Siciliano's Market News, September 17 Edition

This week's list of new and returning products follow info on how to procure fresh grapes and raw apple cider and when we will be offering the free on-site use of our wine making equipment. All that and a few words about our backyard deer herd.

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

September is apple harvesting time here in West Michigan and that means there will soon be plenty of fresh juice available for beer- and winemaking hobbyists looking to whip up a batch or two of hard cider.

On Saturday, October 3, Klein Cider Mill will be selling fresh-squeezed juice in our back parking lot between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm. The price for Klein’s award-winning cider is $3.75 per gallon and you must supply your own containers. Of course, as always, we will have containers available for purchase along with yeast, pectic enzyme and anything else you might need for making hard cider.

If you live in the environs of Beer City USA and are thinking about making wine from fresh grapes this fall, there are options available for home vintners looking to source locally grown fruit. Here is the contact information for Taylor Ridge Vineyards in Allegan, Morgan Vineyard in Coopersville and C & C Ranch in Stevensville. All are good sources for fresh wine grapes:

Taylor Ridge Vineyards

• 3843 105th Ave. Allegan, MI 49010

• Email: bctaylor@btc-bci.com

• Cell: 269-491-1512

• Home: 269-521-4047

Morgan Vineyard

• 15775 40th Avenue, Coopersville, MI 49404

• Email: morgangrapes@gmail.com

• Phone: 616-648-3025

C & C Ranch

• 1791 W Rockey Weed Rd. Stevensville, MI 49127

• Email: ccsranch@gmail.com

• Phone: 269-470-7043

We will be offering the free on-site use of our fruit crushers and basket presses from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the next two Sundays in the parking lot behind Siciliano's. Dates for the free use of the equipment are as follows:

• Sunday, September 20

• Sunday, September 27

* * *

One of the bucks that frequent our backyard

Most evenings at around dusk the deer that hang out in the woods behind our house begin making their way into the yard. After nibbling on plants and grasses and the leaves of low hanging trees they mosey down the line of weeping cherries towards the road. They pause there for a few moments under a stand of small maples before crossing. It's a busy road so Barb and I brace for the sound of squealing tires. I doubt if the deer look both ways but they always manage to make it across safely.

I'm not sure why the deer are so hell bent on crossing that road. For awhile I thought it was apple trees or vegetable gardens but then remembered that they even trot across the pavement when there's two feet of snow on the ground. My best guess is that someone is feeding them. In an effort to prevent a messy incident we've kind of begun feeding them ourselves.

I'm not talking about piles of corn and carrots here just the floor sweepings from the home brew section of the store. It's better than tossing them in the dumpster and the deer really seem to enjoy the grainy treat.

It's interesting what you can see when you observe wildlife up close. A few evenings ago we saw a couple of young bucks clicking antlers. I'm thinking it was more play fighting than a squabble over a potential mate. When the youngsters tried grabbing a snack of grain a big doe chased them off. Maybe it was mom dropping a not so subtle hint that it's about time they strike out on their own.

Featured Wines of the Week

Brio Red Blend, Shady Lane Cellars, Michigan, $14.49/750ml- A blend of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, Brio brings aromas and flavors of raspberry reduction, cherry preserves, and warm baking spice. It finishes with soft and velvet like tannins. (Source)

Powers, 2017, Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington, $13.99/750ml- Aromas of bright blueberry, dark cherry, vanilla, and spice. On the palate, layered notes of dried cherries, plum, licorice, tobacco, and white pepper. (Source)

Bodegas Ego, Goru Gold, Spain, $15.19/750ml- Intense cherry-red colour with violet shades. Delicate black fruit aroma with high roast and smoky features. Structured, subtle and smart palate, ripe appetising and a sweet tannins marked by elegance. (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

Old Hickory, Hermitage Reserve, Rye whiskey, Indiana, $63.09- Soft, smooth, balanced, wonderful execution of what a 6-year-old reserve rye whiskey should be. (Source)

Tequila Ocho, Plata, Mexico, $42.09/750ml- Unaged and honors the noble agaves of Arandas and the Camarena “Ranchos” through intense, lively and clean flavors Made with 100% Blue Agave. Notes of pineapple, green banana, orange blossom, mint, and herbal tones. (Source)

