Rhode Island may be a tiny state, but it has a serious craft beer scene in Providence. The breweries here work hard to produce bold, unique beer from only high-quality ingredients. Read on to learn about the best breweries in Providence, RI!
Moniker Brewery
Moniker Brewery in Providence is actually housed in a former autobody shop, and they converted the space into a tap room and beer garden with a distinct neighborhood feel.
Here, you can sit at picnic tables or around firepits while you sip outstanding beer. They often have food trucks, live music, and even trivia!
In terms of brewing, the focus is on longevity. I loved State of Flow, a crisp, light German pilsner made with authentic ingredients. I also tried Debut Single, a mellow cream ale with firm bitterness and hints of honey.
Long Live Beerworks
Long Live Beerworks is one of the best breweries in Providence, RI. It sits in a restored mill with both a tap room and a patio (the top level has views of production).
Here, they brew everything on-site with an emphasis on hops in addition to sours and stouts. The constantly changing menu is fresh, exciting, and reflective of the season (they also have food pop-ups).
You can try beer like The Promise, an IPA double-hopped with Citra and Idaho 7, or Vinyl Triangles, an IPA hopped with Citra, McKenzie, and Eclipse.
For something a bit different, you can try Lunar Ghosts, a sour brewed with hibiscus, peach, and raspberry, or Holy, a stout brewed with cacao and toasted marshmallows.
Narragansett Beer
The first Narragansett Beer was brewed way back in 1890. The company even had to contend with Prohibition several decades later and pivoted to soda (though doctors would still prescribe beer for “reinvigoration”).
They were the first beer to sponsor a team (the Boston Red Sox), and the iconic can was crushed by Quint in Jaws.
Here, you can visit a tap room and beer garden with snacks like nachos, pretzels, and flatbreads. I tried the Fresh Catch, a golden IPA hopped with Citra, and the ’53 Lager, a smooth malt version of ‘Gansett.
Providence Brewing Company
Providence Brewing Company is a unique fusion of Cuban American heritage.
The industrial tap room here is unique too, for you can see the whole brewing process and even speak with the brewers. The drafts rotate frequently, and food is available from nearby restaurants.
For IPAs, The Best Coast has peach, melon, and pineapple aromas for the ultimate fruit juice cocktail, while Bully Quad has notes of brown sugar, dried dates, tobacco leaf, and banana.
For lagers, Set It Off is typical, well-balanced, and rich golden in color, while Birra Fresca has strong hop aromas that are spicy, floral, and herbal with tropical notes and a smooth, bitter finish.
Come for the lively atmosphere and enjoy one of the best breweries in Providence, RI.
Trinity Brewhouse
Trinity Brewhouse is in the heart of downtown and just walking distance from many sites. They have some of the freshest beer in the city, brewed on-premises with high-quality ingredients and filtered Scituate Reservoir water.
You can try American Beauty, a cream ale that starts with slight sweetness and finishes dry, or Kolsch, a light, crisp German ale. You can also try Purple Passion, a kettle sour blended with peach puree, honey, and cinnamon.
The property is a true brewpub with a full menu for lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks. For appetizers, you can get dishes like calamari with banana peppers and spicy jalapeno sauce.
For entrees, you can get wraps, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, or dishes like fish n’ chips. For dessert, they have a stout brownie sundae.
Union Station Brewery
Union Station Brewery in Providence is housed in a former train depot. Here, the pulse of the city is softened by the warmth of the neighborhood, and you will be enveloped in historic charm (think dark wood and exposed brick).
They have a rotating selection of seasonal and specialty brews. I tried Magnum RI, an IPA with notes of ripe citrus and stone fruit, and Bite the Crust, an IPA with notes of orange, grapefruit, and Sauv Blanc.
This spot is also a brewpub with delicious food (I got crispy brussels sprouts and mac n’ cheese).
Revival Brewing Company
Revival Brewing Company serves craft beer that they hope will please everyone from novices to aficionados.
One example is Night Swim’ah, a tart, sweet Belgian-style ale hopped with Citra and flavored with raspberries and coriander. Another is Star Child, a light, crisp Bohemian-style pilsner hopped with Mosaic and created to celebrate Pride Month.
You can order these brews inside Lost Valley Pizza along with some very tasty food (like the Ghosted, a pizza with habanero salsa, shrimp, and spring onions, or the Filomena, a pizza with pesto, ricotta, spinach, and olives).
They even have brunch, with items like a dutch baby with mixed berry compote and whipped cream. Come for the laid-back vibe and enjoy one of the best breweries in Providence, RI.
Smug Brewing Company
Smug Brewing Company is dedicated to producing original flavors, and they do so with ingredients from top malt houses around the world. Here, the slogan is “we brew with confidence so you can drink with confidence.”
I tried Driving Miss Hazy, an IPA with tropical and citrus aromas, and a spicy, sweet fruit sour made with pineapple and habaneros. They also have Nature of the Beast, a stout inspired by the Black Forest cake in Germany (think rich chocolate and tart cherries).
They often host trivia, music bingo, and food pop-ups so make sure to check the calendar!
*Located in nearby Pawtucket, RI
The Guild
The Guild is one of the best breweries near Providence, RI and sits in a converted mill with both a tap room and a patio. Here, they have board games and cornhole in addition to snacks like charcuterie, pretzels, and flatbreads.
You can try beer like Grumpy Old Man, a smooth brown ale with prominent malt flavor and mild bitterness, or Onyx, a dark Czech lager with notes of coffee, toast, and a hint of smokiness.
They also have a separate, seasonal beer garden on the Providence River with views of the city.
*Located in nearby Pawtucket, RI
Crooked Current Brewery
Crooked Current Brewery may be “the smallest brewery in the smallest state,” but it still concocts some very tasty beer.
They make the most of their three taps, with unexpected and interesting brews that rotate seasonally. One very popular beer is the Neapolitan brown ale, which delicately balances the flavors of this classic ice cream combo.
In the warmer months, they have options like blueberry or raspberry wheat ale or watermelon blonde ale. In the colder months, they have options like pumpkin maple ale, s’more brown ale, fruitcake brown ale, or oatmeal raisin stout.
*Located in nearby Pawtucket, RI
Honorable Mention: Foolproof Brewing Company
At Foolproof Brewing Company, each beer serves as tribute to a sacred beer-drinking experience, like watching a baseball game, relaxing at home, or gathering with friends.
The tap room has views of production, and there are often food trucks too.
You can try Ocean State Lager, which has an extended cold fermentation for a soft and subtle malt profile, or Backyahd, an aggressively hopped IPA hailed as “the ultimate suburban brew.” They also have more adventurous choices, like a mango sour and a Mexican chocolate stout.
*Located in nearby Pawtucket, RI
I hope you enjoyed this post and that it will lead to some great experiences at the best breweries in Providence, RI! If you want to eat, I think the best breweries in Providence, RI with food are Trinity Brewhouse and Revival Brewing Company.
I also think Moniker Brewery and Long Live Beerworks are two of the best breweries in Rhode Island.
Now check out the best coffee shops in Providence, RI (or even head south and check out the mansion tours in Newport, RI).