Got Beer? Liberation Libations: 13 Colonies Brewers Festival raises a glass and new breweries belly up

We’ve collected a wide range of beer news for youse … here it be:

It’s been an issue or three since we’ve told you about another brewery joining the Rhody ranks. So let’s end that drought with the newest kid on the 401 beer block: Bravo Brewing Company. Chris Mishoe will be setting up shop in on Main Street in the quaint village of Pascoag in Burrillville. The Bravo PR sheet notes that they will focus on “globally inspired, locally crafted beers in both the new American and old world traditional styles. Bravo is committed to being the gateway to craft by making their taproom approachable and inclusive, and ensuring there is something on tap for everyone, whether you are new to beer, a microbrewery enthusiast or a big brand loyalist.” They hope to be open early in September, but you can probably add a month or so to that goal, given the hiccups and delays that usually crop up.

Speaking of The-Waiting-Is-The-Hardest-Part, the waiting is almost over for Sean Lopolito. On June 27, he received his manufacturer’s (brewer’s) license from the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, which makes Lops Brewing the Official Newest 401 Brewery. Sean’s inaugural beers are in the tanks at his Woonsocket HQ (122 North Main St) and will be pouring at the grand opening weekend on July 27 (noon – 10pm) and 28 (noon – 6pm). Check facebook.com/lopsbrewing for more details.

And it’s waaaaay down the road, but there will be a new beer fest on the local calendar in 2020. The inaugural 13 Colonies Brewers Festival will take place at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol on June 28 (the fourth anniversary of the enactment of the better beer laws; fingers crossed that an even better beer law will be passed in 2020; check our previous column at motifri.com for deep background). The fest will spotlight breweries from the original 13 colonies (Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina and Rhode Island). It’s the brainchild of Nils Weldy; the Barrington native says, “Our mission is to deliver a cheers-worthy event that draws guests to a specific, historically relevant location through the shared appreciation of American craft beer, under a theme we all remember learning about in history class while supporting an organization that truly defines what it means to be a patriot.” Some of the proceeds will benefit the New England chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America. Early bird tix (235 of ’em, in honor of the 235th annual Bristol 4th of July Parade in 2020) are on sale now via their website (13coloniesbrewfest.com), which will be updating participating breweries for the next 51 weeks; the rest of the 1776 tickets will go on sale on Veterans Day (November 11). Save the dates!

Lightning round: We bid a sad and fond farewell to 84 Aleworks Brewing & Tavern, which closed on June 30. The Westerly spot had been open for 13 years and launched its brewing operations in December … Foolproof Brewing Company has started shipping its wares across the Atlantic Ocean, with cans and drafts being distributed in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Huzzah to Nick and his ambitious team! And tix for their Augtoberfest, on Sunday, August 18 from 3 – 7pm, will be available any day now; check their socials for updates … Shaidzon Beer Company will be bringing back Le Table-Petite Saison next week. It’s one of the beers they brewed a few weeks after they opened in 2017. It’s a light, low-ABV saison with a bit of tartness and a dry finish … Community Bruin in West Greenwich will be open on Tuesdays from 5 – 7:30pm for your summer sippin’ pleasure, plus the usual Fridays from 4 – 7pm and Saturdays from 1 – 4pm. CB has added S’mores Stout, NASA (a hybrid IPA/Scottish ale) and Independence (a raspberry cream ale) to its lineup.

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