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: Grey Sail Brewing

(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 my last post, I discussed venturing out of our immediate location to visit new/different breweries and that in visiting those breweries we can be greeted with something truly amazing. This past weekend I made the trip to Grey Sail Brewing down in Westerly and while I have been there before, it is a brewery that I love visiting and if you have not been there, you should.

         
                                    

Grey Sail Brewing is a two-building operation, one building hosts the brewery with can, bottle, growler, and merchandise sales and the other hosts the taproom. While the brewery is in a standard warehouse, the taproom is an old Westerly mansion with the beer garden in the side yard. I have always stated that the best breweries remind you of drinking at a friend’s house and I have to say that drinking at Grey Sail is like drinking at your rich friend’s house. The space inside the house is really quaint, it is where the service bar is along with a few rooms with tables for indoor drinking. However, it is the outdoor beer garden that is truly a thing of beauty. It has several tables under a tree providing ample shade, along with more picnic tables underneath a long overhang. Both areas over look a vibrant lawn and beautiful water fountain that convey a sense of peace and calm. Near the picnic tables is a wood-fired pizza oven that pumps out some of the best wood-fired pizza you have ever had.

The Beer? Fantastic! I first grabbed a flight of a few of their offerings along with one of my favorite Grey Sail beers and they were all great. ‘Hazy Ho’ was light with a nice juicy hop, ‘Hazy Day’ the unfiltered Belgian had a nice malty taste with a lingering finish, and ‘Adrift’ was hoppy with a lingering bitter finish but ‘Captain’s Daughter’ stole the show. ‘Captain’s Daughter’ has been a staple in the Rhode Island beer community for years and has been prominently featured on draft lists across the state and it has served as my ‘Go-To’ Double IPA for years. I know this beer, I love this beer, and it is awesome both on tap and from a can. However, having fresh ‘Captain’s Daughter’ from the brewery is a life changing experience. The juiciness from the mosaic hop plays beautifully with the citra hop and leads perfectly into the piney flavor from the chinook hop and has a nice long finish. If you like ‘Captain’s Daughter’ you owe it to yourself to visit the brewery and try it fresh. Additionally, for those who may not like craft beer, they have mixed cocktails and hard seltzers from the distillery next door that are also phenomenal.

While Westerly is well off the beaten path for many of us, it is an absolute must visit to thoroughly enjoy the Rhode Island craft beer scene.

Grey Sail Brewing is located at 63 Canal St. Westerly, RI 02891. 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

Rhode Trip: Lops Brewing

(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) 

Now I have written about my “Rhode Islander quirks” before, but one of the big ones is complaining about driving anywhere that is more than 15 minutes away. Now I have gotten better as the years have gone on and now it really only applies when traveling inside the state but it is still one of my, and many other peoples, quirks. This quirk exists because here in the Ocean State we are cursed with so many good options within five to ten minutes of our immediate location and it is often hard to venture out (insert TLC ‘Waterfalls’ joke here). However, it is when we venture out that we find new and equally amazing places. None more so than Lops Brewing. Located in Woonsocket it is more than 15 minutes from where I live but it was worth the trip.

Lops Brewing is located on the first floor of a multi-story building that might actually have some apartments above it. It also has an outdoor patio. While we went back in late March and were greeted by a small snow squall it was still very nice and dog friendly, so Mr. Bradley had fun as well. Inside is a slightly narrow tap room with several tables and a service bar with incredibly friendly staff. Classified as a Nano Brewery, a concept I am learning more and more about, it has that perfect feel of a small local bar with a nice warm feeling to it.

Now all of the positive aesthetics do not mean anything if the beer is not good. But here, the beer is fantastic. While I cannot remember specific tasting notes on all of them, all of the IPAs were fantastic with the session IPA being one of my favorites. However, the big standout and I mean BIG standout was ‘Breakroom Snack’ their peanut butter and jelly porter. While peanut butter stouts/porters are quickly rising up my power rankings I have always found that PB&J stouts and porters are a bit off, but not this one. With the perfect peanut butter taste up front that perfectly transitions into a nice sweetness that rounds things out and doesn’t linger too long it was an absolute treat.

While I do not get to Woonsocket often, I can now safely say that each time I go there I will be stopping at Lops.

