Beervana update: tix go on sale August 7 [including 250 early bird specials]

On 7.28 we told you that tickets for Beervana Fest, which will take place at Rhodes-On-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston on Friday, October 14 from 6:30-10 pm, would go on sale Monday, August 1. Due to an exciting change of plans, you’ll have to wait until August 7 to get ’em. But it’s great news all around; as we noted in the 7.28 post, the fest is “greater every year” — and, true to form, the Beervana brain trust is raising the bar yet again in 2016:

“We have decided that we will open the entire second floor this year — adding more tables to make this the largest quality craft collection at a sampling event to date in this area. As a result, we are raising the price $5 to cover costs. This means that tickets are $55 and $65 at the door. We are offering an early bird ticket special, which will be $45 for the first 250 tickets sold. We wanted to give people notice so they wouldn’t miss out on them. So we will be putting tickets on sale on Sunday, August 7 at high noon.”

So: mo’ better beer! An early bird incentive!! The Best Beer Fest in Rhode Island gets even bester!!! So: at high noon on August 7, click here and get those early bird tix!

Head to Newport for Goose Island’s Migration Week

Goose Island has been staging its annual Migration Week events all over the USA since March. The tour features “brewers and educators” from GI’s Chicago HQ sharing their “favorite and most rare beers.” On August 1, the crew, helmed by brewer Tom Wilmott, will arrive in Newport for a week of beer sharings and food pairings and other treats, featuring a very impressive array of their “most rare beers.”

Here’s the schedule [selections subject to change]:

Monday, 8.1: A Meet the Brewer event at Sandy’s Liquors [717 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown] at 4:30 pm, with the chance to buy bottles of the Vanilla Rye variant of Bourbon County Brand Stout.

Tuesday, 8.2: A Flight School and Food Pairings session at Brick Alley Pub [140 Thames St, Newport] from 6:30-8 pm, featuring Sofie, Matilda, Bee Squad, Madame Rose, and Regal Rye BCBS [limit 50 people; call 401.849.6334 for reservations]. Also on 8.2: tap takeovers at the Gas Lamp Grille [206 Thames St, Newport, 8 pm] with 2014 BCBS, Green Line Pale Ale, 312 Wheat, Honkers Ale, and Madame Rose; and at Pour Judgement [32 Broadway, Newport, 9 pm] with 2013 BCBS, Pepe Nero, and Proprietor’s BCBS.

Wednesday, 8.3: A Nightcap with the Brewer session at Norey’s [156 Broadway, Newport] at 9 pm, featuring pours of the “sour sisters” – Juliet, Madame Rose, and Halia.

There are also two invite-only events –- and we can invite a pair of Bottles & Cans readers to each of ’em! On Wednesday, there will be a Coffee & Beer Class at Empire tea & Coffee/Tavern On Broadway [16/22 Broadway, Newport] from 4-5:30 pm, with BCBS 2015 and BCB Coffee Stout. Wilmott will discuss the malting process and how it compares to coffee roasting. And on Thursday [8.4]: a Beer & Cheese Class at Fluke [41 Bowen’s Whartf, Newport] from 4-6 pm, with “curd nerd” Cara sharing enlightenment in cheese, charcuterie, and sweets pairings, featuring Sofie, 312, IPA, Matilda, and Halia. Send an e-mail to bottlescansclaphands@yahoo.com with the subject “I WANT TO ATTEND THE CHEESE CLASS” or “I WANT TO ATTEND THE COFFEE & BEER CLASS.” And PLEASE ensure that you can attend the event[s]; we need to submit the winners’ names on 8.1 and don’t want to waste a space on no-shows.

Cheers to the exemplary beers from Chicago!

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[This info was updated on 7.31; see this new post for the latest info.] We’ve typed it before, we’ll type it again: “There’s no such thing as a bad beer fest. But there are very few great beer fests. As you should know by now, Beervana is a great beer fest. As we state every year, it’s an overwhelming array, a bevy of ultra-rare/exclusive/unique/simply excellent liquid gold poured by pros — owners, brewmasters, distributors — who pride themselves on raising the bar for better beer.” And it’s greater every year.

