The Palm Beaches Ale Trail
Craft beer has become part of the culture and economy in Palm Beach
There’s nothing better than sitting beside the ocean, sipping a cold beer as the sun goes down. Especially if that beer is a locally brewed, locally sourced brew made by an artisan manufacturer who measures success in quality and not quantity and produces flavours perfectly suited to the tropical environment.
Which is why craft beer has become a part of the local culture and economy in The Palm Beaches. With 19 breweries small and large, the draft beer scene is truly buzzing. Cold beer and the warm tropics is a natural combination so it’s no surprise that visitors to The Palm Beaches are enjoying stretches of the so-called Ale Trail.
Many local brews use flavours and ingredients that connect them to the tropics. While certain hops already create a citrus-like note in beer, local breweries take it a step further, seeking out ingredients that make a beer that is truly tropical and singularly local.
Some of the delicious flavours to sample include an interesting pairing of local orange-blossom honey with jalapeños known as Jalapeño Honey Blonde or a French Vanilla Coffee Porter, a dark porter with heavy coffee flavour and fresh vanilla or perhaps try an Old School Hefeweizen, brewed by the rules of the German Reinheitsgebot as a classic wheat beer with banana and clove notes?
Emerging neighbourhood Boynton Beach Brewery District is known for its art as well as its breweries. The 12-strong tap list at NOBO includes heavy hitters like the Blackstrap American Imperial and easy drinkers like the Boynton Blonde, a blonde ale with a touch of citrus. NOBO really gets creative on Experimental Fridays, which offer up limited, small-batch brews until the keg is kicked. You might find a Basil Hazy Triple IPA, a Carrot Cake Barleywine or a Banana Cream Pie Hefeweizen with banana, lactose and graham cracker – the sky’s the limit when it comes to new flavours!
Also found at Boynton Beach is the Copperpoint Brewing Company where you can sample a Blood Orange Wit – a classic Belgian Witbier with a Florida twist .
A long time hangout for locals, The Tequesta Brewing Company offers live music on the weekends. They have created a taste specifically tropical with the Notorious B.I.G beer which boasts tangerine, citrus and even a touch of pine or why not sample local favourite ’99 Problems But a Hop Ain’t One’ brew.
Located in the heart of Palm Beach Gardens, the Twisted Trunk is named after the large banyan trees planted by the city’s founders. The taproom features a bar created from 100-year-old elm wood and cosy lounge areas with views into the brewery, with an industrial/urban atmosphere, with big screen for sports fans.
If you prefer cider head to South Florida’s first and only ciderworks Accomplice Brewery & Ciderworks where you will find 11 flavours on tap every day.
Localcraft beer in The Palm Beaches isn’t just for drinking, however, it's also used for mixing. For something really tropical, how about a tall citrus float or an icy drink made with tropical lime, ginger beer and lager? One frosty drink growing in popularity is a sweet, creamy beverage packed with home-made sorbet and a local craft beer.
Craft beer has become a part of the culture in The Palm Beaches. A beer on the beach has become a part of the area’s identity. When you choose a beer brewed right here in The Palm Beaches, then you have something very special, satisfying and truly local.
