I stopped into the Bridgeport Brewpub for a couple of pints to sooth my soul after work Monday afternoon.  My conscious was debating whether or not to go, but the Monday all day happy hour (i.e. $2.75 pints, including cask ale) was all the convincing I needed.

I’ve always been a sucker for cask ale, but after reading a few local PDX blogs about the authenticity of casks in the area I’ve really had an itch in my throat for a few pints of cask-conditioned ale.

Since Bridgeport has been accredited a superb cask ale watering hole by the Internet imbibers of Portland, I decided this was a great place to quench my thirst.  A short ride to the brewpub in downtown Portland and a seat in the large bar area was all that it took before a heady pint of cask-conditioned ESB was sitting before me.

The brew was everything I’d hoped it would be—rich with a viscous mouth-feel, easy sipping and, most importantly, touting that dry hopped, British-tinged deliciousness I crave in my bitters.  I felt like I could put away more than my far share of pints before I noticed the other cask offerings; the beer engine on the far right proudly boasted the tap handle of Highland Ambush Scotch Ale—an oak-barrel aged seasonal ale.

A fresh pint of Highland was quickly brought my way and as I sipped the brew, my taste buds were transported to…Kentucky?

That’s right.  Lexington, Kentucky is where my ideal version of barrel-aged beers lives.  Lexington Brewing Company, the small, three-beer brewery in the midst of the Bluegrass State produces an absurdly tasty barrel aged version of their Kentucky Ale that packs a smooth wallop of woody vanilla and alcoholic euphoria.  On cask, Bridgeport’s Highland Ambush is a perfect replication of these flavors, smooth and woody, creamy and warming.

From the looks of things, I’ll be doing my best to keep Portland Beered every Monday afternoon.  For $2.75 a pint of delicious cask offerings, how could I not?