Illustration created by Allison Magnus

State of the Brew: A Panel on the Future of RI Breweries

May 7, 2025

1 min read
Share
Illustration created by Allison Magnus
State of the Brew: A Panel on the Future of RI Breweries
Copy

Join us for an evening of lively discussion, a video screening and insight into the evolving landscape of Rhode Island’s craft beer industry. State of the Brew brings together local leaders and voices from the beer community to talk about one of the hottest topics in the state: distribution rights and the future of small breweries.

📅 Date: Wednesday, May 7
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

📍 Location: The Guild, 461 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI

🎤 Panelists:

From left to right: Matt Gray – Co-owner of Ragged Island Brewing, Portsmouth, Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee – (D-Narragansett), Chair of the RI House Small Business Committee and Nick Fede Jr. – Liquor store owner & head of the Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative.
From left to right: Matt Gray, Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Nick Fede Jr.
Provided.

  • Matt Gray – Co-owner of Ragged Island Brewing, Portsmouth
  • Nick Fede Jr. – Liquor store owner & head of the Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative
  • Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee – (D-Narragansett), Chair of the RI House Small Business Committee

🎙️ Moderated by:

Ian Donnis, Political Reporter at Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio

Expect a robust discussion on the challenges local brewers face in getting their products on shelves, legislative efforts to support small businesses, and what the future might hold for craft beer in the Ocean State.

The event will feature a screening of the Rhode Island PBS Weekly segment, Restricting the Brew, and conclude with an audience Q&A.

💬 Audience Q&A:

Stick around after the panel and screening for a chance to ask your own questions and engage directly with our panelists.

Admission is free and all are welcome. Come grab a pint and join the conversation!

Court documents show contract work nearing $100K
Will the yellow shirts of Second Amendment supporters or the orange and red shirts of gun safety advocates dominate?
Both programs have already begun working toward winning again in 2026
Pam Johnston, our president and CEO, shares an update on what you can expect after the recent merger of the state’s two public media organizations – and asks for your feedback as we navigate this transition and decide on a new name and identity
Step behind the counter at The Ice Cream Barn as they bring us inside their family-owned business
Rhode Island congressmen call the filing a partisan attack
The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m.
Supporters say the current political climate has made their work helping immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers more vital and more difficult
Pay raises delayed by state payroll system cloud conversion should happen soon