Ocean State Beer Fest

Yesterday was the Fourth Annual Ocean State Beer Fest and it was an absolutely amazing. I was lucky enough to attend two years ago and this year's was just as good. You can see my full samplings on Untappd but let me give you the highlights:

Best Beer: Inside Job, Buttonwoods Brewery. This was one of the first beers I wanted to try because 1. I love Buttonwoods and 2. it was listed as a creamsicle sour IPA. It was exceptional. Just the right amount of tart and hoppy that tasted like a creamsicle ice cream bar and my judgment was pretty spot on because of how fast it ran out. I was told that it was only brewed for this event but I hope they do this one again.
Honorable mentions: Fermented 4, Tilted Barn; Barrel Aged Wild Ale - Saison w/ Cherries, Grey Sail; Pineapple Vango, Foolproof

Best Brewery: Grey Sail. Always near the top of my list when I start talking about RI breweries. They really stepped up because they brought six different beers, two of which were at the top of my list and one was a cask (always a BIG fan of cask ales). I was able to try all of their offerings and neither myself nor my friends were disappointed. Already planning my day trip out to Westerly.
Honorable mentions: Tilted Barn, Buttonwoods, Foolproof, Taproot

Biggest Surprise: Taproot. Before yesterday I had never heard of this brewery before as they are not listed on the official Rhode Island Brewers Guild passport. I walked by and saw that they had a porter and was instantly curious. I struck up a conversation with their brewer Kevin and instantly heard his passion for brewing and while I was enjoying just how good the beer was. They also had a New England IPA that was brewed with Hefeweizen yeast that gave the beer this amazing banana taste that blended perfectly with the hops. I will definitely be making the trek out there as soon as possible.
Honorable mentions: Apponaug Brewing, Providence Brewing Company, Ragged Island

Most Unique Beer: Cereza Amarga, Providence Brewing Co. Listed as a MexiCali Light Lager this beer was described to me as a lager infused with tequila. It was actually brewed with cherries, guavas, and lemons that were sitting in Anejo Blanco for a couple of months but that drove the point home. This was a crisp, clean lager that finishes with a slight bite of agave. Definitely worth a trip to try it out.
Honorable mentions: 2 legit to frit, Proclamation; Fruits of Labor, Taproot; Kingston's finest, Shaidzon Beer Co.; Crimson Ghost, Long Live Beerworks

Most Disappointing: Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co.. This one hurts to write as an avid fan/supporter. Newport Storm was the brewery that first got me excited about Rhode Island beer but their offerings at the festival just did not do it for me. Rhode Rage is far too malty for me, Comfortably Unaware did not have the same flair as the other New England IPA offerings and 1639 was pretty good but not great. I expected them to pull out all of the stops and bring something truly unique but alas, I was disappointed.

So that was the fourth annual Ocean State Beer Fest. I cannot wait for next year to see what new things the brewing community will bring. Did you attend? If you did how would you fill out your list of best beer, brewery, biggest surprise, most unique, and most disappointing? Comment below.