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!

Saturday’s funeral mass will begin at 10 a.m. local time — 4 a.m. ET
Val Lawson and Frank Ciccone join forces in bid to lead chamber, while Ryan Pearson mounts challenge in high-stakes scramble for votes ahead of potential Tuesday decision
Activists and local officials demand answers after federal agents allegedly used a taser during an apprehension in Dexter Park and transferred the injured man without allowing him to speak to a lawyer
‘It’s a huge loss. I can’t put into words what a huge loss it is’
On foggy spring nights, volunteers step into the dark to help frogs and salamanders survive their ancient migration—one wet hop at a time—against the threats of cars and climate change
After 60 years of supporting low-income families, Head Start faces an existential threat under a proposed federal budget—prompting Rhode Island’s Sen. Reed and advocates to rally in defense of early childhood education
The public has only one month to comment on Housing 2030 draft released Wednesday
Jennifer Gilooly Cahoon, Owner, HeARTspot Art Center and Gallery, East Providence
The Department of Education announced that its office of Federal Student Aid will resume collections May 5