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Beer News
[…is this thing on?…] Coronavirus survival stack!
OK, we’re back for an end times check-in…
Is this enough to get through the pandemic? Nah. Need more 30-packs, right, [hi!] neighbors? Hang in there, folks!
Read all about it: Beervana…and we’re outta here!
In our column in the brandy-new Beer Issue of Motif, we get you psyched for the 11th edition of Beervana — bigger and better than evah!
Click here to read the HTML version; and/or click here and flip to page 12 for the Virtual Newspaper Experience.
And [spoiler alert], as the hed on this post hints, it’s our last hurrah at Motif [and here at B&C, moreorless]. Here’s our fond farewell, for the click-thru-averse crowd:
We’re relinquishing our Official Beer Writing Credentials (and surrendering our pretzel necklace). It’s been a privilege to chronicle the ever-growing 401 beer scene in the pages of the Providence Phoenix (which expired five years ago – the time, it flies!), at the Bottles & Cans & Just Clap Your Hands blog and in these “Got Beer?” columns. We would like to express the deepest appreciation to all of the 401 better beer folk (particularly beer guru Chuck Borkoski) who have shared their insight, experience – and, most notably, time – since we started scribbling about the biz in 2011. And thanks to you, dear readers.
‘Nuf sed.
It’s official! You can buy a 24-count case of 16-ounce cans-to-go
On July 15, Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the bill which raises the RI brewery sales limit to 384 ounces [up from 288 oz.; 37 states have no ceiling on beer sales; the Ocean State was at the bottom of the restriction list, sharing the 288-oz. sales-shackles with Alabama and South Carolina] -– a case of 24 tallboys. So bring some extra $$ to your fave indie breweries and clear a bit more space in your beer fridge . . .
Here’s the release that was posted when S 0620 passed the General Assembly a coupla weeks ago:
Sen. Felag’s bill that raises amount of beer directly sold by breweries to customers passes General Assembly
Sen. Walter S. Felag’s (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) legislation (2019-S 0620) that would increase the amount of beer sold directly to customers by breweries was passed by the General Assembly tonight [June 28].
“Rhode Island’s craft brewery industry has been a true bright spot in Rhode Island’s resurgence from the Great Recession and this legislation will ensure that this promising and successful industry continues to grow within Rhode Island’s borders. This bill will allow our breweries to better compete with those in our surrounding states and continue the growth we have witnessed in a very short amount of time,” said Senator Felag.
The legislation raises craft beer limits for sale so Rhode Island’s brewing industry continues to grow. It allows breweries to sell a full case of 24 beers. If they produce 12-ounce cans or bottles, the brewery’s limit on the amount of beer sold remains the same. If the brewery produces 16-ounce cans or bottles, as many of the craft breweries do, the limit increases to a full case of 24 16-ounce bottles or cans.
The proposal seeks to allow additional growth in an industry that has recently gone from 14 to 30 craft breweries due to an earlier law addressing the same issue.
Read all about it: fests, tattoos, and a beer-soaked novel
In our column in the brandy-new issue of Motif, we have intel re: a coupla beer fests — the Craft Brew Races event happening this Saturday, 7.20, and the Ocean State Beer Fest, slated for Sept. 8; tix are still avaialble for both events!] — plus Providence Brewing Company’s #ShowUsYourInk contest, a new novel which is anchored in the craft world beer, and a coupla other tidbits.
Click here to read the HTML version; the PDF of the Virtual Newspaper Experience hasn’t been posted yet, but you will be able to click through to that via the “Newest Issue” link at the top of the screen when the webarians finish the upload!
Happy drinking and festing and reading!
Tix for the 5th Ocean State Beer Fest on-sale on Monday [7.15]
The 5th Annual Ocean State Beer Fest, presented by the Rhode Island Brewers Guild, will be held on Sunday, September 8 from 1-4 pm at the site of the inaugural OSBF — Grey Sail Brewing [63 Canal St, Westerly; the first event hosted 14 Rhody reps and 150 attendees]. The fest will take place in the taproom, the parking lot, and the courtyard [the brewery will be open from 12-8 for regular business, but festgoers may not leave the event and re-enter; additional parking available at the Jonnycake Center of Westerly, 23 Industrial Dr].
The bash features more than two dozen RI breweries and brewpubs. Since the typical five-year wedding anniversary gift is wood, breweries will be using that hook when they concoct their made-specially-for-the-OSBF offerings. There will also be a “real ale room,” with casks from many breweries festooning the taproom. And you can indulge in pizza by Grey Sail’s on-site partner, Stone Face Ovens, and other local culinary stars [food not included in fest ticket], and work off a few calories playing yard games [bocce!].
