Pizza Port Ponto S.I.P.A.

Review Date 4/20/2020  By John Staradumsky

Well this was interesting. I bought a 12-pack of beer from Craftshack, and some assorted singles. In retrospect, it seemed like a good idea, because I thought I would pay one shipping charge of $29.95, but they added a charge of $25 for the 12-pack. You live and learn, I guess, and the good news is the assorted 12-pack of Pizza Port Brewing pint cans did not disappoint.

This was my second order from Craftshack. In the first delivery I got a can of Pizza Port Swami’s IPA, and loved it so much I bough the 12-pack of Pizza Port beers, which included 3 cans of Swami’s IPA. I also got 3 cans of Ponto S.I.P.A., the beer I’m here to tell you about today. S.I.P.A. stands for Session India Pale Ale, a style that has seen its heyday and faded over the past few years. Still, many breweries still make them, Pizza Port included among their numbers. I enjoy the style after a fashion, though the dearth of malt is definitely a strike against them for me.

Pizza Port says:

Named after the southernmost beach and surf break in Carlsbad, Ponto truly embodies the spirit of the southern California lifestyle. Refreshingly light in body and low in ABV, there is certainly no sacrifice in hop character with this sessionable IPA. With a hefty dose of American and New Zealand hops, this beer is bright and filled with hints of citrus, pine, and tropical fruit. Rumored to be a favorite among the disc-golf community, this beer is the perfect accompaniment to any outdoor activity.

No mention of the malts used here (a pain point for me), but the following hops are cited on the brewery website:

Hops: Crystal, Citra, Rakau, Motueka, Waimea, Southern Cross

Pizza Port Ponto S.I.P.A has an alcohol content of 4.5% by volume. I Paid $29.99 for 12 pint cans, about $2.50 a can. We will ignore the shipping. Total Wine sells this beer in California for $9.99 a six-pack (of pint cans!), and we will use that as the price of reference. My Pontos are stamped CANNED ON 1/28/20.

Pizza Port Ponto S.I.P.A. pours to a pale-yellow color with a thick head of foam and an enticing citrus rind nose. Taking a sip, the beer has very light malt to start but pleasant notes of grapefruit and lemon rind and light resin. It finishes very bitter and refreshing. I can see this being very enjoyable when the warmer weather gets here, and I’ll save my remaining two cans for that. I can see myself out on the patio, taking a SIPA…maybe you can, too.

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

 

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