A Newcomer from Connecticut is Mixing Up Rhode Island’s Craft Beer Distribution Scene

A selection of draft pours from Twelve Percent Beer Project. (Photo courtesy of Twelve Percent Beer Project)

If you’re tapped into Rhode Island’s craft brewing scene, you might have noticed a newcomer to the social media airwaves in recent weeks. Twelve Percent Beer Project is a combined brewery and distributor in Connecticut that specializes in hard-to-find beers. The company recently announced plans to expand its distribution presence to Rhode Island and is hosting a tap takeover launch party at Bayberry Beer Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 11. We talked with Rhode Island Sales Manager Dan Gardner about Twelve Percent and what Rhode Islanders can expect from the expansion.

For starters, what is Twelve Percent Beer Project?

Twelve Percent Beer Project is a maker and mover of craft liquid. We work with a collective of fantastic breweries — many of them up-and-coming — and we help them get their beer into consumers’ hands. Much of what we distribute is made at our commercial brewing facility in North Haven, Conn., and most of it doesn’t make it much further than just Connecticut, New York and the surrounding states.

What can Rhode Island beer drinkers expect now that you’ve expanded into the state?

We hope to get great craft beers into the hands of people that love them. The wonderful part about Twelve Percent is that we have so many talented brewers that make a wide variety of styles, so there is truly something for everyone.

Where can we find your brews in Rhode Island?

We are hoping to partner with anyone who loves craft beer. Soon you will be able to find us at your favorite bars, restaurants or liquor stores. If there is somewhere in particular that you’d like to see us in the state, we’d love to hear from you on our Instagram page. We hope to use that page to highlight the latest and greatest coming to the state and where to find it.

Twelve Percent grew up around this idea of helping people access types and brands of beer that weren’t readily accessible to them where they lived. Now that practically every neighborhood has its own backyard brewery, is the demand skewing more local?

We think that demand is certainly skewing more and more towards local product, and we hope to begin working more with some of the breweries in Rhode Island. But we also believe that at the end of the day, craft beer drinkers are most concerned with fresh, high-quality liquid at a good price, and we think we’re doing a pretty good job delivering exactly that.

How does Rhode Island’s craft beer scene compare to Connecticut’s? 

Rhode Island and Connecticut’s craft beer scenes are just like the states they come from — small but mighty. From the local breweries to the bars, restaurants and liquor stores that support craft beer, everyone here has been so incredibly warm and welcoming. The passion for craft beer here in the state has us very excited, and we are eager to share our beers with you.

What are some of your favorite beers that you’ll be distributing in Rhode Island?

Gosh, it’s kind of like picking your favorite kid, which isn’t really fair to do! As I mentioned, all the brewers here are so incredibly talented, and each one usually has something to scratch that itch depending on what mood I’m in. Whether it be a well-balanced low-ABV beer from Marlowe Artisanal Ales or Eredità; a juicy IPA from the likes of Fat Orange Cat, Tox and Abomination; a roasty stout (now that the temperatures are dropping) from the folks at Timber Ales, Esker Hart, Evil Twin or Off Color; or finally something fun and fruity from Skygazer or Omnipollo. So many beers and so little time!

Tell us about your Jan. 11 launch party at Bayberry.

The event is open to the public! Bayberry has been kind enough to let us take over their taps for the night so you can try a beer from any of the aforementioned breweries. We hope you will join us, meet the brewers and share a pint with us.

Any plans for a physical location or tasting room here in the future?

At this time, we are just sticking to distributing in the state. We have a beautiful facility down in North Haven, Conn., that is absolutely worth the ride if you haven’t been before. They host so many fun events, like a Home Brewer Competition, Oktoberfest, Trivia Nights and so much more – make sure you follow them on IG too if you aren’t already. They post regular updates of what they have going on.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and style.

Some of the breweries working with Twelve Percent Beer Project include Fat Orange Cat, Tox, Galaxy, Skygazer and Marlow. (Photo courtesy of Twelve Percent Beer Project)

RELATED ARTICLES

On Tap: The Latest Brewery and Distillery News In Rhode Island

Meet the Jamestown Moms Hiking and Drinking Their Way Through Rhode Island’s Breweries

This Cranston Brewery is a Barbecue- and Beer-Lover’s Paradise