Long Live Turns 1, a New Backyahd and More!

Foolproof Brewing Company has introduced a fresh recipe for one of its original releases. Nick Garrison says that the revamped Backyahd “will feature a new yeast strain, less bittering hops and more aroma hops, including the addition of El Dorado. Overall, these are not sweeping changes, but expect our flagship IPA to be less bitter, more aromatic, lighter in color and body, and with some new fruity esters from a different yeast strain.”

Nick adds: “As for other news, we’re working on a new IPA release for Q1 2017 as well as a new rotating beer project. We’ll also be working on some more brewery-related events and possibly expanded tasting hours.” Keep up at foolproofbrewing.com.

The time, it flies! Long Live Beerworks is turning one year old on Saturday, January 14! The celebration will be from 1 – 10pm at 425 West Fountain St in Providence. The bash features a keg of Hurry Sundown, a barrel-aged imperial stout, on tap for samples; a “special Saturday cask;” limited edition anniversary glasses for sale; flights paired with PVDonut holes; and succulent meaty fare from the Great Northern BBQ Co. (there’s no entrance fee). Brewmaster Armando DeDona says, “It’s been a hell of a year – thanks to everyone who’s made it worth all the long days and nights.”

Calling all budding beermakers! The Ocean State Homebrew Competition is seeking submissions for its seventh annual beer-off. The OSHC “will accept all styles of beer, mead and cider produced by amateur (non-commercial) entrants across the US.” Registration is open through February 10. The event is organized by JbreW, the student brewing club at Johnson & Wales University, the Rhode Island Brewing Society and Isle Brewers Guild, which will host the judging on March 4 and 5. You can find all the details at oshc.brewcomp.com.

The sixth entry in Narragansett’s H.P. Lovecraft Series – the Unnamable Black Lager – will be released on January 19 (Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday). The 7.5% ABV brew will debut at an Indoor Block Party at the Arcade, with Lovecraft-inspired movies, a Lovecraft-inspired menu at Rogue Island and Lovecraft-inspired cocktails from New Harvest Coffee and Spirits. The Lovecraft-inspired macabre merriment starts at 6:30pm (gansettbeer.com).

This weekend brings two sweet brew-based diversions. The RI Winter Beer Blast will roar into the Historic Warren Armory on Sunday, January 15 (Noon – 2pm and 2:30 – 4:30pm). The second annual fest, hosted by Federal Hill Pizza, features more than two dozen breweries (a nice mix of locals and national brands, including a slew of beermakers who were new to the Rhody market in 2016), plus beer cupcakes from D’licious Dessert and other treats. Get more info and a link to tix at facebook.com/riwinterbeerblast. Newport Storm is hosting the Mocha Madness Vertical Tasting on Saturday, January 14 at 6:30pm. The event will uncork five of the brewery’s always-intriguing Annual Release concoctions, including ’07, “made with seven malts and seven hops and remembered as the darkest concoction we had made to date,” and ’13, “which featured coffee flavors extracted from locally roasted coffee beans.” Tickets are available at newportstorm.com. And ICYMI: Tickets for the Rhode Island Brew Fest sold out on December 28 – one month before the event! Let’s put on the Captain Obvious hat and note that beer fests are more popular than ever, so don’t delay when tix go on sale for future beer summits. (Psst: Check the Bottles & Cans blog a few days before the fest to study up on the beer list.)

And speaking of future beer summits: The Bacon & Beer Fest will take place on Saturday, June 17 at the Steel Yard in Providence. The new event is a collab by Beervana Fest and RI Food Fights, with fare from 20 local restaurants paired with 20 breweries. Yum! Check the Beervana Facebook page for updates.

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