Siciliano's Market News, September 2, 2021 Edition

This week's list of new and returning products follows a few words about the 2021 Edition of the Siciliano's Home Brew Competition

The prestigious Siciliano's Cup

By Steve Siciliano

We are pleased to announce that after a one year pandemic induced hiatus we will again be sponsoring a home brew competition this year. The winner of Best of Show (BOS) will have the opportunity to brew his or her winning recipe at a local brewery, will receive a $500.00 gift card to Siciliano’s Market and, per tradition, will have his or her name engraved on the prestigious Siciliano’s Cup. See below for contest rules and regulations for the 2021 edition of the Siciliano’s Homebrew Competition. Good luck, everyone!

• Every home brewer is allowed one (1) beer entry. All entries must be brewed by the registrant on a home brewing system. Please do not submit entries under the names of significant others, insignificant others, siblings, offspring, distant relatives, estranged roommates, pets, fictional characters, imaginary friends or anyone else.

• Beers are submitted according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines. Ciders and meads are excluded from this competition. If you are unsure of which is the correct style for your beer, contact us and we will help.

• Entries require three (3) plain, unlabeled/unmarked 12-ounce amber bottles. Please, no clear bottles or bottles of any other size.

• We are again using Reggiebeer as our competition website. Go here to enter your beer and print bottle labels.

• The entry fee is $10.00.

• The total number of contest entries will be capped at 100. Do not delay in submitting your entry. Once the cap is reached no additional entries will be accepted.

• Online registration for entries will be accepted from Friday, October 1 through Sunday, October 24 or until 100 entries are submitted, whichever occurs first.

• Entries must be received by Sunday, October 24. Entries will not be accepted after that date. If mailing an entry, please include paperwork and submission fee. Ship in a well-packed box to: Siciliano’s Market // 2840 Lake Michigan Dr. NW // Grand Rapids, MI 49504

All entries in the Siciliano’s Homebrew Competitions are judged by industry professionals and/or trained judges according to the standards of style, not in comparison to each another, with the exception of the Best of Show rounds. Entries that receive scores falling within designated point totals will be awarded medals. A reminder too that we are looking for judges and stewards to help us evaluate all that homebrew. Judging will be held on Saturday, November 6 at 4390 Airwest Dr. SE, Suite A, Kentwood, MI

49512. Registration for judges and stewards is now open. Please visit this page for sign-up information.

Featured Wines of the Week

Rocca delle Macie, 2018, Rubizzo, Italy, $14.49/750ml- 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot.Carefully selected ripe grapes are vinified using the latest controlled-fermentation techniques, which regulate temperature and preserve flavors. The wine is bottled in the spring following the vintage to preserve freshness. Color: Ruby red, brilliant with violet reflections. Nose: Intense, ripe berry fruits. Palate: Rich, smooth, with good structure. (Source)

Dansk Mjod, Klapojster Mead, Denmark, $33.59/750ml- Klapøjster Mjød is just like our other mead based on honey and water, but with inspiration from a Danish tradition, we have mixed this mead with snaps.

This makes Klapøjster Mjød stronger than the traditional mead and get an aftertaste of snaps, but still retains mead sweetness and rich characteristic. (Source)

Contratto, Americano Rosso, Italy, $32.59/750ml- The original 19th century recipe for Contratto Americano is based on a unique combination of white wine, Italian brandy and a delicate infusion of over 25 premium natural herbs, spices, roots and seeds. The selection of botanicals (including ginger, mint, bitter orange, sage, etc.) comes from a similar pool to the Vermouth, though the Americano is a bit sweeter. This aromatic infusion of herbs and spices creates a distinctive bouquet and flavor, delicious served chilled on its own and a perfect ingredient in classic and contemporary mixology. (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

Doc Swinson's, Alter Ego Solera Method Rye Whiskey Aged in Rum Barrels, Indiana, $55.79/750ml- I know we’ve convinced you that we like whiskey, or at least I hope we have at this point! We also happen to really appreciate rums. For those nice travels to the sunny Caribbean, we tend to enjoy a bottle of local rum on the beach. This gave birth to a natural companionship where sweet meets spice, opposites attract in all the right ways. We take a trio of American Straight Rye Whiskies with complex spices and lock it away in a cask that was home to a diverse set of rums, allowing them to work out their differences. (Source)

Ardbeg, Scorch, Single Malt Whisky, Scotland, $126.19/750ml- Bottled to celebrate Ardbeg Day 2021 and Islay’s definitely-real-and-totally-not-made-up flavour breathing dragon, Ardbeg Scorch is a dram with an almost mythical flavour profile.

