Yankee Brew News Archive

Clamtown Brewery Debuts with Specialty Ale

Originally Published: 04/96

By: Kerry J Byrne

William (Ed) Frost is not the only new kid on the block in Massachusetts breweries, but he has introduced a pair of firsts.

Frost's first first is his Clamtown Ginger Honey Ale, a style-bending brew believed to be the only beer of its kind made commercially in New England, and perhaps the country.

"As a home brewer it was something I tried and liked and thought there might be a market for it,"said Frost. His second first, if such a paradox is possible, is the unique 'alternating brewery' arrangement he has with Pam and Joe Rolfe of the Ould Newbury Brewing Company in Newburyport. Under the arrangement, Frost's Clamtown Brewery, Inc. and the Rolfes' brewery share certain pieces of brewing equipment within the same facility, yet each holds their own farmer-brewer's license.

Basically, Frost leases Ould Newbury's two-barrel mash tun and four-barrel brew kettle on the days they are available while maintaining his own 10-barrel fermenter, 10-barrel conditioning tank, wort chiller and bottling system. It makes for a more profitable arrangement for both parties: A beginning commercial brewer like Frost doesn't have to pay for a new facility while the Rolfes are generating revenue with equipment which otherwise would stand idle for a number of days each week. If the idea catches on - it is a big if - it could mean a mini-brewing boom within the increasingly larger craft brew industry.

The result of the arrangement, Clamtown Ginger Honey Ale, is a busy little number introduced in January which is sure to open a few eyes. Ginger Honey Ale is made with two-row pale malt and honey (30 pounds for each five-barrel batch) as fermentables and uses sparse Perle, Cascade and Willamette hops for a low level of bitterness. Saaz hops and fresh ginger root are added in the last five minutes of the boil for their aromatic qualities.

Frost takes whole ginger root and crushes it using the high-tech mortar and pestle system. The honey comes from bee keeper Ed Broff of Middleton. The ale is unfiltered, though amazingly clean and clear for such a product. It has 4.1 percent alcohol by volume and is available in growlers and on draught. Frost's first two accounts were Sunset Grille & Tap in Boston and The Black Cow in Hamilton. The cap of each growler is stamped with the date of bottling. Frost said that an unopened growler of his Ginger Honey Ale has a shelf life of four to six months.

Clamtown Brewery, Inc. and Ould Newbury Brewing Company are located at 50 Parker Street., Newburyport, Massachusetts. For information about tours or scheduling a visit, call Clamtown at (508) 465-9956 or Ould Newbury at (508) 462-1980.

Pull quote:

"As a home brewer it was something I tried and liked and thought there might be a market for it." - Clamtown owner Ed Frost on his Ginger Honey Ale

Photo caption:

Joe Rolfe of the Ould Newbury Brewing Company (left) and Ed Frost of the Clamtown Brewing Company are the men behind New England's first "alternating brewery" agreement. The two craft brewers share parts of the same brewhouse but hold separate farmer-brewer licenses. (Photo: Kerry J Byrne)

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