It can be a beer lover’s conundrum:
You want to experience the new, savor the clever and celebrate the unique.
At the same time, you love a classic and enjoy famed and familiar brew flavors that both bring back memories and just plain taste good.
What’s a beer seeker to do?
There’s a new place where you can have your history and sip new stuff too..
The newly opened Narragansett Brewery in the eclectic Fox Point section of Providence is a quick success, marrying the history of the brand and the passion of smart, modern brewers in a spot that’s breezy, bright and just plain fun; a locale where you can savor the new while celebrating the classic.
The idea of Narragansett Beer being trendy may surprise some, but for those in the brew-world know, that’s been the case since 2005, when Mark Hellendrung, now president of Narragansett Beer, stepped up to purchase the brand and reinvigorate it.
Success came quickly, with Gansett, as folks call it, rising to be the top selling craft beer in Rhode Island and the 32nd highest selling craft beers nationally. (To put that into perspective, as of spring 2021, there are 8,764 craft breweries in the United States according to the Brewer’s Association).
Narragansett did that by updating its classic brews, adding creative new choices and being innovative -– like its Del’s Shandy.
Now, the Brewery is the next step in giving beer lovers a place to savor the classic and the creatively new.
First, though, some history: Narragansett has had a storied life. Begun before Prohibition, the company grew quickly (and pivoted to soda during prohibition). The company was brewing more than 2 million barrels a day by 1965. Many of those years the brand was overseen by a man with a name Boston beer lovers will recall: Rudolf F. Haffenreffer.
Narragansett was the official beer of the Boston Red Sox from 1944 to 1975.
Of course, the brand’s main claim to fame — beyond being a beloved New England beer, was its starring role in the blockbuster “Jaws,” in 1975.
But in that same year, the company was purchased by Falstaff and things went downhill. Falstaff ended the Sox relationship and by 1981, shut down the main brewery, opting to brew the beer across the country. Many felt the quality faltered then, and the brand was less ubiquitous.
When Hellendrung and his team took over, the first thing he did was look backwards. By hunting out the last brewmaster of the old Gansett days, he was able to secure that recipe, one that only existed in that brewmaster’s head.
“It’s a good story, but more importantly, it’s a great beer,” Hellendrung said.
Now, the new Brewery is the representation of not just that history, but progress.
Hellendrung said he chose the Providence Fox Point location after thinking long and hard about the vibe they wanted and the crowd they’d like to attract.
“We thought about it for a year and a half,” he said. “We realized what we wanted was a comfortable melting pot kind of place.”
The brewery is right near India Point Park, a spot where, Hellendrung points out, you’ll find lifelong Gansett drinkers, folks stopping by on their way to the Cape, white-collar workers, college folks and blue-collar folks from nearby communities.
“It’s super inviting, accessible and fun,” he said.
The look is bright and clean, with huge windows letting sunlight stream in, an outdoor patio for those kinds of days and nights, and plenty of taps with — of course — creative tap handles. (Little known fact: Narragansett Beer Co. invented the creative tap handle).
There are, of course, touches of history as well. While the original Cranston brewery was leveled when it was closed, Hellendrung’s team sourced 300-year-old wood for some of the walls, giving that touch of classic.
They’ll be sharing more historic artifacts and art as they build up toward Labor Day, when they expect their kitchen to open.
For now, you won’t go hungry though. The Brewery is hosting events that bring in food trucks, partner with road races and other creative moves.
One night you may find a clam truck, another a hot dog master. And Thursday through Saturday, after a multi-week soft opening, the brewery will celebrate its official grand opening in style.
Thursday will be the “Sour Slam,” celebrating a newly released sour along with some other sours on tap, as well as the TrapBoxPVD food truck.
Friday is National IPA day so the Brewery will celebrate that by releasing a new IPA and welcoming six IPA tap takeovers. Food will be available from the Bonetown BBQ food truck.
And on Saturday, things will wrap up with a big brewery party and food from Saugy Franks food truck.
All three events will include live music.
That, Hellendrung said, will only be a start. Under the leadership of brewer Lee Lord, they’ll continue to serve the classic and create the new, all served at the bright new brewery (and available for take-home purchase).
A cool reason to visit soon? Hellendrung and his team want your input. Visit, sip, dine, meander and then share your thoughts. Because, like all good things, the Gansett team wants to find just the right recipe for the best brewery experience.
“We’re taking our time, listening to people, making this what it should be,” he said. “This is an honest evolution here.”
