Make it a beer-y good summer with brews from from these Aquidneck Island brewers
The traditions of the Fourth of July are steeped within our culture. From day-long cookouts to fresh-made apple pies with ice cream to awe-inspiring firework displays bursting through our night skies, that’s how we do things around here. But as we take this weekend to commemorate the 248th anniversary of the birth of our nation, we should pause a moment and raise our glasses to this great American experiment that began on that hot, Philadelphia day back in 1776. And if those glasses are filled with locally brewed beers and ales, our forefathers would say we’re doing it right.
Beer making has a long storied tradition here in the Original 13. George Washington was himself a brewmaster and had a brewery on his Mt. Vernon estate. It was Gen. Washington that demanded every one of his troops should receive a quart of beer with his daily rations. When it comes to the very document that declares our independence, it is said that Thomas Jefferson composed the first draft of the Declaration Independence over a cold draft at the Indian Queen tavern in Philadelphia. Beer is cemented into the framework of our country’s ideals, so what better way to toast these United States of America? Thankfully, the local brewers we have on the Island are bringing the very best to this time-honored tradition.
Start your beer tour at Ragged Island Brewing Company at Bristol Ferry Road in Portsmouth. Ragged Island started making their beers in 2017 but moved to their current location on the 37-acre farm in 2022 where they feature a tap room, a 10-barrel brewhouse, a greenhouse and lots of open space and gardens. It’s a great place to spend some time, especially when they feature local food trucks and live entertainment. But the star here is always the beer, and they keep coming up with great new tastes. Whether it's their Tiny Truck IPA or Old Boy Lager, there’s a little something for everyone. Try their Custom House Coffee Stout for some local collaboration, or the ?Dónde Está la Biblioteca? Mexican Lager, clearly named by someone who aced their first Spanish class. The Ragged Island crew is serious about their beer and about our community too, but they also understand the joy of what they do (and you can taste it in every brew).
Head next to Taproot Brewing Company at the Newport Vineyard on East Main Road in Middletown. After 25 years of making great local wines, the Newport Vineyard introduced Taproot in 2018 as a logical addition. Since then, they have built a great local following by producing really tasty small-batch beer. For some hop-forward tasting brews, try “Another Trip ‘Round The Sun” IPA or their most popular brew, the F-Bomb American IPA. For something unusual, try the Whiteout White Stout with vanilla and mocha notes and made with Empire Coffee from Newport. Or try the Barleywine, which is briefly aged in their Newport Vineyards red wine barrels. You can do a Beer Flight for $18 and taste four brews while enjoying it on the beautiful Newport Vineyard property where they always have something going on with local music and outdoor games. Beer and wine make us happy, and so does Taproot.
Next stop is on Aquidneck Avenue in Middletown where the Rejects Beer Company has been creating great things since 2020. The Rejects crew keeps their focus on great brews but without the fuss. Located two blocks from Easton's Beach, you can feel the laidback and chill energy when it comes to the atmosphere. But when it comes to beer, they’re all business (and their business is great taste). Their New England IPA 12 O’clock High has notes of fresh cut grass, pineapple and stone fruit while their Summer IPA Port City Pants Party has notes of pineapple, grapefruit, white wine grapes, bubblegum, passion fruit & lime. They are doing a collaboration with the Potter League on their New England Style Cosmic Crosby’s Comet where $2 from every 4-pack sold and $1 from every draft sold gets donated directly to The Potter League. And the Locals Only Cream Ale made with locally malted Pilsner malt and a heavy addition of flaked corn is one to remember. Rejects always has something happening, whether it's Thursday Oysters with Aquidneck Oyster Company or the Rocks and Horror Night coming up on July 12 with food trucks, live bands and horror films. Don’t miss out on this great spot!
Head next to the new facilities for Newport Craft Brewing & Distillery on JT Connell Highway. It’s a great space for enjoying the finer things in life including one of the best views of the bridge in town. Their Rhode Trip IPA has been a longtime local favorite as is their Road Rage Double IPA. The Rhode Runner Lager is great for easy drinking and if you want to try something unusual, grab a Blueberry Ale, a wheat ale with a subtle blueberry flavor.
If Brewpubs are more of your thing, look towards Coddington Brewing Company on Coddington Highway who have been doing their thing since 1995. Great food alongside really tasty small-batch beer brewed right in house. There’s always something tasty brewing in the big copper tanks like a Golden Ale, a Blueberry Blonde Ale or a nice Irish Stout.
This weekend, let's celebrate Independence Day in the way our forefathers intended: in shorts, under warm, sunny skies and with a cold, local brew in hand. Our local brewers are standing by!
Dan Lederer is a Middletown resident with 30 years experience in the food service industry throughout New England. He continues to work locally behind the scenes within the industry and remains a devoted fan of all things restaurant and hospitality-related. His column appears on newportri.com and in The Daily News. Cheers!
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Breweries in Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth to check out this summer
