Red Holland Red Ale

Naming a beer after a regional television personality is exactly the kind of move that could go badly wrong. I was ready for a gimmick.

Red Holland Red Ale is dedicated to Red Holland, a local legend from Bonifay who hosted shows like "Good Morning Tri-States" and "Outdoors with Red" through the 80s and 90s, and to History Class Brewing's credit, the beer itself holds up its end of the tribute. It's malt forward, with notes of toffee and honey, finishing on something pleasantly earthy rather than sweet all the way through.

Panama City's History Class has built its whole identity around this kind of local-history name-dropping, and this one's a strong argument for the bit actually working when there's a real beer backing it up.

On tap this Friday.

A tribute beer that earns the tribute. Rarer than you'd think.