Fashion is style that is considered popular and often influenced by a designer or celebrity.
To some, it is a form of self-expression, and to others, it is a way to share one’s identity. I have generally followed my own sense of style. I often joke when it comes to my choice of attire as I ask myself, “Who do I want to be today?”
Since fashion affects trends, can it apply to other things, such as craft beer? I have witnessed trends fizzle out, fail, and rise. Do you remember the sassy Sour IPA? How about the confusing Cold IPA. That beer was an easy ”wear” that was meant to have a West Coast IPA hop to it. Last and not least, the brilliant Brut IPA. This was my favorite, and I really wish it could swing back to be a thing again.
There are only two types of beer; Ales and Lagers. The root of beer started with fermented grains and was a lager. A Lambic is an example of this style of beer that uses wild yeast, and natural microorganisms from an open vessel called a coolship. (Fox Farm Brewing in CT has one and it is “cool.”) With that being said, I am not aware of any local breweries using this technique to produce sours. There are variations of this old style available using mixed cultures and cultivated yeast. Some examples include Tilted Barn Brewing: Sun Rise over Sea Gose, Moniker Brewing: Sun Sick Day Gose, Buttonwoods Brewing: Screaming In The Woods Berliner Weisse, Tower Hill Brewing: Für Klara, Phantom Farms Brewing: Farmhouse Styles Sacred Tree and Into The Valley: Dandelion, Pivotal Brewing: Clingstone Farmhouse Ale and Proclamation Ale Company, who has the most to choose from Mono>Stereo and Stereo Mono both Grisette, Polychrome Berliner Weisse, and Gwyllion, a mixed fermentation Ale. What point was I trying to make? I believe that from this partial but lengthy list you can see that this OG style is considered vintage vogue locally.
Let’s try on some beer styles from its historical closet. What should go away, what should come back, and what should stay.
In the early ’70s we were wearing corduroy, paisley prints, bell-bottom jeans, and crocheted tops. The vibe was rebellion and individualism. Rooms had incense burning and were decorated with beaded curtains, wood paneling, shag carpets, and leather sofas. It was stellar hanging out with friends in ripped jeans, donning a wooden peace symbol necklace, and thinking about our free spirits while sharing some Narragansett Brewing Lagers. The bohemian style is back, or maybe it never left, groovy!
The late ’70s and into the ’80s, after the disco era of platforms, glitter, and satin tops, clothing colors faded into greys, black, and white. This soon was taken over by neon colors. You were preppy or you were punk. Perms, oversized sweaters, high-waisted jeans, and geometric prints were totally tubular. You were awesome drinking Sam Adams Boston Lager with your teased hair and shoulder-padded blazer. Don’t believe me? Pick up an ’80s year book! I think most stores ran out of Aqua Net hairspray. Oops, I forgot polyester and velour tracksuits! The latter is back in style btw.
In the ’90s, we were still wearing tracksuits but “def” bike shorts. Plaid skirts, bucket hats, and flannel shirts went well with our combat boots. Rockin’ it in animal prints, listening to girl groups and boy bands. If you were dope, you were sipping on an Anheuser-Busch Michelob with your crop top on. Thankfully, you had enough cash in your fanny pack to explore the beginning of microbreweries. Union Station Brewery, Trinity Brewhouse, and Coastal Extreme Brewing Company (Newport Storm) were the places that were fresh. All three of these breweries are still open. Newport Storm is now Newport Craft Brewing & Distillery Co.
We are slaying it in the 2000s. YOLO, right? Comfort, flare, individualism, and durability are what we are seeking. Oversized sunglasses or aviators, boho-chic, minimalistic styles, and Barbie pink. The past decades of attire are now the new drip.
We are hip in our athletic leisure wear, converse sneakers, and hoodies, socializing and meeting up with our pets. We are choosing drinks that we feel are healthier. Craft seltzers and beers with lower alcohol, like Narragansett Brewing’s Helle Light, Origin Beer Project’s Small Victories Foeder, or Tragmar Ale Works’ Freedom 401. We have seltzer options at almost every brewery. Some even offer us the option to tailor flavors of choice. (Crook Point Brewery and Tower Hill Brewing).
Some feel there are too many IPAs available at breweries. Mark Ambrose, a well-known supporter of the local craft beer community, expressed his thoughts: “While I am not condemning IPAs, I do think there are too many. I wish IPA-heavy places would shrink their lists a bit. I would like to see Oktoberfest and Pumpkin Ales be more readily available year-round.” Ambrose rotates visitation to breweries to promote support for small businesses.
Others long for traditional styles. John Windle, head brewer of Tower Hill Brewing shared his perspective to me, regarding this. “I’d like to see the average consumer develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of classic European and American styles of beer. I’d like to see lagers make a big resurgence; they deserve it. I’d like to see the big sugary smoothie sours disappear if I could make it happen. They’re tasty as fuck, but they’re not really beer.” I agree with Windle. Bring back the classics!
In style or out of style? Isn’t today’s style just tomorrow’s vintage? Drinking your favorite craft beer is your decision, just like your decision to wear white after Labor Day. Who made up that rule, anyway?
It’s no secret that RI breweries are struggling. In just this past month two breweries announced that they will be closing their doors. This is when the public decides to visit and it’s too late.
The local craft beer community – that means you and I – can help by restoring and keeping craft beer fresh. This isn’t about creating a new wardrobe. It only requires you continue to try on the attire that we have. Support local and bring craft beer back into style. As always, cheers to great beers!