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Pride Pub: Your Grub and Grog Selections for Orlando City vs. D.C. United
Welcome to Pride Pub. The idea behind these articles is to provide some introductions to craft beers and related recipes. Grub and grog to enjoy when watching the lads take to the pitch on match day. Each match, I’ll pick out a Craft beer from the opponent’s hometown (or area), with considerations for the time of the year, and any pertinent news.
Recent stadium-related news helped bring in an extra beer for us to enjoy for this game. As you may know, Virginia was making a big push to bring United down to the south side of D.C. Ultimately it failed, but at least we get to try a third beer this week.
From D.C. – Gordon Biersch Sommerbrau
Our opponent is D.C. United, and although they sit atop the East, they had to feel some bitterness towards the state of Virginia for trying to swipe their team away from them this summer. And so, I have chosen Gordon Biersch’s Sommerbrau for our D.C. selection, as it has a “pinpoint bitterness” for a “summer beer.”
"Sommerbrau is a Kolsch style beer. Kolsch literally means the beer of Cologne, Germany. This Beer style is a light bodied beer fermented using a special top fermenting yeast strain, which we import specially from Germany, brewing it true to style. It is brewed with 80% pale-malted barley and 20% malted wheat. The pinpoint bitterness of the German Tettnang hops and crisp finish make this beer perfect for summertime enjoyment: it is available seasonally from May through July. 4.8% ABV, 25 IBU."
Pair with: grilled fish or chicken.
Dave’s recommendation: Old Bay 2-Step Broiled Fish. The Chesapeake Bay area demands Old Bay. Traditional Old Bay is a world renowned blend of 18 Herbs and Spices that grace every table and cabinet in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia (and my house as well). If you haven’t had the pleasure of Maryland Style Blue Crabs, you can at least try the 2-Step Broiled Fish.
From Virginia – Legend Pale Ale
The (not really a) wild card this week was the state of Virginia! They were quite "assertive" in their plans for a soccer "complex."
"Our American style Pale Ale is a hop lover's dream. We craft this copper colored ale to supply a moderate bitterness and an aggressive hop flavor and aroma. Columbus hops pitched early in the boil give a clean, soft bitterness. Late kettle hops include Northern Brewer, Simcoe, and Chinook for plenty of pungent pine and citrus character. Judicious amounts of four specialty malts add counter and depth. Expect a medium bodied brew with an assertive, complex flavor and a dry finish. 5.5% abv"
Pair with: Smoked cheeses and grilled meats
Dave’s recommendation: Combination here. A smoked sausage recipe with sauces, and a real cheese — mac 'n cheese. Substitute smoked versions of the cheese to kick it up a notch. Nothing particularly Virginia about this, but hey, taste matters.
From Florida – Orlando Brewery Doble Imperial IPA
For our Florida selection, I went with this kingly IPA for the Orlando City “kings of the jungle” Lions. At 8.5% it reigns over our other selections for ABV and taste.
"This bold ale's complex flavor profile stems from its large organic grain bill and the hefty hop additions of organic Magnum, Centennial and Cascade. It has a prominent bitter caramel taste that lingers long after your first sip. 8.5% ABV 94 IBU"
Pairing with: sweet and saucy bbq or ribs
Happy tailgating! Go City! Beat United!
References:
ABV – Alcohol by Volume. The standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in a given volume, expressed as a percentage.
IBU – International Bittering Units scale. The measure of actual bitterness of a beer as contributed by the alpha acid from hops.