Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Company (often referred to as Newport Craft) is a brewery and distillery located in Newport, Rhode Island. Established in 1999 as the Coastal Extreme Brewing Company, it was the first microbrewery in Newport and began distilling operations in 2006.[2] The company produces a range of beers and spirits that are distributed in the Northeastern United States. In 2018 it adopted its current name to reflect its combined brewing and distilling operations. Newport Craft is owned by Audrain Hospitality Group (also known as Heritage Restaurant Group), which owns and operates a portfolio of hospitality venues throughout Rhode Island.[3] A major expansion project completed in 2024 increased production capacity and added new visitor facilities, including a taproom, outdoor spaces, and event areas.[4][5]
History
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Coastal Extreme Brewing Company was established by four graduates of Colby College: Brent Ryan, Derek Luke, Mark Sinclair, and Will Rafferty.[6] Rhode Island was chosen as the location because, at the time of opening, there were no other microbreweries in the state.[7] Coastal Extreme Brewing company produces approximately 5000 barrels per year. In 2006, Coastal Extreme Brewing Company expanded to create Newport Distilling Company, producer of Thomas Tew Rum, the only current rum producing operation in Rhode Island.
In 2007, Coastal Extreme also began producing Thomas Tew Rum, named after Rhode Island's first pirate. Brent Ryan, President and CEO of Coastal Extreme, said that the production of rum is part of an effort to "resurrect the rum history of Newport."[8]
In January 2011 the brewery was featured in an episode of the show Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe in which the brewery showed in detail how they produce and package their Thomas Tew rum.
In March of 2018, Coastal Extreme Brewing rebranded under the Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Company name. At the same time, Brendan O'Donnell joined the company's management team as Chief Executive Officer."[9]
The Cyclone Series of beers are beers of varying types released by Coastal Extreme Brewing Company approximately every four months. Below is a list of all the Series to date. The names are in the style of the National Weather Service's naming of Tropical Storms where each letter of the alphabet is used as the first letter in each name and male and female names are alternated. Q and X are included in this series unlike the naming of the Tropical Storms. The one exception to the male and female alternation is the letter 'M' because Mark (named for a founder, Mark Sinclair) would have fallen on a female name. All names are someone either involved with the brewery or someone close to the brewers. The notable exceptions are Alyssa, Elle, Gloria, Isabel, Neo, Ophelia and Quinn.