Papa Bueno, Anejo Tequila, Mexico, $53.69/750ml- Papa Bueno Añejo is aged in oak barrels for a minimum of twelve months, and blended to reveal a smooth, smoky oak tequila with light, warm caramel coloring. It is excellent for sipping and, with its vanilla-honey highlights, mixes well in robust cocktails. (Source)

New and Returning Products

Arvon Double Down Amarillo, $6.79/16oz - Double New England IPA

Arvon Raspberry Strawberry Double Kettle, $6.29/16oz - Kettle Sour

Arvon Silk in the Wind, $5.59/16oz - New England IPA

Avery Barrel Aged Vanilla Bean, $10.89/16oz - A double dose of vanilla derived from both fresh Bourbon barrels and the trio of Tongan, Ugandan, and Mexican whole vanilla beans is complemented by essences of chocolate, caramel and molasses to round out this luxuriously silky stout. (Source)

Bells Larry's Latest Juicy, $2.09/12oz - The name "Larry's Latest" is a nod to the spirit of innovation and experimentation that Larry started in 1985 and continues within the brewery to this day. Our latest Juicy India Pale Ale is highly aromatic with a soft hop bitterness that explodes with notes and aromas of citrus and peach. (Source)

Brew Detroit Corktoberfest, $2.49/16oz - Clean. Crisp. Malty. Traditional German Lager that's amber in color, finishes with a low hop profile and plenty of delicious malty flavor. (Source)

Brew Detroit Pineapple Cloud 19. $3.59/16oz - Our haziest yet. Delicious notes of mango, stone fruit & tropical fruit flavors. Brewed with Mosaic & Hallertau Blanc hops, our NEIPA delivers with a pillowy mouthfeel & subtle white wine finish. (Source)

Desthil Here Gose Nothing, $1.99/12oz - We threw caution to the wind with our interpretation of a Leipzig-style Gose, featuring complex aromas and acidic flavors contributed by indigenous wild yeast and lactic fermentation. Lemon, lime and other citrus-like qualities are balanced by the spicy character of coriander and a mineral-mouthfeel from French sea salt, resulting in a refreshing beer that was worth the risk. (Source)

Desthil Key Lime Pie Gose, $2.99/12oz - We've added key lime, vanilla and lactose to our Leipzig-stye gose to create a liquid version of the popular dessert. The result is a tart, creamy, refreshing treat for your tastebuds. Now you can have your pie and drink it too! (Source)

Desthil Syncopathic Dry Hop, $1.99/12oz - Synchopathic is the cool harmonization of a refreshingly tart and acidic sour ale with citrusy, fruity, & floral dry-hops normally in concert with pale ales, with totally rad aromas and flavors reminiscent of grapefruit, orange, lemon, tangerine, pineapple and hints of pine, giving way to a biscuity-crackery malt back beat, low bitterness and a dry finish to bring everything in synch. (Source)

Desthil Wild Sour Flanders, $1.99/12oz - Wild Sour Series Flanders Red Ale is a Belgian-style Flanders Red Ale brewed by DESTIHL Brewery, and for the purposes of this craft beer review, the ale was served in a tulip glass from a can. (Source)

Drafting Table Oktoberfest, $2.79/16oz - This traditional German lager has the perfect balance of rich malty flavor and drinkability. (Source)

Drafting Table Render, $4.09/16oz - Render is the act of creating an illustration that conveys the attributes of a proposed architectural design. The colorful rending of Downtown Wixom on this label reflects the New England IPA inside- vibrant layers of tropical and citrus flavors. (Source)

Founders CBS, $5.89/12oz, $12.79/750ml - CBS was born when we stumbled upon some bourbon barrels that had previously housed maple syrup. We opted to put the same base beer as KBS, an imperialized version of Breakfast Stout, in the maple barrels and, after one taste, we knew we had something special. Rich maple syrup, roasted coffee and velvety chocolate meld together in what can only be described as a transcendental drinking experience. (Source)

