Craft beer on cruise ships seems to be all the rage these days.  Carnival Cruise Lines recently partnered with Florida’s Cigar City Beer.  When cruise travelers visit a bar on one of Carnival’s Florida-based ships, they will be able to order cans of Cigar City Cracker Belgian-Style Ale and Invasion Pale Ale.  Now, sister-line Princess Cruises is pouring a new craft beer to toast its upcoming 50th anniversary; one specially brewed just for them.

Seawitch West Coast IPA beer, named for the company’s iconic logo, was developed exclusively for Princess Cruises, in partnership with award-winning Strike Brewing Company.  But more than a novelty for the 50th anniversary of the cruise line, Seawitch West Coast IP is the first in the line’s new series of craft beers.   In the future, the cruise line will roll out additional Seawitch craft beers in partnerships with regional breweries that represent some of the cruise destinations Princess ships visit.

“We know our guests love distinct experiences and authentic flavors so we’re excited to debut a new craft beer series with this special 50th anniversary blend aboard our newest ship,” said Jonathan Wilson, Princess Cruises vice president of food and beverage services. “The Seawitch West Coast IPA not only commemorates our milestone anniversary, but is also meant to inspire our guests to celebrate their sea journeys with Princess.”

Strike Brewing Company, located near San Francisco – one of Princess Cruises’ home ports – is an award-winning microbrewery well known to fans of local craft beer. The Seawitch West Coast IPA (India Pale Ale) features the balanced aroma of lightly roasted malt and barley which is strongly accented by the crisp dry flavor of a unique hop blend.

Princess Cruises will officially kick off its 50th anniversary year with the naming ceremony of Regal Princess at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on November 5th. Princess is honoring the role the The Love Boat played in its five-decades-long history by having the original Love Boat cast members serve as godparents for its newest cruise ship.

Seawitch West Coast IPA beer will be introduced aboard Regal Princess when the cruise ship debuts in Florida for a season of Caribbean cruises this November.  The Seawitch West Coast IPA will retail for $6.25 and be available in bars and lounges throughout Regal Princess. It is expected to be available fleetwide by early 2015.