Featured photo by @apponaugbrewing on Instagram
I think I write about the smallest state at least once a month.
But could you blame me?
Who knew that 1,214 square miles could be packed with such good food and drinks?
In Rhode Island, you can pretty much get the best of the best of everything you could want.
From Asian cuisine, to the area’s best Italian food (thanks to the 19th century Italian immigration wave), to some pretty incredible seafood, Rhode Island is my favorite place to visit whenever I want to enjoy some delicious cuisine.
And some amazing beer.
That’s right, RI is brewing up some amazing craft beer, all throughout the state.
From Providence to the outskirts of Connecticut, the beer just can’t be beat.
So with that, grab a pint and a few good friends, and let’s enjoy one of the best craft beer scenes that New England has to offer.
Narragansett Beer (Narragansett Brewing Company)
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This is one of the most well-known taprooms on this list, and for a good reason.
Since 1980 (yep, you heard that right), locals and tourists alike have been going crazy for this innovative microbrewery, with popular brews such as Del’s Shandy (their most popular beer), Musik Express IPA, and the same old OG lager from 1893 (if it ain’t broken, definitely do not fix it).
This is one of the best places to enjoy some quality time with friends over the best craft brews.
Trinity Brewhouse/Trinity Beer Garden
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One of New England’s first brewpub restaurants, Trinity Brewhouse has been serving great beer to the local Rhode Island community since 1994.
Their Mug Club is available for you to join for only $60 a year, and gets you some great discounts on food, beer, and merch. They make a wide variety of amazing brews, including their Amber Ale that people go crazy for.
Providence Brewing Company
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A brewery is one thing. A successful taproom is a whole different game, and luckily for Providence Brewing, they’ve mastered it.
Customers are able to watch the brewing process right from their inviting taproom, and even get to talk to the brewers themselves as they brew the beer for all of the customers to see.
Their draft list rotates frequently, but right now, I recommend trying their new release: Can’t Deny It American IPA.
Union Station Brewery
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A train station turned brewpub? Say less.
In addition to their iconic venue, Union Station Brewery does it all. Great food, classic pub fare, and their own award-winning beers.
One of my favorite parts of this great place, though, is their support for other microbreweries across New England. They feature other craft beers from other local spots right in their taproom for all to try.
Head Brewer Dave has many rotating beers and new creations, but my favorite current offering is the Nautical By Nature can of hazy pale ale. Give it a try!
Revival Brewing Company
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Pizza? Beer? What more could you ask for?
In 2009, Sean Larkin and Owen Johnson launched their very first beer, a Double Black IPA, and the rest is history.
They make it their mission to partner with local breweries to bring out the distinct flavors of the community, like their White Electric Coffee Stout, and are a well known name among the Providence brewery community. Check them out!
Beer on Earth
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From award-winning home brewers to owners of an up-and-coming funky and art-centric tap room, Beer on Earth has cultivated a strong community of Providence area beer enthusiasts.
This craft brewery is creating a variety of pilsners, pale ales, and IPAs. My personal favorite is the West Fountain St, a pilsner that is dry hopped with saaz.
Moniker Brewery
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A beer is only as good as the company you share it with.
At Moniker Brewery, their taproom, equipped with firepits, comfy seating, and stellar city views, makes all of that a possibility. You’ll truly enjoy spending time here.
Great craft beer is their game. Their flagship lager, State of Flow, is a German pilsner made with 100% authentic ingredients. You have to try it!
Long Live Beerworks
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This brewery, located on the West Side of Providence, does things a bit differently:
They don’t offer any flagship beers.
What?!
That’s right, in order to keep things fresh, exciting, and enjoyable, they’re constantly rotating their draft list with new and old creations alike.
Enjoy them fresh as can be, directly from their taproom.
The Guild
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With two locations around Rhode Island, one in Pawtucket and the other in Providence, The Guild is *always* a good idea, for beer lovers or anyone that’s looking to have an amazing time.
The actual brewery itself is located in Pawtucket, but the beers, still as fresh as they can get, are being served right from their Providence beer garden, from May through October.
Here, you can drink beer while overlooking the city skyline. Which, I don’t know about you, but sounds like an amazing time to me.
Their New England IPA, the Warren G, has very soft bitterness among a bright tropical flavor. It’s a must try!
Proclamation Ale Company
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This one is in Warwick, right by the T.F. Greene airport, and is the gold standard for breweries.
With arcade games set free to play, corn hole, shuffleboard, indoor and outdoor seating, Proclamation Ale Company is the place you want to be.
They brew so much and are constantly coming out with tons of new beers, that they made a handy beer guide for you to check out ahead of visiting, to see what you can expect on draft. Genius! Check it out here.
Apponaug Brewing Company
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Welcome to your second home.
No seriously, Apponaug Brewing Company strives to make their taproom a “third place for customers,” beyond work and home: the place where you go to wind down in between the two.
This great place brews tons and tons of beers, but I recommend going for a Pontiac if it’s on draft. A 5.1% ABV IPA, this features notes of cantaloupe and a tiny bit of grapefruit.
Smug Brewing
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At Smug Brewing, they “brew with confidence, so you can drink with confidence.”
The freshest and highest quality barley and hops that head brewer Rob can get his hands on are used here, and it shows.
Perhaps the most unique of their beers is the Chubby Unicorn. This 9% ABV beer comes as a draft or in a can, and has hints of citrus and stone fruit.
Foolproof Brewing Company
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With the entire 30-barrel brewhouse visible from the taproom, this is one of Rhode Island’s most interactive breweries.
All beer is made directly on-site, and it shows through the quality and flavor.
During the fall months, they craft many unique offerings; one of them being a S’mores Ale. Isn’t that genius?!
Grey Sail Brewing
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Right on the Connecticut border lies an extremely popular brewery that you can’t miss!
With both seasonal and year-round offerings, Grey Sail Brewing Company has been voted Best of Rhode Island for three years in a row, and it’s no secret as to why.
Aside from their wonderful brews, there is also food at the taproom by Vetranos Wood Fired that is always available to order.
Grab some friends and head on down for some Pour Judgement Pilsner or Flying Jenny Pale Ale—you don’t want to skip out on this one!
Twelve Guns Brewing
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Located in Bristol, RI with 8 rotating draft beers on tap, Twelve Guns Brewing is a completely dog-friendly brewery with tons of personality.
Each weekend they feature rotating food trucks and fun events to keep you occupied. No food trucks? No problem, you’re also able to bring your own food here to enjoy.
If all of that sounds amazing to you, head on down to enjoy Twelve Guns. You won’t regret it!
Tilted Barn Brewery
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As Rhode Island’s first farm brewery, Tilted Barn Brewery offers beer drinkers a farm-to-pint experience, directly from their gorgeous property.
Since 2014, the smallest state’s original farm brewery has been cranking out beer on their family farm in Exeter.
With tons of rotating beers on draft, it’s best to come early and often to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
From live music, to food trucks, to events, you’re sure to have a wonderful time at this unique spot.
Ragged Island Brewing
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Last but not least, in Portsmouth, lies this scenic gem of a taproom.
This 10-barrel brewhouse is located on 37 acres of farmland and woods to explore.
Their system offers tons of space for frequent crowd-favorite beers and new and experimental brews.
Best of all, multiple outdoor decks showcase the beautiful scenery of Narragansett bay, providing the most picturesque venue to enjoy each and every sip.
This is one of Rhode Island’s most popular breweries, and one that comes highly recommended by many!
Special thank you to the Rhode Island Brewers Guild, which was a massive help when researching and writing this article. Check them out for a complete listing of every existing Rhode Island brewery.
