Tap Handle #656: Bridgeport - Dark Rain Black Pale Ale

Tap size:  11"
Rarity:  less than 50 seen, seasonal, beer retired
Mounting:  3/8" ferrule on threaded post

In keeping with most other Bridgeport Brewing taps, this Dark Rain is understated but has an artist flair. It resembles a tattered umbrella that has been battered by the elements, or destroyed by a severe case of acid rain. The design is very clever, with the handle made of one long piece of metal that terminates in a threaded bolt that screws into the ferrule. The remnants of the umbrella are molded around that center post. A metal badge resembling those found on taps in England or Australia bears the brewery's name and the beer variety along with a depiction of the same tattered umbrella in its fully extended state, and the words "hoppy with a drizzle of roasted malt". Due to its seasonal status, this tap isn't found in large numbers but does appear on the secondary market from time to time. The price initially varied wildly but has stabilized at a reasonable level.

For more about Bridgetown Brewing, see this post.

Click through to read more about Bridgeport's Dark Rain Black Pale Ale and to see more photos of this well-weathered tap...

Bridgeport's Dark Rain, first released on January 1st, 2012 as a winter seasonal, uses Black Wheat and Dark Crystal Malt to add dense color and mild smooth flavors to this intensely hopped Black Ale. It has a very drinkable, midlevel alcohol and bitterness that starts with roasted and hoppy aromatic notes and finishes with the dry hop character of the Nugget hop varietal. It has since been retired.

Ratebeer weighted average:  3.15 out of 5

Beer Advocate:  78 out of 100 (okay)