A Six-Pack of Brew News

Here’s some beer-soaked info you need to know:

• Narragansett’s next special release will be Big Mamie Indestructible American Pale Ale. The beer shares the nickname of the USS Massachusetts, the battleship that fired the first and last shells of World War II, and honors the 50th anniversary of Mamie’s debut as a museum ship in Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts. The 4.4%ABV tallboys are slated to hit stores in time for Veterans Day (November 11).

• Since 2012, Grey Sail has celebrated its November 11 anniversary with the release of a special brew on that day. They’re mixing it up with the fourth edition. The crew will be brewing the beer ON the 11th, using a recently purchased pilot system. The beer’s style is under wraps, but it will be unveiled at their Westerly HQ in December and on the market in the new year. Meanwhile, Grey Sail’s 3rd anniversary release, an imperial India Pale Lager, was a huge hit; in April, it became an occasional draft-only release with an official name: Great Ketch. Cans of the superb take on the hybrid smooth-and-hoppy style have been rumored for a while, but they’re finally ready to roll. The Westerly crew hopes that the first batch of 12-ounce four-packs will be on shelves in mid-November, noting they’ll be “extremely limited and only in Rhode Island for now.” Reel ’em in!

• The state’s smallest brewery, Crooked Current, just got bigger. They’ve moved to a new space in their home at Lorraine Mills (560 Mineral Spring Ave, Pawtucket), nearly doubling their size, expanding the sample area, and increasing production by approximately 75%. They hope to add Sunday hours before the end of the year. Hit facebook.com/CrookedCurrentBrewery for updates.

• Bucket Brewery is working on its yet-to-be-named holiday beer; they say it’s inspired by Indian pudding and will be brewed with molasses, vanilla, ginger and cinnamon. It should be ready for you to savor at their monthly Sound Check (with music by the ’Mericans) on November 20, which is also their third anniversary bash! Get more details at facebook.com/TheBucketBrewery.

• Seven Rhode Island breweries took home 13 medals at the 19th Annual Great International Beer & Cider Competition; the winners were announced on October 24 at the 22nd GIBF at the RI Convention Center. Keep an eye out — and your palate ready — for these esteemed brews (the categories are in parentheses): Revival’s Zeppelin Hefeweizen (German Wheat) and RIPTA Belgian Tripel IPA (Belgian/French Specialty); Grey Sail’s Flagship (Cream Ale); Trinity’s Kölsch, Darkness (Russian Imperial Stout), Red Devils (Biere de Garde), and Belgian Strawberry (Fruit/Spice: Belgian); Foolproof’s Raincloud (Robust Porter); Tilted Barn’s The Raffi (Stout) and the Chosen One (Double IPA); Narragansett’s Lager and Innsmouth Olde Ale (Mixed Strong Ales); and Union Station’s Blueberry (Fruit/Spice Beers: Lager). Cheers to all!

• OK, lightning round: Since 1999, Newport Storm has capped the year with its Annual Release — a series of “big beers that follow no set style.” This year’s model is ’15, made with a specially malted hardwood smoked barley whose flavor profile exudes a beguiling combination of chocolate and bacon. The cobalt blue bombers (with a wax seal) of the 11% ABV are in stores now. And Newport Storm has revived InfRIngement; the name is a nod to a few trademark battles that involved local brewers. It’s a hearty and agreeably boozy Russian Imperial Stout (10% ABV) aged in Thomas Tew Rum barrels that debuted in August of last year. And it’s not too early to plan ahead for the fourth annual Rhode Island Brew Fest (ribrewfest.com/), which will be at the Pawtucket Armory on January 30. Most of the locals and 40-plus other distinguished breweries will be pouring. And don’t dawdle; an early bird discount (promo code: EARLYBREW16) is available through November 15.

For more beer news, go to my blog, bottlescansclaphands.wordpress.com and follow me @BottlesCansRI.