2008 Woodie Awards
Local Micro Brewery is an Extreme Hit on Rhode Island's Coastline
Meaghan Pike
Issue date: 3/16/05 Section: News
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After graduating in 1997 from Colby College in Maine, Ryan and three college friends, Derek Luke, Mark Sinclair, and Will Rafferty, decided that they did not want to work for "The Man."
Since Ryan always aspired to be self-employed,he started a painting company the summer after graduation. Once Ryan and Luke began working in the hot sun, a new friend joined them, a home-brewing kit.
After a couple trial batches of beer, the ideas started flowing and plans were in the making for the Coastal Extreme Brewing Co. with the help of Sinclair and Rafferty.
In July of 1999, the first batch of Hurricane Amber Ale kegs were sold to three Newport Restaurants, and after only one month their signature beer hit liquor store shelves. Ryan is proud to distribute their recipes in bottle form all over the Northeast, but he says that local loyalty is the No. 1 priority.
What is Newport Storm all about?
It's all about the Extremes. That's our company motto. We like to push the limits and have fun doing it.
Why Rhode Island?
New England has the biggest market for microbreweries and Rhode Island hadn't had one since the early 90s. It was about time they needed one. That's where we come along.
Who were your first carriers?
Yesterday's Restaurant and the Rhumbline. Both still carry our products today. Also, Jake and Ella's but they got shut down.
How did you celebrate?
Well, it was the Fourth of July, so we spent the day going to each of the three bars and testing our own beers.
How far has Newport Storm spanned to?
We now distribute to Connecticut, Massachusetts and parts of Virginia, but mostly in Rhode Island. We like to keep our focus here. Soon we might take the product to Southern California since there is a marketplace for our Newport name.
How many varieties do you produce?
We currently have three lines. Our year-round Hurricane Amber Ale is our first and signature brew. Then there's the seasonal line. We have our Regenschauer Oktoberfest for the fall, the Blizzard Porter for the winter, the Thunderhead Irish Red Ale for the spring, and the Maelstrom IPA for the summer.