Soucing Suds: Pinglehead's Ambitious Monk

'Sourcing Suds' is a monthly column featured in BUZZ Magazine recognizing beer that’s locally brewed and served. Join me each month as I highlight a local craft beer and where you can find it on tap! 

Source: Brewer's Pizza

Nestled in an unassuming plaza along the busy intersection of Blanding BLVD and Wells Rd in Orange Park, beer lovers and foodies alike can find indulgence in Orange Park’s only Brewpub: Brewer’s Pizza. Brewer’s has become a local favorite for those who live on the west side of Jacksonville, and a worthy destination for those who don’t.

The pizzas are handmade with fresh dough and marinara (both made on site) and fresh-cut ingredients. This is pizza done right. No corners cut. Just good food! My recommendation: order a Florida Smacker—a customizable personal thick crust pizza that is lip-smackingly delicious!

In addition to the handmade pizzas, Brewer’s is home to Pinglehead Brewing Co., where patrons have been enjoying aggressively flavored beers since 2011. "Pinglehead beers are brewed for beer-lovers seeking aggressive beer flavors and styles," said Chief Beer Officer, Steve Halford. Beer with Attitude, as Pinglehead’s slogan goes. 

Suds: Ambitious Monk 

Ambitious Monk, a spring seasonal from Pinglehead, is a Belgian Tripel that clocks in at 10.4% alcohol by volume. It pours a straw-yellow in color and gives off a sweet candy aroma with hints of Belgian yeast aromas. 

Ambitious Monk is dangerously drinkable. Notes of clove, apples, and bubble gum coat the palate. Lots of bubble gum! As the beer warms, the alcohol comes through a bit more and some of the Belgian spices begin to pick up on the palate. The finish is sweet and tart with the yeast characteristics lingering.

This is definitely a beer that is more appropriate as a "sipper," and not one I would recommend drinking too...ambitiously.

Brewer’s Pizza is located at 14b Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, FL 32073. Open daily at 11am.

Infused Belgians from Grasslands Brewing Co.

As I mentioned in my review of the Forgotten Coast Belgian Tripel, Grasslands Brewing Co. has experimented with the base recipe and created two different variations of the original brew. Today, I will be conducting a side-by-side analysis of each beer and share how they compare to each other and the base brew. Grasslands plans to release one or all of these beers as seasonal/special releases. So, naturally, I'm extremely excited to crack 'em open and give each a try!

Forgotten Coast infused with San Sebastian Port (2011)

I will start with the Belgian that's been infused with San Sebastian Vineyard's 2011 Port. Spices and alcohol are very prevalent on the nose, more so than in the base version of this beer. The flavors closely resemble the original with one exception: everything seems to be stronger. I get a lot more booze and spices in this one--not sure if that's due directly to the Port wine, or if it's a matter of prolonged fermentation. Either way, I quite enjoy it!

Forgotten Coast infused with Gargiulo blend (2006)

Next up, we have the Forgotten Coast Belgian infused with Gargiulo Vineyards Aprile Super Oakville Blend (2006). The blend is a mixture of Cabernet and Sangiovese. As I put the glass to my nose, there is one immediate distinction here: sugar. Unlike the original version and the Port, I pick up a ton of sweetness on the nose that actually masks the Belgian spices. The flavors are milder. I taste caramel, grapes, figs, bready yeasts, and mild booze. The finish is crisp, clean, and dry. Unlike the Belgian infused with the Port, the Gargiulo seems to add a lot of flavor complexities and sugars that might make for a solid aging beer.

This was a really fun tasting. It's not often I get to taste three different variations of the same beer. The good news for Grasslands is that all three beers are uniquely enjoyable. Each offers a different tasting experience. The original Forgotten Coast packs a punch of spices, dark fruits, and toasted malts. The Port infused version is high on the alcohol flavors and will appeal to those looking for Imperial qualities. And lastly, the Gargiulo version is sweet, pleasant, and crisp; it's probably the most sessionable of the three.

I want to send a huge thanks to Gabe Grass for sharing his experiments with me so that I can share them with you all! Be sure to check out Grasslands' website and sign up to be a Grasshopper so that you, too, can try these awesome and unique beers!

Interested in becoming a Grasshopper?

If you're interested in getting your hands on any of Grasslands' brews before they open, register for their Grasshoppers Club which is your ticket in to getting exclusive releases from the brewery before they open. As a Grasshopper, you'll be eligible to enter the monthly lottery drawings to sample beer and provide critical feedback that may contribute to the final product. You can also check out Grasslands on Twitter and Facebook for more information.

Cheers!