Tag: Bridgeport

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Sean suggests for October

Been back from the Great American Beer Festival for a couple days and getting back into the swing of the blog again with the monthly beer shopping list….

October 2012

Click the link (once or twice depending on the type of computer) then print out the list or memorize (depending on the type of brain) and then shop for beer. It’s my favorite pastime.

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A Big Box of Bridgeport

I am a big fan of the Ninkasi boxes that come out in summer and winter with four bombers in it and now Bridgeport is entering the mixed box game with….
“For the first time in its 27-year history, BridgePort Brewing Company will release a 12-bottle variety pack featuring four of its signature brews. The Beervana Brewer’s Box, will include BridgePort IPA, Hop Czar, Kingpin and a seasonal craft selection.

“This is the first time in our 27-year history that we’ve had a group of beers that are in such high demand that they warrant a variety pack,” commented Brewmaster Jeff Edgerton. “It wasn’t until the addition of Kingpin that we finally felt ready to launch the Brewer’s Box for long-time fans to have access to the four top beers as well as the chance for new customers to try BridgePort for the first time.”

The Beervana Brewer’s Box will be distributed nationally and will feature three bottles each of:

IPA: Our award-winning IPA is brewed with a blend of five hop varieties (Cascade, Golding, Ahtanum, Crystal and Chinook) and presents a floral, citrusy aroma and full hop flavor, while downplaying the bitterness. The beer pours smooth in the glass, emitting its signature golden glow.
Hop Czar: An Imperial India Pale Ale brewed with over two pounds of whole leaf hop cones in each barrel. The Emperor of IBU’s, Hop Czar is triple hopped with four varieties (Nugget, Chinook, Centennial and Cascade) to produce an aggressively bitter, yet drinkable flavor.
Kingpin: This triple-hopped red features rye and caramel malt yielding a deep red color. Kingpin uses a rarely-grown Willamette Valley Hop varietal known as Liberty Hops from fourth generation hop farmer John Annen of Annen Bros. Farm in Silverton, Oregon.
Winter Seasonal, Dark Rain: Black Wheat and Dark Crystal Malt add dense color and mild smooth flavors to this intensely hopped Black Ale. This ale has a very drinkable, mid-level alcohol and bitterness that starts with roasted and hoppy aromatic notes and finishes with the dry hop character of the Nugget hop varietal. A Chinook, Crystal, Centennial and Cascade blend is used in our hopjack to provide full flavored background hoppiness.”

Oh, I almost forgot to add that Widmer has a similar box too. And was is better is that I can get all of them here in Los Angeles.

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XMAS BEER – a little nightcap

The Bridgeport Big Brew series keeps picking up steam…
“Nightcap was created to mirror traditional liqueur or spirit nightcaps enjoyed in hopes of warming cold toes and noses prior to a long winter slumber. A malt driven brew, Nightcap begins with the enjoyable bitterness of Chinook hops and finishes with strong hints of vanilla. BridgePort brewers aged 33-percent of the brew in Makers Mark oak barrels for nearly a year – evidenced in the warm and spicy undertones of the brew. Because of its unusual aromatic scent, it is recommended that Nightcap be enjoyed in a tulip glass to allow for the full fragrance to escape.”

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Fresh Hop Ale time

The first couple of weeks in September are a magical time for hopheads and lovers of the bitter beers.

It is when the fresh (wet) hop ales start flowing. Usually because they are marketed as such, they end up mostly in kegs and mostly local. There are some bottled versions (Full Sail and Bridgeport in Portland) and even canned versions (the new Surly Wet) but the best bet is to check your local brewery or craft beer bar for what’s coming in the next couple weeks.

You can call or quiz your barkeep. But what I found to work is to friend them on Facebook or if you do the tweet thing, follow them there. If you are in Los Angeles, head to Ladyface Ales in Agoura Hills. They have a fresh hop XPA, Palo Comado that is delicious.

These are great beers with a real kick and sparkle to them.