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)

Southern Tier Brewing Company - Hop Sun

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

This mixed-malt Summer Seasonal from Southern Tier pours a pale golden straw with a slight chilled haziness. The head is a thin off-white foam with modest retention. The sweet wheat malt nose packs a dusting of tight hops with an orangey citrus edge. Minor pine notes compliment the bouquet.

Tight carbonation accents the very light biscuity malts. The added wheat gives a bit of extra sweet graininess that plays off the hops. The hops seem fresh and grassy, but not much in the way of bittering. There's a slight bitterness to the finish and the hopping lends a sturdy dryness to the mouthfeel.

Final Verdict: B

Narragansett Brewing Company - Summer Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 16 oz. 'Tall Boy' can, poured into a Becker pint glass

The last of the Narragansett brews for me to review, the Summer Ale is the newest. This first time run is the Summer seasonal from the re-started brewery based in Rhode Island. 'Gansett's Summer Ale pours a medium golden straw with a huge white head. The light, cloud-like, fluffy foam has solid retention as it fades with a gentle crackling. Light sticky lacing clings to the top of the glass. A musty and slightly lagery aroma is immediately apparent on the nose. The beer seems dry with a slight sweetness and a mild hoppy component, too.

The high carbonation of this beer makes it very crisp, but not fizzy, and perfect for a refreshing drink on a hot Summer day. The malts a fairly thin, but don't seem sour and hold up to the massive carbonation attack. A nice hop kick is not overly pronounced, but pleasantly clear. Overall, the beer is on the lighter side and highly sessionable. It's a refreshing Summer seasonal. Worth keeping around as an everyday type of beer.

Final Verdict: B

Smuttynose Brewing Company - Summer Weizen Ale

Purchased From: Harvest Fine Wines & Spirits
Serving Type: 12 oz. bottle, poured into a Pilsner glass, posing as a weizen glass

Smuttynose's Summer Weizen Ale pours an orangey golden straw with a hovering cloud of wispy yeast that floats just below the lightly specked white head. The retention on the foam is great with moderate lacing at the top of the glass. The nose is characterized by a sweet, but subdued, wheat malt. Slight spicy and herbal elements play in with a moderate orange peel citrus aroma as well.

The mouthfeel is light and airy, complementing the refreshingly sweet wheat malts. There's a considerable grassy component that lends both freshness and a very mild earthiness. Hints of coriander are melded nicely with the floral addition of chamomile blossoms. The finish is clean and refreshing, giving this beer all the trappings of a choice Summer seasonal.

Final Verdict: B

Thomas Hooker Brewery - Watermelon Ale

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

Kicking off what could be a long list of interesting and diverse Summer seasonals is Watermelon Ale from Hooker. I've reviewed quite a few Hooker brews, with unflinchingly positive results. This, is, unfortunately, the glaring exception.* Supposedly employing 'natural flavors,' this beer smacks of artificiality. To be sure, there is no actual watermelon involved here (let me know if I'm wrong, but I'd be extremely surprised).

The bottle pours a very light, extremely pale, straw body with a thin airy head bearing minimal retention and no lacing. Tons of active carbonation brings the glass to life. A very sweet candy watermelon aroma dominates the nose. It's somewhere between watermelon chewing gum and a watermelon jolly rancher. A feint hint of graininess follows the overbearing candy on the nose.

A short wave of flavor rolls in up front with a super-sweet watermelon-esque candy flavoring. The sugar onslaught slowly subsides to a mild grainy twang. The grains are weak and tea-like. There's no perceptible alcohol or body. Seems more like a cooled, unfermented, wort than beer. Sweetness rises again on the finish. The beer doesn't leave your teeth feeling as sugary as other fruit beers, but there's a hint. I guess you could say it's 'refreshing,' but it's barely beer.

Much different from my modus operandi, I poured more than half of this beer out. I'd prefer to drink or review a 'malternative' than this, even if it means getting down on one knee and chugging it to my embarrassment and the entertainment of others. The only other "beer" I might put in this category is Miller Chill. But, I haven't had one in years.

Final Verdict: F*

* - Many people actually like this beer (and I use the word beer lightly, here). You may be one of them. Maybe you've never had it, maybe you would like it. I'd say: "What you think passes for beer, I just can't understand" But, you're more than welcome to drink and enjoy it. Nothing against Hooker Brewery, but man, I just can't get behind this.