Thomas Tew Rum

"Dirty Jobs'" Mike Rowe made a bit of Thomas Tew Rum with Newport Distilling Company. If you were planning on hibernating Tuesday evening before the storm hits, you can learn about how rum is made at Newport Distilling Company, on the Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs,” airing at 9 p.m.

“What we do in the show is take Mike Rowe through the process from the beginning – which is the fermentation of the molasses all the way through the distilling, the filtering, aging and bottling of Thomas Tew rum,” said Brent Ryan, one of the four original founders of the Newport Distilling Co. and the Coastal Extreme Brewing Co., which makes Newport Storm beer.

The “Dirty Jobs” episode, filmed in August, takes place at the company’s new location, 293 JT Connell Rd., where both Thomas Tew rum and Newport Storm are made. The beer accounts for about 90 percent of the business.

Discovery Channel features Thomas Tew Rum on "Dirty Jobs"

"Dirty Jobs'" Mike Rowe made a bit of Thomas Tew Rum with Newport Distilling Company and the show is set to air on Discovery Channel on Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 9 p.m.

I hear he's covered in molasses in the episode as he helps turn bitter black strap molasses into tasty aged rum.

The history of Rhode Island as a rum capital will be part of the conversation.

"Dirty Pirate Parties" are planned at four venues according to Newport Distilling spokesman Laura Blackwell.

"Dirty pirates‟ (that‟s you!) can come watch the show air and drink „Dirty Mojitos‟ made with Thomas Tew Rum! Parties will be held at Doherty‟s East Ave Café in Pawtucket, The Spot Underground in Providence, the Mews Tavern in South Kingstown and the Mudville Pub in Newport. A prize, including a bottle of the never released Thomas Tew Barrel #1, will be awarded for best pirate costume at .venue! Visit „Thomas Tew Rum‟ on Facebook for details," she said.

The show is replayed on Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m

Mike Rowe Gets “Dirty” in Newport

Thomas Tew Rum and the Newport Distilling Company are about to hit the big time thanks to the Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe (Photo by Tyler Leno)

NEWPORT, R.I. – The Newport Distilling Company is about to get its chance to shine in the national spotlight! This past August, “Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe” paid a visit to the Aquidneck Island distillery where Thomas Tew Rum, named after Rhode Island’s famed pirate, is made. The Coastal Extreme Brewing Company, that specializes in brewing Newport Storm beer, added the Newport Distilling Company in 2007. Tune into the Discovery Channel (channel 24) on Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 9 p.m. to see Mike Rowe get his hands dirty while learning how to turn bitter, black strap molasses into tasty aged Thomas Tew Rum with the crew from the Newport Distilling Company.
To celebrate the nationally aired program, the Coastal Extreme Brewing Company is throwing four viewing parties around the state where “Dirty Pirates” can come watch the show air and enjoy Thomas Tew Rum. Parties will be held at Doherty’s East Ave Café in Pawtucket, The Spot Underground in Providence, the Mews Tavern in South Kingstown and locally, at Mudville Pub in Newport. A prize, including a bottle of the never released Thomas Tew Barrel #1, will be awarded for best pirate costume at each venue.
“The Newport Distilling Company is a perfect example of what Rhode Island’s economy needs more of and I’m so excited Dirty Jobs has chosen to showcase them,” says Kathryn Farrington, Vice President of Marketing at the Newport & Bristol County Visitor & Convention Bureau. Her staff tracks the millions of tourists (and tourist dollars) that Newport attracts annually and adds, “Thomas Tew Rum is a quality local product with priceless historical value. Good for the locals, great for the tourists and ohh so tasty! I love our Thomas Tew Rum and can’t wait to see Mike Rowe ‘get dirty’ making it!”