Your Next Pint

Nibble Bit Tabby Brewery Pint Preview

• 
• 
• 
• 

If you heard the rumors during the summer of a new brewery set to open in downtown LA they're true – just probably not 'til a year from now. Introducing Nibble Bit Tabby Brewery off Santa Fe Avenue on the east side of downtown. Your Next Pint was lucky enough to secure a private tour.

The Washdown:

- peppy carbonation yet still smooth, twangy, sour citrusy, red-orange colored Red Ale

- mild, creamy, malty 'n sweet, black coffee like colored ESB

• 
• 
• 
• 

First off I gotta start by mentioning how cordial – and I ain't talkin' liquor – part owner Brian was for getting my hand model, friends, and I a semi last minute private tour. Secondly, if you're wondering where the name of the brewery came from, here's the story: it was extra chilly one night when Brian and friends were out drinkin' at a bar. Upon stepping outside, Brian's friend clutched his own arms in a shiver and said, "it's a nibble bit tabby outside tonight" – and the brewery name was born.

The 2,000 square foot Nibble Bit Tabby housed in a building from 1903 is still fresh inside – as in very unfinished, even with construction blueprints up on the wall. But after listening to Brian's plans for a grand tasting room addition, I'm anxiously awaiting their public opening.

Out of the 2 brews to sample, I enjoyed the Red Ale more. While it was still young, it had a nice Citrus sour grip with good carbonation and a little extra something compared to the flatter, creamy, Malty, and sweeter ESB (Extra Special Bitter).

You don't have to wait a year to try them yourself, as both beers are sold now on tap at the Eagle Rock Brewery.

2001 S. Santa Fe Ave., Unit E, Los Angeles, CA 90021

P.S. If you're headed to the Tabby it's kind of a scavenger hunt to find, behind the backside of a building in the alley off the main strip. Keep your eyes peeled for dual spray painted signs.

A Pirate's Life for You and Brews at Newport Storm Brewery, RI

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Fresh out the bottle Newport Storm beers from Coastal Brewing Co. might be hard to miss on the outside, but that doesn't mean you should miss out on their 4 creative beer styles and Thomas Tew Rum too.

Since their recent soft open in late May for $7 Beer & $9 Rum Tastings, the brewery still lacks signage and is unfinished on the inside, but their flagship Hurricane Amber Ale can be found all over bars and liquor stores in Rhode Island. And in between construction, they've managed to find the time to tweet regularly @NewportStorm and throw events like fundraisers & Beer Dinners too.

The Washdown:

- barley citrus nose, wheaty tangy taste, red amber colored Hurricane Amber Ale, 5.2% ABV

- you can smell the strong blueberry way across the brewery, mildly fruity, golden-orange colored Rhode Island Blueberry Fruit Beer, 4.8% ABV

- citrus honey nose, tangy malty sweet, copper amber colored Regenschauer Oktoberfest, 5% ABV

- super hoppy nose, pine & citrus flavors with strong carbonation, cloudy orange-amber colored Summer IPA, 6.1% ABV

• 
• 
• 
• 

As a beer blogger vacationing in Rhode Island a few weeks ago, you can imagine my excitement when I found out about the state's own brand new craft brewery.

I'd already tasted the oh-so popular Hurricane Amber Ale at several pubs, including the Brick Alley, before my visit. But when I was there I tasted more of the Ale's touch of caramel and almost burnt bite.

The Rhode Island Blueberry Fruit beer turned out to be one of the best – especially since the berry is my all time favorite. What I liked most is that the beer wasn't sweet, but actually very mild, making it an all-around great beer for the girls AND boys. The blueberries used to flavor the beer come from Sharton Farms in Exeter, then are pressed and pasteurized at Newport Vineyard.

The Oktoberfest had a citrusy caramel nose, a frothy head that quickly dissipated, and tasted malty, slightly bitter and grassy.

Finally the Summer IPA was big and bold with a nose as hoppy as Racer5 and tasted like grapefruit and pine.

Unfortunately, after 4 hefty beer tastings at $7 (you get to keep the glass for free too) I didn't have enough room for the dark Tew Rum. But I did learn that it's slowly made to replicate rums produced in Newport a swashbucklin' long time arrrrgo.

Stay tuned for a Newport Storm Beer Dinner at The Smokhouse, Saturday, Oct. 15th @ 6:30pm for $42pp.

Your Next Pint:

- the best of the bunch that should be bottled and sold, Windward Weiss exclusively on tap at the Castle Hill Inn & Resort