Our whisky wizards have been hard at work, chanting incantations and conjuring spirits, concocting one of the Distillery’s most fantastical whiskies yet. Matured in ex-Bourbon American oak casks, fiercely charred and packed with smoke. .Take a sip and experience lair upon lair of flavour. On the nose, frighteningly intense aromas of soot and smoke lie in wait. Hints of aniseed and fragrant patchouli interlace with bold notes of quenched steel and saddle soap. With a drop of water, herbal top notes of briarwood, sage and pine wisp their way to the fore. An oily mouthfeel grips the senses. Billowy clouds of sweet smoke and dragon charred oak permeate the palate, while grilled fare and black liquorice weave between notes of medicinal lozenge.A long and heroic finale, with a subtle tarry after taste. A finish that will drag on, well into its happily ever after. (Source)

New and Returning Products

Austin Brothers Austoberfeswt, $1.99/12oz-Traditional marzen with rich caramel notes. Balanced beer with a smooth and clean finish. (Source)

Austin Brothers Helloha Punch, $4.09/16oz-Just like your dad says as he stops off the plane for the first time on the big island - Hello-Ha!

This beer will make you feel like you are there with him as well, with huge amounts of Pineapple, Passion Fruit, Pink Guava, and Orange complementing this kettle sour. So throw on some socks and sandals, an umbrella hat, and your best Lei, and let this beer take you to the tropics! (Source)

Austin Brothers Murcules, $4.09/16oz-This New England style Double IPA pours a murky gold color with juicy characters of peach and tropical fruits hitting the nose and pallet. (Source)

Bells Raspberry Flamingo Fruit Fight, $2.09/12oz-A flamingo walked in through the out door, with a beer brewed with... Raspberry puree -- the kind you drink that makes you want more. Brewed with fresh raspberries, this ale is bright, tart and refreshing. (Source)

Bells Rind Over Matter, $1.89/12oz-Brewing beer isn’t just a collection of ingredients and techniques, it takes an act of will. With a dash of real lemon and orange zest, this wheat ale is bright and refreshing, joining Oberon and Bright White as part of our rotational Wheat Series. It’s more than the sum of its parts, it’s Rind Over Matter™. (Source)

Big Lake Deer Beer, $2.59/16oz-Lager - American Light

Brewery Vivant Coqtoberfest, $3.79/16oz-A beer for celebration and clanking of glasses. For toasting to the end of a summer well spent, crops harvested, and the coming of fall. Malt forward, but still immensely drinkable. This is a brew we’ve made to deliver the feelings of autumn in Michigan. The nights grow longer as do our stories and the beards and braids of those we we share them with. (Source)

Brewery Vivant Pumpkin Tart, $3.79/16oz-Belgian brewers are inspired by their local agriculture. Living in the midst of a rich agricultural heritage our Vivant brewers find it quite natural to be inspired in this same way. A Michigan autumn heralds color tours, corn mazes and bountiful pumpkin harvests (4th in the nation, last we checked!). This rustic beer is fermented with real pumpkin and a hint of Fall spices. Our farmhouse yeast yields a delightful tartness that sets this pumpkin beer apart. (Source)

Brewery Vivant Raspberry Peach, $5.29/16oz-We blended fresh saison beer with wood aged sour ale to create a slightly acidic base and then added in raspberries and Michigan peach juice to give this ruby hues ale a big fruit component. (Source)

Prairie Sneaking Suspicion, $3.29/12oz-Sour ale with passion fruit, mango, and pineapple

Stone Hazy, $2.19/12oz-Powered by Sabro, Magnum, El Dorado, and Azacca hops, Stone Hazy IPA brings plenty of pineapple, orange, mango, melon and lemon flavors and aroma. (Source)

Untitled Art/Mikerphone Barrel Aged Hazelnut Imperial Stout, $8.99/16oz-Stout - Imperial / Double Milk

Untitled Art/Mikerphone Hazelnut Imperial Stout, $5.19/12oz

Upper Hand Deer Camp, $1.49/12oz-Lager - Amber

Watermark Ghostmeal, $3.79/16oz-Pale Ale - American