Bridgeport Black Strap Stout

Black Strap Stout is made by Bridgeport Brewing Company in Portland. Stouts are one of my favorite types of beer, along with IPAs and sours, so I was excited to try a new one. Not to mention that I'm rarely let down by Oregon breweries.

Unfortunately, I was a bit let down by this one. It comes on a bit harsh, then all the flavors mellow out and it gives off an almost watery, plain taste. The aftertaste is barely even noticeable. I kept forgetting what it even tasted like between sips. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't memorable. When I drink a stout, I want either a creamy, refreshing gulp of a Guinness or a thick bite of heavier stout, but the Black Strap Stout doesn't really deliver either, it just gives a quick tease of harsh stout flavor and then disappears. I've had Bridgeport's ESB, which I enjoyed, so I won't write off the brewery yet, but I definitely won't go back to this stout..

Beer: Black Strap Stout
Brewery: Bridgeport Brewing Company
Location: Portland, Oregon
Rating: 7.1

Pliny the Elder

Pliny the Elder is a double Indian Pale Ale made by the Russian River Brewing Company out of California. I had to try three times before even finding any in stock at my package store, and the store has a three bottles per customer limit on it.

I love my IPAs, and I was impressed with Russian River and Avery's Collaboration Not Litigation Ale as well as their Blind Pig IPA, so naturally the intense demand for Pliny piqued my curiosity. I finally found a 16 ounce bottle for $4.99 and dove in.

Like anything surrounded by hype, it was impossible to go in blind. From the hilariously boring 80's packaging to the perfect-looking full pint glass, the build-up was rock solid. Taste-wise, Pliny the Elder delivered as well. It had everything I'd expect out of a great IPA; a sharp hoppy bite followed by a smooth delivery and a delicious aftertaste. At 8% ABV, it had no booze kick and was endlessly sippable.

Of course, the fact that it was delicious doesn't mean it was necessarily worth the hype and price tag. It is a great beer, but as far as Imperial IPAs go, I can get the comparably tasting, stronger Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA for a better price per ounce, or Russian River's equally delicious 6% ABV Blind Pig IPA for a few dollars less. That's not to say I was disappointed with Pliny the Elder, but I don't think it was special enough to jump into my IPA rotation at the price and difficulty of procuring it. If I get a chance to try it on tap, though, I'll definitely be in. I'd say it just lives up to, but does not exceed, the hype while being, predictably, a bit overpriced. I don't know if it's available in Georgia, but if you are in the IPA mood definitely give it a shot.

Beer: Pliny the Elder
Brewery: Russian River Brewing Company
Location: Santa Rosa, California
Rating: 9.1