Got Beer? For the Love of Beer

Here’s a Whitman’s sampler of news to set your brew-loving heart aflutter!

• The folks at Crooked Current Brewery are all-in on sweet stuff this month: “Our chocolate stout series will return for February. Two years ago we released our Chocolate Cherry Stout on Valentine’s Day to a line out the door. That prompted us to create a chocolate stout series consisting of Chocolate Cherry, Chocolate Orange and Chocolate Habanero stouts. This received an even stronger response the following year, so this year we will be returning the stout series throughout ALL of February. We began brewing batches in mid-January in an effort to have ample supplies to get through February with enough for everyone to at least be able to sample some of the series during a visit. The lineup will vary throughout the month, but it is our hope that a chocolate stout or two will remain a staple on the board in February.” (crookedcurrentbrewery.com).
• Foolproof Brewing Company’s Shuckolate Chocolate-Oyster Stout is making its seasonal appearance, and the annual Shuckolate Soiree is scheduled for Saturday, February 11 from 7 – 9pm. The event includes slurpies and munchies from Walrus & Carpenter Oysters, Laughing Gull Chocolates and Citizen Wing, plus three beer samples, a take-home four-pack of Shuckolate and a tulip glass.

They also have a brand new IPA in the works called The Grotto that will be released in March (draft and 16-ounce cans). And a new rotating beer project called Forecast will premiere in the spring. Check foolproofbrewing.com for updates.

• Let’s complete the Pawtucket hat trick with intel from Bucket Brewery: “There is now food at Bucket on Saturdays and Sundays! Pork & Starboard, a fantastic BBQ company, have set up shop in the back of the brewery, and will be serving its menu from Noon – 8pm on Saturdays. They switch to a brunch menu from 10am – 2pm on Sundays (details will be on bucketbrewery.com soon).

“Thursday is still Movie Night, with a new time — 8pm. The theme for February is sci-fi. The Empire Strike Back kicks things off on February 2 (the original 1980 cut). We’ll also have an encore showing of Star Wars on Friday, February 3, at 8pm. The rest of the schedule: On February 9 is Coherence, a fantastic indie film from a couple of years back. On February 16, we celebrate Valentine’s Day with The Fifth Element. And February 23 is TBD. Some possibilities are Gattaca, Time Bandits, 12 Monkeys and  Moon. Reader suggestions are welcome!”

• Revival Brewing is unveiling a new take on one of their beloved beers: Juliett Russian Imperial Stout aged in Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels (9% ABV). The brewery-only release is in wax-dipped 22-ounce bottles (matching glassware and shirts are also available). The release party is on Saturday, February 11 from 2 – 6pm in the Tasting Room at 505 Atwood Ave, Cranston. There will be a keg tapping and brewer’s toast at 3pm. Get more info at revivalbrewing.com.
• This just in from Grey Sail: “We just released our latest Chalkboard Series: Keller Pils, an unfiltered Pilsner dry-hopped with Hallertauer Blanc available on draft only while it lasts.

“On Thursday, February 23, from 3 – 8pm, we’re hosting A Night of Funky Fermentations, featuring several sour beers on tap, some sour bottles to be revealed at a later date, cheese, meat and more at the Grey Sail Taproom.

“We also just brewed an imperial stout — all of which will be put into bourbon barrels and released when we deem it ready. We’re also trying to step up our barrel game this year. In addition to the bourbon barrels the imperial stout is going in, we have 19 various barrels with various beers that we’re gong to start bottling and releasing at the brewery only throughout the year. Follow @greysailtaproom for more info!”

• Matt Richardson from Tilted Barn Brewery reports: “We’re expanding (again) to increase our fermentation capacity, with plans to start canning in late February. Tanks are ordered, construction is underway and Kara is working on labels as we speak. Also, we plan to start offering bottle-conditioned farmhouse-style beers this spring. These will be pale ales, blondes and/or mixed fermentation saisons. We have lots of ideas and we are excited to get these going in the near future.” Keep up at tiltedbarnbrewery.com.
• And the crew at Newport Storm says: “We are gearing up for the 61st Annual Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade (on March 11) with the release of Spring Irish Red Ale. The official beer of the event boasts roasted hazelnut flavors and an Irish red color, and the use of a kettle and dry hops from the United Kingdom add even more of an Irish authenticity to the seasonal beer.” And the brewery will team up with Narragansett Creamery for Rhody Beer & Cheese Pairings on February 18, 19 and 25 from 6:30 – 7:30pm and on the 26th at 5:30pm. The sessions are part of the Newport Winter Festival. Hit newportstorm.com for details.

For more beer news, check Lou’s blog, bottlescansclaphands.wordpress.com, or follow @BottlesCansRI.