About Narragansett Beer

[Stahlsturm]

Is that even brewed in New England ? Can it be considered a local brew there ? One wonders.

[newportstorm]

The Bock and Light are contract brewed at Cottrell Brewing in Connecticut, I believe. The Porter (draft only) has been brewed in small batches at Trinity Brewing Co. in Providence, RI. The Lager is/was brewed at High Falls Brewing Co. in upstate New York.

As for it being a "local brew", use your own definition. The owner of the brand is a RI native who bought the brand back after it had fallen into obscurity decades ago. He's talked about returning the brewing to RI someday. Who knows?

[Stahlsturm]

How can you have an identity (beer and otherwise) if you contract brew your beer. Looks to me like they are just pretending the local thing.
Bier braucht Heimat.

[chazwicke]

It'd be neat to see Narry brewed back in RI. It has a long established history.

[BrewDog]

Pete's Wicked was contract brewed for a VERY long time before they began brewing it themselves.

I find it pretty funny that just because it's over the border in CT, that makes it a "non-local" beer. Do Texans think something made in Houston is "local" if they live in Texarkana? What about El Paso? After all, it IS still in Texas, is it not? Who cares that it's 500 miles away.

Cottrell is on the west bank of the Pawcatuck River, which divides RI & Conn. You can probably hit a golf ball from the RI side and hit the Cottrell Brewery on the other side, that's how close it is.(Just a little too wide to throw a rock. I grew up in the town on the RI side.) To me, having it brewed there in CT definitely makes it a "local brew", much more so than something brewed a whole 38 miles away in Providence. :D

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Stahlsturm
How can you have an identity (beer and otherwise) if you contract brew your beer. Looks to me like they are just pretending the local thing.
Bier braucht Heimat.

I drink beer, not identity. If you like a story behind your beer, that's fine. But taste is king. There is nothing devious about 'Gansett brewing it in CT and NY. It's a $$ factor. Land in RI comes at a premium. Ask the guys at Coastal Extreme/Newport Storm if they'd like to have more space, a more modern brewery, etc. It's not easily done right now without major financial backing.

Now, the owner of Narragansett was previously in upper management with Nantucket Nectars and also did some work with Magic Hat (I think), so I doubt he's crying poverty. But building/reviving a brand via contract brewing might make more financial sense than investing a boatload of $$ in either building a brewery from scratch or renovating an existing industrial structure in RI. He has stated he wants to return brewing to RI - we'll see.

If you really feel contract brewing = having no soul/identity for your beer, then please avoid products from US brewers such as Brooklyn Brewing, Newport Storm, Cisco Brewers of Nantucket, Offshore Brewing of Marthas Vineyard, Gritty McDuff's Brewing (ME), Trader Joes line of beers and on and on and on. Many beers from these brewers are praised and in some cases, the brewers from these brands simply utilize space at another facility and do oversee the brewing of their beer. They stay hands-on throughout the process, but for one reason or another (usually $$), they need to rely on someone else's space and (sometimes) labor to get their product to market.

When you strip away the mystery and mythical "romance" of owning a brewery, most people's opinion might change about what's in their glass. Some might be intrigued by the process (some of it automated) and better appreciate the hard work that goes into making it. And others might be a bit put off by the knowledge that money, automated machinery and chemistry keep breweries afloat as much or more than a burly, bearded craftsman with a pair of rubber boots, mash paddle and book of secret recipes.

Decide for yourself what's most important.

[jesskidden]

Originally posted by BrewDog
Pete's Wicked was contract brewed for a VERY long time before they began brewing it themselves.



Sure you're not thinking of another contract brewed beer? Pete's Wicked never did build a brewery- instead, they sold the brand to Gambrinus (which does own breweries- Spoetzl, BridgePort and Trumer) yet the Pete's brand beers are still contract-brewed, by Matt for the east coast, at least, seems I recall that Spoetzl does some of them, as well.

[Stahlsturm]

Well, to me, the moment you don't have your own brewing facility you are not a brewery anymore.
Of course the outcome might still be tasty (and I would try it given the opportunity) but I'm kinda narrowminded on what should be called a brewery.

[BrewDog]

Originally posted by jesskidden
Sure you're not thinking of another contract brewed beer? Pete's Wicked never did build a brewery- instead, they sold the brand to Gambrinus

I thought they did build a brewery before the sale. I guess I was wrong on that. I stand corrected. Thanks!

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Stahlsturm
Well, to me, the moment you don't have your own brewing facility you are not a brewery anymore.
Of course the outcome might still be tasty (and I would try it given the opportunity) but I'm kinda narrowminded on what should be called a brewery.

Oh, they're not a brewery. They're a brewing company - a beer marketing company, if you prefer.

'Gansett is nothing to rush to try. It's a half step above most American light lagers, which isn't saying much. And now that they're actually commanding about $6/sixer, it's no great bargain.

