PROVIDENCE, R.I. (September 24, 2025) – Narragansett Beer and Wheel Horse Whiskey today announce a rare dual release: Narragansett Barrel-Aged Baltic Porter and Wheel Horse Baltic Porter Beer Finished Bourbon Whiskey – two unique expressions born from the same set of barrels and the shared spirit of two Ocean State icons.

This collaboration goes beyond a simple barrel swap. With histories tracing back to the late 1800s – Narragansett Brewing Company, founded in 1890, and Wheel Horse, distilled at Kentucky’s Green River Distilling Co. since 1885 – the partnership honors their parallel legacies while bridging beer and whiskey in a true back-and-forth exchange.

“This collaboration came together naturally, celebrating both our shared history and our shared backyard,” said Mark Hellendrung, President of Narragansett Beer. “Wheel Horse is an award-winning distiller located just minutes down the road, which meant we could trade barrels while they were still fresh. The result is one of the most layered, complex beers we’ve produced, and pairing it with Wheel Horse’s bold whiskey makes it even better. Whether you’re a beer lover or whiskey fan, we can’t wait for our New England neighbors to get a taste.”

The Narragansett Barrel-Aged Baltic Porter (9.8% ABV) is a dark, velvety lager aged in freshly emptied Wheel Horse Bourbon barrels. Brewed with locally malted barley from Stone Path and layered with roasted malts, it delivers notes of toffee, cold brew coffee, and dark chocolate, rounded with vanilla, oak, and a touch of Bourbon spirit.

Once the porter was removed, the barrels returned to Wheel Horse, where Kentucky Straight Bourbon – already aged four years – was finished for another 4-5 months. The resulting Wheel Horse Baltic Porter Beer Finished Bourbon Whiskey (101 proof) opens with aromas of cocoa and peppermint, leading into flavors of milk chocolate syrup and toasted almonds, with hints of malt balls and espresso. The finish lingers with chicory, gingerbread, and leather.

“We do a lot of cask-finishing at Wheel Horse, but most of it is using spirits or wine casks like Armagnac and port,” said Stephen Corrigan, Barrel Master at Wheel Horse Whiskey. “This collaboration with Narragansett was the perfect opportunity to craft our first beer-finished whiskey. The style of the beer they chose, Baltic Porter, paired beautifully with our Bourbon, bringing a rich texture and roasted, chocolatey flavor to the profile.”

To mark the releases, Narragansett and Wheel Horse will host a launch party on Thursday, October 2nd from 5-8 PM at the Narragansett Brewery in Providence as part of the 'First Thursday' series, giving guests an exclusive chance to taste both releases.

While available, visitors to the brewery can enjoy the Barrel-Aged Baltic Porter on draft or take home 16 oz. 4-packs. The Wheel Horse Baltic Porter Beer Finished Bourbon Whiskey (SRP: $39.99) will be available in select retail stores across Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts and online.

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 Providence, R.I., and Rochester, N.Y. and is the 23^rd largest craft brewer in America 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, Georgia, Maryland, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Colorado, Northern California, Tennessee, and Alabama. Thirsty for more? Visit www.NarragansettBeer.com or follow Narragansett on Instagram (@GansettBeer), Facebook (/NarragansettBeer), and Twitter (@GansettBeer).

ABOUT WHEEL HORSE WHISKEY:
Wheel Horse is an independent bottler and blender based in Rhode Island. Wheel Horse whiskeys are distilled in Owensboro, Kentucky at Green River Distilling, originally founded in 1885. Since its debut in 2020, the brand’s flagship Wheel Horse 101 Kentucky Straight Bourbon has received high acclaim, including a spot in Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Whiskies of 2021. Now, Wheel Horse offers a full line of whiskeys, including seasonal cask finished releases, like their award-winning Cigar Blend, and barrel proof releases like Barrel Master Select. For more information, visit www.wheelhorsewhiskey.com and follow on Instagram (@wheelhorsewhiskey)