Fun time, good deal on brew glasses. Took home a pair. Buy the glass and refill is only @2.50 and you can keep bringing it back.
Kinda like a mini growler...
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
Ah, that's one of the few local-ish ones we haven't been to. I'll have to pair it up for a trip to Ragged Island; we don't make it over to that side of the state as much.
They are printing money over there. Looking at their typical weekly output of around 10,000 cases, at around $4+/- average per can that is $100/case. So they are moving $1 million worth of product every week without accounting for more profitable draft sales. The facility cost approximately $20 million to build of which they used $8 million from a tax-exempt bond issued by a public-private agency. TH is already working towards an expansion to accommodate the lines for canned beer in a more efficient queue than straight towards the parking lot as currently exists, while freeing up the taproom as more than a "pass through" for the can customers. https://www.treehousebrew.com/blog/RF1 wrote: ↑5 years ago Stopped by Treehouse in Charlton last Friday afternoon. Had to wait in a line of hundreds for half an hour for the opportunity to buy their product. Only can sales as there was no draft pouring (very limited hours) or growler refills.
Treehouse continues to have issues keeping up with the crowds and demand for its product. Many visitors are being forced to park at the lower lot and walk or shuttle bus up a long steep incline to the facility. To be able to handle the crowds, hours have been restricted for draft pouring and growler refills. In order to have enough supply to meet demand, there is a maximum purchase limit (approx 5 cases). From my vantage point, it looked liked about 1/3 of their customers buy the max. With can prices that range from the mid $3 to around $5, they must be doing very well revenue wise.
Beautiful facility. Had a very nice outdoor pavilion with seating that had a pizza oven. People were saying they have outside entertainment there. Nice spot for food and drink for the very limited hours the pavilion is open.
Buzzards Bay is down the street from Westport Rivers Vineyard, who own the brewery. My favorite is Swamp Yankee ale, a hoppy brown beer that kind of reminds me of Arrogant Bastard ale from Stone Brewing. Very solid beers all around, and a nice property for putting out a picnic and enjoying their beer.
They kind of reminded me of Newport Storm before they rebranded - seemed like an OG brewery that hadn't really adjusted to the times yet. Just nothing that stood out in a good way to me, and "just OK" beers aren't really going to be much of a driver for me to make my way out to Westport, since I live in Warwick.rhodyruckus wrote: ↑5 years ago Yeah I agree that Buzzards Bay falls in the "solid" category for me as mentioned above for the most part, but I'd rank it last amongst all that is mentioned above. And since I haven't been there probably since the NEIPA craze really took off, their hoppy stuff would likely seem a lot more pedestrian to me now.
I was just ranking the breweries on this page, but yes an overall RI ranking is very difficult with around 25(?) breweries now up and running. Just like 5 years ago the top spot would basically be between Grey Sail and Foolproof as there wasn't much else. Living in Warwick myself I'd go top 3 some order of Proclamation, Buttonwoods and Long Live. Tilted Barn's limited hours are tough, although I bought a very nice Christmas tree from the brewer's farm last year. I also want to revisit Ravenous as it has been several years: they haven't upsized since but it looks like their brewer is producing some good stuff based on the facebook posts. I seem to visit Revival rarely due to the restaurant as opposed to taproom atmosphere upstairs...but then the downstairs taproom is most certainly a dive! So it is like penthouse to trailer park within a few steps.SGreenwell wrote: ↑5 years agoThey kind of reminded me of Newport Storm before they rebranded - seemed like an OG brewery that hadn't really adjusted to the times yet. Just nothing that stood out in a good way to me, and "just OK" beers aren't really going to be much of a driver for me to make my way out to Westport, since I live in Warwick.rhodyruckus wrote: ↑5 years ago Yeah I agree that Buzzards Bay falls in the "solid" category for me as mentioned above for the most part, but I'd rank it last amongst all that is mentioned above. And since I haven't been there probably since the NEIPA craze really took off, their hoppy stuff would likely seem a lot more pedestrian to me now.