Their Bock is drinkable but for more than $7/sixer, I'll hold out for seasonal craft brewed bocks, maibocks, doppelbocks, eisbocks, etc.

And their light beer? Don't get me started on what a sham that is.

I've yet to run into their porter on draft around Providence - some day.....

[BigEd]

Originally posted by Stahlsturm
Well, to me, the moment you don't have your own brewing facility you are not a brewery anymore.
Of course the outcome might still be tasty (and I would try it given the opportunity) but I'm kinda narrowminded on what should be called a brewery.

You have aroused my curiosity. Why is anyone from Bavaria at all interested and concerned with a small marketing venture of what was an almost extinct regional American mainstream lager beer?

[Stahlsturm]

Hello Ed, I take a special interest in New England beer because my wife is a native Rhode Islander and thus I happen to visit there way more often than any other region of North America. And since I like my brews fresh and tasty and the german stuff you can buy in the USA basically is the leftovers they mop from the floor after brewing I take a special interest in the few real breweries that the area I call my second home has to offer.

[Stahlsturm]

Originally posted by newportstorm
Oh, they're not a brewery. They're a brewing company - a beer marketing company, if you prefer.

I do :) And my interest is only in real breweries and the people who stand at the kettle, trying to make something special. Those are the ones I try to seek out and support. Sometimes it is very hard to see through all the smokescreens and figure one from the other.

[BigEd]

Originally posted by Stahlsturm
Hello Ed, I take a special interest in New England beer because my wife is a native Rhode Islander and thus I happen to visit there way more often than any other region of North America. And since I like my brews fresh and tasty and the german stuff you can buy in the USA basically is the leftovers they mop from the floor after brewing I take a special interest in the few real breweries that the area I call my second home has to offer.

FWIW the new company has done a very good job recreating the original flavor of the old Narragansett lager. That being said as has already been described by some previous posters the beer is just another bland American light lager. While it is not a beer style at the top of my list it is at least a good example of a regional version of the style that is now dominated by the giants of Bud/Miller/Coors. No, there is no plant in RI anymore but the new company does deserve credit for their faithful reproduction. I have had samples of the beer and while it is what it is the tastes I've had were quite fresh. On your next trip to the states at least try one for nostalgic purposes. ;)

[Stahlsturm]

Well, I'll give them a try next time I'm over there but I'll stick to supporting places like Pioneer, Buzzards Bay or Newport Storm instead.

[sharkstewbrewer]

when did Gritty's stop brewing their own? I wonder why they just went to the Freeport , Me. selectmen to try to permit a silo to hold mash for their operation

And having tried the Nasty gansett about a month ago, I would say its no worse than it was 40 years ago

[threecb]

Originally posted by sharkstewbrewer
when did Gritty's stop brewing their own? I wonder why they just went to the Freeport , Me. selectmen to try to permit a silo to hold mash for their operation


They contract their bottled product, I believe.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by threecb
They contract their bottled product, I believe.

Used to be only 12 ounce bottles - done at Shipyard.

22 oz., 5L minikegs and draft beer were done by them. And yes, there was quite a noticeable difference between the two.

Though, with Casco Bay's recent decision to sell (to Shipyard?) and Bar Harbor Brewing's owner couple looking to move on, the beer scene in Maine is getting smaller and smaller. Hoping it doesn't all become homogenized.

[newportstorm]

FYI - I am not an owner or employee of Coastal Extreme Brewing Co., makers of Newport Storm beers. While I do know the owners and brewers and enjoy their beers, I have nothing to do with the brewery.

Apparently some comments I made here got someone in the brewing industry upset (though it was simply an inaccuracy, not a derogatory comment). They, in turn, contacted the brewery assuming things.

In over 6 years of posting here under this username I've never had any issues until now. If I need to switch names, whom do I contact?

Cheers!

[Stahlsturm]

You mean the Ganset guys are actually pissed about my harmless little inquiry and are giving the little guys in Newport shit about it ? Wow.
Is it really that serious that you have to change your nick ??? I'm running a few boards myself so I can tell, it's the admin you need to contact. An admin can do about anything, hehehe.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Stahlsturm
You mean the Ganset guys are actually pissed about my harmless little inquiry and are giving the little guys in Newport shit about it ? Wow.
Is it really that serious that you have to change your nick ??? I'm running a few boards myself so I can tell, it's the admin you need to contact. An admin can do about anything, hehehe.

Pissed and sh*t may be too harsh, but someone assumed I was affiliated with the brewery.

If people read my opinions and comments in other threads, it's apparent that I am not, but......assumptions were made. The Storm guys know me and know I'm not out to sully anyone's name or reputation. If they ever want/ask me to drop or change the name, I would. I respect them and their product.

[Stahlsturm]

Originally posted by newportstorm
Pissed and sh*t may be too harsh, but someone assumed I was affiliated with the brewery.

People are idiots... :D