The Florida Beer Company, based out of Cape Canaveral, Florida, is the Sunshine State’s Number 1 craft brewery. Originally Indian River Brewing, it was bought by Humberto Perez who succeeded in growing the business, and relocating to the new 5-acre facility in Cape Canaveral. Today, Ed Scott and Jim Massoni continue to provide great beer to beer enthusiasts both locally and country-wide.
A proud supporter of Florida agriculture, they use only the finest ingredients from the local area, including “surplus” honey. With ecology in mind, they raise most of what they use (hops, grains and a variety of citrus), using any “scraps” as animal feed and compost.
Brewing delicious beer since 1997, you may recognize some of their most sought-after brands, including: Key West Sunset Ale, Key West Southernmost Wheat, Swamp Ape IPA, Florida Lager, Kelly’s Hard Cider and IPA Devil’s Triangle. Featured this month from your favorite Beer of the Month Club is Whisper Creek Surplus Honey Citrus Ale and Florida Sweet Stout.
The label on their Whisper Creek Surplus Honey Citrus Ale will tell you the story of “when a chef and a brewer ran into a farmer …” Touted as “Sunshine in a bottle,” it’s brewed with honey, orange and grapefruit zest, resulting in zesty aroma, fresh citrus flavors and a sweet finish. It’s tangy, with a subtle hint of honey. (Whisper Creek is a nano-brewery (producing just 28 gallons of beer, only two styles weekly), who contracts with Florida Brewery.)
Full-bodied Florida Sweet Stout has a smooth light residual sweetness on the palate. Chocolate malt is added for a strong mocha, dark fruit aspect — and near pitch black color. Lightly hopped, it finishes dry and clean with just a hint of the usual stout ester profile.
Featured Beer from Florida Brewery: Whisper Creek Surplus Honey Citrus Ale & Florida Sweet Stout
HONEY CITRUS ALE — Whisper Creek Surplus Honey Citrus Ale from Florida Brewery: A citrus-based ale, it’s zesty with the rinds of grapefruit and orange, sweetened with “surplus” honey – excess that the local bees don’t need to survive. Top-fermented, grab a handful of salted mixed nuts, or serve with anything spicy or smokey.
STOUT — Florida Brewery’s Florida Sweet Stout: A close cousin to the Porter, most Stouts have a roasted coffee-like flavor not found in Porters. This is the brew most recommended by doctors for nursing mothers — really! With its subtle sweetness, this top-fermented brew is a ringer for pairing with French Vanilla ice cream or anything chocolate. Hint: Be sure the stout is as sweet or sweeter than the food served with it.
