Reviews: PC's The Cowl On Gansett Lager

Beer of the Week

By Chris Stadolnik ’10 / A&E Staff
Published: Thursday, April 29, 2010
Narragansett Lager
Brewery: Narragansett Brewing Co.
Style: American Adjunct Lager
ABV: 5.10%
Country of Origin: United States
Region: Rhode Island
Appearance: ’Gansett pours a pale gold with a slight orange hue and finishes to a light, sudsy head of fine bubbles.
Smell: The nose is clean and crisp, but a bit corny. The sweetness of the malt body obscures the hop profile, which may be floral? It’s anybody’s guess. The alcohol note is slight but perceptible.
Taste: The taste is exactly what you would expect of a beer from Little Rhodey’all the main flavors are present, but everything is Ocean State scale. The malt sweetness and hop bitterness are in a good balance. The corn taste does come through; it’s washed away with the alcohol on the back of the palate.
Mouthfeel: This is a light beer. The effervescence is soft, as is the body. ’Gansett is very smooth across the palate.
Drinkability: This is a very drinkable pub lager. But you knew that already, didn’t you? What makes this beer special is that ’Gansett is the oldest beer recipe brewed in Rhode Island, it was once the official beer of the Boston Red Sox, and largest brewery in New England, and the inspiration for Peter Griffin’s favorite brew, Pawtucket Patriot (which owes partial credit to Sam Adams as well, unfortunately). But most importantly’"If you’re not drinking Narragansett, you’re not from New England [and you clearly don’t live in Providence]."
’Gansett has done some great things for Rhode Island’s economy and local brewing in the past few years, including the move back to Rhode Island and their partnership with Trinity Brewhouse of Providence, R.I. Their continued commitment to bring their beer (once exclusively brewed by contract in New York and Connecticut) and brewing jobs back to Rhode Island is really inspiring, especially in this economy. Speaking of economy, ’Gansett is about the best cheap beer available on the market (unless you steal something else), and with the way it’s looking for us seniors, our future is a bit brighter with the prospect of being able to at least pick up a good six pack for five dollars. So grab a ’Gansett, graduate, drink ’em up, and stand tall!
Narragansett Lager’the unofficial/official beer of The Cowl beer review.
Overall Grade: B+