Pride Pub: Orlando City at Minnesota United FC

The Lions head up to Loon Country to take on Minnesota United FC and their old skipper, Adrian Heath, Saturday night. You might think it’s strange that Inchy is going to be there and not serving a suspension for stepping onto the field. After all, he was suspended when he did the same thing as Orlando City’s skipper. Oh well, at least we have good grub and grog selections for the match.

Just a reminder on how this works: we choose a craft beer from the country/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 complement our other recipe and to represent our Orlando City Lions here in the beautiful Sunshine State.

From Minnesota: Surly Hell Helles Lager, Surly Brewing Co.

Surly beers are now available at Total Wine stores, just in time for our match against Minnesota United FC. Way back in 2004, Omar Ansari was a home brewer who just had to turn pro. He convinced the family to turn their abrasives factory into a brewery. Fast forward to December of 2005, and Surly had brewed its first batch of beer. Two months later, the brewery began selling kegs. Now in 2017, we’re lucky enough to be able to get these brews in Florida.

According to the brewery:

"Hell is German for light. A pale-gold lager with bready malt aromas and flavors, floral hop aroma, and a balanced finish. Finally, a Surly beer my German mother will drink. She says this one tastes like a bier from back home. Not unlike a Zwickel Bier from Germany, Hell is not filtered and fermented with lager yeast. American hops takes a back seat to the Pils malt sweetness and fresh bread aroma. The color is well… hell (Deutsch for light). It’s fiendishly drinkable, and you don’t have to sell your soul to get another.”

Pair with: Chicken Ceasar Salad. Helles Lagers are light but with flavor, much like a Ceasar salad. The chicken makes it a meal.

Dave’s Recommendations: Bread with Italian bread dip. I’m a big fan of the bread that waiters bring to the table when I eat out. I’m an even bigger fan if they bring out the Italian-style bread dip. The oil and spices are just perfect.

From Florida: Tropic Pressure Florida Ale, Big Storm Brewing

Big Storm Brewing was founded in 2012 by Mike Bishop. A short five years later, they have two brewing and taproom facilities in Tampa. On top of that they won the 2016 Best Florida Beer Championship for their Oktoberfest Marzen. What I’m getting at is Big Storm is a brewery on the rise, and the Tropic Pressure Florida Ale is no exception.

According to the brewery:

"A highly drinkable Florida ale steeped with hibiscus flowers for just the right amount of natural sweetness and a hint of cinnamon. Brewed with pale wheat and honey malt, Tropic Pressure pours the color of skin that has been kissed by the warm Florida sunshine. Keep and serve cold as hail!"

Pair with: Grilled Hog Snapper. When the brewer tells you what goes best with their beer, you listen. If you can’t get hog snapper, simply substitute another whitefish. The touch of Old Bay will liven things up just enough to truly enjoy the meal.

Dave’s Recommendations: Key Lime Pie. Pairs well with the meal, the beer, or both.

Well Mane Landers, let us know which of these pairing you decided on in the comments below. We thank you for your patronage and Go City!