Ironically, the best beer I tasted in Rhode Island is not for sale anywhere else, nor online. Like Rachel Zoe would say, "littt-erally I DIE" for the Newport Storm Windward Weiss – sold on tap, not even in a bottle, only at the famed Castle Hill Inn & Resort – 'cuz it's so Clove & "BANANAS."
The Washdown:
- strong banana nose, frothy head, yet delicate with a touch of spice, Newport Storm Castle Hill Windward Weiss (Coastal Extreme Brewing Company in Newport, RI)
You can cancel your subscription to the "99 Bottles of beer on the wall" choir club, 'cuz this Weiss has so much personality it just can't be bottled up.
Without even handing the beer to me yet, I could smell the strong banana nose all the way from the bartender's pour. And as I said before in my Sierra Nevada Kellerweis review, I'm not even a fan of bananas. Smoothies, thick ick! Oatmeal, I guess. Pina Colada, ok fine. But somehow the banana in the beer kicks my tastebuds into gear. Perhaps it's because I know I'm coating my liver with potassium as I poison it – whatever floats your boat.
Or, maybe it's that cozy feeling I got knowing I was sipping beer in the very same hotel frequented by famous novelists like Stephen King, who'd hideaway, writing away watching the waves crash on the cliffs below.
But I digress. Flavors like Nutmeg & spicy Clove come at you while the Banana yellow mellows it down. The frothy head keeps strong and the cloudy sandy blonde color stays long. As Newport Storm states, the Weiss is made up of 3 different hops, "Magnum hops for bittering, Tettenang hops for a mild spice flavor, and Cascade hops for a mild citrus finish." The beer is all-natural, all-grain, 100% un-filtered, and 100% all-good.
Castle Hill owns the rights to beer, and unfortunately there's no word on whether they plan to bottle or sell it to the public anytime soon. Perhaps its their means to hold you captive (or bottled up) in the resort – not like they need it with their amazing ocean views, incredible service, and esteemed reputation.
I'll raise a (pint) glass to that!
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