Rhode Island Craft Brewery Week Brings Dynamic Programming to Local Breweries March 7-16

Rhode Island Craft Beer Week will celebrate the art of craft brewing from March 7 to 16. A series of events held at more than 35 local craft breweries will include special releases, new merchandise, and great brews for sampling.

Nils Weldy, executive director of the Brewers Guild, spoke with What's Up Newp about the collaborative spirit among local brewers. Many members support one another through a continually evolving business environment.

“We've got almost as many associate members as part of Rhode Island Brewers Guild as brewery members,” he said. “Many of those are our product suppliers, such as malt, hops, yeast, and others involved with this project. They're truly part of the collaboration as well.”

Weldy noted that this year's Craft Beer Week theme will cover people from head to toe. “At every Rhode Island brewery, they'll be giving away some really quality merchandise. That includes one-of-a-kind Richardson ball caps and Rhode Island Craft Beer Week socks.”

Among the festivities, attendees can anticipate special beer releases, including an All Guild Member Collaboration Beer brewed at The Guild in Pawtucket. It's an 8.2 ABV Hazy Double IPA that Weldy described as "big, beautiful, [and] delicious." 

Beer enthusiasts can download the RI Brewery Passport App, which renews at the beginning of Craft Beer Week. “It starts on the first day of Craft Beer Week, so all the stamps that you've accrued in 2024 and into the first part of 2025 will essentially reset at midnight on Friday the seventh,” Weldy explained.

Special performances during Craft Beer Week include a Barn Sessions concert on Saturday, March 8, at Ragged Island Brewing, featuring the Fleetwood Mac tribute band Little Lies. Taproot Brewing will introduce four distinct house-made bites, perfect for pairing with any beer flight you choose.

In addition to Craft Beer Week, beer enthusiasts should mark their calendars for the Newport Beer Festival at Fort Adams State Park on April 19. The event will feature local staples and breweries from around the region.