Well played, Bridgeport Brewing. Since 1984, you’ve been giving consumers great craft beer at a great price. Case in point: Bridgeport Smooth Ryed Ale, a zesty rye ale that I recently picked up for a very reasonable $7.99 a six-pack. That’s a dollar or two less than the average seems to be these days. Of course, that wouldn’t matter if the beer wasn’t good, but it is. So there.
I was talking about Bridgeport and Lagunitas with Taco Mac’s beer director, Fred Crudder, not so long ago over a pint of (incongruously enough) Sierra Nevada beer one night at their Canton location. I remarked on the great relative value of Bridgeport and Lagunitas, and he said that in speaking to their agents, they knew they could charge more and get it. They just don’t want to. Part of that, of course, is likely because they know it gives them a competitive edge. Still, we’ll take it and praise them for it.
Is Bridgeport the best brewery in America? No, though I’m not sure any brewery is. It’s nice, though, to quaff their fine brews and keep a little change in your pocket that allows you to splurge on the pricier stuff as well. Smooth Ryed Ale is a great example of how Bridgeport produces tasty beers at a fair price. A fine rye ale that I would style as a Rye Pale Ale. Yes, it has chocolate malt in addition to the rye, but not so much as the paler malts, rye, and hops don’t all fit into that style. The alcohol content of 6.3% by volume also fits right in.
From the bottle:
BEER'S A JOURNEY, not a destination. Each sip of Smooth Ryed's toasty malt flavor is worth savoring. With a pound of Centennial hops per barrel and a hint of spicy rye character, you're sure to enjoy the ride.
Bridgeport Smooth Ryed Ale pours to a dark amber color with a soft creamy head formation and a, very spicy-grainy rye nose. The body is creamy too, candyish perhaps, with hints of light caramel, rye toast, and orange Jell-O without the sweetness. Big spicy rye flavors lead into an explosive citric hoppiness in the long, dry finish.
I am definitely going back for more of this beer, absolutely delicious and only $7.99 a six-pack. It is, as the name implies, a smooth and drinkable beer, but shucks, I want spicy rye flavor in my rye beer, and this one has it folks. Don’t miss it.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft