For beer lovers, their taste buds not only find the ale palatable, their desire for it typically surpasses any other kind of alcohol. Let’s face it-beer tastes like, well, just beer. Then there is what is called “craft beer.” Until about a decade ago, “craft beer” was a virtual unknown. Nowadays, people are more experimental. They are seeking something more, something different from the norm. Craft beer provides just that. Its numerous flavors have changed the taste to more than just-beer. Craft beer can be made with various flavors, and at times, tastes like chocolate, coffee, oak, caramel, molasses, grass, floral hops, dark fruit, smoke, grapefruit, oranges, lemon, coriander, pumpkin, hazelnut, and any number of other ingredients. In the last few years, craft beer has busted through the beer market and its market and growth in popularity have exploded.
RI CRAFT BEER WEEK
March 7, 2025 – March 16, 2025
Rhode Island Convention Center
1 Sabin Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 751-1177
March into the final weeks of winter with a mission to celebrate RI craft beer! Experience taproom events & attend special beer releases at the brewery; visit dozens of bars, restaurants, and retailers, for tap takeovers, tastings, and the chance to win prizes; earn double points throughout the week when you stamp your RI Brewery Passport. Study the calendar of events, gather your best beer buds, and get ready to follow the Rhode to great beer!
Daily Events:
Friday, March 7th
Guild Brewing Pawtucket: All Guild Member Collaboration Beer release party,
12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 8th
Crafted Hope Brewing: Gimme Laughs Comedy Show ft. Derek Furtado,
8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 9th
Crafted Hope Brewing: Bonsai Bar Workshop, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Monday, March 10th
Crafted Hope Brewing: Singles Event – Friends “sales pitch” their friends,
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 11 – Sunday March 16th; additional events to be announced!
Visit https://www.ribrewersguild.org/craftbeerweek to obtain updated information about the Week’s events.
What is “craft beer?” Craft beer can be tricky to define. What is clear is that it is made without the traditional equipment used to create a beer product, produced in a small brewery, and then there’s the difference in flavor. From here the definition becomes a little muddied.
According to the Brewers Association (BA), a not-for-profit trade group that protects and promotes small and independent U.S. brewers and represents more than 4,000 independent and craft brewers, craft beer breweries are defined with three words: small, independent, and traditional.
A craft brewery produces no more than 2 million gallons of beer per year and is independently owned. Unlike a micro-brewery, a craft brewery has set limitations on the brewing techniques of their beer production. Beer that is not considered a “craft beer” is typically served ice cold from a can or bottle and is often consumed in large quantities. Craft beer has powerful, distinct flavors and is gently poured into a special glass at just the right temperature, and is allowed time to warm and dispense its flavors before the beer itself is savored on the palate and the various flavors are allowed to arise and commingle. While beer tastes like what it is-beer, craft beer is appreciated for its diversity of flavors.
Pace yourself, before you wreck yourself!
This is not a race, it’s a marathon. You don’t need to drink the full pour, normally they can be 3-4 ounces each! It adds up. If you don’t like the beer, pour it out, just not in front of the brewery.
Make sure to dress appropriately.
What to wear to a beer festival? Nothing too fancy that’s for sure. Jeans and your favorite brewery t-shirt, along with comfortable shoes is plenty fine.
Know where the beer festival is being held and what the weather forecast is and dress appropriately. You could be standing for the next few hours, so pay attention to what shoes you choose to wear.
Drink water!
Beer isn’t the only thing you should be chugging at a beer festival. I like to drink a taster full of water between pours. It can be hard to remember that as you get a little tipsy. That’s why I recommend setting a few reminders on your phone to hydrate! Especially in the summer months when you’re outside walking around for a few hours, you need water. So don’t forget to drink it!
Enjoy all there is about craft beer-but like with any alcohol consumption, choose a designated driver or use Uber or another ride company!
DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!
Visit:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/newport-beer-festival-2025-tickets-1131113172949?aff=ebdssbdestsearch to obtain the list of all vendors.
