Based on their website, it looks like Florida’s Native Brewing Company has been around since 1999. That being the case, how is Glades Pale Ale the first beer I’ve ever tasted from this company? The phrase “so many beers, so little time” comes to mind, but there’s also the point that there are many small breweries these days that don’t really sell their beer outside their own home state.

Native Brewing appears to be a contract brewer, and their website lists no physical address. My bottle of Glades Pale Ale states on the label that it’s made by the Thomas Creek Brewery of Greenville, South Carolina. Odd that, when you think about it. How can you be a native beer when you’re brewed in another state?

From the 6-pack carrier:

….this pale ale will please any IPA lover looking for a poundable beer to pair with the Florida lifestyle. Whether you are air boating in the Everglades, bone fishing in the flats or just relaxing by the pool, kick off your flip flops and enjoy. WARNING: Drinking and Alligator wrestling is not recommended!

Glades Pale Ale has an alcohol content of 6.5% by volume, on the high side for a pale ale. Native Brewing is based in Fort Lauderdale according to the six-pack carrier. I’ve never seen this beer in Georgia, but got a bottle through the kind graces of Jim and Irene Stout of Stout’s Growlers.

Glades Pale Ale pours to a pale amber yellow color with a thick creamy head formation with a soft apple pear and citrusy fruit nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a firm caramel maltiness up front just right for the style followed by some soft citrus fruit hops and a long, herbal very dry bitter finish.

All in all, this seems to be exactly what the brewery wants it to be: an easy drinking pale ale with smooth body, good flavor and high drinkability. Such beers are perfect for your all your outdoor activities-except for wrestling with alligators, of course.

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