Bridgeport Brewing
Bridgeport Brewing closes after 35 years
One of the pioneers in American craft brewing is ceasing operations after 35 years.
Bridgeport was founded in 1984 by Richard and Nancy Ponzi who were local winemakers. Interestingly, the Ponzi family is one of the founding families that brought pinot noir to the Willamette Valley. Bridgeport Brewing was a way to bring in money to offset the long-play of winemaking at Ponzi Vineyards.
The original facility was called Columbia River Brewery, with a 600 barrel capacity. In 1995, Bridgeport was sold to Carlos Alvarez of the Gambrinus Company.
In April of 2017, declining sales sparked the brewery to restructure their operations, but sales continued to decline as the beer market became more competitive in the Pacific Northwest.
Today, Bridgeport announced their decision to close their doors after 35 years.
The decision to close was extremely difficult for all involved. Back in April 2017, declining sales caused the brewery to restructure its operations. However, sales and distribution continued declining in the extremely competitive craft beer market of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, which resulted in this final decision.
Bridgeport India Pale Ale is easily the brewery’s most well-known and award-winning beers, and one of the first IPAs in America.
Production operations will cease immediately, while the brewpub will close on March 10th, 2019. The brewery’s website has already been taken offline.
Bridgeport celebrates their IPA’s birthday by sending it to space
Hot on the heels of Elon Musk sending a Tesla into space is another craft brewery with galactic goals. Oregon’s Bridgeport Brewing recently sent their original IPA to the stars.
Lying just above the troposphere (where the planet’s clouds and weather generate) is the stratosphere. At the equator, the stratosphere begins around 60,000 feet, or roughly 11 miles up. Would you call the stratosphere actual “space”? NASA, which was formed in 1958, has loosely stated space begins above the Earth’s lower atmosphere (troposphere). The U.S. state department hasn’t made anything official either, just some guidelines.
Felix Baumgartner’s epic record-breaking balloon jump in 2012 was 24 miles up from the upper level of the stratosphere. (Side fact, he hit a top speed of 843.6 mph on that jump, aka Mach 1.25.)
Basically, if you’re in the stratosphere, it’s fair to start saying you are in space. Even if it’s just the beginning of space.
NINKASI LAUNCHES THEIR BEER ROCKET
Celebrating the 22nd anniversary of Bridgeport’s Original IPA, the brewery sent three bottles soaring 22 miles high in the sky in south Texas. The IPA hit the stratosphere and landed just 55 miles away from the “launch” pad.
You might be wondering – Why? Simple. It’s something freaking cool to do. Bridgeport has been brewing India pale ale longer that most breweries out there, and they wanted to celebrate with something more than a cake. We’d send something to space in a heartbeat if we had the budget for it.
The most impressive part of this little endeavor is that none of the beers were broken. Remember that egg drop experiment where you had to protect your egg from a rooftop drop?
I bet these guys won every time.
Bridgeport Cream Ale joins year-round lineup
Bridgeport Cream Ale joins the Portland, Oregon based brewery’s year-round lineup this month.
For a while now, BridgePort has been testing lighter beer recipes. The end result is the cream ale you see above, brewed tie Nugget, Mosaic and Meridian hops.
“In the recipe, we used three hop varietals including Nugget and Meridian. We then used Yakima Valley Mosaic hops, added in the hopjack to create notes of tropical fruit and sweet grape. Locally, this beer has been a big hit with our fans and we’re excited to see what everyone else thinks as well. Brewmaster Jeff Edgerton”
Bridgeport Cream Ale is available in 12 and 22 ounce bottles and draft. Nationally by June, 2016.
Style: Cream Ale
Hops: Nugget, Mosaic, Meridian
Malts: Great Western 2-row Palem Malted Wheat, Flaked Oats
Availability: 12oz, 22oz Bottles, Draft. Year-round
Debut: Late May, 2016
4.8% ABV
Bridgeport Stumptown Tart 2015
Bridgeport Stumptown Tart 2015 will feature raspberries as the berry of choice. Each year, Bridgeport hand selects local berries that will highlight their Belgian-style ale, along with a new pin-up model.
The 2014 edition of Stumptown Tart used cranberries and blueberries.
Bridgeport Stumptown Tart 2015 is available seasonally, in 22oz bombers.
Style: Fruit Beer (w/ Raspberries.)
Availability: 22oz Bombers
Arrival: TBA
7.6% ABV
Bridgeport Stumptown 2014: Cranberries, Blueberries
When Bridgeport Brewing’s Stumptown Tart hits shelves, you know warmer weather is on the way. The beer uses fresh fruits to give you a crisp, beer that helps you leave the winter blues behind.
A sneek peek before the official brewery announcement – the year’s edition uses Oregon grown cranberries and blueberries.
She’s back and bringing a brand new flavor. Crisp and always refreshing, this year’s Stumptown Tart combines the perfect balance of Oregon blueberries and cranberries with a big Belgian-style brew.
Bridgeport Stumptown Tart is available seasonally, in 22oz bombers.
Style: Fruit Beer (w/ Cranberries, Blueberries)
Availability: 22oz Bombers
Arrival: TBA
7.9% ABV
Bridgeport “Bear Hug” Cherry Chocolate Hits
The newest creation from Bridgeport Brewing (Portland, OR) is now available. Bear Hug Cherry Chocolate Stoutcombines two flavors meant to be together – chocolate and cherries. The beer is brewed with a ton of roasted malts, cocoa nibs, and 15 pounds of sweet cherries. In the end, the beer is aged on more cocoa and cherries.
Style: Stout (w/ Cherries, Cocoa Nibs)
Hops: Nugget
Malts: Pale, Chocolate, Crystal 30-37
Availability: 22oz bombers. All Bridgeport markets
7.5% ABV, 35 IBUs
Chocolate & Cherries: Bridgeport Bear Hug
Bridgeport will be launching a brand new addition to their lineup. Bear Hug will be a stout brewed with cocoa and roasted malts and then they put 15 lbs of cherries on top. Can you say yum?
Style: Stout
Availability: 22oz bottles, on tap
Arrival: coming soon
7.5% ABV
