Bridgeport Brewing Company- Kingpin (Double Red Ale): You Won’t Get Munsoned
Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 5:22PM | by Jason 
When most people hear the word “Kingpin” they usually associate it with a drug ring leader or some big mafia Don. Me on the other hand, I think of the classic 1996 Kingpin directed by the famous Farrelly brothers. A timeless classic starring Bill Murray, Randy Quaid (before he went coo-coo nuts) and Woody Harrelson; it centers around an Amish lad influenced by a seedy character trying to get his career and fame back by riding the coat tails of this clueless oaf. If you haven’t seen the movie, it’s worth watching. A while back I was grocery shopping and came across Bridgeport Brewing Company’s Kingpin Double Red Ale. Seeing that I love Red Ales, I pondered, “Could this be the next timeless classic red ale?” Well there is only one way to find out. I’m just hoping that this brew isn’t like kissing Roy Munson’s Landlady!
Bridgeport Brewing Company classifies this brew as a Double Red Ale and their website describes Kingpin as, “KINGPIN is a full-flavored, red-colored ale that uses a rarely-grown Willamette Valley Hop varietal known as Liberty Hops from fourth generation hop farmer John Annen of Annen Bros. Farm in Silverton, Oregon. Jeff and his team of brewers also used rye and caramel malt leading to a unique flavor profile; triple-hopped for bitter aroma and a unique dry-hopped character.”
Kingpin pours a light copper color with a ¾” tan head. The aroma is caramel malts with hints of roasted malts, citrus and floral hops with bits of fruit in the background.
Timeless classic Kingpin is not. However, this is a solid Red Ale with a hop complex. The bottle states that this brew is triple hopped and there is a definite hop presence in the aroma as well as the flavor. There is a nice balanced hop bite that compliments the malty sweetness and the flavor is all red ale with tastes of citrus. In Webster’s dictionary a Kingpin is defined as a chief person in a group or undertaking, Bridgeport Brewing Company’s Kingpin would not be my choice to lead the Red Ale style but it’s worth at least the ranking of caporegime. I say give it a try, it definitely beats making out with Roy Munson’s Landlady!!!
ABV: 7.5%
Consumed: Nonic Pint Glass
Verdict: Buy A Twelve Pack
