Mixing Hops & Hospitality: Top Opal Beers
With National Beer Day kicking off on April 7, now’s the ideal time for brew hounds to sample the hoppy, smooth, and unique signature brews at Opal destinations – best served with a coastal sunset of your choice.
Lake Placid Lodge IPA
Brewed just for the lodge by nearby Great Adirondack Brewing Company, this is a California IPA the way juggernauts like Stone and Left Coast make them, with Northwest and Cascade hops that impart a sharp, citrusy flavor and aroma with a drinkable 6.5% ABV. Try it alongside a meal sourced straight from the Adirondacks at Artisans Restaurant.
Caretta Beach Blonde
As the only AAA Four Diamond restaurant in Clearwater, Sandpearl Resort’s Carretta on the Gulf knows a thing or two about takings its guests on high-class culinary journeys, but you’ll also understand the buzz around its beer after you sample this straw-colored, fruit-forward take on a classic blonde ale, with Cascade hops and barley mixing for a pleasantly smooth quaff.
Sagamore Ale
The Sagamore has been serving up this sharp and hoppy blonde ale as their flagship brew since 1986, alongside a variety of craft options. The signature beer is light and drinkable and can be enjoyed anywhere on the property – but science suggests it tastes best poolside on a sunny day.
Opal IPA
Opened in February, Opal Sands Resort offers up this balanced, crisp triple-hopped IPA that holds up in the presence of juggernauts like Cigar City’s Jai Alai IPA. If you’re a hop head, you’ll appreciate the bite, but it’s balanced enough not to scare away those making a timid foray into more bitter brews for the first time at any bar on the property.
Be sure to visit all of Opal’s Florida destinations for signature brews and Maine destinations to check out local craft selections this April, and check out our guide to great Florida and Maine beers.
