May 16th, 2012 at 11:35AM
Taking on a Kingpin Bill Sour Beers are great. All beers have their own personalities. They have their own characteristics. They all demand a different level of respect. Sometimes you just get an initial taste of a cold frothy brew and you know it demands respect.   When I picked up a few Kingpin Double Red Ales I wasn’t totally sure what to think. The bottle touts it as triple hopped which piqued my interest. As someone who is still learning to enjoy hoppy beers I was a little intrigued. While I opposed heavily hopped beers in my earlier beer drinking years, I’m learning to appreciate the way hops work within a beer. So when I saw “triple hopped” I was ready to give it a go. So I cracked open a bottle and was ready to begin. Moving the Kingpin back and forth under my nose I was able to pick up in the hoppiness of the brew. It was a little more subtle than I had expected but there was definitely some hops in the slightly bitter aroma. With just a single swig, I had respect for this Kingpin. The flavor was lightly malty and kind of bready. It was smooth but had a bit of an edge to it. As I savored, I was waiting for the hops to hit and they did on the back end. There’s a dry aftertaste that lets the hops flourish while not letting them get out of hand.  As I continued to drink through the first bottle and into the second, the 7.5% ABV  began to take over. I thought more about this beer after enjoying the flavors for what they were; Flavors that are simple and bold, but not in your face. It’s powerful yet presents itself with class and sophistication. This Kingpin demanded my respect.  Almost as if it were a mob-boss wearing a fine silk suit, black shirt and power tie. So when it demanded, I complied. It might not be the first thing I reach for, but I’d definitely be happy to have one of these at the bar or in the pub, ice cold and flavorful.  I respect the Kingpin. It’s probably a good thing too. The last thing I want is to wake up with a severed horse head in my bed or find myself sleeping with the fishes. Really though, who would have thought the Mafia was in Portland, Oregon? The Kingpin’s Rap Sheet; ABV% - 7.5 Legs broken by this Kingpin - 21 Hops used - Liberty Witness’ disappeared from this Kingpin - None (that can be proven) Style - American Amber Ale Best temperature to serve this beer - Ice Cold (like in a meat locker) FINAL BEER GRADE - 7 out of 10 Severed Horse Heads http://www.bridgeportbrew.com/ Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/BridgePortBrewingCompany Twitter - @bridgeportbrew

Taking on a Kingpin

Bill Sour

Beers are great. All beers have their own personalities. They have their own characteristics. They all demand a different level of respect. Sometimes you just get an initial taste of a cold frothy brew and you know it demands respect.  

When I picked up a few Kingpin Double Red Ales I wasn’t totally sure what to think. The bottle touts it as triple hopped which piqued my interest. As someone who is still learning to enjoy hoppy beers I was a little intrigued. While I opposed heavily hopped beers in my earlier beer drinking years, I’m learning to appreciate the way hops work within a beer. So when I saw “triple hopped” I was ready to give it a go. So I cracked open a bottle and was ready to begin.

Moving the Kingpin back and forth under my nose I was able to pick up in the hoppiness of the brew. It was a little more subtle than I had expected but there was definitely some hops in the slightly bitter aroma. With just a single swig, I had respect for this Kingpin. The flavor was lightly malty and kind of bready. It was smooth but had a bit of an edge to it. As I savored, I was waiting for the hops to hit and they did on the back end. There’s a dry aftertaste that lets the hops flourish while not letting them get out of hand. 

As I continued to drink through the first bottle and into the second, the 7.5% ABV  began to take over. I thought more about this beer after enjoying the flavors for what they were; Flavors that are simple and bold, but not in your face. It’s powerful yet presents itself with class and sophistication. This Kingpin demanded my respect.  Almost as if it were a mob-boss wearing a fine silk suit, black shirt and power tie. So when it demanded, I complied. It might not be the first thing I reach for, but I’d definitely be happy to have one of these at the bar or in the pub, ice cold and flavorful.  I respect the Kingpin. It’s probably a good thing too. The last thing I want is to wake up with a severed horse head in my bed or find myself sleeping with the fishes. Really though, who would have thought the Mafia was in Portland, Oregon?

The Kingpin’s Rap Sheet;

  • ABV% - 7.5
  • Legs broken by this Kingpin - 21
  • Hops used - Liberty
  • Witness’ disappeared from this Kingpin - None (that can be proven)
  • Style - American Amber Ale
  • Best temperature to serve this beer - Ice Cold (like in a meat locker)
  • FINAL BEER GRADE - 7 out of 10 Severed Horse Heads

http://www.bridgeportbrew.com/

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/BridgePortBrewingCompany

Twitter - @bridgeportbrew

  1. simplemansbeerblog posted this
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