Brewery Road Trip for Rhode Island

Toward the end of the last century, the number of breweries and beer types available in the United States was declining.

This gave rise to the increased popularity of creating craft beer at home. Many home brewers made the decision to start their own craft beer business, and this launched a revolution of craft breweries opening across the country and beyond over the last few decades.

Throughout the history of Rhode Island, the state has leaned toward independence and self-determination. For example, statesmen from Rhode Island originally refused to participate in the preparation of the Declaration of Independence, and this state was the last to ratify it.

This is just one of many factors that indicate Rhode Island’s free-thinking mentality over the years.

Because of the tendency for Rhode Islanders to be independent and to go against the grain in some cases, it makes sense that the craft brewery revolution took a strong hold in this state in recent years. Despite its small size, Rhode Island is home to 15 amazing breweries.

These venues are each known for their incredible variety of beers as well as for introducing new and unique flavors to the world on a regular basis.

Touring some of the top breweries in Rhode Island is an excellent way to spend your free time. Many offer tours and samples or flights, and they all have a tasting room or pub for you to visit.

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Don’t Drink and Drive

With so many fabulous breweries in Rhode Island for you to explore and sample beer at, you may find that you drink much more than you intended to while out and about.

This is definitely not a problem that you need to worry about if you have a designated driver or a backup plan, such as a ridesharing service. However, driving and driving is a serious issue that should always be avoided.

Remember that Rhode Island has strict DUI laws that you need to follow. If you are convicted of a DUI in this state, you may face severe penalties for a first offense.

This includes spending up to 12 months in jail, be fined up to $1,200, the suspension of your license for up to one year, and mandatory enrollment in an alcohol treatment program or a driver’s education course.

The penalties for subsequent convictions become much more severe.

For example, with a third conviction, you may spend up to three years in jail, be required to pay a fine of up to $5,000, lose your license for three years, and be forced to take drug or alcohol treatment course.

The best idea is to plan ahead for a fun brewery tour throughout the state. Choose a designed driver before you head out, or have a backup transportation method available.

Top 5 Breweries in Rhode Island

You may not have time to visit all 15 breweries in Rhode Island, and you may be wondering which breweries you definitely need to visit. These are among the most popular breweries in the state.

#1 – Crooked Current Brewery

Established: October 2014
Recommended Beer: Immorality Pale Ale

The Crooked Current Brewery is notably the smallest brewery in the state, but it offers an extensive selection of beer to make up for its size.

The Immorality Pale Ale is a popular option to consider, but there are more than two dozen varieties to sample. The offerings that are available for you to sample vary seasonally, so make plans to visit Crooked Current Brewery repeatedly in the future.

Situated in Pawtucket, this brewery is conveniently located and easy to find. It is open on Thursday from 5 pm to 7 pm, Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm, and Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm.

#2 – Tilted Barn Brewery

Established: 2007
Recommended Beer: The Chosen One DIPA

The Tilted Barn Brewery is located in a historic barn in beautiful Exeter to provide you with a unique experience. This brewery is focused on using farm-fresh ingredients and refined practices to craft delicious beer.

You can tour the barn to learn more about the beer-making efforts this local team makes to impress you, and you can sample or purchase beer on-site. The Tilted Barn Brewery is open on Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm and on Saturday from 1 pm to 4 pm.

#3 – Revival Brewing Co.

Established: 2011
Recommended Beer: Fanny Session IPA

The Revival Brewing Co. is one of the largest breweries in the state. The touring and tasting room is located in Cranston, and additional venues are located in Exeter, Providence, Warwick, and other towns throughout Rhode Island and neighboring states.

Before you visit this brewery or pub, check the calendar of events. Everything from special culinary events to shopping experiences is scheduled at various locations, and these can make your brewery experience more enjoyable. Hours of operation vary by location.

#4 – Providence Brewing Co.

Established: 1817
Recommended Beer: Urban Brewdega

Providence Brewing Co. located in North Providence, is the state’s oldest active brewery. When you visit the facility, you can take a guided tour and learn more about its history and beer making processes.

The brewery only uses the highest quality products and combines historical techniques and modern practices for an innovative approach.

You can also sample various products, and you can purchase beer, t-shirts, and other merchandise in the on-site store. Visiting this venue is a great way to become a part of the state’s beer making history.

#5 – Ragged Island Brewing

Established: 2017
Recommended Beer: Pale Ale

Ragged Island Brewing is one of the state’s newest breweries, and it is conveniently located in the heart of beautiful Portsmouth.

The venue has an upbeat, edgy vibe that is ideal for enjoying cold beer with good company.

The tap room is open for tours and tasting on Fridays from 4 pm to 8 pm and on Saturdays from 1 pm to 6 pm. This is a great destination to visit with family or friends when you want to relax and enjoy some of the best beer options in the state.

4 Safety Tips Before Hitting the Road

You can spend many hours driving around Rhode Island and touring these and other breweries. Understandably, you want to stay as safe as possible while you are on the road.

There are a few tips you can follow to ensure that you and your friends or family are safe on your road trip to visit the top breweries in the state.

#1 – Map Your Trip Ahead of Time

It can be dangerous to constantly divert your attention from the road to a GPS or map. Therefore, it is a smart idea to map out your trip ahead of time. If you get lost or need to refresh your location on the map, take a minute to pull off the road before doing so. Remember that distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents.

#2 – Prepare Your Vehicle for a Road Trip

You also should prepare your vehicle for your time on the road. Invest in a travel emergency kit so that you have all of the supplies you need to stay safe if something happens.

Tuning up your car and getting an oil change is also a great idea. Another thoughtful safety step to take is to check the air pressure and tread on your tires before you embark on your trip.

#3 – Don’t Drink and Drive

When you sample beer after beer at these top venues across the state, there is a good chance that you will get intoxicated, and you need to have a backup travel option available. Buzzed driving is drunk driving.

Plan ahead by choosing a designated driver, or download an app like Uber or Lyft to your phone. You may not be in a position to think clearly about a safe driving experience after you become intoxicated, so make plans before you start drinking.

#4 – Make Sure You Have the Right Coverage

In case something does happen on the road, you should verify that you have the right car insurance for maximum protection.

Car insurance can cover you for the liability expenses you may face if you cause an accident as well as for vehicle repairs, medical bills, and more.

A single accident can cost you tens of thousands of dollars or more, and you need insurance to ensure that you have the financial means to pay for these expenses.

Now is a great time to examine your coverage and to make changes to your policy as desired to ensure that you have the right coverage for your needs.

Remember that the state’s minimum liability coverage is not always sufficient for all needs. For example, you may need to add collision or comprehensive coverage to the state’s minimum requirements.

You can easily request three or four quotes online from top insurers to find the best rates on the coverage you need. Insurers may request everything from your driving history and vehicle description to your gender, age, and more before giving you a written quote.

Once you have the quotes in hand, you can compare the offers to identify potential savings. However, avoid making your buying decision based on cost alone.

Remember that the reputation and financial strength of the provider should also be considered before you decide which auto insurance quote to move forward with.

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