Florida State Seminoles Opponent Scouting Report: North Carolina Craft Beer Scene Part Deux

This is the LATEST AND GREATEST installment highlighting the craft beer scene of Florida State's opponent. This segment will feature a brewery from the area and a beer from another brewery in the area, with a focus on best representing the craft beer scene of the Noles’ weekly opponent. We also try to include options that are readily available to those who may not be traveling to the games and want to pick something up from their local package store. Without further delay we present to you craft beer in North Carolina, again. Because every ACC team is in North Carolina.

As RaysNNoles wrote in the UNC week craft beer preview:

The state if North Carolina has no shortage of home grown breweries as there are over 140 across the state, up from 40 in 2010. The vast majority of these breweries are small and unavailable outside state lines so that is why we decided to dedicate this week to the big boys that have expanded east.

Rays discussed the big boys who moved east, but I’ll focus on some home grown breweries and beers. Most Total Wine and ABC type larger package stores carry both Green Man Brewing and Highland Brewing Company. Both of these are based in Asheville, well known as a mecca of craft beer.

I actually chose Asheville beers for two reasons: 1) I’m an idiot. 2) There really aren’t any other non-national type offerings you can get down here in south Florida.

Let me expound upon my idiocy: when I got to the Total Wine, I looked up on Google Maps how far Salem, NC is from Asheville, NC. Being within 60 miles, I selected a sixer each from Green Man and Highland and went home. When I got home, I realized Wake Forest is not in Salem, but in Winston-Salem. The “No Bull” version of Salem is actually 160 miles from Asheville.

But whatever.

Green Man Brewing and Highland Brewing Company are probably the most widely distributed of the Asheville gang. While Wicked Weed and others are considered better, you aren’t likely to find them in stores in Florida. If you do, enjoy.

I bought a six pack of Highland Brewing’s Mandarina IPA. Mandarina Bavaria is a newer hop, well known for a pronounced tangerine taste. HBC’s description:

An adventure-loving and aromatic citrus IPA. Brewed with nuanced German Mandarina Bavaria and Hull Melon hops and bold, juicy American oranges, expect intense orange and tropical notes and a crisp, bright finish. This one is a palate-pleaser.

This beer lives up to its description. Very smooth, easy to drink with relatively low bitterness for a modern IPA. 35 IBU’s don’t burn the tongue, so this will play well with those who aren’t hop heads. This isn’t the heavy grapefruit/orange bitter bomb you’d expect, and that’s OK. There is a notable flavor of tangerine/orange that goes down real easy. At 5% ABV, you can have about 30 of these. 64, if you’re Wade Boggs. 75 if you’re watching FSU’s defense.

I know we’re in the heart of pumpkin season, but it’s too hot for those, especially when you’re tailgating at noon for a 3:30 game against a Wake team that somehow is 4-1. Grab a sixer of these and enjoy them in the sun. Or your TV room.

If you're unable to get your hands on any of the above mentioned beers, that's okay, we would love to know what kind of beer you will be enjoying this weekend as Florida State takes care of business against the Demon Dorks.