Narragansett Beer Introduces Bancroft Up or Down Ale

Twelve years ago Mark Hellendrung dreamed brewing Narragansett Beer once again in Rhode Island after a 30+ year absence. It was in 2005 when Hellendrung with a group of investors purchased the rights of the brewery name and began contract brewing. In March the new Narragansett Beer brewed its first beer in Pawtucket, RI with It’s About Time IPA.

This month Narragansett Beer releases its latest beer Bancroft Up or Down Ale, a beer that pays tribute to Rhode Island’s classic Bancroft Tennis Company.

Here’s more from the press release…

For generations, Bancroft produced state of the art wooden racquets just across the street from the new Narragansett Brewery at The Guild. The racquets led to Grand Slam titles and Hall of Fame careers for dozens of the game’s greats; This beer celebrates that smashinghistory and we know you’ll enjoy the fine, crisp ale…up or down!

At 4.2% ABV and 20 IBUs, Bancroft Up or Down Ale is light enough to toss a few back without fear of double-faulting or fuzzy sight while tracking the ball. Brewed with Cascade hops for mild floral and citrus flavors to keep you refreshed through each set, it’s then dry-hopped with Chinook for a subtle touch of mountain pines.

“With the location of the new brewery and having the International Tennis Hall of Fame right in Newport, we couldn’t wait to celebrate the storied history of Bancroft with our next mash-up,” said Mark Hellendrung, President of Narragansett Beer. “This brew calls back to the era of our Banquet Ale from the 1930s and 40s, so it felt right to partner with another local brand whose history runs just as deep. And while I’m no ace on the court, I’m always up for downing a cold one court-side.”

“After 30 years, Narragansett Beer is being brewed back in Rhode Island; fittingly in the craft beer capital, Pawtucket,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “What a great way to honor their long history by teaming up with another Pawtucket great, Bancroft Tennis Company.”

To celebrate the release, Narragansett is throwing the first ever ‘Gansett Open, a launch event on August 26 at The Guild, featuring a full-on Nintendo Wii tennis tournament with very special surprise guests. In proper old-school fashion, the first serve of each match will be determined by playing the beer’s namesake, Up or Down. Just like the flip of a coin, the challenger selects “Up or Down” prior to spinning a vintage Bancroft racquet. The butt end of each racquet is imprinted with Bancroft’s iconic “B”, and when the racquet lands, the B will either be facing up or down. So, come on down, show off your backhand and smash a couple of Bancroft Up or Down Ales between sets! More information about the event can be found atnarragansettbeer.com.

Bancroft Up or Down Ale is Narragansett’s fifth grand slam in the “Hi Neighbor Mash-Up” Series in which the brewery partners with an iconic Rhode Island company to create a unique Rhody-inspired beer. It will be available in six packs of 16-ounce tallboy cans for $10.99 SRP and will be distributed throughout New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Portland, Ore. and Nashville and Chattanooga, Tenn. The timing and availability of Bancroft Up or Down Ale will vary per market. 

ABOUT NARRAGANSETT BEER: 

Narragansett Beer…Brewed since 1890. ‘Gansett is a straightforward, quality beer that has been a New England tradition for generations, producing a classic family of award-winning American lagers & ales. Today, ‘Gansett is produced in Pawtucket, R.I and in Rochester, N.Y., and is one of America’s top 50 regional brewers and the fastest-growing in the Northeast. Narragansett is available for purchase in local restaurants, bars, and liquor stores throughout New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Portland, Ore. and Nashville and Chattanooga, Tenn.

Thirsty for more? Visit: www.narragansettbeer.com or follow Narragansett on Facebook (/NarragansettBeer), Twitter (@GansettBeer) and Instagram (@GansettBeer).