Play ball!: Pelicans and pale ale

Well, it's a little bit smaller than Carolina's stadium, but Ticketreturn.com Field ain't too shabby.

Pelicans Summer Tide, the coolest ballpark beer I've tasted.

Who knew Myrtle Beach had a minor league baseball team?

I didn't — at least not before I moved here. I went to my first Myrtle Beach Pelicans baseball game on Tuesday night, and I had an absolute blast. 

One of my best friends, who also recently graduated from USC, moved to Myrtle Beach last week to complete a “manager in training” program with a national department store chain. While she's only for sure here for three months, it's nice to have an old friend in the area to go on adventures with. 

Myrtle Beach Pelicans, you've got yourselves a new fan!

The weather was wonderful, and the home team was playing great — we won! I got to meet Splash, the team’s mascot, and, best of all, the Pelicans had a new beer on tap.

Pelicans Summer Tide was created through a partnership with Myrtle Beach’s own New South Brewing Company, and it’s brewed using hops grown in the ballpark’s very own garden. How cool is that?

Pelicans Summer Tide is a white pale ale infused with a hint of citrus. Its light flavor is reminiscent of beers like Blue Moon and Shocktop, two of my personal favorites.

The Pelicans are working with another special community partner to bring its signature beer to the fans — and to give back to those in need.

Through the creation of the Hops for Hospice program, proceeds from the sale of Summer Tide benefit Mercy Care Hospice in Myrtle Beach. For every keg that is sold, the Pelicans will donate $10 to the hospice program.

It looks like I’ll be helping a lot of hospice patients this summer because that beer sure hits the spot.

Every Tuesday is craft beer night at Ticketreturn.com Field, with select drafts, including Summer Tide, flowing for $2 a cup from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Check out my story on the beer launch at myhorrynews.com.