Clarkson Integrator

Issue date: 1/19/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: Sam Parker

The Pep Band followed the Men's Hockey Team to Yale and Brown this weekend. The band witnessed a spectacular four point weekend! Needless to say, everyone was quite pleased. During every road-trip, the band is dropped off at a mall near one of the arenas to kill time.

Rather than hang out at the Providence Mall all afternoon, I walked downtown to find a small brewpub we'd passed on the bus. After walking for a couple blocks in the wrong direction, my friend and I asked for directions and found that the pub was only a block and a half from the mall.

The Trinity Brewpub in Providence, RI was established in 1995. Trinity is one of the few old brewpubs in New England that serves only craft brews. The price of food was rather expensive, but I had enough money to buy a beer, try a few free samples, and purchase a growler. The brew that interested me the most was the Russian Imperial Coffee Stout. This particular stout won a bronze medal in the 1996 World Beer Cup.

The beer has a very dark, nearly blackish color when poured; a thick tan head quickly disappears into some scattered lacing on top of the brew. There was also some good lacing down the side of the glass when I drank it. The aromas are typical of the style: roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, and an overall smokiness. The odor, however, wasn't very strong. In terms of taste, this was one of the best stouts I have ever had. I am quite sad that I live so far from Rhode Island and this delicious brew.

The taste was subtle at first - the malts and coffee flavors come through first with a fairly prominent bitterness, which is immediately followed by a strong alcohol taste. The taste of alcohol became less apparent after the first few sips. Chocolaty and richer malt flavors came after this with an overall smokiness encompassing the whole experience. The mouthfeel was fairly thick, rich, creamy, and left a resin-like coating in your mouth.

The beer was fantastic, though a little overpriced, but this country boy doesn't know any better when it comes to cities. The Trinity Brewpub is definitely a place that I will stop at again if I ever happen to find myself in Rhode Island. As always, enjoy responsibly and respect your beer.

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