PROVIDENCE, RI - While winter may still have a few tricks up its sleeve, Rhode Island brewers are looking ahead to April by teaming up to craft “401 Beer”.  This limited and specialty hoppy lager has been created collaboratively by members of the Rhode Island Brewers Guild (RIBG). Launching statewide on April 1, the beer’s name is a friendly nod to Rhode Island’s 401 area code with proceeds benefiting the RIBG.

The beer’s recipe was built through a truly sensory experience and made possible through a partnership with beer ingredient supplier, RahrBSG. As the exclusive supplier of the 401 Beer’s ingredients, brewers tasted steeped malt, evaluated hop varietals through a rub and smell technique and discussed technical considerations like its yeast strain and specialty malt and hop additions at RahrBSG’s West Warwick distribution center.

“The 401 Beer serves as a launching point for our community to celebrate what it is that brings us all together, beer,” said Luke Gerweck, President and Technical co-director of the Rhode Island Brewers Guild and head brewer at Tilted Barn Brewery in Exeter.

“This beer will be a great way to welcome spring to Rhode Island. It pops with bright, hoppy flavors within a light, crushable package that makes it the perfect complement to your first outdoor adventures of the year,” said Buttonwoods Brewery’s head brewer, Dylan Bruns. “It was a pleasure to work with such a talented group of brewers to develop a beer that exemplifies what makes Rhode Island beer so great,” added Bruns.

Releasing on April 1 is no joke. The date locks in the beer’s identity - a tribute to the 401 area code - and the community behind it to deliver a perfectly balanced lager that is meant to be paired with a bright, crisp early spring day.

401 Beer will be available statewide beginning Wednesday, April 1 and kicks off with a release party at Buttonwoods Brewery. It can also be found at participating RI brewpubs, bars, restaurants and select retail locations across the state. A commemorative label with peel-away decal, supplied by Amherst Label, will be unveiled separately.

The 401 Beer initiative is the new and natural adaptation of what was previously celebrated as RI Craft Beer Week. In 2025, the All Guild Member Collaboration Beer, an 8.2% ABV Hazy Double IPA, kicked off the week’s festivities and inspired the creation of the 401 Beer.

Proceeds from sales of the 401 Beer will benefit the Rhode Island Brewers Guild whose mission is to advance the Rhode Island brewing industry through marketing initiatives, events, technical learning opportunities and advocating for RI breweries in government affairs.

For updates on availability and participating on and off-premise retail locations, follow the Rhode Island Brewers Guild on social media or inquire at your favorite Rhode Island beer purveyor.

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