Posts Mentioning RSS Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Ivana Goodbeer 8:30 pm on September 11, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Bridgeport Porter 

    porterHops-scotch and his betrothed joined us last weekend for some fun and frivolity so of course Frosty and I would be totally remiss if we didn’t start their Portland experience with some great beer! We decided to take them to the Bridgeport brewery downtown for some lunch vittles and of course some awesome beer.  Hops-scotch ordered their Black Strap Stout while his wife-to-be and Frosty ordered Haymakers.  I went for their porter.

    Lets just say… I’ve fallen in love with porters and Bridgeport’s is no exception.  The smoky smooth taste made for a flavorful, yet easy to drink beer.  I honestly can’t think of anything that wouldn’t taste good with a porter.  I’d even drink a porter with chocolate cake!  (Ohh… that sounds so good….) Ok… maybe I should change my name to “PorterSlut.”

     

  • Frosty 12:26 pm on July 1, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Stumptown Tart II: Not Empire Strikes Back, but better than Temple of Doom 

    st

    It’s always a little scary to go into a sequel when you loved the original so much. As you may remember, the original Stumptown Tart still holds as my favorite beer of all time. So when I heard they were remaking it with a new formula, I was super hesitant. I was also however super impatient, so without waiting for it make it to the local store, I drove downtown to pick up a bunch of bottles from the Bridgeport Brewery. (Before I go on, I would like to point out that buying beer at the brewery is ridiculously cheaper than buying it at the store. Still love you — Belmont Station!)

    So I fired up the BBQ, poured a bottle into a cool glass, and took a sip. Now, when I went to the new Star Trek movie last week (awesome!), it took a while to really get into it, because I had to put out of my mind the movies and shows that had come before it, and accept it on its own (Winona Ryder?). This beer was much the same. I finished the whole bottle, but actually refused to do any reviewing at all until I had a second bottle (not right away…geez I’m not that much of a drunk).

    It was after finishing off the second bottle with Grandpa Goodbeer that I decided this beer had really come into its own. It’s a cherry wheat, which if Sam Adams is any indication, can be done very, very wrong. Luckily, Bridgeport knows how to do what so very few brewers do, and that is to make a fruit beer that doesn’t feel like you are getting a swirly in a beer tinged fruit salad. This stuff is great. The fruit is really low key, and the aged ale gives just the tiniest hint of sourness.

    The only downside was reported by the wife, who had a real problem with the smell of the beer … which to be honest did have a hint of ‘wet dog’. Luckily I’m a mouth breather with allergy congestion, so this issue evaded me. Still, I figured I’d mention it just to warn you ’smell endowed’ folks.

    In all, although ST2 isn’t quite the elixir of love its predecessor was, its still a super awesome beer. Not Wrath of Khan, but way better than Matrix Revolutions. Movie analogies now exhausted, it’s further proof that Bridgeport is the ‘awesomest of awesome’ craft brewery around.

     

    • SwillJockey 2:12 pm on July 13, 2009 Permalink

      I wasn’t put off by the smell, in fact I didn’t notice anything off-putting about it.

      I’m still torn on which of the two is better. I’m leaning towards Stumptown II currently though. Stumptown I was a bit of a challenge to drink, a good challenge, while Stumptown II is tasty, interesting, and easy to drink. It’s a great combination.

  • Frosty 12:15 pm on June 5, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Stumptown Tart Returns! 

    Not actual wrapper...or is it?

    As you know, the original Stumptown Tart is one of my favorite beers. When we heard the run was ending, SJ and I of course headed out and bought as many bottles as we could. As time has passed, we have dwindled down to the final bottle. (No!) But lo and behold, it looks like the Champion Brewers of Bridgeport have decided to bring it back! In name at least. This time around, instead of the beloved marionberries, local cherries will be used instead. Will it continue the trend of awesomeness? Bridgeport’s track record says yes, but we will reserve judgement until we get well drunk on it at the release party. Oh, yeah, the release party. Go, and let the guys know that fruity beer is what Oregon summer is all about.

    Stumptown Tart Release Party
    June 25th, 2009  5:30 – 8:00pm   (or until you pass out…ie: 5:45)

    Bridgeport Brewpub
    1313 NW Marshall St.
    Portland Oregon

    More details at their site.

     

  • Frosty 9:55 pm on January 20, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    More From My Brown Phase – Bridgeport Beer Town Brown 

    Ah Bridgeport, old reliable brewery friend. As I seem to be in a real “Brown” phase at the moment, I decided to pick up Bridgeport’s lamely named Beer Town Brown Ale. And it was just as good as I hoped it would be. Although a bit …eh… sharper than Lost Coast’s Downtown Brown, it was still a super tasty brew that easily deserves Easy Drinkin status.

    Next up is Buzzsaw Brown from yin/yang brewery Deschutes. Wish me luck.

     

  • Frosty 10:27 pm on November 2, 2008 Permalink | Reply  

    I <3 Bridgeport – Raven Mad Imperial Porter 

    It came with a gimmick. A 3D label with its very own glasses. When a beer feels the need to be so playful, you have to wonder if its hiding a dirty secret. In this case, the 3D glory of a raven pecking at the New Belgium brewers (ok I made that bit up) … had nothing to hide. This porter is awesome.

    And with such great offerings as Haymaker, Stumptown Tart and Raven Mad, I officially declare Bridgeport to be the current holder of the coveted Frosty Goodness Awesomenessest Brewery Award. Congratulations to you and all of us who can drink your expert brews.

