Pride Pub: Orlando City at Philadelphia Union

Welcome back to the Pride Pub! This Sunday, Orlando City heads to Talen Energy Stadium to take on the Philadelphia Union. No playoff implications for the Lions, but there’s always playing for pride and maybe playing spoiler for an Eastern Conference foe. There’s plenty of time to get everything together, but I’m sure we could all use a beer before Sunday. Let’s hit the Pub!

(Orlando City fans heading into the game this weekend.)

Just a reminder on how this works: we choose a craft beer from the state/city/area of our opponent and we include an appropriate recipe to go along with it. Of course, we also choose a Florida craft beer to complement our other recipe, and to represent our Orlando City Lions here in the beautiful Sunshine State.

From Philly - Summer Love Ale, Victory Brewing Company

Since 1996, the brewery founded by Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet, has been putting out some fantastic beers. All that from two guys that met on a school bus in the fifth grade. Well done lads, well done.

According to the brewery:

"There are plenty of reasons to love summer, and here is one great one! German hops and pale malt blend beautifully to create this refreshing taste of summer. This light-bodied ale casts a golden hue reminiscent of the summer sun shining high above the city of Philadelphia. It was commissioned of us by Visit Philadelphia in order to capture the essence of a city that is rich in history and in flavor. Share and feel the ‘Love this summer as tourists and locals alike flock to your restaurant or bar!"

Pair with: Philly Cheese Steak. Unbelievably we haven’t recommended a Philly Cheese Steak yet for a Union match-up. The pale ale will go very nicely with this classic Philadelphia delicacy.

Dave's recommendation: Enjoy some tasty Homemade Onion Rings for a switch from french fries.

From Florida - Show Pigeon IPA, Central 28 Brew

Central 28 is one of my favorite Florida breweries, and as a "Hophead" lover of IPAs, I’m very happy they now have a year-round IPA. Unfortunately, the brewery doesn’t have the beer on their website at this point. However, there’s a really neat story surrounding the naming of the beer, but I’ll let Central 28 share it with you.

According to the brewery:

"Some time back we were visited by a pigeon. But this was no ordinary, begging for crumbs in the park pigeon. This one was fat, with a veritable technicolor dreamcoat of feathers. He hung out on our back dock like he owned the place, and barely gave us a second look anytime we approached. At first we thought he might be a pest, then he started to feel like one of the team. And then one day he didn’t come back.

We’re pretty sure he went back to his home (he was banded and had a home) but we still walt to the back dock and check to see if the pigeon is back. Our fancy Show Pigeon.

Show Pigeon is an unfiltered American style IPA, clean and balanced with big hop aroma and flavor. An assertive bitterness for balance that is not harsh or lingering complements a light malt backbone. Notes of grapefruit, sweet and bitter orange, lemon peel, pine and guava course through the aggressive hop profile, both in the flavor and the aroma. While hugely flavorful this beer is well balanced and exceedingly drinkable, so have two. One’s for the pigeon."

Pair with: Buffalo Chicken Wings. Regular Pride Pub patrons know that IPAs and spicy dishes are a match made in heaven, and buffalo chicken wings turn up the heat. If you’re feeling a little more health conscious you can have Boneless Buffalo Chicken Bites instead.

Dave's recommendations: We’re going to keep this simple -- celery and carrot sticks with your choice of ranch or blue cheese dip. Of course, if that’s not enough, feel free to use the onion ring recipe with the wings.

Thank you for stopping by the Pride Pub. As always, please comment below and let us know what you think.