Ragged Island’s new beer pays homage to Island Park of the past

PORTSMOUTH — Before the 1938 Hurricane washed it all away, the Island Park amusement park and its “Bullet” rollercoaster was a tourist magnet.

Ragged Island Brewing Company, located in the Portsmouth Business Park on High Point Avenue, is paying tribute to those glory years with a new beer being launched on June 15: Island Park Double IPA.

Matt Gray, president of Ragged Island, said the new brew is similar to the company’s recent 3rd Anniversary beer, one of the most popular beers since the brewery first opened.

“Since people loved it and we want people to be happy, we have rebranded this beer with a local feel,” said Mr. Gray, noting that the beer’s label — designed by his colleague, Drew Appleton — is a nod to the old "Bullet” rollercoaster. 

Mr. Gray also provided a brief update on the latest news concerning the company’s work toward establishing a farm brewery on the former Van Hof property off Bristol Ferry Road, where the Island Garden Shop once operated. 

“As for the farm project, we are still working hard to get here this year,” Mr. Gray stated in an e-mail. “Due to the situation created by COVID-19, we have scaled back our original plans — what we now refer to as the Master Plan. Our new plan will allow us the flexibility to get to the farm quicker, but will require a renovation of an existing structure. We will be working with the town to get on the zoning board agenda very soon so we can move ahead with this revised plan.”

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