Rhode Island’s craft brewers are joining forces this spring to release a collaborative beer named after the Ocean State’s iconic area code.
Members of the Rhode Island Brewers Guild have created “401 Beer,” a limited-edition hoppy lager set to launch statewide on Wednesday, April 1. Proceeds from sales will benefit the guild.
The recipe came together at RahrBSG’s West Warwick distribution center, where brewers tasted steeped malt, evaluated hop varietals through a rub-and-smell technique and discussed technical details like yeast strains and specialty additions. RahrBSG served as the exclusive ingredient supplier for the project.
“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.
Dylan Bruns, head brewer at Buttonwoods Brewery, said the beer was designed with the season in mind.
“This beer will be a great way to welcome spring to Rhode Island,” Bruns said. “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.”
A release party will be held April 1 at Buttonwoods Brewery. The beer will also be available at participating brewpubs, bars, restaurants and select retail locations across the state. A commemorative label with a peel-away decal, supplied by Amherst Label, will be unveiled separately.
The initiative evolved from Rhode Island Craft Beer Week. In 2025, an all-guild collaboration beer — an 8.2% ABV hazy double IPA — kicked off that week’s festivities and inspired the creation of 401 Beer.
For updates on availability and participating locations, follow the Rhode Island Brewers Guild on social media or visit ribrewersguild.org.