Lops Brewing is located at 122 North Main St. Unit 1A Woonsocket, RI 02895. 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

Rhode Trip: Six Pack Brewing

 (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)

This past weekend was my birthday (Happy Belated Birthday to me) and while I am not much of a birthday person I did want to visit a brewery, but it had to meet two requirements. First, it had to be one of the few I had not been to on the passport, and next, it had to allow dogs. Six Pack Brewing in Bristol met both requirements so my girlfriend, Bradley, and I all got into the car and made the trek out there and let me tell you, we were not disappointed.

While located in a plaza with other businesses there are tables out front on the patio for a nice little outdoor area. The inside is quite spacious with ample tables and a couch more towards the back. However, what really makes the vibe of Six Pack are the owners and their professional greeter, Sheldon. Sheldon is an eleven-year-old Beagle/Italian Greyhound mix who is the first thing you see when pulling up. He and Bradley became great friends although the older Sheldon did not want of play non-stop with the one-and-a-half-year-old pup and would come over to us for extra pets. The owners are two of the nicest people you will ever meet and will not only spend extra time talking with you but your dog as well. The best word to sum up Six Pack? Cozy. Like going back to your parent’s house and having a beer, but in the best way possible.

Now this is not a blog about aesthetics or kindness, it is a blog about beer and let me tell you their beer is great. I was able to try a few of their offerings and I was very happy. The New England IPA had a hop blend that I had never encountered before that had a nice bitterness up front with a lingering funkiness to its finish. The West Coast IPA was textbook, with a big hop flavor and a long and lingering bitterness. Their cherry sour was light, flavorful, and perfectly tart. However, the peanut butter milk stout ‘Penny’ was the big standout. A rich peanut butter taste upfront that gives way to a rich and creamy finish, plus it was on nitro which is always a personal favorite.

While they are one of our newer breweries I am excited to see what they do next and will definitely be back. Plus, Bradley will want to see his newest friends again.

Six Pack Brewing is located at 87 Gooding Ave. Bristol, RI 02809. For more information about the brewery please 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

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

Rhode Trip: Shaidzon Beer 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)

As we continue our Rhode Trip let me take you back to last weekend. Right after leaving Tilted Barn we decided to head down the road to Shaidzon Beer Company. A little off the beaten path in West Kingston and located in a complex with other businesses, they are where Proclamation use to be (a very Rhode Island phrase/occurrence). Currently, they are only serving in their outdoor space due to COVID-19 and this seating area is located towards the back of the building with multiple picnic tables and chairs around propane fireplaces, it has the feel of drinking in a friend’s backyard.

While there are available heaters, last weekend when we went it was absolutely frigid with a blustery wind that whipped right through the beer garden. Despite the less-than-ideal conditions the beer was top notch. I ordered ‘Rachard’ which is a Peach IPA brewed in honor of Rachard Nash, a member of the staff that tragically passed away. It was a super juicy and hazy IPA that was almost too crushable. My girlfriend ordered ‘Winter Nightz’ a rich and robust stout that was perfect for such a cold day.

While spirits were high as we sat there bundled up near our propane fireplace we had to leave early because of the cold. I definitely wanted another pour but settled for some To-Go cans instead. Shaidzon continues to be one of the great breweries in the state and a place you need to make an effort to go to… Just make sure you are wearing the right clothes

Shaidzon Beer Company is located at 141 Fairgrounds Rd. West Kingston, RI 02892. For more information about the brewery please 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)

Rhode Trip: Tilted Barn 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 it has been a while since the last #RhodeTrip entry I can assure you that I have been frequenting many of our fine breweries but more on that in future posts. Those who know me know that I have been preaching the good word of Tilted Barn since I first tried ‘The Chosen One’ back in 2016 and my love of this brewery has only grown since then. I had made multiple trips to the old barn and with them only doing to-go cans during the pandemic I eagerly awaited the opening of the new barn, plus seeing it take shape with each trip down only heightened this anticipation. When it opened and the pictures were posted online my expectations grew even higher.

Now, I have a history of being let down due to having unrealistically high expectations. I had been trying to lower these expectations as the pictures gave Tilted Barn a “Tree House” type vibe, which is an INSANELY high bar but with each picture I just could not help myself. Let me be the one to tell you though, Tilted Barn’s new location is one of the most beautiful breweries I have ever been to.

