BridgePort's New Labels and Rotating Hop Czar IPA Series

 

BridgePort Brewing Co. is turning 30 this year. To celebrate, they will release their Trilogy series of limited release beers throughout 2014. 

 

In addition, BridgePort will soon spruce up their label artwork as well. In the picture below, you can see BridgePort’s current label images on the left. On the right, are the new labels. The updated labels sport the same general look and color scheme. The BridgePort name is displayed more prominently in black. Gone is the image of the bridge (St. John’s by the looks of it).

 

 

 

 

Now if you look closely at the Hop Czar labels, you'll notice a more substantial difference. Hop Czar is changing—well actually, Hop Czar will be rotating.  Last week, I asked BridgePort about the branding and formulation changes. In their response, they also confirmed to me that Hop Czar will become a rotating line of IPAs (similar to Widmer Brothers’ Rotator IPA series). The first release will be a Citra Dry-Hopped IPA. Here’s what BridgePort told me about the changes: 

 

What prompted you to redesign your labels and eliminate the image of the bridge? 

For 2014, we wanted to place as much emphasis as possible on our 30 year anniversary. We considered many design options both with and without the bridge. Although we ultimately decided to proceed with a design that does not include the bridge, this does not mean that it has been permanently discarded. This was simply a design choice that we felt would help to place more visual emphasis on the 30 year labeling. 

Will all of your beers use the new design?

Yes, all of our beers will use the 30^th anniversary design for 2014.  The new labels will begin arriving at the shelf during the week of 1/20.

 

Why did you change Hop Czar? Is this the first change you made to this beer?  When will the new Hop Czar be released?

The original Hop Czar was created as an exploration into the world of adventurous hop-centric styles. The Hop Czar series that we are launching this year is simply an expansion of this exploration. The series gives Jeff and his brewers the opportunity to craft and release new and innovative IPAs and double IPAs three times per year. This is an exciting creative opportunity for our brewers.

Yes, this is the first change. The launch of the series does not mean that the original Czar is gone for good. It may come back in its original form, slightly altered, or extremely altered—only the brewers know for sure!  The first of the series, a Citra dry-hopped IPA (6.5% ABV, 60 IBU) will begin shipping in February.

There you have it. I think a change to Hop Czar was overdue. Perhaps it was an Imperial IPA when it originally launched, but it doesn’t fit the bill in the current era of mega hopped, high alcohol IIPAs. I’m a big fan of variety—and IPAs, so I welcome the change. But, I’m glad to see that BridgePort is keeping their classic IPA in the lineup.

 

However, at the same time, I wonder if beer lovers are getting rotating IPA fatigue. Widmer Brothers launched their Rotator IPA series nearly two years ago. For the first year, they seemed to release new IPAs every 3-4 months. Recently, the length of their IPA rotation has increased. Hopside Down IPL, Widmer’s current Rotator, has been on the market since last May. Is that a reflection of declining interest? Time will tell.

 

There has always been a special place in my heart for BridgePort IPA because it was one of the two beers (along with Widmer Hefeweizen) that kindled my love of good beer. So I’m looking forward to tasting the new releases! Happy 30^th anniversary to BridgePort! 

 

What do you think of Bridgeport's labels and their new rotating Hop Czar IPA series?

 

 

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