Narragansett Together At Last - Review Recap

Over the last year of Musings on Beer I've reviewed all of the beers offered by new (old) up and comer Narragansett Brewing Company. After collecting all of the seasonals and saving one tallboy each, I'm finally able to show them all together in their matching glory and think back at all of the reviews I've done.

Originally established in 1890 Narragansett had a good run, over 90 years, of brewing and success in the New England market. Unfortunately, with the advent and subsequent domination of the mega-producers Narragansett Brewery was shuttered and the once popular (sponsor of the Boston Red Sox) Narragansett lager was no more. This is a fate shared by many of the once dominant brands, many of which have been resurrected by Stroh Brewing Company, later bought by Pabst Brewing Company (e.g. Schaefer, Schlitz, and Pabst itself). While the brands exist they exist more in a state of IP holding, produced only through contract brew.

Narragansett's story is similar, yet unique from many of the brands of yester-year. In 2005 the Narragansett brand was purchased and resurrected by one Mark Hellendrung. While each of the beers is contract brewed, the dream is to bring the brand to prominence in the New England market and earn enough to re-open an official Narragansett Brewery. Well-known Genesee Brewing Company of Rochester, NY currently brews the Lager and Light varieties while the limited run seasonals are brewed in Providence, RI and Pawcatuck, CT.

While I wouldn't label any of the brews 'World Class' each stands apart from the competition in their respective groups. The Lager and Light versions stack up favorably to other American Adjunct Lagers and similar Macrobrews. What's more, it is fairly rare for American macro producers to release a series of seasonal ales and lagers. It is even rarer for the beers to come out well-crafted and delicious. To cap it all off, my appreciation for Narragansett, the brand, the beers, and the plan is the storied past and the sheer affordability. Cheaper than most comparable offerings from macros and craft producers these beers are stand outs in their iconic can designs.


Check the individual reviews below for more information:
Narragansett Lager
Narragansett Light
Narragansett Bock (Spring Seasonal)
Narragansett Summer Ale (Summer Seasonal)
Narragansett Fest Lager (Fall Seasonal)
Narragansett Porter (Winter Seasonal)

Narragansett Brewing Company - Bock Lager

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 16 oz. 'tall boy' can, poured into a Pokal glass

The third and final seasonal (let's hope they don't dream up some fruit beer as a summer lager any time soon), Narragansett's Bock is here right in time for the slow emergence of Spring. The beer pours a crystal clear deep straw with amber and copper hints. The head is large and fluffy, carries great retention, and produces light wispy lacing along the length of the glass. The nose is nicely rounded with sweet toasted malts that produce a slightly bready aroma. It seems very clean with a definitive spicy note.

The mouthfeel is voluminous and airy. The beer has a big malt identity and it comes off crisp, but with a slight, and interesting, Port-like character. The beer is extremely drinkable and quite refreshing. The finish is dry and very tasty. This is another hit from 'Gansett, which offers this beer at a reasonable price. Their seasonals are all a bit more pricey than the Lager and Light varieties, but when you're buying a six-pack of tall boys, the value is clear.

Final Verdict: A-*

* - The A- really comes, in large part, because of the incredible value that this beer provides.

Sierra Nevada - Glissade Golden Bock

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a flute glass

Just days after Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early Spring, following a long, stout- and porter-filled Winter, I found Glissade, Sierra Nevada's Spring seasonal on the shelf. This helles bock pours a golden straw with a mild orange glow. There's moderate active carbonation and a thin, bubbly, white head of foam. The head is light on retention and the lacing matches. The nose is lagery with fresh grassy malts, a slight must, and very feint hops. Considering the impressive hop bill, I was expecting a bit more on the aromatic side.

The dry bitter hops are big up front, while white grape juice seems to dominate the mid-palate quite well. Again, the fresh grassiness makes an appearance, giving this beer exactly the character I'm looking for in early Spring beer drinking. The finish is fairly dry with a slight tartness. Overall the beer is quite clean and highly crisp. After the strong and hefty beers of the Winter, this is a much appreciated taste of the upcoming season.

A few days after trying this beer from the bottle I was treated to two pints of it on draft at the Arch Street Tavern in Hartford. The hops really made a showing from the tap. It was a great way to round out the night and a reprieve from the $6 pitchers of Natural Light.

Final Verdict: B+*

* - Might go as far as an A- from the tap.

Rogue - Dead Guy Ale

Rogue - Dead Guy Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits

Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a flute glass

Dead Guy Ale is my first experience with Rogue, although I’ve long-admired their distinctive bottles on shelves in package stores, and perhaps my first Oregonian beer. Dead Guy pours a fuzzy muted orange body with a sticky off-yellow-tinted head of foam. The slow-to-fade head produces large swathes of thick lacing. The nose packs bright fruits like hints of pears as well as considerable citrus. Definite notes of grapefruit on this very hoppy nose. Mild alcoholic esters also float from the top of the beer.

The mouthfeel is smooth and airy. The bitter hops are drying and piney. This definitely seems more like a pale ale than the advertised Maibock. This supposed Maibock is brewed with some German ingredients including Maier Munich malt and Perle hops, but I just don’t recognize the likeness to the style. While the beer is quite good, it is dry and tart and almost singularly hoppy. 

There are notes of earthiness to it and the malts do come through quite late (after a few minutes to warm). I don’t get the breadiness that many have reported tasting and it doesn’t seem quite so complex. This is a totally competent and enjoyable pale ale, but not quite a Maibock, in my opinion.

Final Verdict: B

Dundee - Pale Bock Lager

Dundee - Pale Bock Lager

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits

Serving Type: 12 oz. twist-off bottle, poured into a flute glass

Dundee is brewed by the good folks up in Rochester, NY at the Genesee Brewing Company. While Genesee’s namesake beers are fairly obscure, the Dundee brand has gained some national notoriety. The brewery also contract brews a variety of beers for various other companies.

The lager pours a pale orange color with tones of lightly burnt straw. The fluffy and craterous foam head is attractive with solid retention and great lacing. The nose is also impressive with notes of citrus and light spice, like coriander, among the potent noble hops and sweet malts. 

The beer is crisp with plenty of active carbonation. The lightly toasted malt body is clean with delicate honey sweetness and a prominent hop pallate. The finish has some unfortunate artificial tones to it and the beer seems to go watery right at the last second. The beer is solid, overall, but the nose gives an impression that’s better than the beer actually is.

Final Verdict: B