Located on top of a hill that overlooks the farm, the outdoor patio area has a breath-taking view of the entire farm. Inside there is a picture-perfect wooden bar with a dozen taps and refrigerators full of cans. The front facing windows let in the sunlight that showcases the white tile floors, light brown wood, and open atrium for an absolutely gorgeous entryway. I was seated on the second floor that has artwork of their cans and a view of the actual brewery. 

The woodwork on the second floor is stunning. While my knowledge of the subject is very limited it looks like the various joints are fitted with pegs and not screws which really fits into the rustic feel of the barn. Even more exciting are all of the tanks on the lower level which filled my head with joy for the beers that are about to come down the line… and speaking of beer.

While they are not doing flights they are doing six ounce pours of all offerings and I was allowed to order two at once. I was able to try a few offerings as my girlfriend ordered something different than I did. However, my two standouts were ‘DDH Cactus’ which was juicy, hoppy, and full of flavor. There was also ‘Lawn Boy’ which was the first Tilted Barn Lager I have had. It was crisp, clean, and perfect for a hot day… or in this case a supremely cold one. I hope it is brewed again once the weather turns. Also there was 'Tupelo' an Imperial Stout named after one of the brewery dogs. It had great notes of both chocolate and coffee and is a perfect cold weather beer. 

In all, the new barn is amazing. It is sad losing the old barn as it was a cozy and intimate setting, but this new location really raises the stakes and will certainly allow for more experimentation and collaboration from one of Rhode Island best breweries. Plus, I’m pretty sure Matt is happy to have everyone off his front lawn.

Tilted Barn is located at 1 Hemsley Place. Exeter, RI 02822. For more information about the brewery, their beer, and to book a reservation please 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)

Rhode Trip: Community Bruin

 (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)

A melancholy entry on our #RhodeTrip as a couple of weeks ago I made the trip down to Community Bruin. Melancholy because due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic they are closing their doors permanently.

Owned by a husband and wife duo, this nano brewery operating out of an old Tim Hortons down in West Greenwich is truly a diamond in the rough. Currently, they are only offering bottles to go and homebrew equipment. Both can be ordered and picked up but only by appointment and can be made by e-mail with more information on their website. They offer a wide variety of styles and they are going fast so make sure you place your order as soon as possible. My favorite, and it is still available, is ‘Closing Time (AKA Covid Casualty)’ a light a crisp affair with just a subtle fruity sweetness.

Community Bruin is located at 74 Nooseneck Hill Rd. West Greenwich, RI. For more information regarding the brewery and how to order their beer click HERE

Part one: Long Live Beerworks

Part two: Buttonwoods Brewery

Part three: LineSider Brewing Company

Part four: Taproot Brewing Company

Rhode Trip: Taproot 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)

To those who know me, I am a very stereotypical Rhode Islander. When I am home in Rhode Island, I will openly complain about having to drive more than fifteen minutes to go anywhere. So for me to venture out to Aquidneck it has to be for something good, and a few weeks ago it was for the most underrated brewery in Rhode Island, Taproot Brewing Company.

Founded in 2018 they are one of the newer breweries in the state and since they are attached to both the Newport Vineyards and Brix they have a lot going on. They have a beautiful space to operate out of with an open dining room and large windows that provide a beautiful view of the vineyards. While it does not feel like drinking at a friend’s house it is still an aesthetically beautiful and spacious restaurant/tap room.

I was able to get a flight while I was there and sample a few Taproot beers I never had before. There was the super juicy New England IPA ‘F-bomb’ was everything you look for in an IPA, a little sweetness from the Simcoe hops and a nice bitterness from the Amarillo. ‘Comet’ was a very nice Blonde Ale with a little bitterness, ‘Amigo’ a Mexican lager with just a slight hint of lime, and finally ‘Summertime’ a wheat beer that is super refreshing and perfect on a nice hot day.  

Additionally, since they are attached to Brix they do have another advantage too as they have a full menu and the food is amazing. I got the burger and it was fantastic. While it is a “long” drive for yours truly to get out there, whenever I am in the Middletown area Taproot is a definite stop.

Taproot Brewing Company is located at 909 East Main Rd. Middletown, RI 02842. For more information about the brewery, vineyard, and restaurant click HERE.

Part one: Long Live Beerwords

Part two: Buttonwoods Brewery

Part three: LineSider Brewing Company

Rhode Trip: LineSider 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).