Beervana Fest 2016 will take place at Rhodes-On-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston on Friday, October 14 from 6:30-10 pm. We’ll be sharing barrels of juicy details about the fest over the next few months, but here’s a bit of intel: the seminars will be presented by two legendary beermakers — Phil Markowski of Two Roads, and Sean Larkin of Revival/Narragansett/Trinity/#cantstopwontstop fame. The ticket link will go live on Monday, August 7 [$55 in advance, $65 at the door; pro tip: there won’t be any available at the door]; click here and then start counting down to 10.14…

Ocean State Beer Fest II, and more hours at Proclamation

This just in from the Rhode Island Brewers Guild:

The RIBG will be hosting its second annual Ocean State Beer Festival on Sunday, September 25 from 1-4 pm, featuring your favorite homestate breweries and beers! This year’s festival will be held at Foolproof Brewing Company at 241 Grotto Ave in Pawtucket. Each participating brewery will bring 2-3 of their standard year-round or seasonal beers, plus one special brew. Tickets are limited, so reserve yours today and support your local breweries!

And this from Proclamation Ale Company:

We’ll be opening Wednesdays as well for the remainder of the summer, 3:30-7 pm. We have very limited cans remaining. Will set a limit today [7.27; click through to Proc for the update]. Sprout, Tendril and Derivative: Citra in growlers and Perkatory in bottles.

4,656 breweries!

Dig into the mid-year metrics from the Brewers Association …

New beers from Narragansett and Newport Storm

Here’s some copy/paste info re: two new brews headed to your favorite retail shelves and coolers. First, the inside intel from the Hi-Neighbor! crew:

Narragansett Brewing Company was the proud sponsor of the America’s Cup in the ’60s-’80s and many recall the Cup being defended [and lost] in Newport.  In June 2017, the world’s best sailors and fastest boats will converge on Bermuda to challenge for the oldest trophy in international sport. Bermuda-Style Pilsner celebrates that tradition and the upcoming America’s Cup. It’s an all-malt pils made with two-row pale and Carapils malts and German Hallertau hops. It comes in at 5% ABV and 25 IBUs and is currently available in 16-ounce cans [draft will be distributed closer to the 2017 race].

And this just in from the Stormers:

We are excited to announce the release of Rhode Sodah. The launch of this brew marks the first addition to our year-round lineup in four years and it’s the first time a Storm brew has been packaged in a 16-ounce can! This golden-colored ale [4.9% ABV, 37 IBUs] is bursting with juicy hop flavor and a touch of bitterness. El Dorado, Citra and Equinox hops give off flavors and aromas of orange, tangerine, and mango. Canada Pale and honey malt offer a crisp, clean finish.

Beer by the bay: the Craft Brew Races beer list; plus, a Hitachino Nest tap takeover at Norey’s

The summer’s best Rhody beer fest is almost here: The Craft Brew Races event will take place at Fort Adams State Park in Newport on Saturday [7.16]. A 5K run/walk [at noon] is followed by a beer fest [12:30-4 pm], with more than 30 breweries [and ciderists and seltzerists] pouring tantalizing samples of fermented goodness, plus food [trucks and vendors] and music [Jason Cardinal] and all-around big fun [real talk: the 2015 bash was a swell time]. Advance tix are $55 for the race and fest, $45 for the brew fest-only [$15 for designated drivers], and will cost $10 more at the gate [proceeds benefit the Rhode Island Brewers Guild].

Who’s pouring what at the Fort? Glad you asked! We have the exclusive beer list [all info subject to change, natch], with many TBAs and more brews to be added to the entries with one offering. But there will be a slew of surprises from the locals — finding out what they bring is part of the fun of showing up!

Thirteen of the Ocean State’s 16 breweries and brewpubs will be seaside:

Bucket Brewery: Prudence & Patience Gose, Leroy: The Million Dollar IPA

Crooked Current: TBA

Foolproof: Barstool [golden ale], La Ferme Urbaine Farmhouse Ale, Queen of the Yahd [raspberry IPA]

Grey Sail: TBA

Long Live Beerworks: TBA

Narragansett: Light, Town Beach IPA, Summertime Citra Ale, Del’s Shandy

Newport Storm: India Point Ale, Summer Hefeweizen

Proclamation: Tendril [IPA]