Tickets are $40 and will include unlimited [and responsibly-consumed] samples, a souvenir tasting glass, and a necklace koozie! There will also be some Guild swag for purchase.
Tix go on sale Monday [7.15] at noon at Eventbrite; click here to get ’em. DO NOT dawdle — only 400 are available, and last year they disappeared in a nanosecond!
Read all about it: another new brewery, a new beer fest [in 2020], and more newness
In our column in the brandy-new Theater Award Nominees issue of Motif, we have intel re: a new 401 brewery [hello, Bravo Brewing!, the imminent opening of another 401 brewery [get them doors open, Lops!], and waaaaaaaaay-in-advance info re: a beer fest coming yr way in 2020!
Click here to read the HTML version, and/or click here and flip to page 21 for the Virtual Newspaper Experience!
General Assembly raises beer-to-go limit to 384 ounces! [updated]
In our current column in Motif, we noted that the General Assembly had considered bills “proposing a small bump to 384 ounces -– a case of 24 tallboys –- and unlimited sales, but they didn’t gain traction.” But we’re thrilled to report that the tide turned after that column went to press a coupla weeks ago! A bill raising the beer-to-go limit was passed by the Senate and House — on the third anniversary of the signing of the last significant 401 beer biz legislation. Here’s the info from the State House publicist:
Sen. Felag’s bill that raises amount of beer directly sold by breweries to customers passes General Assembly
Sen. Walter S. Felag’s (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) legislation (2019-S 0620) that would increase the amount of beer sold directly to customers by breweries was passed by the General Assembly tonight [June 28].
“Rhode Island’s craft brewery industry has been a true bright spot in Rhode Island’s resurgence from the Great Recession and this legislation will ensure that this promising and successful industry continues to grow within Rhode Island’s borders. This bill will allow our breweries to better compete with those in our surrounding states and continue the growth we have witnessed in a very short amount of time,” said Senator Felag.
The legislation raises craft beer limits for sale so Rhode Island’s brewing industry continues to grow. It allows breweries to sell a full case of 24 beers. If they produce 12-ounce cans or bottles, the brewery’s limit on the amount of beer sold remains the same. If the brewery produces 16-ounce cans or bottles, as many of the craft breweries do, the limit increases to a full case of 24 16-ounce bottles or cans.
The proposal seeks to allow additional growth in an industry that has recently gone from 14 to 30 craft breweries due to an earlier law addressing the same issue.
[Updated @ 1:05 pm] The new limit isn’t in effect yet. Since the bill is being transmitted to Governor Raimondo after the adjournment of the General Assembly adjournment, it will become effective after 10 days after it’s sent [though she can sign it sooner]. So follow the brewers’ socials, they’ll be trumpeting the availability of bigger cases when they’re good to go!
It’s a small but encouraging bump for the burgeoning Rhode Island beer world. Here’s hoping for more legislative advances in 2020!!
Read [and weep] all about it: RI’s beer-to-go limit is in a three-way tie for last
In our column in the brandy-new “Everyday Heroes You Should Know” issue of Motif, we mark the third anniversary of the signing of the Better Beer Laws by launching a push for even BETTER beer laws. Didja know that three states have the stingiest beer-to-go limit — 288 ounces. The headline gave it away, but said states are Alabama, South Carolina — and, yep, Rhode Island. We give some perspective and throw a bit of shade and take baby steps toward rallying the state’s beer-loving troops to prep for a legislative push in 2020. We also share a few newsy tidbits from Long Live, Shaidzon, Revival, and Apponaug. So, you know, maybe you want to check it out…
Click here to read the HTML version, and/or click here and flip to page 19 for the Virtual Newspaper Experience!
Read all about it: BIG SUMMER BEER FUN!
In our column in the brandy-new Motif Summer Guide, we have the lowdown on beer events to keep you quenched alllll summer long, including Homebrew Con, the Craft Beer Races event in Newport, Foolproof’s Augtoberfest, Brew At the Zoo, the Ocean State Beer Fest, and new brew destinations [Twelve Guns in Bristol and Lops in Woonsocket].
Click here to read the HTML version, and/or click here and flip to page 42 [!] for the Virtual Newspaper Experience!
Bottles & Cans & Just Clap Your Hands 