Florida Beer: Trapeze Monk Belgian Style Wit From Big Top Brewing Company

Every week, we take a look at a craft beer brewed in Florida. Follow #FloridaBeerFriday for more reviews of Sunshine State brews. Get out there and #DrinkLocal.

This week we're looking at Trapeze Monk from Big Top Brewing Company, an operation out of Sarasota, Florida. It's labelled as a Belgian style Wit, though I have no idea what a trapeze monk would be. The label shows a couple of monkeys goofing about on the wire, though I was expecting someone flipping about making unarmed attacks and using ki strike.

A wit, stylistically, is a Belgian creation that focus on being light, fluffy, and lemony. Called bière blanche in French, they aim to be pale and spectacular warm weather brews. Hoegaarden is probably the most well-distributed examples of the style. In Trapeze Monk, we see that same aim to create a light and refreshing beer.

After cracking the can, there's a hiss, but every little activity from the mouth. It pours a slightly hazy dark straw color with a small halo of bright white head. Aromas hit the nose with bubblegum, tangerine, and sugar syrup. It's a tropically aromatic beer, for sure.

Flavors are strong and fruity, with orange dominating the palate, giving off juicy flavors and a moderate mouthfeel. The carbonation is light, with some mild wheat flavors coming through. The fresh sweet orange peel used in this brew gives it a uniquely orange-forward profile.

The beer clocks in at 5.1% ABV. South Floridians who would be looking to find this beer will have to go out on a mini-vacation, as the beer is available at the moment only in Collier, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Manatee counties.

Big Top Brewing Company is located at 6111 Porter Way, Sarasota. Call 941-371-2939, or visit bigtopbrewing.com.

Doug Fairall is a craft beer blogger who focuses on Florida beers and has been a homebrewer since 2010. For beer things in your Twitter feed, follow him @DougFairall and find the latest beer pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.