Friday, May 6, 2016

Taste the Season(s) at the Great International Beer Fest


One of the reasons why we love doing Beer Fest twice a year (other than the fact that it means twice the beer) is the opportunity to taste all the great seasonal brews in spring and fall. It seems like every year craft brewers come up with more – and more creative – ways to incorporate the flavors of the seasons into their beers. At the Great International Spring Beer Festival we’ll even get a double dose of seasonal flavors, as there will be both spring and summer brews on tap. Here’s a quick round-up of just some of what you can look forward to sipping on Saturday.

 

“Wild Vineyard grape leaves, premium Pilsner malt and Saaz hops give our Vineyard Summer Ale a bright golden glow, a clean pilsner malt flavor and subtle Bartlett pear aromatics. Its refreshing, light body makes it the perfect ale for a lazy day on the sand. And maybe a night, too.”

4.8% ABV

 

“Stealin’ Time is a hazy summer sipper that will while away the days with a light malt sweetness, balanced by hops and a pinch of ginger.”

5.5% ABV

 

“This Belgian Wit summer offering is representative of the white beers made in the Wallonia region of Belgium. The pronounced yeast characteristic and subdued spicing of our Belgian Wit offer a refreshing, unfiltered beer perfect for those hot summer days.”

4% ABV



“A strong sense of adventure leads to a life well lived. This is a collaboration with Granny Squibb’s Ice Tea, making a refreshing and dynamic beer brewed with Azacca hops, mandarina bavaria, green tea, mint, and lime. A perfect taste to pair with fresh air and new experiences. It’s a magical world out there, so let’s go exploring!”

4.7% ABV

 

“Summertime Citra Ale is blonde session ale with unique citrus and passion fruit aromas, backed by the Citra hops and pale malt that creates a sessional and balanced summer beer.”

4.2% ABV



“A refreshing mix of Narragansett’s award-winning lager and the tart lemon extract from beloved New England summer staple Del’s Frozen Lemonade, Del’s Shandy has become an annual fan favorite far beyond its Northeast roots.”

4.7% ABV



“Queen is a truly unique IPA brewed with real raspberry. We dumped a stupid amount of American hops into this beer, giving the Queen a gorgeous bouquet of tropical fruit that is complemented by a subtle tartness from raspberry purée. This is a refreshing, delicious, and totally crushable IPA.”

5.2% ABV

 

“Doubly good in triple digits, our unique summer seasonal is made with the fruit of the prickly pear, a cactus native to Shiner, Texas. With a tart, citrusy flavor and a crisp finish, it’s the best use of cactus yet.”

4.9% ABV

 

“Downeast Summer Blend has been toned down to a sessionable 4.5% ABV. It’s fermented with our ale yeast to preserve the smooth flavor of Downeast Cider, but we also included freshly ground ginger for a sharp snap and freshly pressed lemon juice because we like lemons. It has half as much sugar as Original Blend and is made with fresh lemon and ginger juice.”

4.5%

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Get Ready to Raise a Cup: Your Great International Spring Beer Festival Checklist


It’s finally here! Saturday May 7th is the day for the Great International Spring Beer Fest at our beautiful new outdoor location, Mulligan’s Island Golf & Entertainment Complex. We’ve got a ton of great brewers, one of Rhode Island’s best bands, food, fun, and we’re ready for afternoon and night sessions. But are you ready? Here’s a checklist to make sure you have the ideal Beer Fest experience.

1. Tickets
Duh… Did you get them yet? If you haven’t already gotten yours online, you can still purchase them at the door for only $40.

2. A designated driver
This one should go without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway. We’re thrilled to provide you with more than 250 great beers to sample, but it’s no fun unless everybody gets home safe. We offer special “designated driver” tickets for only $15 so you can all pitch in and bring along a noble, selfless buddy. RIPTA’s 21 line  also runs out to Cranston, with a stop about half-a-mile from Mulligan’s Island. And there’s always Uber. Whatever you do, just make sure you’ve got a plan.

3. Directions
Speaking of Mulligan’s Island, do you know where you’re going?

4. Your valid photo ID
Don’t forget it, because you ain’t getting a single sip without it. And no one under 21 is admitted under any circumstances, so make sure even your designated driver is 21+ with a valid ID.

5. A full stomach
Food will be available on site, and no outside food or drink is permitted at Beer Fest, but we always recommend arriving on a full stomach. We want you to be able to enjoy as many brews as possible and it helps to lay down a base coat absorb them all.

6. Beer Knowledge
Over the past several weeks, we’ve tried to prep you for an extravaganza of hoppy goodness with blog posts about Rhode Island and New England breweries, alt-brews like ciders and hard sodas, seasonal brews, and even our band, Steve Smith & The Nakeds. If you haven’t done so already, we recommend a little light reading of our previous blog posts so you can arrive at Beer Fest with a plan of attack.

See you Mulligan’s Island on Saturday. Let’s get ready to raise a cup!