Vinnie Ortez
It seems like only a few weeks ago I was still a cider drinker wishing to be a part of micro-brew world. Now, here I am a full fledged, or at least I think I am, craft beer connoisseur. Ever since our resident beer nerd, Jack Anderson, introduced me to Proclamation Ale Company late last year, I just can't get enough of the flavor blasted and fruit-juiced IPAs. Though I am biased towards Proc. being that is ten minutes away from me, one brewery has had me in the palm of their hands. Just about every Saturday for the past month and a half you could find me at Tilted Barn in Exeter.
Why can't I stop? What is it about this particular micro-brewery here in Little Rhody that makes the hour and half wait in the cold so worth it? Well, its a combination of things I think. Not only for the uniqueness of each beer but, the environment and the people make this a scene that I'm so anxious to be a part of. Not to mention that the cans are so artistically gorgeous, that it feels like a sin to throw them away.
Though I could ramble on about each beer and why you need to have it, I'm going to focus on two of my favorites, Propagator 14 and the Cactus DIPA. The Prop 14 has been my all time favorite to come out of the barn because of its tart and bold fruit flavors. Most juiced IPAs have solid hints of fruity flavors but this is just below the line of deliciously fruity sours. Though not technically a sour, this brew has the lip puckering senses of a sour from the tart raspberries but still smooth from the sweet peaches and wild yeast. This particular version happened to be right up my alley but each batch of Propagator is different which, in my opinion, is pretty damn cool. As I've stated, I am a big ol'cider loving sweet-heart so DIPAs are not my speciality. However, Tilted's Cactus DIPA is one I could drink and never look back at my headache inducing hard ciders. Most brews of this kind are too bitter and sometimes I feel like I need to lick someones shoe to get my mouth feels back. But Cactus is soft on the tongue with pungent juicy flavors that I didn't think were possible for a such a bitter class of beers. A combination of light bitterness and tropical fruit flavors make Cactus my go to for DIPAs.
If you want to do Tilted Barn right, you'll get there a little before noon. Depending on what is being released the line could be short or you might have to line up in the breakdown lane of South County Trail. When they finally let cars in at noon you're greeted with smiling faces and you can feel the excitement as you go up to take your place in line. All of the people who work there are humbly friendly and seem just as excited as you are. Being a Rhode Island native, I hate being in large masses of idiots but, every single person there to buy the states most sought after beers are more friendly then you can imagine. Talks of different breweries across New England and our small state emerge between the most unlikely of acquaintances. After a pour or two I've got no problem asking anyone what is their favorite brewery. Just last Saturday, I made friends with a couple who frequents Trillium and Treehouse. They were so damn friendly, they gave me a can of Bright from Treehouse just out of sheer generosity. Though you can't bring your own pets, the owners have their own who roam the property looking for loving. Even as you're leaving with an allotment of beers to die for, people from all over New England will stand by their open trucks showcasing which ever beers they're willing to trade.
Going to Tilted Barn is more than just grabbing beer and leaving. Its an experience that is different from any other micro-brewery you can go to. You go for the beer and stay for the people and beautiful location that makes you feel far way from whatever stresses you had from the week before. See you at the Barn!
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