Tom Herzhauser pouring a glass of Bayboro Blonde Ale. The anniversary beer will be available at The Tavern for the rest of the year.
It was a hot and humid Saturday afternoon at the USF St. Petersburg 50th Anniversary Block Party, but many of the visitors cooled off with a pint of fresh Bayboro Blonde Ale served inside the University Student Center.
Many students were surprised to find that beer could be served inside the same building they go to relax and buy food with their student meal card. Special allowances were made since the beer served was dedicated and renamed for USFSP’s 50th anniversary.
The local brewery 3 Daughters Brewing decided to rename one of their flagship beers – the Beach Blonde Ale – with a name ingrained in USFSP’s history, the Bayboro Blonde Ale.
The brew will be served in the 3 Daughters taproom under the new name throughout September and on draft at The Tavern for the rest of the year.
Gracing the label of this newly renamed beer is a local USFSP hero, Alberta, the guide dog for Deni Elliott, the journalism and media studies department chair. Pictured behind Alberta is the harbor side view of the bay.
Assistant Director of Development Susan Seiter, who helped design the logo for the Bayboro Blonde Ale, poses with a framed poster at the USF St. Petersburg 50th Anniversary Block Party.
“We were looking for a cute blonde to be the inspiration for the Bayboro Blonde and thought Alberta would represent USFSP so well, on so many levels,” said Assistant Director of Development Susan Seiter, who helped design the new logo for the renamed beer.
As to why Alberta represents the university so well, Deni Elliott said, “Our campus is committed to all kinds of diversity, with the inclusion of people with disabilities. Alberta and I provide a good reminder that our campus easily accommodates people with disabilities. My disability does not get in the way of my doing my work as department chair for JMS. That is because I can easily get the accommodations that I need at USFSP.”
The artwork designed for the rebranded beer was created by USFSP alumni Jimmy Breen, who runs a design and illustration company.
3 Daughters Brewing sold posters of the Bayboro Blonde Ale logo for $10 at the 50th Anniversary celebration. All proceeds benefited USFSP.
Two representatives of the brewery, John Erik Savitsky, the chief operating officer, and Chris Cilinski, the brand ambassador, discussed the college’s Brewing Arts certification program with students who stopped by.
Though not a new beer, the renamed Beach Blonde Ale was one of the most successful brews 3 Daughters crafted. “It’s sold in over 260 stores and 2,000 outlets throughout the state of Florida,” said Savitsky.
3 Daughters also provides internship opportunities for students at USFSP. Students who work closely with brewers inside the quality control lab learn the more intricate side of the craft brewing process.
