By Kim Kalunian, WPRO News
Summer’s coldest drink is really hot right now. Here are some reasons why:
BEER BUDGET
The fiscal year 2014 budget includes a 16-month period where wine and spirits will be tax free, but beer was left out in the cold. Now some brewers and beer enthusiasts are asking, “Why not us, too?” Even worse for beer fans: the excise tax on brews will go up as well, but at least it will also increase for wine and spirits.
DOGFISH HEAD RETURNS
Remember Dogfish Head beer? They stopped selling it in Rhode Island in 2009, but it will be back before the end of the 2013. The makers of Dogfish Head, based in Delaware, announced last week that they’ll again be supplying their product to Rhode Island stores. They’ll also return to Tennessee, Indiana and Wisconsin, if you plan to visit any of those places.
BREW FEST TAKE TWO
Rhode Island’s inaugural Brew Fest last winter was such a big success, they’re having another one this summer. The Rhode Island Summer Brew Fest will take place at picturesque Ninigret Park in Charlestown on August 10. The Fest will feature more than 30 breweries and additional vendors from across New England. You can buy tickets here.
IT’S FOOLPROOF
Foolproof Brewing, based in Pawtucket, has been thriving since their launch in January. In just six months, Foolproof has already expanded, and their beers are available across Rhode Island and parts of Massachusetts. You can even enjoy a cold Foolproof brew while watching the PawSox at McCoy Stadium. Check out their selection of craft beers or plan a tour of the facility here.
SATURATED WITH BEER
Rhode Island boasts a lot of great breweries. In addition to newcomer Foolproof, there’s Revival Brewing Co. in Providence; Ravenous Brewing Co. in Woonsocket; Bucket Brewery in Pawtucket; Grey Sail Brewing in Westerly; Coddington Brewing Company in Middletown; Narragansett Beer in Providence and Coastal Extreme Brewing (Newport Storm Beer) in Newport.
RHODY HOPS
Did you know that Rhode Island has its own hops farm? Ocean State Hops is located in Exeter and was started by some at-home brewers looking to fuel their own beer-making process. Since they got started in 2007, Ocean State Hops has blossomed from a small startup to a 400-plant operation that supplies hops to both homebrewers and local brewing companies.
