Long Live Beerworks

 

I loved my visit here a year ago. In a modest industrial spot, it is an oasis! Very friendly spot, and the beer is top shelf. Woody, 2 floors, very nicely conceived. Today, in the pandemic time, it was curbside pickup. A pickup window, no contact. Well done!

With Hill Farmstead and Tree House as my anchors for a "5.0" brewery, this is 4.75 for me. Yes, high, but it's really a fantastic place.

They started small some 5(?) years ago and expanded about a year ago into a beautiful renovated NE industrial brick building. It's packed when open, and I really miss going there, now that we are coronavirus-locked.

Armando Dedona, owner and head brewer, has a knack for complex beers. His IPAs and DIPAs are the absolute gems of his lineup (but I have been surprised by how much I like some of his other ones, too, it's just that I gravitate towards the IPAs, and there is only so much one can drink). He doesn't overdo the alcohol, and some of his 6% IPAs are surprisingly rich and layered. There is a concentrated tropical profile in most of the IPAs, without heavy sweetness. Their nose is invariably rich and seductive, and the mouthfeel and finish are incredibly smooth and weighty (without overly alcoholic).

When you are in Providence, go there and you won't regret it. The space is lively and beautiful, the staff is super friendly and happy to give you sips of beer to try, before you order tasters, half pours, or full pours. You can purchase their beer by the growler and by the can, though they typically don't have a large number available at any one time (typically 2-4 by the can and 2-4 by the growler). Webpage is pretty up to date, and social media also show what's new. What an amazing resource of top-notch beer in lovely Providence!

I stopped in to pick up some brews in cans to take home. The bar area has two levels and was much larger than expected with a great vibe. It seemed very clean. They only had 4 beer typesavailable to take home. I wish I had time to stay for a beer.

 

 

 

Long Live Beerworks

Providence Rhode Island

Vibe: Great vibe on a Thursday night. Pretty packed including some families with kids. Though the dogs outnumbered the kids. Large L shaped wooden bar with wooden stools and surrounding seating area with a standing bar in the middle. A second floor with more tables. Wooden staircase with iron railing, exposed brick, beams and HVAC for an industrial feel, but the strings of lighting
add a warm feel as well. Dimly lit. Overall a very comfortable environment.

Quality: I had two flights. The NEIPA were decent, but they all melded into one another without much variation from the different hops used. There was one Kveik IPA and one fruited Berliner I enjoyed the most and ordered half pours of each, but I would have no interest in revisiting any of the other beers I had. Both half pour beers were excellent.

Service: They were quite busy on a Thursday night, I think with a short line for cans so it took a moment to be served. But I was told by the server she’d be right with, which she was. And very attentive thereafter.

Selection: The selection is pretty limited as they seem to be focused on NEIPA. Menu consists of 6 NEIPA, 2 fruited Berliners and 1 ingredient heavy, high ABV Imperial Stout. All hype styles. Not sure if they typically lack such selection as this was my first time at the brewery and I’m not really sure what they’re all about. I’d this is what they “do” then their selection is probably as expected.

Overall, decent. I’d try other breweries in the area first when back in Providence. I’d prefer more variation, or better executed hype styles than what was being offered. My sense is they fill a void in the area for this type of brewery, but overall, aside from the two beers I ordered half pours of after tasting, I was left underwhelmed.

 

The best brewery in Rhode Island!!

 

 

Very small, but has some stools outside to sit on the patio. The beer itself is good, the service is excellent. Very friendly. The selection was weak with only 3 offerings, however they showcased 3 different styles so that was a plus. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

 

 

Cool little place in need of a new/larger location. The beer is great, especially the Coarse Grind if available. Typically only 3-4 on tap so not a huge selection but each one is usually very good and unique which helps keep things interesting. Staff can be inattentive at times but a little nudge will keep them on track. They sell "Growlers" but they use the word loosely. In fact. they sell 32oz Squealers. I'm not sure if they understand the difference between a Growler and a Squealer but I have seen them fill actual growlers from other breweries. Hours of operation are limited so planning is required if you are traveling or not staying in town long. Check it out!

This place is growing on me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite local. Very small and very popular, so it can be very cramped at times. When you catch a rare chill Weds or Thurs, it's heaven. Only Tilted Barn and Proclamation in RI have comparable quality, but I like the vibe at LLB better. I like that they have a regular bar with stools, and a really cool clientele to chat with. I like that they usually manage to have 4 and sometimes even 5 beers on tap, despite their small size. I love their Firkin Fridays. I like the service from head brewer Armando and asst brewer Erika. Im probably in the minority in liking that cans (and can lines) aren't a weekly reality yet.

They're known for their IPAs but they also made a damn fine BBA coffee stout, and a really nice porter. The demand has been overwhelming from the moment they first opened their doors. I hope they one day catch up and find the time and space to brew more styles like their Heck Hound smoked red or milk stouts or English bitters. I know Armando originally looked forward to using his English training to brew a lot of traditional styles, but the New England IPAs really caught fire and took over.

You can't go wrong here. There's parking, a nice outdoor patio, a restaurant next door and a couple of primo beer bars and cocktail lounges nearby if this is your first stop of the night. But check it out right now if you one day want to say you went to Long Live back in the day before everyone knew about them. Pretty soon everyone will know about them and they will have moved on from this location.

 

Armando just keeps offering one crazy brew after another. Super stoked that they purchased a canning line

 

 

 

Really tiny but a cool little room. By tiny I mean really tiny. Usually 3-6 beers available, most draft, some cans/bottles/growlers depending on the day. Check ahead. Casks every week too I believe.

Quality of the beer is really good, especially for Rhode Island. Unfortunately, they charge way too much. I'd love to give them a higher rating but charging $17 for a 4-pack is just silly. I picked up a 4-pack of Heady from a grocery store in southern VT for less than that.

Small, casual tasting room right in the same space as the brewery, in an up-and-coming part of the Westside of PVD. The brewer himself, Armando, is often pouring beers and filling growlers. Cool lettering and design all around done by the brewer's wife. The space is small, so it can get a bit cramped, and the seating isn't really comfortable if you plan to be there a while. In the warmer weather, there is a small patio area to enjoy your beer.
The beer is fantastic! Mostly juicy, unfiltered New England IPAs, but there is usually a stout or porter (often with coffee) available. Most Fridays, they have a firkin of one of their beers, cask-conditioned with fruit, chocolate, or whatever. Their IPAs are, in my opinion, the best in Rhode Island, and can hold their own with the great New England breweries. And the prices are great: $2 for tasters (4 oz, I think), $5-6 for pints, $8-9 for 32 oz growler fills. (They fill any growlers from wherever, but their swag is really stylish, so you might want to pick up a new growler for $5).
This place is growing fast in popularity, so they don't keep beers on long. They have 7 taps, but lately they often have only 3 beers on at a time.

 

 

Quaint place that has quality beers on tap, with some 'experimental' tries. Overall, the barkeep (aka, owners) are exceptionally friendly and willing to talk about their beers and practices, local food recommendations or anything else you fancy.

DO EXPECT:
- relaxed vibe, and friendly people
- food that can be delivered (if you want)
- reasonably priced growlettes to go (or whatever we're calling them nowadays)
- solid beers that are very drinkable, along with a few that are still having the kinks worked out (my personal favorite)

DON'T EXPECT:
- a giant space to play corn hole (or other drinking games)
- standing in line waiting for cans forever (well, because they don't currently can as much as I'd love some Lil Sippy in cans)

Small store front operation - everything is new - with a bar that seats about 8 and additional seating around the perimeter of the room. 5 beers on tap, all enjoyable. Friendly informative staff.