Lift Bridge Brewery was at 1119 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula, OH 44004

I first found the products from this micro in the early 90s. I was quite impressed. Over the years I became less impressed. I was told by several pro-brewers in Ohio that they started out with a bang but the owner seemed to become somewhat disinterested and even vended out for a while. All of this I can’t verify. I never even had a chance to visit the tasting room. I hadn’t known they had closed when I tried in 1998 and… well, no matter how hard I banged on the door no one opened it. Gee, I wonder why.

The bottle I have before me is Left Bridge Brewing Company Extra Special Bitter. (It’s on its side because for some reason the software won’t store it flipped upright.) I know I had some of their other offerings. I seem to remember that the body was a little heavier than your typical ESB and the hops just a little higher. It was also a bit out of balance with the body commanding the hops a bit too much.

It was still well brewed and a pleasure to drink.

There is a Lift Bridge Brewery in Stillwater, Minnesota, but I have no idea if it’s related. I doubt it. I haven’t tried anything from that brewery.