The shortest month of the year is just around the corner, which gives craft beer lovers on the SouthCoast reason to rejoice.

February 1st marks the beginning of the 8th Annual Rose Alley Ale House Beer Summit, where patrons will drink 28 different beers over the course of 28 days.

Those who complete the Summit will receive a 20 oz mug that will be kept at the bar and a personalized t-shirt. There will also be a new feature to the prize package that will be announced along with this year’s beer list.

The list of craft beers is top-secret until day one of the Summit, which will begin with a special Kegs & Eggs breakfast Wednesday morning. They range from hoppy India Pale Ales, balanced lagers and smooth, robust stouts. 

“It’s all about getting people in to try beer they wouldn’t normally try,” said RAAH general manager Ryan Rapoza.

Over half of the beers that will be offered reign from the New England and New York area, while others come from Colorado and the West Coast.

The rules are simple:

  • A maximum of six beers per visit.
  • Drink each of the 28 beers on your card and rate them 1-5, 1 being the worst, 5 being the best.
  • Complete your card before Feb. 28th and you will receive your t-shirt and mug in March.

With more and more people taking part in the event each year, management has made some housekeeping adjustments this year in regards to personal mugs.

The rack above the bar holds a total of 500 mugs and of the over 1,000 people to begin a tally card, 547 people completed the Beer Summit last year. Even more are expected to take part this year, so most first-year summiters won’t be able to keep their mugs at the bar. But have no fear, first-timers will be able to take their mug home and use one of the 25 communal mugs while stopping by for a drink.

Those who have completed the Summit two or more times will still have their mugs kept above the bar. All mugs are kept at RAAH for a year, until they clear them out for the next year.

So, clear a few nights a week throughout the month to grab some buds and chip away at a great list of craft beers. Before you know it, you may just find your new favorite brew and maybe even make some new friends at the bar.

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