It would be tough for me to do an overall ranking for Rhode Island at this point - Crooked Current is probably our most consistent favorite, since we like unusual and fruity beers more than super hoppy ones. (Lumping in my girlfriend with my tastes here.) As a result, we'd probably have Tilted Barn and Long Live lower than most, especially the folks in the RI Craft Beer FB group that seem to go effing nuts for all of their offerings. Proclamation and Buttonwoods are probably vying for second and third, because they're close to us and have plenty of good offerings. We love the strawberry blonde and the hazelnut at Whaler's, but they don't offer them both at the same time, haha. We need to get out to Ravenous again - went there once last year and liked it.
should be open in 1.5 to 2 weeks
Hm, I haven't! Might have to put it on the list. I'd like to do more drinking in Massachusetts, but it is a tougher spot in that most of the breweries are around 60+ minutes to get to. We liked SkyRoc in Attleboro, and Wormtown Brewery in Worcester was tasty, but its on the way to my girlfriend's parents, and thus a bit more feasible for us.NYGFan_Section208 wrote: ↑5 years ago Not sure if this one has been mentioned here before, but as I turned the rehab corner to the 'able to have beer' phase... a friend brought by a couple from Start Line Brewery - Hop Load Hazy and Hop Load Citra. Thought they were both very good.... Not much for pix of the brewery/facility on line, but appears they have food available. Anyone been there?
If you like 'hazy' IPA's...with some mild fruit-ish flavor (from the hops, not from added fruit), I'd definitely give those two a try.SGreenwell wrote: ↑5 years agoHm, I haven't! Might have to put it on the list. I'd like to do more drinking in Massachusetts, but it is a tougher spot in that most of the breweries are around 60+ minutes to get to. We liked SkyRoc in Attleboro, and Wormtown Brewery in Worcester was tasty, but its on the way to my girlfriend's parents, and thus a bit more feasible for us.NYGFan_Section208 wrote: ↑5 years ago Not sure if this one has been mentioned here before, but as I turned the rehab corner to the 'able to have beer' phase... a friend brought by a couple from Start Line Brewery - Hop Load Hazy and Hop Load Citra. Thought they were both very good.... Not much for pix of the brewery/facility on line, but appears they have food available. Anyone been there?
LineSider is opening up this Friday.spookydog wrote: ↑6 years agoOpening later this summer...spookydog wrote:I made a mistake. It is going to be in EG. Off of Rt4. LineSider BrewingNYGFan_Section208 wrote:Any idea where in SK Koppen's brewery would be?
1485 South County Trail (Route 2), East Greenwich
This is right by Dave's Market
The RI Craft Beer Group on FB said the lines were moving swiftly, but about a thousand people there, so I'm glad I passed, haha. Instead, we got three stamps on the passport today - Whaler's, Sons of Liberty and Grey Sail - because we were visiting my parents, sister and nieces. Whaler's is one of our favorites, because of the hazelnut stout. Sons of Liberty, surprisingly good space! Has a sort of a speakeasy feel to it, and they have eight beers on tap now, in addition to the spirits. Grey Sail... Well, some people really like it, haha. Nothing really struck our fancy though, and the parking is rough in that area.rjsuperfly66 wrote: ↑5 years agoAny of you guys end up going? Thought about but figured it'd be a zoo.
I've said it before, but the spread of quality craft breweries - seems wherever I travel for business, there's one nearby - is one of, if not the greatest things to happen in America in the last 10 years.
Always nice to see something from my publication on the board.spookydog wrote: ↑5 years ago Oh yeah....Norey's in Newport is going to start brewing as well. This place already brought in spectacular beers on tap. Whenever I go there, I can't see myself ordering their brewed on premise beers when the tap list is always amazing.
Newport RI Article
Probably a good idea - I've really liked what I've had from Beer on Earth, but always forget it exists down there.
Linesider was pretty good. I can't remember any standouts, but there is a good amount of space inside, and I always like that vs. the "ass to elbows" breweries.NYGFan_Section208 wrote: ↑5 years ago I see Linesider referenced above...anyone been there/tried it? Feedback?
Have been spending a lot of time with Lawson's Super Session #2 lately...very good.
Recently tried Wachussett's Mass Soul, also very good.
Went there for the first time for pre Super Bowl this past weekend. Not a bad little space. Had ample seating for our group to hang out a bit. I had the Side by Each IPA. Decent beer.RhowdyRam02 wrote: ↑5 years ago I heard Ravenous was looking to upgrade their space, but it hasn't happened yet
May still be associated with Purple Cat even if in a separate space, as per the RI Brewers Guild they posted the Purple Cat Brewery was "temporarily closed". I had never been but people seeking out the RI Brewers passport stamps found out the hard way, but they said you could replace that stamp with one of the newly open breweries not yet in the passport (Smug, Linesider or 84 Aleworks).
Apponaug is dangerously good for food. And their beer is getting better each time I visit, by the time the springtime hits and they get to use the ample outdoor space that may become a regular spot for me.SGreenwell wrote: ↑5 years agoSpeaking of food - Holy shit is Apponaug good for that. Journal did a food piece on them, and the beers are solid as well. My girlfriend is obsessed with their chicken and waffles.NYGFan_Section208 wrote: ↑5 years ago I see Linesider referenced above...anyone been there/tried it? Feedback?