    As for Raven Mad itself: it’s a strong tasty porter. Strong in the way porters can be, but then smooth and warm without any nasty sharp aftertaste. Plus, it’s oppresively dark, too dark to see through (which earns it bonus points for me).

    This November 4th, vote Bridgeport. Because all these TV ads are making me ……… (wait for it) …….. Raven Mad.

     

  • Frosty 9:16 pm on April 25, 2008 Permalink | Reply  

    Stumptown Tart … sweet sweet candy 

    For a change, before buying this, I actually felt with it and hip. If it hadn’t been for some pressing home matters, I would actually have been at the “release” for this brew. Or at least the tasting. So much was my surprise when I went by the wall of beer and saw a nice big bottle of Stumptown Tart sitting there. I mean look at her, how could you not grab that bottle.

    In stark contrast to Walt’s testosterone fueled bottle art, this label not only wouldn’t kick your ass, but would most likely do something entirely different to it. But since this site needs to stay SFW, let’s move on.

    The first pour of this told me how good it was going to be. The color alone was inspiring. Ruby-purple. I mean come on. I may be gushing a little too much because I just drank the whole big bottle, but I loved this beer. It takes fruity to the next level.  In all fairness, it’s probably closer to a lambic than an actual “beer”, but its damn good. It’s like drinking an alcoholic carbonated fruit juice.

    My only semi-complaint about it, which may seem sort of nit picky, is that the serving size is too big. Because of the size of the bottle, and the desire not to have flat gross day old beer, you feel compelled to drink the whole thing. But man, is that a lot of sweet. I like a good tart as much as the next guy, but there can be too much of a good thing (chaffing?).

    Still, super kudos goes to Bridgeport, who currently hold a 6 and a 5 on this site. I’ve been wary in the past since they sell beer at Trader Joes … but hey, everyone is allowed one mistake in life. With this and Haymaker, Bridgeport have climbed the mantle and can now hold on to the coveted “Frosty’s Official Portland Brewery” medal.

    In closing, I bid you all to key an eye out for this sweet tart. And when you find her, grab her gently, take her top off, and wrap your mouth around … uh, er … you get the idea.

     

  • skylark 7:08 pm on August 19, 2007 Permalink | Reply  

    Bridgeport Brewery: A Brewman Apart 

    Bridgeport BreweryLast week I took a friend from Dallas, TX out for a night in Portland. The beer selection in Dallas is limited but they do get Bridgeport IPA and Blue Heron as well as Widmer Hefeweizen. His favorite is Bridgeport so we headed to NW Portland to visit Bridgeport’s brewery. After a couple beers each we headed South to get some food at Paragon. On our way out we passed a couple brewman stirring a vat of hops. We stopped to enjoy the smell of hops and brewing beer and one of the brewman invited us over to take a closer look. After explaining that what we were looking at was a “Hop-back,” a way to reintroduce hops in to the brew after boiling to give the beer that hoppiness we like.

    Here is where is gets really cool. The brewman we were talking to invited us back to take a tour of the brewery. Now, I know anyone can take a tour. Brewery tours are a part of all brewerys. This one was different. It was only the two of us and a brewman, not some tour guide or PR person. I don’t think we got to see anything more than anyone else does. However, delivery matters. And the perspective we got from our guide Tom was straight from the pits of Bridgeport’s 80 barrel brewing system.

    We went from boiling tank to fermentation, to settling tanks, and then to the lab. We drank straight from the settling tanks (well, poured in to a glass), took in the sweet smell of hops in the hop fridge, and tasted some old beer in the lab to see what makes a skunky beer. Along the way we were educated on the finer points of beer brewing and drinking beer with the snarky, cynical delivery that only Tom could supply.

    When you love beer like we do, you start to wonder why you love it so much. Of course, some would say it has to do with the alcohol in it. You know, the old Pavlovovian response to stimulus. But I’d like to believe it something more than just a chemical response to alcohol. Brewman like Tom are an inspiring beacon to all of us beer lovers. I learned something about where my beer comes from and why it tastes so good. I learned about the way lagers are brewed as opposed to an IPA or ale and why I like each differently.

    So hats off, or better yet raise one up for Tom. His humble attitude and hard work is what makes great beer.

     

  • skylark 9:58 pm on June 26, 2007 Permalink | Reply  

    Bridgeport Haymaker Extra Pale Ale 

    haymakerAny beer from Bridgeport Brewery will always get my attention. This local brewery’s IPA will always have a special place in my fridge. However, when I look at the beer cooler at my local Freddies I have to wonder if it isn’t just a big beauty contest.

    The packaging on beer labels and boxes gets more and more elaborate each year. From the local artistry featured on Rogue Ales to the slick Budweiser Select bottles, a lot of thought goes in to the look and feel of your average brew. And there is definitely a “micro-brew look.” If you look closely, you can tell the posers from the real thing.

    Bridgeport’s Haymaker Extra Pale Ale is no exception when it comes to the design of the packaging. As a designer, I appreciate the level of branding and illustration. This beer is definitely the product of a highly skilled marketing team. However, it IS the real thing.

    The verdict: Bridgeport brings their characteristic hoppiness to a wheat beer. Finishes light and crisp, just right for summer time.

     

    • bucky 11:01 pm on June 27, 2007 Permalink

      All hale the almighty IPA.

c
compose new post
j
next post/next comment
k
previous post/previous comment
r
reply
e
edit
o
show/hide comments
t
go to top
l
go to login
h
show/hide help
esc
cancel