In honor of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s impressive performance over the past two games, St. Pete Brewing Company saw it fit to name a delicious IPA with him in mind. Whitney Elfstrom | The Crow’s Nest
By Michael Moore Jr.
There’s a new beer just up the road that I hear is brewed with the tears of Saints and Eagles fans.
St. Pete Brewing Company rolled out its Fitzmagic Double India pale ale Wednesday to the delight of Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans everywhere – and perhaps to the chagrin of their aforementioned NFC counterparts and vanquished foes.
The 8.4 percent alcohol by volume beer, which is made with delectably fruity citra and galaxy hops, was named after Bucs quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the bearded Conor McGregor-look-alike who has taken social media by storm since filling in for Jameis Winston during his three-game suspension.
“We here at the brewery believe that a man that passes for four touchdowns and 400 yards in the first two games of the season deserves a beer named after him,” the brewery wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday that announced the new brew.
Fitzpatrick, a 35-year-old veteran quarterback who has largely garnered a reputation as a backup and journeyman during his 14-year career, has set the NFL on fire with career high performances which saw him recognized as NFC Offensive Player of the Week two weeks in a row – the first time this has happened in franchise history.
You know what’s more impressive? The fact that the Bucs are 2-0 for the first time since 2010 and for only the second time since 2005.
You know what’s even more impressive than that? The fact that the Bucs, at worst, will wind up 2-1 despite having the toughest first 3 games of a season for any team in the Super Bowl era (based on opponents’ records in the previous season) while playing with a “backup quarterback.”
You know what’s – hey, did I mention that the man has a beer named after him now?
It looks like Tropicana in a glass: a golden amber tangerine topped off with a light foam head.
On the nose there’s a faint citrus smell: subtle, but present.
The taste isn’t as tropical or fruit forward as one might expect based on appearance, but one thing’s for sure: it’s good. It’s a well-balanced, refreshing Double IPA with a flavor profile that effortlessly combines subtle sweet with enticingly bitter.
This is largely accomplished by an excellent pairing of hops.
Citra hops were first released in 2007 and helped to usher in the push for more hop-centric beers. Aside from being one of the most influential hops in the history of brewing, they remain one of the most sought after hops in the industry to this day for the grapefruit, lime and tropical fruit flavors they can add to an adult beverage.
Australian Galaxy hops have quickly gained steam to become a favorite among those in the industry for its citrus, peach and passionfruit aroma. The flavor, while initially quite intense, mellows out as it matures and settles, making it a perfect late addition to a brew.
The two together are a perfect marriage.
I’m not sure it tastes quite as good as 4 touchdowns and 400 yards passing feels, but then again, what does?
You won’t mistake St. Pete Brewing Company for Raymond James Stadium anytime soon, but the sense of pewter pride was unmistakable. We were all there for one thing: to catch a little bit of Fitzmagic.
That’s akin to catching lightning in a bottle for Bucs fans who have dealt with mediocrity and disappointment for years since the team’s 2003 Super Bowl victory. Or for Bucs fans who, more recently, have had to deal with the reality that their “franchise quarterback” has some serious off-the-field issues.
Fitzmagic won’t fix any of that. It can’t. The latter extends far beyond the petty, insignificant scope of football.
But for now, in this brief moment in time where Fitzpatrick is our quarterback and the team is undefeated, it feels good to be a Bucs fan for once.
Don’t expect it to last long. Quarterbacks don’t suddenly develop into elite players at the position in their mid-30s. We’ve seen this song and dance from Fitzpatrick before and we should know it’s unsustainable.
By the time you read this, we could be 2-1 for all I know.
But for now, at least we have beer.
