General’s Crossing Brewhouse

The Biggest Smallest Brewery in the State!

The General's Crossing Brewhouse in Jamestown has big plans for the upcoming season.

By Mark Berger

The explosion of home brewing resulted in new concoctions, flavors, and mixed drinks. Some are bold and dark, while others are lighter and smooth. There are many choices to make when finding the perfect beer or ale made from scratch.

Then, the pandemic hit and made the hobby (for most) difficult, if not impossible. It was not easy for people to get the supplies necessary to complete the brewing process. Only essential businesses could remain open,with restrictions mandated by state and federal regulations.

Fortunately, breweries were deemed “essential” by the state and could continue serving the public. One such place is The General’s Crossing Brewhouse, located on 34 Narragansett Ave., in Jamestown. In addition to serving beer, they offer home brewing and wine making supplies through the on-site homebrew shop,Conanicut Brewing.

The Brewery is the collective brainchild of head brewer,Will Tuttle, and his business partner, Tom McNiff. They wanted to start a business several years ago that highlighted home brewing and share their knowledge with others. Their brews run the taste and smell ranges from stout to light and have the ability to serve quickly. Tuttle said that there are opportunities to decide what people like when they visit.

“We often have a variety of brews available on tap,” said Tuttle, who along with McNiff, have two other part-time employees who serve up the good times. “People can purchase a flight of four beers to sample in a pub-like atmosphere and can decide on their favorite one,” he added.

How they were able fit all of the tanks and equipment into their space was an achievement in itself. That said, they create their stock one barrel at a time. Their process takes up to two weeks to complete before it can be served publicly. They can brew up to 31 gallons at a time. Tuttle likes to say that their product is the freshest possible beer into glass because they don’t need to transfer their products into a keg.

One particular drink the Brewery is known for is their Honey Hibiscus Wit. Tuttle describes this drink as a pink colored, floral-smelling beverage that is by far the most popular selection in the brewery. They need to keep producing it because it sells out quickly.

While it was a nice surprise and having created something that resonates with patrons,Tuttle explained that choice wasn’t what he believed would be tops.

Ale that we thought would be our flagship drink,” he said. “Instead, we found that many of the customers who ordered the Hibiscus Beer were men. It’s unlike anything else that’s available around here. It has 5.2 percent alcohol so you can have a couple of them before going out to dinner.”

While they have indoor seating, Tuttle is excited about the recently-opened outdoor seating in their back patio that seats up to 15 people. They hope to keep that section open long into the fall months.

There is another group they hope to attract.

“Tom is also the head coach for the University of Rhode Island Rugby team,” Tuttle said. “We have a few area teams who stop by after the games. We’re hoping that word of mouth spreads for other groups or teams passing by

to stop by for a brew or two.”

As for how the company’s name came about,Tuttle explained that Gen. George Washington crossed over to the west side of the island in 1781, by Ferry Road (now Narragansett Ave.). Washington was on his way to Virginia to plan the final battles of The Revolutionary War.

“Had there been a tavern here in 1781, he may have stopped in for a pint!” Tuttle mused.

Like many companies, 2020 proved to be challenging for The General’s Crossing. They were fine until St. Patrick’s Day, when businesses had to close until June. They were concerned about their status until the state deemed them “essential,” meaning they could stay open and serve the public. With a to-go option and curbside service, they were able to maintain continuity. They were then able to build steadily until most restrictions were lifted.

Tuttle has some sage advice for those considering trying their hand in creating their own beer.

“Give someone a beer and they’ll waste an hour. Teach them to brew and they’ll waste a lifetime. Here, you can either make your own or I can do the work for you,” he said.

The Brewery is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 pm to 8:00, and closed on Tuesday.

For more information about the Brewery, please call Will Tuttle at 401-524-9359 or visit them on their websites.