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Friday, February 2, 2018

New Beer Friday, Smoke 'Em If You Like 'Em Edition (Feb 2)

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

During a recent visit to a cigar review website, I came across a blog post addressing the burning question of whether one should keep the cigar band on after lighting up a high end smoke. The blogger contended that those who don’t remove the band are guilty of “bad form” and that a cigar smoking “gentleman” would never be gauche enough to flaunt his ability to buy expensive cigars.

Perhaps it’s because I rarely smoke cigars north of the ten dollar range that I dismissed this writer’s sentiments as much ado about nothing, and while I have never accused my male cigar smoking friends of being gentlemen, I certainly wouldn’t think any less of them if I spied them puffing on a banded, thirty-dollar smoke.

When it comes to beer, wine, liquor, food and cigars my philosophy has always been drink, eat and smoke what you like. If you enjoy jug wine, inexpensive suds and liquor that has been aged for less than two days, more power to you. If you would rather eat hamburgers and hot dogs instead of filet mignon, who am I to judge. Conversely, it’s none of my business if someone would rather savor a twenty dollar Cohiba instead of a cheap gas station stogie.

Regardless of what your thoughts may be on the subject of cigar band etiquette, it should be mentioned that there is a practical reason for keeping the band on until the last third of the smoke. If the band is removed too soon there is the danger of ripping the wrapper which may cause the cigar to unravel. Wait until the ash is about a pinky width away. The heat will loosen any adhesives that might hamper the band’s easy removal.

New and Returning Beer

  • Arbor Faricy's Stout, $2.19/12oz - "We blend black malts with roasted and flaked barley to brew this Irish-style stout, giving it a full body, notes of roasted coffee and dark chocolate, and smooth dry finish" (source).
  • Blackrocks Classic Pilsner, $1.99/12oz - "The finest German malt, American hops and Lake Superior water collide to create our take on the world's most popular style. As crisp and refreshing as the Great Lakes, this beer is a nod to European tradition with a distinct American disobedience" (source).
  • Blackrocks MyKiss, $2.19/12oz - "A well hopped, bright, bold, succulent American IPA with Simcoe, Citra, and Mosaic" (source).
  • Blake's Santa Rosa Plum, $12.09/22oz - "Extended contact with plum skins and a long cold fermentation produces a cider of complex depth" (source).
  • Blake's Tonic, $2.19/12oz - "The Tonic is our spring seasonal that pairs well with warm weather, sunshine, and everything outdoors. The crisp cucumber notes meld well with the fresh ginger we juiced and added in at the end of fermentation. The Tonic is a fan favorite here on the farm and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome" (source).
  • Great Lakes Holy Moses, $1.89/12oz - "Refreshment or bust! Orange peel, coriander, and chamomile stake their claim in this unfiltered White Ale, named for our fair city's founder, Moses Cleaveland" (source).
  • Griffin Claw Project Clementine, $3.19/16oz - "A Double IPA brewed with e zest of clementines for a fresh orange flavor. The hops are balanced well by a malty, citrus taste. A perfect Summer DIPA" (source).
  • Innus and Gunn Kindred Spirit, $3.29/12oz - "Our smooth Scottish stout meets Tullamore D.E.W. triple distilled Irish whiskey barrel staves in our unique ageing process to create a flavour packed beer with notes of dark chocolate and coffee alongside hints of vanilla and oak" (source).
  • New Belgium Tartastic Raspberry Lime, $1.79/12oz - "Brewed with raspberry and lime purees for an irresistibly playful sweet-tart sip that’ll put a smile on your face every time" (source).
  • Saugatuck Uncommonly Tweaked, $1.89/12oz - "Kick off Spring with this beautiful Amber Ale brewed with organic Peruvian El Cautivo Coffee Beans from our friends at Uncommon Coffee Roasters (located in Saugatuck, MI). A smooth coffee flavor and kick bring out the rich malt characteristics of the Amber base" (source).
  • Tallgrass Velvet Rooster, $1.89/12oz - "The first Belgian-style Tripel ever released in a can, Velvet Rooster initially launched in 2011. After a brief hiatus in 2016, it’s back as part of our seasonal lineup! This clean and crisp tripel boasts big, fruity esters and slight peppery spice from Belgian yeast. It’s bubbly like champagne with hints of citrus fruit, earthy-grassy notes and a sweet, candy-like finish" (source).

Video of the Week | Blake's Tonic


Now available at Siciliano's.

Cheers!

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