the naturally crisp, refreshing qualities of our German-style Gose. Enjoy poolside and let the day drift away. (Source)
Athletic Upside Dawn, $1.99/12oz - Non alcholic. Classic non-alcoholic craft golden ale. Refreshing, clean, balanced, light-bodied. Aromas subtle with floral and earthy notes. Brewed with premium organic malts from US & Germany along with combo of English and traditional American hops. Crafted to be gluten removed (lab tested to under 5 ppm). (Source)
Athletic Wild Run IPA, $1.99/12oz - Non alcoholic - Run Wild is the ultimate sessionable IPA for craft beer lovers. Brewed with a blend of five Northwest hops, it has an approachable bitterness to balance the specialty malt body. Always refreshing and only 70 calories. (Source)
Detroit Garage project Cruisee, $1.89/12oz - A juicy session IPA with Rakau, Zappa, Cascade, & Southern Passion hops. Made to keep you cruising through those summer days. (Source)
Ellison 97.1 The Ticket Hazy Pale, $2.99/16oz - We brewed this beer for our friends at 97.1 The Ticket. The crush-able double dry hopped hazy pale ale is brewed with Mosaic and Citra hops for the perfect balance of flavor, hoppiness, and drink-ability. (Source)
Ellison 97.1 The Ticket Lager, $2.09/16oz - No commercial description
Fair State Spirit Foul, $4.19/16oz - A silly, hazy & fun IPA brewed in collaboration with Modern Times Beer. Super juicy, tropical, and dank. Brewed with Pilsner malt (barley), pale wheat, flaked oats, flaked barley, and hopped with x331 Experimental, Mosaic, & Citra. (Source)
Fair State German Pils, $3.29/16oz - German-style pilsner with a grassy hop aroma and a crisp finish. (Source)
Fair State Mirror Universe, $4.19/16oz - Double dry-hopped hazy IPA brewed with wheat, oats, and lots of Citra, Mosaic, and El Dorado hops. (Source)
Fair State Pahlay, $3.29/16oz - Tropical hazy pale ale
Fair State Party Forward, $3.29/16oz - An IPA brewed with wheat, oats, and Citra hops. Super fruity, soft, and tropical. (Source)
Fair State Roselle, $3.29/12oz - Floral and citrusy kettle sour infused with hibiscus
Founders Cerise, $1.99/12oz - You’ll have a soft spot for this one. Using only fresh Michigan tart cherries, this beauty tantalizes with intense flavors combined with a no hesitation malt bill. Adding fresh cherries at five separate stages of fermentation achieves the ultimate balance between tartness and sweetness. (Source)
Founders Marvelroast, $2.89/12oz - Take in the wonder that is the marvelous – ahem – “marvelroast” new addition to our coffee beer lineup. We started with an imperial golden ale and brewed it with coffee, vanilla and cocoa nibs. But it doesn’t end there, folks. Milk sugar added during the brewing process lends a smooth and sweet finish, making this a delicious treat reminiscent of your favorite iced coffee drink. (Source)
Hopewell Outside Voice, $3.09/16oz - Outside Voice is a Session IPA fashioned for warm, sunny days and the cookouts that coincide. Notes of dank tropical fruit lead the way, followed by an undercurrent of citrus zest and piney bitterness. (Source)
Hopewell Pure Math, $4.39/16oz - A Double Dry-hopped IPA showcasing Waimea and Rakau hops from New Zealand. Intensely bright notes of freshly muddled citrus and resinous pine, rounded out by touches of stone fruit and melon character. Finishes pleasantly vibrant and piquant. (Source)
Illuminated King Felix, $5.19/16oz - Real time ceased in 70 C.E. with the fall of the temple. "The Empire Never Ended," but in 1974 a cypher was sent out to signal the Age of Iron was over; the cypher consisted of two words: KING FELIX. This beer has motueka, mandarina bavaria & nelson sauvin against a creamy flaked oat and 2-row base. (Source)
Mikkeller Kickstart My Hops, $5.99/16oz - Double IPA with 3 different hop varieties from 3 different continents. The mix of African Queen (South Africa), Belma (USA), and Barbe Rouge (France) produce a medley of fruity aromas including strawberry, orange, and melon with a dank finish. Lay that over top of a bready DIPA base and you are ready to kick start that hop. Ooh, Yeaah, Baby! (Source)
Off Color Apex Predator, $2.99/16oz - Farmhouse ale
Off Color Beer for Golf, $2.99/16oz - Belgian witbier
Off Color Beer for Tacos, $2.99/16oz - Leipzig Gose
Off Color Very, Very Far, $2.99/16oz - A twist on the spirit of Belgian mixed fermentation that utilizes a non-traditional wine yeast, Torulaspora delbrueckii. Torulaspora enhances fruitiness while a classic Belgian ale yeast imparts a Belgian spice character. The Rakau/Sterling hop profile is built to compliment the fruit ester character from Torulaspora delbrueckii and spicy character from the Belgian ale strain. This golden Belgian style ale has subtle fruity notes of apricot, lychee, currant, and honey layered with noble hop spice and peppercorn phenols notes. (Source)
One Well Mango Cider, $4.89/16oz
Prairie Cornerpiece, $9.79/12oz - American Imperial Stout
Prairie Holiday Weekend, $15.39/ 12oz - Bourbon barrel aged stout with coconut, cacao nibs, cinnamon and marshmallow. (Source)
Prairie Slush, $3.29/12oz - Sour ale with strawberry and raspberry puree. Finished with fresh lemon and lime zest. (Source)
Right Brain Ring Finger, $1.99/12oz - No commercial description
Stay safe. Spread kindness not germs!
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As always, enjoyed your story. Know what it’s like up in the cabin enjoying a glass of wine and a cigar!