Newport Storm
Regenschauer Oktoberfest
Review Date 10/1/2002
Try?
Re-buy?
Do you support
your local brewery? I know I do. I learned the hard way a few years ago that
people don’t always do that when the Emerald Isle Brew Works, a national
brewing pioneer located only a few miles from my home, went out of business.
In many ways, we’ve lost sight of just how good local flavor can be. How
many of us still frequent the neighborhood baker (if we have one), taking
the time to inhale the heavenly odors emanating from the fresh breads, pies,
and pastries in his shop? More likely is a trip to the supermarket for
pre-packaged baked goods that just don’t have that handcrafted flavor. How
often do we drive right by the farmer on the side of the road peddling his
freshly-picked wares grown just a few miles away in favor once again of the
supermarket and vegetables imported from thousands of miles away?
I like local flavor. When I lived in Rhode Island, I supported my local breweries throughout New England. Now I do the same here in the South. When I made my move, Coastal Extreme brewing had only been around for a few years but in that short time they had earned critical acclaim for their one-off special ale called Newport Storm. This was their first departure from their flagship brew, Hurricane Amber Ale, a delicious, malty and drinkable brew that has become extremely popular in Rhode Island and in South Eastern Massachusetts.
One fact about craft brew beer drinkers is that we are a fickle lot, always in search of something new and bouncing around between brands like a soccer ball in an English football match. Brewers realize this, and for that reason they generally offer a good variety of brews and are constantly introducing new ones. Such is the case with Coastal Extreme, who recently announced that they would be producing an Oktoberfest lager, a porter, a red ale, and an India Pale Ale in the coming months.
So how do you support your local brewery and help them survive in a market brimming with so many choices for the consumer? The answer is much more than just picking up a case of their beer at the supermarket or liquor store. See someone examining a six of your local brew in the store? March on over and tell them how good you think it is! You’d be surprised what word of mouth can do, and you’ll burst with local pride letting them know it was brewed right here in your home state.
Visit the brewery! There’s nothing like a sample of brew fresh off the conditioning tanks, or a tour given by the brewer himself. Most breweries will gladly accommodate you. Ask questions! Let them know what you like about their beer! Find out what events your brewery sponsors. Most do, and they’re a great way to meet like-minded people and have a lot of fun. I myself attended an annual pig roast at Coastal Extreme for the unveiling of this brew last year, and had a lot of fun chatting with brewers, beer lovers, readers of my column, and even a young aspiring beer writer. I also got to sample the first tapped keg of Coastal Extreme’s Newport Storm Regenschauer Oktoberfest.
Regenschauer Oktoberfest beer pours to an orange-amber color with a thick,
creamy head formation and a slightly sweet malty nose. Generous additions of
Munich and Vienna malt give the brew a chewy, nutty malt body that is
slightly toasty, somewhat creamy, and very delicious. The finish is balanced
with hops, perhaps leaning slightly to the sweet malty side. This is an
excellent fall beer brewed in style after the Oktoberfest beers of Germany,
and one that will definitely be seen frequently in my beer refrigerators. It
went extremely well with smoky roast pork, mashed squash with cinnamon and
nutmeg, and corn on the cob. Only 500 cases will be bottled (another 500
case equivalent will be sold on tap), so be sure to grab some if you see it.
Thanks for your support.
I like local flavor. When I lived in Rhode Island, I supported my local breweries throughout New England. Now I do the same here in the South. When I made my move, Coastal Extreme brewing had only been around for a few years but in that short time they had earned critical acclaim for their one-off special ale called Newport Storm. This was their first departure from their flagship brew, Hurricane Amber Ale, a delicious, malty and drinkable brew that has become extremely popular in Rhode Island and in South Eastern Massachusetts.
One fact about craft brew beer drinkers is that we are a fickle lot, always in search of something new and bouncing around between brands like a soccer ball in an English football match. Brewers realize this, and for that reason they generally offer a good variety of brews and are constantly introducing new ones. Such is the case with Coastal Extreme, who recently announced that they would be producing an Oktoberfest lager, a porter, a red ale, and an India Pale Ale in the coming months.
So how do you support your local brewery and help them survive in a market brimming with so many choices for the consumer? The answer is much more than just picking up a case of their beer at the supermarket or liquor store. See someone examining a six of your local brew in the store? March on over and tell them how good you think it is! You’d be surprised what word of mouth can do, and you’ll burst with local pride letting them know it was brewed right here in your home state.
Visit the brewery! There’s nothing like a sample of brew fresh off the conditioning tanks, or a tour given by the brewer himself. Most breweries will gladly accommodate you. Ask questions! Let them know what you like about their beer! Find out what events your brewery sponsors. Most do, and they’re a great way to meet like-minded people and have a lot of fun. I myself attended an annual pig roast at Coastal Extreme for the unveiling of this brew last year, and had a lot of fun chatting with brewers, beer lovers, readers of my column, and even a young aspiring beer writer. I also got to sample the first tapped keg of Coastal Extreme’s Newport Storm Regenschauer Oktoberfest.
Regenschauer Oktoberfest beer pours to an orange-amber color with a thick,
creamy head formation and a slightly sweet malty nose. Generous additions of
Munich and Vienna malt give the brew a chewy, nutty malt body that is
slightly toasty, somewhat creamy, and very delicious. The finish is balanced
with hops, perhaps leaning slightly to the sweet malty side. This is an
excellent fall beer brewed in style after the Oktoberfest beers of Germany,
and one that will definitely be seen frequently in my beer refrigerators. It
went extremely well with smoky roast pork, mashed squash with cinnamon and
nutmeg, and corn on the cob. Only 500 cases will be bottled (another 500
case equivalent will be sold on tap), so be sure to grab some if you see it.
Thanks for your support.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
