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Coastal Extreme Brewing Company

Brewery and distillery in Rhode Island, US

Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Company (often referred to as Newport Craft) is a brewery and distillery located in Newport, Rhode Island. Established in 1999 as the Coastal Extreme Brewing Company, it was the first microbrewery in Newport and began distilling operations in 2006. The company produces a range of beers and spirits that are distributed in the Northeastern United States.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1999Founded1
  • HeadquartersNewport1

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Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Company (often referred to as Newport Craft) is a brewery and distillery located in Newport, Rhode Island. Established in 1999 as the Coastal Extreme Brewing Company, it was the first microbrewery in Newport and began distilling operations in 2006. The company produces a range of beers and spirits that are distributed in the Northeastern United States. In 2018, it adopted its current name to reflect its combined brewing and distilling operations. Newport Craft is owned by Audrain Hospitality Group (also known as Heritage Restaurant Group), which owns and operates a portfolio of hospitality venues throughout Rhode Island. A major expansion project completed in 2024 increased production capacity and added new visitor facilities, including a taproom, outdoor spaces, and event areas.2

The story

Coastal Extreme Brewing Company was established by four graduates of Colby College: Brent Ryan, Derek Luke, Mark Sinclair, and Will Rafferty. Rhode Island was chosen as the location because, at the time of opening, there were no other microbreweries in the state.

In 2006, Coastal Extreme Brewing Company expanded to create Newport Distilling Company, the first licensed in Rhode Island in over a century. In 2007, they began producing Thomas Tew Rum, named after Rhode Island's first pirate. Brent Ryan, President and CEO of Coastal Extreme, said that the production of rum is part of an effort to "resurrect the rum history of Newport."

In 2011, the brewery was featured in an episode of the show Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe in which the brewery showed in detail how they produce and package their Thomas Tew rum.

In 2018, Coastal Extreme Brewing rebranded under the Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Company name. At the same time, Brendan O'Donnell joined the company's management team as Chief Executive Officer.

From Wikipedia’s article on Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Company, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3

Products and brands

  • beer

Listed on Wikidata.1

Timeline

  1. 1999Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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