This weekend we were able to get to one of THE hidden gems in the Rhode Island Craft Beer community, LineSider Brewing Company. Founded in 2018 they are one of the new kids on the block, however many of their offerings can go toe to toe with the top tier Rhode Island Breweries. Located a little off the beaten path in East Greenwich with a small outdoor patio as well as multiple indoor tables as well. Moreover, they are also pouring flights and allowing dogs in their outdoor area.

The outdoor area is reminiscent of drinking on your friend’s backyard porch complete with two cornhole sets, while the indoor area is more similar to his man cave, complete with televisions and Patriots gear (for those who do not know, LineSider is owned in part by former Patriots’ Guard Dan Koppen). The indoor area also has ample tables and a great view of the brewery as well.

My flight consisted of ‘The Craft’, ‘Shelter In Place’, ‘Only In Darkness Can You See The Stars’, and ‘Wicked Taht’. While all were great the two standouts were ‘The Craft’ and ‘Only In Darkness Can You See The Stars’. ‘The Craft’ which is named after a phenomenal documentary about Rhode Island Craft Beer is a hazy double IPA with a great mouthfeel and amazing flavor. While ‘Only In Darkness Can You See The Stars’ is a rye IPA with a nice crispness and a great bite from the rye. If you have not been to LineSider then you need to make a trip there, if you have not been recently, get back.

LineSider Brewing Company is located at 1485 South County Trail, Suite #201. East Greenwich, RI 02818. For more information about the brewery and their beer please click HERE.

Part one: Long Live Beerworks

Part two: Buttonwoods Brewery

Rhode Trip: Buttonwoods 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)

 

This weekend I was able to get back to one of my favorite breweries, Buttonwoods Brewery. Due to COVID-19 they are open for online sales during the week and onsite outdoor pours Saturday and Sunday. The outdoor seating is quite nice and while it is in the back of the brewery it has a very nice feel to it.

I find that the hallmark of a great brewery is asking if drinking there feels like you are drinking at your friend’s house. When you drink at Buttonwoods it feels like you are drinking in your buddy’s basement. I was lucky enough to discover Buttonwoods very early and while their beer was awesome in the beginning it has gotten even better as they continue to push the boundaries of Rhode Island craft beer.

I was able to try both ‘Big Echo’ and ‘GOMB’ this weekend. ‘Big Echo’ is a newer beer with Centennial and Chinook hops that give this New England IPA a slightly west coast feel. The beer has a nice hop while being very refreshing. ‘GOMB’ has a big fruit flavor with a subtle, but lingering, sourness that comes in at the end. Both beers are fantastic and are a must try at your next visit.

Buttonwoods Brewery is located at 530 Wellington Ave. Cranston, RI 20910. For more information about the brewery and their beer please click HERE.

Part one: Long Live Beerworks

Rhode Trip: Long Live Beerworks

(The first 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)

A few weeks ago, I was able to get to Long Live Beerworks in order to get my passport stamped. While I have been to Long Live multiple times and they are one of my favorite Rhode Island Breweries, this was one of the first breweries I was able to attend as the Rhode Island COVID-19 restrictions began to loosen. While they are only open for outdoor seating it was still an amazing time.

The old location of Long Live was nice albeit a little small, however, their new location is a thing of beauty. To me, the hallmark of a great brewery is simple: “Does it feel like you are drinking at your friend’s house?” Long Live passes that test. While this visit I was outside I have been inside on multiple occasions and drinking at Long Live always feels like you are drinking at your friend’s upscale loft, especially when you are upstairs. The outside has a similar feeling of drinking on your friend’s patio, but each part has this amazing warm/friendly feeling. But enough about the aesthetics, let’s talk about the beer.

When I went, and unfortunately these offerings are no longer available, I was able to try ‘Neon Nightmare’ a sour explosion of tropical fruit. Raspberries, pineapple, tangerine, and vanilla are all present and it was absolutely exceptional. I was also able to try ‘Through These Eyes’ a double IPA that was crazy juicy, hazy, and very hoppy. The Lupin powder with the Galaxy hops gave the beer its distinct flavor with a subtle hint from the Rakau. Another awesome beer from an awesome brewery. I will definitely be back but here’s to one stamp down!  

Long Live Beerworks is located at 40R Sprague St. Providence, RI 02907. For more information about the brewery and their beer click HERE.