Contact:
Laura Blackwell
401-849-5232
293 JT Connell Rd
Newport, RI 02840 lblackwell@newportstorm.com
www.NewportStorm.com
www.ThomasTewRums.com
April 15, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Pictures and video of the new Newport Storm Brewery and Thomas Tew Distillery are available by contacting lblackwell@newportstorm.com
On Thursday, June 16 th
2011, the Newport Storm Brewery officially opened its doors with a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration. Present to hail this small business success were
Newport Mayor Stephen C. Waluk and State Senator Lou DiPalma along with other state and local officials. This Grand Opening was the culmination of almost two years of construction, but more significantly, a four-year collaboration between the public and private sectors. The new brewery and distillery more than doubles production capacity, creates immediate jobs, and allows for further RI job and manufacturing expansion in the near future.
“Without collaboration from the city and public sector – it would not have been possible to make a necessary expansion like this in Newport,” stated Brent Ryan, President of Coastal
Extreme Brewing. For the first ten years of operation, the brewery leased garage bays which it quickly outgrew. “Very little land in Newport is zoned for manufacturing and a facility like ours takes up a lot of space. Without this collaboration we would have had to look elsewhere to expand.” Newport Mayor Stephen C. Waluk commented, "This is a very exciting occasion for
Newport. The city is proud of its partnership with Coastal Extreme Brewing and encouraged by the success of this locally owned small business.”
The acreage the new brewery occupies was undeveloped land in the possession of the
Department of Transportation. In 2007 the City of Newport used local revolving loan funds to purchase parcels of land like this for economic development. The hope was to attract signature businesses that would create the type of permanent, non-seasonal jobs Newport so desperately needs, as well as expanding the tax base. Newport Storm partnered with the City to develop a public/private relationship whereby City land was used to assist with the economic development of this small business. The larger North End Master Plan included plans to further invigorate the area and has resulted in successes like CCRI’s beautiful new campus.
In spring of 2009, Newport Storm and the City of Newport negotiated a long-term lease, securing the City a steady stream of revenue for years to come. Newport Storm broke ground in the summer of 2009, and over the course of the million dollar project, funneled welcome dollars into local industry. The brewery is currently flourishing in its new facility, which includes technology and efficiency upgrades, as well as housing a new Visitors Center – an increasingly popular destination for tourists. A City official commented on the project, “The City of Newport purchased this property with the intent of economic development; Coastal Extreme Brewing’s

use of the land is an excellent example of how a Rhode Island business can thrive and grow in
Newport.”
On the 17 th , the Public Grand Opening took place from 6-8pm. Samples were complimentary and tours by company founders Brent Ryan and Derek Luke departed every half hour to highlight facility improvements. Over the course of 2 nights, nearly 100 people joined in the celebration and all were very excited and impressed with the new facility. The Visitors
Center is open for tours and tastings of both rum and beer from 12-5pm six days a week. Stop by to taste the local flavor!
Coastal Extreme Brewing Company is Rhode Island’s Microbrewery, brewing Newport Storm beers since
1999. In spring of 2010 they built a new facility within the Newport city limits on JT Connell Rd. Their
Visitors Center is open for tours and tastings from 12pm-5pm on Weekdays and Weekends (except
Tuesdays). Newport Storm beers continue to be distributed throughout RI, MA and CT, with their beer lines including the flagship Newport Storm-Hurricane Amber Ale, Newport Storm-Rhode Island
Blueberry, the Cyclone Series of limited release beers, the Storm of the Season beers, and the Annual
Limited Release Series of bottle-conditioned beers. Their Summer Storm of the Season is available in kegs, cases, twelve-packs and six packs. Hurricane Amber Ale Cans are available in twelve packs in the summer months.
In 2006 they began the Newport Distilling Company, becoming the first distillers in Rhode Island in 135 years. Newport Distilling Company focuses on one signature spirit, Thomas Tew Single Barrel Rum, named after the famous Newport pirate. Thomas Tew Rum is an authentic aged pot still rum of the type that would have been made in Newport’s colonial rum heyday. Thomas Tew Rum is currently available for sale only in Rhode Island.
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