Pride Pub: Your Grub and Grog Selections for Orlando City vs. Colorado Rapids

Welcome back to Pride Pub! Where, no we don't know your name, but you're welcome just the same. Just a reminder on how this works: we choose a craft beer from the state/city of our opponent and we include an appropriate recipe to go along with it. Of course, we also choose a Florida craft beer to represent our Orlando City Lions, and the beautiful Sunshine State.

This week we're facing the Colorado Rapids...from Colorado...and from a craft beer angle, that means...heck yes! There are many, many craft beers from up in those mountains. Heck, Big Enos and Little Enos paid the Bandit $80,000 to transport 400 cases of Coors to Georgia. And this beer is much better than that, plus you don't have to own a Trans Am to get it. Our selections this week should be available at your local beer or liquor store (maybe even the grocery store).

From Colorado - Dale's Pale Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery

Sitting in last place in the Western Conference, the Rapids pale (see what I did there?) in comparison to the surging Lions in the East. However, this beer is a bit like Coors in the 70s. For the longest time, the only way you could get it in the East was once a year, at Bonnaroo. Now, fortunately, you can find it almost anywhere. By the way, there is an actual Dale, and he's a very cool guy. I met him in Boulder, CO. He had multiple coolers of his Pale Ale. Glorious.

According to the brewery:

"This voluminously hopped mutha delivers a hoppy nose and assertive-but-balanced flavors of pale malts and citrusy floral hops from start to finish. Oskar Blues launched its canning ops in 2002, brewing and hand-canning Dale’s Pale Ale in the Lyons, ColoRADo, brewpub. America’s first-craft-canned mountain Pale is a hearty, critically acclaimed trailblazer that changed the way craft beer fiends perceive portable beer (6.5 percent ABV and 65 IBUs)."

Pair with: DPA Beer Can Chicken (straight from Oskar Blues Brewery itself).

Dave's recommendation: I obviously went with the people at Oskar Blues Brewery regarding the Beer Can Chicken. Just like their Pale Ale, I'm certain they've got this one figured out. Quick note -- there are many great beers from Oskar Blues, so don't feel you have to limit yourself to Dale's Pale Ale.

From Florida - Arcus IPA, Big Storm Brewing Company

Big Storm Brewing comes straight out of Odessa, FL. While they've only been around since 2012, they're making a big splash on the brewing industry in Florida -- just as Orlando City is making waves in the MLS. Why Arcus for this match? Intense Citrus Bowl plus sweet locals and a clean finish, well that just describes us to a tee.

According to the brewery:

"This India Pale Ale is brewed with 2-row American pale ale malts. This IPA rolls in with a 6.9% ABV and intense citrusy hop aroma. The addition of local honey lends a subtle sweetness for a clean finish."

Pair with: fish or burgers.

Dave's recommendation: Mango Salsa Fish Tacos. Again, don't feel like you have to limit yourself to just the Arcus. Big Storm has several good choices as well.

As always, Happy tailgating! Go City! Beat the Rapids!