Previewing Guy Fieri's Newest Culinary Cruise Creation

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

​MIAMI – When Carnival Vista launched, it made cruising history by having the first onboard brewery at sea. Carnival's newest ship, Horizon, will make some history of its own with a new dining concept that combines an onboard brewery and full service restaurant.

Called Guy's Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse/Brewhouse, it will feature craft beers created by brewmaster Colin Presby and BBQ dishes from Food Network star Guy Fieri. We had the opportunity to sample both during a preview party aboard Carnival Vista on Sunday, Jan. 7.

Presby's new craft beers include:

·         ParchedPig Smoked Porter – "brewed with in-house smoked malt, this robust, full-bodied beer offers big and bold flavors and notes of molasses and hickory smoke, providing the perfect complement to Smokehouse|Brewhouse’s BBQ favorites."

·         ParchedPig Farmhouse Ale – "this lightly hopped beer is distinguished by its blond color, fruity and complex character with mild spice notes that balance the brew’s dry finish"

·         ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale – "highlighted by its rich amber color and notes of toasted caramel and biscuit, this beer is well balanced, smooth and highly drinkable."

·         ParchedPig West Coast IPA – "the embodiment of a traditional West Coast India Pale Ale, this hoppy, intense beer is loaded with bitterness with a bright flavor profile and distinctive aroma of citrus and pine."

It's a tough call, but I was partial to the Toasted Amber Ale. 

Combined with Guy's BBQ dishes, including slow-smoked brisket, chicken, pork and ribs, it's a match made in heaven.

“Smokehouse|Brewhouse is a unique culinary concept and we’ve created four fantastic brewed-on-board craft beers that not only showcase different tastes and brewing styles but also serve as the ideal accompaniment to the venue’s delicious array of barbecue offerings,” said Presby.

Carnival Horizon is scheduled to make its maiden voyage April 2, 2018, with a 13-day Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona – the first of four round-trip departures from that port.  Carnival Horizon will reposition to the U.S. with a 14-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to New York May 9-23, 2018.  

Following its summer schedule of four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean departures from the Big Apple, Carnival Horizon will shift to Miami and kick off a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning Sept. 22, 2018. Carnival Horizon will also offer a special two-day cruise to Nassau from Miami Sept. 20-22, 2018.

Carnival's friendly staff kept the food and
drink samples coming. (NPBL Photo)

Brewmaster Colin Presby, right, and Carnival Vice President of Beverage Operations Eddie Allen at the keg-tapping ceremony aboard Carnival Vista. ( Photo: Carnival)

Food Network star Guy Fieri (Credit: Carnival)