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 Joe Alicata is a 2009 graduate of Northport High School, he has his B.A. in Public Administration from the University at Albany. Joe works in the insurance industry, is a member of the Advisory Board for the Northport High School Academy of Finance (AOF) program, and is a Director for Northport Student's Mean Business. He can be reached at etrestaurants@gmail.com |
| Tucked away down a long alley between the imposing façade of a bank and the reserved storefront which houses the Wine Bar on Main lies one of the newest additions to the beer scene on the North Shore: Sand City Brewing Co. Opened in October 2015, Sand City is the brainchild of CEO and head brewer, Kevin Sihler. To date, Sand City has only a handful of beers to their name, all of which are available on tap in the tasting room, or in growlers to take home for your next social engagement. The five available beers, listed on the wall on chalkboard planks are Tafelbier (Belgian table beer), Red Sand (hoppy amber), Day Drifter (Oatmeal IPA), Black IPA and Southdown Breakfast Stout. You can choose from a glass of one, or go for the flight as I did, which gives you a good sized sample of each. First on my flight was the Tafelbier: a bright beer with a clean finish and slightly fruity undertone, its an overall tasty table beer which would go good with most any meal outside of tangy sauces (like tomato sauce), a solid choice for most dining engagements and overall highly drinkable. Moving along, I came to the Red Sand hoppy amber. The Red Sand is well bodied and flavorful, with the hoppy notes being pronounced but not overpowering. As far as pairing goes, this beer would go well with a burger or other red meat meal. Next on the docket we have the Day Drifter Oatmeal IPA. Upon first taste, Day Drifter is sweet, and finishes with a smoky touch. There is a good amount of hop flavor, and the overall flavor profile is strong and pronounced. This is a beer I would drink by itself, unless much beer has been consumed before that juncture is reached in which case all bets are off. Following up the Day Drifter was the Black IPA. When they say “Black IPA” they mean Black IPA. If you like your beers opaque, this is for you. At first I locked eyes with this glass thinking “this thing is going to dominate my mouth, buckle up kids”. Much to my surprise and the delight of my palate, the Black IPA has a smoky flavor with a strong hoppy note and despite those two strong flavors, it still has a nice refreshing finish to it which is admittedly surprising given that it is an IPA and it cannot be seen through. Finally, I came upon the Southdown Breakfast Stout. Breakfast stouts are an interesting brew, and most of you are likely familiar with Founder’s iteration of the brew. Sand City’s take is a smooth, dark stout with well-defined coffee and chocolate flavors. This would best be served with a comfort food type of meal such as a stew or soup on a cold winter evening. I managed to get a quick word with the Head Brewer himself on my way out. Mr. Sihler informed me that things have been going very well for them since they opened back in October and that they currently are working on a Belgian Blonde Ale and a Rye IPA, completion and release date TBA. Overall if you are looking for a nice way to spend some time on a winter afternoon or want to snag a growler of tasty local beer, head in to Sand City Brewing Co. in Northport and check out what they have to offer. |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 