UF Agricultural Research Station, Redneck Riviera Brewing Project to Release Jay Gator Pale Ale

The release of the Jay Gator Pale Ale – named for its unique origin – will take place this Friday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m at the Goat Lips Chew and Brewhouse located at 2811 Copter Road in the Ellyson Industrial Park area. Along with the tapping, UF agro-economist Matt Smith will be talking about the project, processes and challenges that accompany growing hops in our region.

As the state of Florida continues to be one of the fastest-growing craft beer producers in the United States, eyes have begun to shift to one of beer’s most important ingredients: hops. Once considered solely a northern crop, new varieties and production techniques have opened the possibility of local Florida hops production.

The University of Florida’s agricultural research station in Jay is in its first year of experimental hops production and has collaborated with Pensacola’s Redneck Riviera Brewing Project to produce a “wet hopped” pale ale, made with freshly picked, undried Florida Centennial hops. Hops spoil quickly and are usually dried for storage, but lose some of their aromatic and flavorful essential oils in the process. “Wet hopped” ales are true harvest beers, available for only a limited time each year.