Narragansett

PROVIDENCE, RI — Iconic brewer Narragansett Beer proudly announces expansion into New Jersey. Narragansett, (affectionately referred to as ‘Gansett) is now officially available for purchase at area bars, restaurants and package stores.

Narragansett was naturally drawn to New Jersey following great success in neighboring Philadelphia & New York City and increasing demand from local fans. Introducing its classic American offerings to a major new market, ‘Gansett Lager and seasonal craft brews are currently available in over 100 beverage centers, bars, and restaurants since launching earlier this month, with steady and continued growth.

“Narragansett’s expansion into New Jersey is an exciting step for our company as we continue to accelerate the growth momentum we’ve built over the past six years,” states Narragansett CEO Mark Hellendrung. “Supported by statewide availability and local ‘Gansett fans, we’re optimistic the brand’s rich character will be well received by the region.”

First brewed in 1890 by the “Original Six” team of founders, an entrepreneurial group of German immigrants, Narragansett was the largest brewer and top selling beer of New England for decades. During its glory days, the Cranston, Rhode Island brewery produced almost two million barrels of beer per year and employed roughly 850 workers.  The brand gained notoriety amongst audiences far beyond New England through their ubiquitous slogan “Hi neighbor, have a ‘Gansett!”, whimsical branding by Dr. Seuss, and timeless product placements, including the 1975 release of Jaws.

Due to a series of acquisitions beginning in the 1970s, the relocation of production to Indiana, and the eventual demolition of the original brewery in 1995, the brand quickly lost its market share, along with its unique character.

In 2005, former President of Nantucket Nectars Mark Hellendrung was introduced to Narragansett after asking for something with a ‘little more character’ in a Newport, RI bar. That year, he and a group of enthusiastic investors purchased the rights to the company, and, ever since, have been working to rebuild the ‘Gansett name, creating the foundation necessary to reestablish Narragansett as a beloved brand once again.

Since that time, the company has marked major business milestones and gained much national acclaim for its family of straightforward, high-quality beers. Recent accolades include the World Beer Cup Bronze Medal for Best Lager, being named top-rated Premium Lager by Beer Advocate, and beating out Sam Adams and Sapporo as Best Lager in the 18^th Annual Great International Beer Festival.

Currently available outside of New England within Florida, Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New York, Greater Albany, and North Carolina, Narragansett now increases its footprint into New Jersey. This regional expansion provides the brand with yet another opportunity to reach longtime fans, craft beer enthusiasts, and a new generation of beer drinkers.

ABOUT NARRAGANSETT BEER:

First brewed in 1890 by the “Original Six” team of founders, an entrepreneurial group of German immigrants, Narragansett was the largest brewer and top selling beer of New England for decades. During its glory days, the Cranston, Rhode Island brewery produced almost two million barrels of beer per year and employed roughly 850 workers.  As the Official Beer of the Boston Red Sox for more than three decades, the brands ubiquitous slogan, “Hi Neighbor! Have a ‘Gansett”, became well known to audiences far beyond New England through nationwide sports broadcasts.

Due to a series of acquisitions starting in the 1970s, relocation of ‘Gansett’s production to Indiana, and the eventual demolition of the original brewery in 1995, the brand quickly lost its market share, along with its unique character.

In 2005, Mark Hellendrung, former President of Nantucket Nectars, was introduced to Narragansett after asking for something with a ‘little more character’ in a Newport, RI bar. That year, he and a group of enthusiastic investors purchased the rights to the company, and, ever since, have been working to rebuild the ‘Gansett name, creating the foundation necessary to reestablish Narragansett as a beloved brand once again. 

Since that time, the company has marked major business milestones and gained much national acclaim for its family of straightforward, high-quality beers. Recent accolades include the World Beer Cup Bronze Medal for Best Lager, being named #1 Premium Lager by Beer Advocate, and beating out Sam Adams and Sapporo as Best Lager in the 18^th Annual Great International Beer Festival. 

May 1, 2012; Providence, RI — Narragansett Beer today officially announces the return of its summer seasonal craft brew. Introduced last year, Summer Ale is the first summer seasonal released by the brand in its more than 120-year history. Wildly popular among beer drinkers, Summer Ale received critical acclaim in its premiere year and was awarded the Silver Medal at the 2011 World Beer Championship. Previously distributed in New England, Southern New York, and Philadelphia, Narragansett’s ongoing expansion into new markets now makes for increased availability of the supremely drinkable craft brew, perfect for the beach, boat or ballgame. Summer Ale is available at leading package stores, bars, and restaurants on draught and in 16 oz. Tallboy cans in New England, Eastern Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Florida.

Narragansett Summer Ale is brewed under the supervision of award-winning Brewmaster Sean Larkin at Trinity Brew House in Providence, RI, Cottrell Brewery in Pawcatuck, CT, and North American Breweries in Rochester, NY. This easy-drinking light session ale features two row pale malt and citra hops, an increasingly popular variety that complement the pale malt perfectly. Golden blonde in color, its pour produces a generous white head and balanced carbonation. The malt flavor is smooth and subtle, balanced out by a crisp hop bitterness that delivers natural notes of grapefruit and passion fruit. Summer Ale is 4.2% Alcohol by Volume and 24 IBUs.

‘Gansett Summer’s introduction last year made it the first Ale to be produced by Narragansett Beer since the 1970s. Known best for its signature Lager, a wide variety of Ales were previously available beginning in the late 1800s. The original Narragansett Brewery devoted an entire four-story building to the “Ale Department.” Staples like the Pale Ale, Select Stock Ale, and Banquet Ale outsold Lager until the 1940s when American tastes changed as a result of thousands of GI’s returning home from Lager-drinking European countries during World War 1 & II, and a wave of Lager-drinking immigrants.

The Summer Ale Tallboy can features iconic imagery of the famous Narragansett Towers. Once part of the Narragansett Pier Casino, the Towers remain a historic landmark, having endured two great fires in 1900 and 1965 and three tremendous hurricanes. The surfer catching waves in the foreground symbolizes the Southern Rhode Island shoreline’s reputation as one of the region’s top summer surfing destinations.

For more information about Narragansett Summer Ale or to find a retailer near you, visit:http://www.narragansettbeer.com/products/summer-ale.