Newport Storm Blizzard Porter Beer Review

Newport Storm Blizzard Porter

Review Date 12/12/2002

Try? Re-buy?

It’s funny. The great Blizzard of 1978 happened 24 years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Between roughly 10 AM on February sixth and 10:45 PM February seventh, an official count of 28.6 inches of snow fell on the State of Rhode Island, with the largest amounts falling on the night of the sixth in a relatively short time. It’s not the snowfall that makes a blizzard, however, it’s the wind (you can have a blizzard with an inch of snow, and not have one with seven feet), and it howled away that night, pushing the snow into huge drifts in some spots and laying bare others. The howling winds gusted as high as 67 miles per hour. Thousands were stranded at work or school; some were even trapped in their cars on the interstate.

Personally, I got lucky. I got snowed in at home and got a week off from school, though we had no power and I spent hours trudging through the snow to the grocery store and back, despite the fact there wasn’t much to buy. I recall the thrill of watching the National Guard arrive to help clear the streets of snow and bring life back to a state stopped dead in its tracks. I was 14, and this was fun!

For many a native born Rhode Islander like myself, the Great Blizzard of '78 is an event never to be forgotten, and now Rhode Island’s own microbrewery, Coastal Extreme Brewing, has released a beer in honor of the blizzard. Newport Storm Blizzard Porter is another release in the company’s specialty line of beers, following an Octoberfest beer that was introduced a little over a year ago.

From the label:

Our winter brew is hand crafted in honor of The Great Blizzard of 1978. This winter storm, which dumped snow for 36 hours, kept New England paralyzed for a week. Blizzard Porter is a smooth and drinkable ale designed to keep you warm throughout the winter season. Its subtle aroma is complimented with crystal and chocolate malts, giving a slightly roasted flavor. It’s the perfect beer for those extremely cold and snowy nights such as February 6th and 7th, 1978.

Newport Storm Blizzard Porter pours to a very dark brown to light black color with a light creamy head formation and a delightfully fresh malty-hoppy nose. The light hop aroma in the nose is suggestive of German hops, perhaps Saaz or Hallertaus. The palate has delicious notes of chocolate with light roasted coffee notes upfront. A touch of chewy toffee character is apparent too, and minty-grassy hop notes work nicely against the hints of chocolate. A lightly bitter roastiness balances the finish perfectly.

This is a wonderfully drinkable porter that will be very hard to find if you live outside Rhode Island. It is available on draft and in six-packs and is flying off store shelves as I type. Try tightly packing a few bottles in a mound of snow for an ice-cold treat.

Coastal Extreme entered the brewing world with a storm when they rolled out Hurricane Amber Ale. Now, they’ve given us another tempest with Blizzard porter. Living in New England as long as I did, I’ve seen both hurricanes and blizzards aplenty. Personally, I’ll take the latter over the former any day. They both can knock your power out, but at least during the blizzard you can stick your beer in the snow to keep it cold.

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

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