The Microbrew Scene in Punta Gorda -- A Taste of Florida Cracker

Guest Post By Eric Schlake 

As the restaurant and pub scene in Punta Gorda grows, the selection available to us here of craft and microbrew beers is growing with it.   These exciting new beer choices, many from local Florida breweries,  pair well with our local menus or stand alone when out for an evening.

Craft beers are growing in popularity, with some brewers focusing on bringing back traditional recipes and others attempting to push the envelope with new styles and intense flavors. The range available ensures there is something for everyone, from the person looking for a larger variety of traditional beers to the person looking for something more adventurous.  As a bonus, craft beers are a great way to put money back into the local economy, with many local offerings being brewed right here in Florida.

Today we stopped by the Ice House Pub, with 4-5 revolving taps dedicated to different craft beers.   As a tap runs out, it is replaced by another craft beer signified on the “”On Deck” portion of their chalkboard beer menu, allowing for tastes of a large assortment of these beers.    

On this visit  we tried Cigar City's  Florida Cracker, a Belgium style Whit, or Wheat Beer. Belgium Whits are known for their hazy color, which comes from the yeast, and traditionally spiced with hints of orange and coriander.  Cigar City Brewing, a microbrewery based out of Tampa, provides our area with a solid assortment of quality craft beers.

Florida Cracker poured a hazy straw color, with a nice floral, almost lavender aroma. With crisp flavor, the beer has a refreshing citrus characteristic balanced by some spice notes.  It’s easy to drink, easy to recognize the flavors, and mainstream enough to appease most palates. When we  ordered it,  several people around us  asked the bartender for a sample. Most agreed it was similar to Blue Moon.

We paired this beer with a cup of Potato and Leek soup, which worked nicely when  salt and pepper were added to the soup. The crisp characteristic of the beer was a great compliment to the creaminess of the soup.

Florida Cracker is only available in draft, and with the revolving tap system at Ice House, it may not be available during your visit.  If you do see this beer on the chalkboard, it would be a great pairing with any of the salad, chicken or fish items on the Ice House menu.

If this selection isn't available on your next visit to IceHouse, take a look at the chalkboard menu to see what is currently on tap, and ask the bartender or waitress for a sample.   The staff at Icehouse is friendly and eager to share their knowledge.