Rhode Island’s first brewpub is welcoming change with new ownership and new beer. For the first time in 28 years, Union Station Brewery is canning and distributing two of their in-house-made beers. With a little help from Buttonwoods Craft Brewery, double IPA The King is Dead and New England IPA Cranston Thug Life are canned, and the two hazy commodities will hit the streets in weeks to come through local distributor Craft Collective. Until then, you can grab a 4-pack right at the brewery.
Fan favorite Cranston Thug Life is a nod to part owner Mike Delehanty’s son, Jack, who earned the nickname at age 11 after drinking his cup of frozen lemonade from a paper bag.
Delehanty has remained optimistic throughout the COVID crisis, despite assuming ownership just months before the pandemic hit. He met challenge after challenge while creating delicious beer on what he describes as “the oldest equipment in the state.”
“While the pandemic certainly slowed down getting to where I wanted to, I’ve been really happy with the beer our brewer Dave Kenney has made. Each beer seems to be better than the last,” says Delehanty.