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!

‘The history of the Americas — and even our own country — is not the story of a single people’
University defends free speech and academic freedom after rejecting federal mandates tied to diversity, protests, and international student oversight
Restaurants would need to offer two qualifying healthy kids meals; parents wouldn’t have to buy them
Fossil fuel companies look to have the case thrown out while AG stands firm
Weekapaug Fire District’s bid to pause proceedings denied as shoreline advocates defend Spring Avenue’s status as a historic public right of way to Quonochontaug Barrier Beach
New rules pave the way for 24 additional retail licenses, with special provisions for social equity applicants and worker-owned dispensaries