Sarasota is really known for three things: circus history, marine life, and the Amish. Since the Amish are not going to be reading this blog at all for several reasons, let’s focus on the first two.
The marine life comes from the Sarasota home of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, a fantastic not-for-profit research institution, laboratory, and visitor complex.
Spread across two buildings and several acres, this fully functional research facility is actively engaged in the study, care, and rehabilitation of much of Florida’s saltwater wildlife. They’ve got a fantastic turtle hospital, an adorable open-air otter exhibit, and a lot of work on sharks.
While these misunderstood missiles of the sea have gotten a bad rap in popular media throughout the decades, organizations like Mote and their founding director Dr. Eugenie Clark, understand their importance to the natural order and Florida’s marine ecosystem.
There’s a lot of ways that you can support the only US Congressionally designated Center for Shark Research. Obviously, I strongly recommend going because it’s just a great place to visit.
Now there’s also Finhead Lager (American Lager, 4.2% ABV) from Big Top Brewing, itself a node to Sarasota’s storied circus past and present. Sometime soon we will talk about the Ringling Museum and the winter home for Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey, but that might be for another post.
Finhead Lager is definitely the perfect style of beer meant to get beers into the hands of as many beer drinkers as possible, and proceeds into the coffers at Mote Marine Laboratory.
Nicely see-through, with a moderately golden haze, and an aroma that brings forth bits of lemon and pops of wheat and barley.
The flavor is very light and crisp. A little bit of citrus, a touch of earthy hops, and a light biscuity malt is brought forward on a very effervescent mouthfeel.
Mote Marine Laboratory is a fantastic organization, and I’m very happy to see them partnering with Big Top to spread the word about shark research and Mote’s mission far and wide.
I hope we don’t have to worry about the endangered nature of sharks anymore, but I can at least be happy knowing that this research will move forward in Sarasota.
Drink Florida Craft,
Dave
@floridabeerblog
[email protected]
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