Hop Butcher Tavern Cut, $4.89/16oz - Double India Pale Ale

Hop Butcher Unwind Your Mind, $4.89/16oz - Double India Pale Ale

Hopewell Cold Brew Lemonade, $3.79/16oz - Cold Brew Lemonade is exactly as it sounds: a beer inspired by the energizing combination of cold brew coffee and lemonade. Fresh lemon and a bright tartness is balanced by fruity, light-roasted coffee and a hint of sweetness, making for a refresher fit for the late summer wind-down. Brewed in collaboration with Metric Coffee. (Source)

Illuminated Kreeper, $5.79/16oz - We brewed this little IPA with choice white wheat and a touch of light caramel malt. A judicious late addition of Meridian is amplified by a dry hop charge of Nelson Sauvin, Hallertau Blanc, and Meridian. Soft with a crisp finish, this beer brings waves of clementine, white wine, and peach nectar over a golden malt base. (Source)

Illuminated Peanut Butter Pony Stout, $5.79/16oz - Stout with peanut butter and cocoa.

Luddington Bay Ry-fi, $1.99/12oz - American IPA with 10% rye malt. Dry hopped with cascade and Amarillo hop for a floral & citrus experience. (Source)

Old Nation Cart Horse, $4.09/16oz - IPA - New England

Oozlefinch Crazy Pants, $5.49/16oz - Everyone knows an internet troll...someone who just can't seem to break themselves away from the screen. The next version in our crazy pants series is as rare and interesting...just like an internet troll! Our sour ale base got a hefty addition of pineapple to enhance the fruity character of the house prop.  Additions of ginger and Thai basil give the beer a very well rounded profile with subtle spice and herbal notes.  With lactose to keep the perceived acidity low and give it a sweet finish, this beer is another crazy pants that you do not want to miss.  Who knows, maybe if you do enjoy riveting virtual conversations, this beer can keep you company! (Source)

Oozlefinch Girl's Got Gumption, $5.49/16oz - The newest hazy in our line-up is an ode to all the women making heads turn. With a protein heavy base beer and a new water chemistry that accentuates the juiciness of the hops, this hazy pours creamy and thick with a beautiful pale yellow color. It is bursting with citrus aromas as a result of the aggressive dry hops with Galaxy and Lemondrop. With only one half barrel available for in house, this is a beer you do not want to miss. (Source)

Oozlefinch Party Dinosaur, $5.49/16oz - Our newest smoothie style sour ale is intended to bring you back to the orange creamsicle pops you could get off the sketchy ice cream truck!  This "healthy" and adult version is dosed with apple concentrate, orange blossom honey, and lactose to create a sweet base.  It was then conditioned on orange peel, carrot, cinnamon giving it a beautiful bright orange color and complimenting the acidity from our house prop.  This party dinosaur has what seems like an endless amount of ingredients but we really think each one shines through. It is truly a party in your mouth! (Source)

Pigeon Hill Blood Orange Renny, $2.29/12oz - Renny, our west coast style DIPA, brewed with blood oranges. Deceivingly smooth! (Source)

Ska Modus Hoperandi, $2.19/12oz - A mix of citrus and pine that will remind you of the time you went on a vision quest and woke up in a pine-grove full of grapefruit trees. (Source)

Ska Pink Vapor Stew, $2.39/12oz - blended together originally for our 21st Anniversary party. Citra and Belma hops combine with beets, carrots, ginger and apples turning this brew into a pink vapor stew! (Source)

Ska Tropical Hazy IPA, $2.19/12oz - With a plush mouthfeel, this Hazy IPA explodes with pineapple and papaya flavors supplementing the tropical hop flavors from Cashmere and Idaho 7. (Source)

Southern Tier Nitro Creme Brule, $4.09/12oz - The Blackwater Series has unleashed the popular flavor Crème Brulee in nitro for the next level drinking experience. NITRO Crème Brulee offers cascading, creamy richness with notes of vanilla and custard with a smooth milky finish that is uncannily true to the namesake dessert. (Source)

Trailpoint Toasted Brunette, $3.39/16oz - A light brown ale kissed with toasted, unsweetened coconut.

Urban Artifact Dragons Fruit Punch, $4.59/12oz - A dragon fruit punch midwest fruit tart. With red dragon fruit, balaton cherries, pineapple, and passionfruit. (Source)

Stay safe. Please wear a face covering in indoor public spaces. Spread kindness not germs!