Rhode Trip: Pivotal Brewing Company

(The next part in a multi-part series as we complete the Rhode Island Brewer’s Guild Passport. To learn more about the passport and download the app click HERE) 

In the recent years the number of breweries here in Rhode Island has exploded and it seems like every couple of months there is a new brewery opening their doors and offering delicious beer. Our most recent inductee into this beautiful world is Pivotal Brewing Company in Bristol. This place is on the larger side and is much bigger than some of the other Rhode Island Breweries with their space being located in an old industrial space. Their motto is “follow the stack” and as soon as you are within a block of Pivotal you’ll be able to see why it’s so easy to follow.

The brewery itself is a large open room with space for the brewing and a wide-open tap room with funky furniture from all walks of life. Mismatched tables, chairs, and couches dot the room giving an added dose of character and color to the worn brick of the building. There is one long bar in the middle of the taproom with several stools and multiple stations to get a pour.

When I visited this past weekend for an event I only grabbed two pours trying ‘Aero Cow’ a pale ale that was pretty good and ‘Bomb Cyclone’ a DIPA that was absolutely delicious. ‘Bomb Cyclone’ was that perfect balance of juicy and bitter that makes the perfect New England IPA and is a must try when you visit. Additionally, in a prior visit I was able to try ‘Sippican Fruit Salad Witbier with Pomegranate’ which was quite good. However, I must say that their ‘Extra Special Bitter’ was out of this world delicious. While I have started to warm up to the ESB style it is not one of my favorites but this one was sublime and another must try.

While Pivotal Brewing Company is definitely the new kid on the block they are by no means brewing novices and you have got to check them out.

Pivotal Brewing Company is located at 500 Wood St. Bristol, RI 02809. For more information about their offerings and the brewery click  Here

Part one: Long Live Beerworks

Part two: Buttonwoods Brewery

Part three: LineSider Brewing Company

Part four: Taproot Brewing Company

Part five: Community Bruin (CLOSED)

Part six: Shaidzon Beer Company

Part seven: Moniker Brewery

Part eight: Six Pack Brewing

Part nine: Lops Brewing

Part ten: Grey Sail Brewing

Rhode Trip: Moniker Brewery

(The next part in a multi-part series as we complete the Rhode Island Brewer’s Guild Passport. To learn more about the passport and download the app click HERE)

While I have never done it, I think my assumption that opening a brewery in your own dedicated space is no easy task. Obtaining the licenses, equipment, and décor along with fine-tuning your recipes, hiring staff, and the hundreds of other things that I cannot even comprehend. I can also make the assumption that doing it during a global pandemic is even harder. But this is exactly what Moniker Brewery did and I for one am glad they did it.

Moniker has a great location right off West Fountain St. in Providence and is located across the street from Beer On Earth and just down the road from Bayberry Beer Hall making this one of the places to be come summertime. Along with a quaint taproom it has two patios, one in the front and the other on its side. The back bar has about a dozen or so taps which makes me excited for their future.

While we were there I was able to get two flights and try all of their offerings and I was quite impressed. The IPAs were nice and hoppy, their pale ale ‘Modern Chemistry’ has a nice hop but a crisp finish, and their lager was crisp, clean, and very refreshing. However the big standout was their coffee porter ‘Hypercaffium Spazzinate’ which was exceptional. It had strong roasty notes of coffee and a rich, but light, mouthfeel and a big coffee finish that lingers and builds with each sip. It was so good I had to get a four-pack to go. While Moniker is one of our newest breweries I am very excited to get back to there and see how they use their space, location, and try more of their beer.

Moniker Brewery is located at 432 West Fountain St. Providence, RI 02903. For more information about their offerings and to make a reservation click HERE

Part one: Long Live Beerworks

Part two: Buttonwoods Brewery

Part three: LineSider Brewing Company

Part four: Taproot Brewing Company

Part five: Community Bruin (CLOSED)

Part six: Shaidzon Beer Company