Tag Archives: flagship february

Monk in the Trunk Amber Ale label

Florida Originals: Monk in the Trunk Amber Ale

One of Florida’s original Belgian-inspired beers, Monk in the Trunk Amber Ale is our next honoree for Flagship February.

Inlet Brewing Company is a contract brewery (one where the beer is brewed onsite at another brewery), and one of Florida’s first certified organic beers. This amber-colored ale comes from a time when one of Florida’s first brewers had an idea for a single beer and inspiration from the fruity ales of the Old World and he had to share that alchemy with the world.  Thus, Monk in the Trunk Amber Ale was born and survives to this day.

This copper-colored ale’s fruity and slightly spicy aroma and flavor profile derive from the use of quality organic brewing materials and a Belgian yeast strain.

The newest evolution of this Belgian-inspired ale is its transition into cans.

From Inlet Brewing Company:

Monk in the Trunk Amber Ale label

 

About Monk in the Trunk Amber Ale
Our flagship beer. This unique copper-colored ale derives its fruity, slightly spicy aroma from authentic Belgian Abbey yeast. The subtle nutty and malty sweet flavors sing in harmony with the freshest organic hops available. Monk In The Trunk devotees are known to chant about its most intriguing quality, true drinkability.

The inspiration to create this fine organic beer was provided by the tale of a legendary Belgian Monk who spanned the globe in search of only the best ingredients from this fertile earth. Drawn to our shores by the great beacon which is the Jupiter Lighthouse, he discovered the missing component to fulfill his quest to brew the perfect beer. In the spirit of the Monk, Friar Ray suggests you keep it real…drink organic.

Inlet Brewing Company logo

 

About Inlet Brewing Company
Our goal has always been to create well rounded, Belgian-inspired beers which offer just the right combination bringing together Florida and Belgium. Monk in the Trunk, our flagship beer, offers the perfect balance.

Dunedin Brewery Logo

Florida Originals: Dunedin Brewery Red Head Red Ale

Flagship February continues, and so does our salute to Florida’s classic craft beers.

As the series travels further south into Pinellas County, Dunedin Brewery’s Red Head Red Ale has been lovingly crafted by the Bryant family, who founded the Dunedin Brewery in its namesake city.

 

Dunedin Brewery Red Head Red Ale

About Red Head Red Ale
The beer is a throwback to a time when Dunedin Brewery was a destination brewery – one of the beers the brewery has bottled and now cans for thirsty ale enthusiasts as far back as memory stretches, even to the brewery’s opening in 1995. The beer pours an amber-copper color and has notes of caramel, toffee, and ripe orchard fruit in both the aroma and the taste, lingering into the finish.  Originally, Red Head Red was only available on draft, then the beer transitioned to package format – at one time the beer was available in 12oz and 22oz sizes, but now patrons can bring the beer home in 16oz cans that still boast the memorable spokesmodel on the label.

 

Visit Dunedin Brewery

Dunedin Brewery Interior

Photo courtesy of Visit St.Pete/Clearwater

Dunedin Brewery is located off of Douglas Avenue in Dunedin – close enough to the Gulf of Mexico to feel the gulf breeze and hear the gulls call. Founded and still managed by the Bryant family, the brewery and ‘snug pub’ have been the site of mini-festivals and beer celebrations since the brewery opened its doors.  From the yearly Spring Beer Jam, to Stogies and Stouts, including OktoBEERfest, and all points in between, Dunedin Brewery is still a memorable starting point for craft beer, the only difference now is that Dunedin has eight other breweries that drinkers can venture to.

 

Dunedin Brewery Logo

About Dunedin Brewery
As the oldest microbrewery in Florida, we are committed to two great challenges: satisfying our thirst for a well-crafted brew, and fulfilling the need to contribute to a strong, vibrant community. Dunedin Brewery is founded on values that make these goals a reality; like yourself, we value the integrity to stand for a cause, the stability gained from working hard, and the experience of connecting with good people—our dedicated staff of beer enthusiasts or our loyal guests. There are plenty of things to do in Florida—even plenty of things to do in Tampa Bay—but we strive to be more than just a place and more than just a beer; we strive to meet the challenge of creating an amazing city and an amazing craft brew. Sláinte!

 

*Our “Florida Originals” series pays tribute to the beers and brewers that helped build the bedrock of the Sunshine State’s craft beer scene.  To be a part of this series, classic Florida ales and lagers need to be of a historical nature and also still available for purchase.

Saint Somewhere Brewing Company Logo

Florida Originals: Saint Somewhere Saison Athene

For the second year in a row, it’s Flagship February or (#FlagshipFebruary), and while beer writers around the country are saluting their favorite beers that lead the charge in the craft beer revolution, only Floridian been enthusiasts understand just how late Florida was to the party when it comes to craft beer.  While west of the Mississippi, Sierra Nevada, Deschutes, New Belgium, and many others were blazing trails in the 1970s and 1980s, Florida’s first wave of craft beer rebirth died off in the late nineties and few beers from that era are still available.  Florida’s first brewers and breweries were a happy few that decided they were going to brew beer in The Southernmost State no matter what, and a handful of beers from these pioneers are still available today.  This series of articles pay tribute to them – the OGs of Florida craft beer – who took a leap of faith and decided to chase a dream that hadn’t fully formed yet, the dream of Sunshine State craft beer.

Saint Somewhere Saison Athene Bottle

 

The first beer in this series is Tarpon Springs’s Saint Somewhere Brewing and flagship beer Saison Athene.

Founded by owner and brewer Bob Sylvester in a warehouse space in Tarpon Springs, Saint Somewhere Brewing aimed to bring the Belgian farmhouse ale tradition to Florida in the early 2000s.

Bob was in for a significant challenge during that time period, as he chose to make Belgian-style beer for a state that was still dominated mostly by bland macro beer.  Bob took the mantle of Florida beer up, and the state’s beer scene has not been the same since.

 

 

 

Saint Somewhere Saison Athene

 

About Saison Athene

Saison Athene is a 7.5% ABV farmhouse ale that is brewed with rosemary, chamomile, and black pepper.  The beer is bottle and keg conditioned and is finished in corked and caged bottles. Approachable with the noticeable presence of these herbs, Saison Athene is a great beer to pair with almost any meal, especially charcuterie.

 

 

 

Saint Somewhere Brewing Company Logo

 

Visit Saint Somewhere

Saint Somewhere Brewing is located at 115 South Ring Avenue in Tarpon Springs.  The brewery has an updated schedule for tours and tastings in 2020.  The brewery is open each month on the first and third Thursday and Friday.  For a complete schedule, visit the brewery’s Facebook page. Visit one of Florida’s oldest craft breweries, and taste one of the most unique ales from one of the state’s most unique breweries.