Newport Storm Summer Ale

On the Newport Storm site, the summer is still listed as being an IPA. The site also had information about a retired beer called, "Frank" (another name reference to a storm). That was a witber. That is the only wheat beer that is listed on the site. I found no indication on the site that Newport Storm makes a hefeweizen. Maybe you found something unique from the brewery that they never intended on selling, but somehow got out by mistake.

Two years ago I was at Dougherty East Ave. in Pawtucket and had it on tap. It was the IPA. In my review of the beer, I remember saying it was very hopi and had a lemony citrus to it. It was a refreshingly smooth IPA as I recalled!

My advice would be to email Derek Luke, the Brewmaster and Founder of Newport Storm, tell him your story, and see if he can shed any light into what happened to your summer 12 pack.

Hope I was of help,
Erik a.k.a. ThomasMetal75

 

They do make a draft-only Hefe for the Newport Hotel group called Caste Hill Windward Weisse which, in my opinion is, is an exceptional domestic hefe:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/688/54393

If this being bottled, I'm stoked.

 

Newport Storm posted the announcement on their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/NewportStorm It doesn't appear to be announced anywhere else though.

 

Just confirming that the summer is now a hefe, and that the IPA is going year round by the summer. I don't know the details, I don't work for the storm anymore.

 

The Summer IPA was damn good! It was unlike any other kind of summer seasonal on the market. I'll miss it, but will try the new summer Hefe style!

 

I never run into an issue picking up the wrong Newport Storm beer. This is, of course, because I would never pick up anything from this brewery. They make Magic Hat seem like a decent brewer and that takes some doing.

I'll never forget tasting their line-up at a ACBF several years ago. OMG.... run away.

This episode does nothing to cause me to give their beer another try.

 

They knowingly put hefeweizen in a package that was labeled as ipa?

 

er, ttb issue, aside from basic product labeling misrepresentation?

 

Besides the legalities, I would hope a brewer would have more respect for its customers and give them what they think they are buying. Seems as if revenue stream was more important.

 

Or lack of revenue necessitated the poor decision.

 

RE: Respect for its customers

Had Quinn, a rum barrel-aged porter from their Cyclone series, at the ACBF and was really impressed with it. Happened upon a six-pack of it and, upon cracking my first one, was massively disappointed to find that it was infected. Sent them an email about it, looking for options on a refund/replacement. Got a long email back about how the intent was to be experimental and have a "welcome infection." The vanilla, spice, and toasted nut I enjoyed at the fest was apparently replaced by a welcome, overpowering sourness that was the intent all along. Not generally one to be shamed into an Emperor's New Clothes situation, that was the last coin I spent on Newport Storm.

 

This thread reminds me why I've forgotten about Newport Storm for the past 10 years.

 

I bought a six pack or two maybe a year ago and the bottles were loaded with diacetyl. Took a break, talked to someone about it and was assured all was fixed. Tried another six pack and had the same problem. I wouldn't recommend this beer to anyone.

 

I really thought about my post earlier in this thread as I was concerned about being overly negative. The more that I've read the thread and the many examples given, I now realize I should have been less concerned. As members of this site we are "beer advocates" and our goal is to respect beer. Truth be told, that's exactly what folks are doing here.

Newport Storm clearly does NOT respect the consumer base and we should be advocating that these consumers make choices that take this into consideration. I had already made up my mind based on the lack of quality of their beer. I am hoping that others are coming to the same conclusion. We are lucky to have so many quality choices today and it's clear that they do not deserve our business. To think that they are casually reacting to selling a completely different style beer vs. the packaging is nothing short of shocking.

 

I'm 100% sure on the IPA going year round. I've got no idea on the timeline they're expecting. As for a 'respecting the customer' thing, that's tough. I know that they've had good intentions, and I'm glad that I'm no longer in the position of having to constantly apologize for shortcomings in the product or customer service. I think they make a good product most of the time, and honestly for an every day beer, that probably isn't enough for most people on the board. I can offer a pretty good reason for why this was done the way it was, but it'd just be an educated guess.

 

I honestly can't think of one, what's your guess?

 

My guess is the distro needed a shipment and the packaging hadn't been delivered to the brewery so old packaging was used. That said, why stickers weren't applied to old packaging, I've got no idea.