Massachusetts Brewery Creates Custom Beer for Dartmouth Portuguese Restaurant

For a restaurant known for its Portuguese flavors, juicy rotisserie chicken and strong community ties, standing out has always been part of the recipe. Now, Novo Mundo in Dartmouth has added another unique ingredient to the mix: its very own beer.

The restaurant recently partnered with Kingston-based brewery Forty Second Brew Co. to create Novo Mundo Lite Lager, a crisp and refreshing 4.2 percent beer brewed specifically for the popular Portuguese eatery. According to owner Jonathan Amaral, the collaboration is something few local restaurants can claim.

"It's special," Amaral said. "Being able to do something different and stand out in the community is the game, and this was an opportunity we wanted to take."

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A Familiar Beer With a New Identity

While Novo Mundo Lite Lager is exclusive to the restaurant, the beer itself has a history. Brewery co-owner Steve Darby explained that the beer is based on the brewery's popular Locals Light American Lager, which has become the top-selling beer in their Kingston taproom.

"It's a nice, crisp, easy-drinking American lager at 4.2 percent," Darby said. "When we started talking with Jon about this project, we felt this beer was the perfect fit because it's approachable, refreshing and pairs well with food."

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The brewery worked closely with Novo Mundo to create custom branding and packaging for the release thanks to Nia Tieu of Dartmouth, one of the owners of Forty Second Brew Co., who was the one who introduced Amaral to Darby. The can features artwork inspired by both the local community and Portuguese culture, including the NRP Sagres sailing ship that reflects the heritage celebrated throughout the restaurant.

Made to Pair With Portuguese Favorites

For Bill Lenahan, a sales representative and business man for Forty Second Brew, one of the biggest strengths of the beer is how naturally it complements Novo Mundo's menu.

"It's a really crushable light lager," Lenahan said. "Being able to have this in a can down here, it pairs very well with the rotisserie chicken and a lot of the food they serve."

In fact, when asked about their favorite item on the menu, both brewery representatives immediately pointed to Novo Mundo's famous Portuguese grilled chicken.

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There is also a subtle flavor profile that longtime fans of Portuguese beers may recognize. Lenahan noted that some of the malt characteristics provide hints of the European-style lagers commonly enjoyed throughout Portugal, helping bridge the gap between a classic American light lager and the restaurant's Portuguese roots.

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While Forty Second Brew Co.'s original Locals Light can be found throughout parts of the South Shore, the Novo Mundo Lite Lager label is available exclusively at Novo Mundo, including four-packs to go, making it a true one-of-a-kind offering for customers looking to raise a glass to local collaboration.