Ravenous: Coffee Milk Stout

Revival: TBA

Trinity Brewhouse: TBA

Union Station: TBA

Whaler’s: The Rise [pale ale], East Coast IPA

And here are the offerings at the New England/national tables:

Bad Martha: Martha’s Vineyard Ale, Island IPA, Vineyard Summer Ale

Beer’d: TBA

Black Hog: S.W.A.G. [summer wheat ale with grapefruit], Ginga Ninja [red IPA with ginger]

Clown Shoes: Whammy Bar [IPA], Clementine [witbier], Mangö [kolsch]

Coney Island: Mermaid Pils

Farmer Willie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer: TBA

Harpoon: Take 5 [session IPA], IPA, Camp Wannamango [pale ale], Sweet Spot [blonde ale]

Hidden Cove: Patroon [IPA], Summer [wheat ale], Compadre [pale ale]

Jack’s Abby: Hoponious Union [India pale lager], House Lager, Calyptra [pale lager]

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale: Bourbon Barrel Ale, Bourbon Barrel Stout, Raceday IPA

Lord Hobo: Hobo Life, Steal This Can, Boomsauce [all IPAs]

Magic Hat: #9 [“not quite pale ale”], Electric Peel [IPA], Circus Boy [pale wheat ale], Stealin’ Time Summer Wheat

Mighty Squirrel: TBA

New Belgium: Fat Tire [amber ale], Citradelic [tangerine IPA], Ranger IPA

New Holland: Mad Hatter [IPA], Tasmanian Hatter [Galaxy IPA], Monkey King [saison]

Oskar Blues: Pinner, Dale’s Pale Ale, Mama’s Little Yella Pils

Samuel Adams: Boston Lager, Summer Ale, Rebel Grapefruit IPA, Porch Rocker [radler]

Sierra Nevada: TBA

Small Town: Not Your Father’s Root Beer [5.9 + 10.7 % ABV], Not Your Father’s Ginger Ale

Stone: Go To IPA, Arrogant Bastard, Citrusy Wit

Stony Creek: Big Cranky [double IPA]

Traveler: Curious Traveler Lemon Shandy, Illusive Traveler Grapefruit Shandy, IPA Shandy

21st Amendment: Hell or High Watermelon [wheat beer], El Sully [Mexican-style lager], Brew Free or Die [IPA]

Two Roads: Lil’ Heaven [IPA], Bergamonster [pale wheat ale], Hizzoner Maibock

Wachusett: TBA

Woodstock Inn: Pemi Pale Ale, 4000’er IPA, Lemon Blueberry [pale ale]

Wormtown: Be Hoppy [IPA], Birthday Brew [strong ale], Warthog Wheat

Plus: ciders from Angry Orchard, Austin Eastciders, Champlin Orchards, Downeast, Lookout Farm, and Woodchuck, and seltzer by Nauti, Spiked, and Truly.

Even with unlimited — and responsible — sipping, you can only sample a fraction of the tantalizing treats. So plan ahead — work the list and pencil in a few must-tries! Then enjoy the bounty of local brews and chat with their creators! Explore the wide range of brews from other states! Compare notes and swap ale tales with fellow beer enthusiasts!! Discover a few new favorite brews to enjoy year-round!! Wear pretzel necklaces!!! [And bring the sunscreen: it’s gonna be hot at the Fort!] Go!!!!!

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There’s another reason to head to Newport this weekend. Norey’s [156 Broadway] is hosting a Hitachino Nest tap takeover. It’s happening in conjunction with the 33rd Annual Black Ships Festival, which takes place citywide July 14-17. From the website: “The Black Ships Festival commemorates the historic achievements of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, USN, of Newport, Rhode Island. The ‘Black Ships,’ or ‘Kurofune,’ refers to the Japanese term for foreign ships which, with one exception, were excluded from Japan for 200 years until 1854. Commodore Perry negotiated the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, the first treaty between the United States and Japan, thus ending two centuries of Japanese isolationism. The Black Ships Festival celebrates the signing of the treaty, which brought the two countries together as trading partners.” [The fest also takes place in Shimoda, Newport’s Japanese Sister City.]

Six beers from the esteemed Japanese brewery will be on tap; the list will be posted here ASAP. The Hitachino Nest selections will start pouring on Friday [7.15] at 4 pm. Kanpai [that’s Japanese for “drain the glass”]!