Have been spending a lot of time with Lawson's Super Session #2 lately...very good.
Recently tried Wachussett's Mass Soul, also very good.
These are people not associated with the Purple Cat.rhodyruckus wrote: ↑5 years agoMay still be associated with Purple Cat even if in a separate space, as per the RI Brewers Guild they posted the Purple Cat Brewery was "temporarily closed". I had never been but people seeking out the RI Brewers passport stamps found out the hard way, but they said you could replace that stamp with one of the newly open breweries not yet in the passport (Smug, Linesider or 84 Aleworks).
I know it is technically attached to the Microcreamery, but can't forget to specifically mention the Speakeasy. Some of our best friends used to live in Marlborough, so it was a quick 5 minute ride over. Fun little area. The Spirit of Hudson Food & Brewfest is also a fun event in August.rhodyruckus wrote: ↑5 years ago
For Mass spots, I didn't check to see if already a part of this thread, but Medusa in Hudson just off I-495 is a nice spot. A lot of different beer styles offered although their most hyped beer really due to the artwork rather than beer itself, is the Laser Cat DIPA (think Andy Samberg's old SNL short). Rail Trail Flatbread Company and New City Microcreamery are both right down the street. Such deliciousness in that downtown!
spookydog wrote: ↑5 years ago 2 more new breweries opening soon.
Community Bruin in West Greenwich (74 Nooseneck Hill Rd)
Looks like this place is going to be in Pascoag from what I hear.
Just checked out the new Beer on Earth space. They are still working on it, but it is coming along. They are hoping for a soft opening in the beginning of June & then open for real in the middle of the month. They just got their canning line, so you can expect cans from them as well. They hired a head brewer to help them as well.SGreenwell wrote: ↑5 years agoProbably a good idea - I've really liked what I've had from Beer on Earth, but always forget it exists down there.
Downtown Hudson is far different than when I lived there some 30 years ago. Back then it was it was not at all gentrified. It was known more for its biker bars - The Mansion House and Billy Jacks. Totally different today. Have now been to Medusa a few times. Decent place with numerous good selections. Also eaten at Rail Trail and the Horsehoe pub. It also has a bike trail that starts in nearby Marlboro and goes through the downtown which I have done. A large new museum 10 minutes further down Main st. east of the downtown opens for the first time today. It has one of the world's largest collections of armored vehicles and tanks. Huge shopping plaza at the west end of town by 495 with a Cabellas. Barely recognize the place these days.rhodyruckus wrote: ↑5 years ago For Mass spots, I didn't check to see if already a part of this thread, but Medusa in Hudson just off I-495 is a nice spot. A lot of different beer styles offered although their most hyped beer really due to the artwork rather than beer itself, is the Laser Cat DIPA (think Andy Samberg's old SNL short). Rail Trail Flatbread Company and New City Microcreamery are both right down the street. Such deliciousness in that downtown!
FYI - They are opened on Friday's from 4-7 as well now.spookydog wrote: ↑5 years agospookydog wrote: ↑5 years ago 2 more new breweries opening soon.
Community Bruin in West Greenwich (74 Nooseneck Hill Rd)
This place is now open. Just on Saturday's for now from 1-4.
Went here over the weekend. It is in an old Bess Eaton's right off of 95. You can purchase a flight to drink on premise or growler/bottle sales to go. No full pours yet. Since brewing on a half barrel system, I guess that's what they need to do. They are currently the smallest brewery in the state. Move over Crooked Current, you are no longer the state's smallest barrel system.
The new Beer on Earth space is opening tomorrow (6/6).spookydog wrote: ↑5 years agoJust checked out the new Beer on Earth space. They are still working on it, but it is coming along. They are hoping for a soft opening in the beginning of June & then open for real in the middle of the month. They just got their canning line, so you can expect cans from them as well. They hired a head brewer to help them as well.SGreenwell wrote: ↑5 years agoProbably a good idea - I've really liked what I've had from Beer on Earth, but always forget it exists down there.
spookydog wrote: ↑5 years agoWent here over the weekend. It is in an old Bess Eaton's right off of 95. You can purchase a flight to drink on premise or growler/bottle sales to go. No full pours yet. Since brewing on a half barrel system, I guess that's what they need to do. They are currently the smallest brewery in the state. Move over Crooked Current, you are no longer the state's smallest barrel system.
As for the beers themselves, in my opinion, they were mediocre at best. I will give them another chance down the line, but as of right now I won't be going back anytime soon with so many other better options closer to where I live.