Providence (RI) for Thanksgiving

Proclamation is opening up in Warwick, should be open full time by then. Trillium is not too bad a drive if traffic on 95 isn't too bad (you should definitely check traffic before hand). Tree House would be a bit too far if you need to stay reasonably close. Tilted Barn in Exeter is highly recommended for RI beer.

 

Proclamation for sure.

But also, Long Live Beerworks is right in Providence. It's a tight space and and doesn't do cans, but they will fill growlers, and make some really tasty stuff.

 

Long Live does cans now. I'm not sure how often, though.

 

MA gets good BCBS distro, and in past years there has been regular on the shelf for weeks at the larger accounts, however we've been getting less and less of the variants seemingly every year, so don't count on finding anything other than Regular and BW unless you're waiting in line early, and even then it'll be 1pp. Not sure what the GI scene is like down in RI, but you aren't far from the border either way.

As for other notable Black Friday releases, I honestly can't think of any to note. I'm sure there will be some, but I don't think there's any that are annual traditions like the BCBS drops.

I'll second the votes for Proclamation and Tilted Barn - however make sure you check their social media to see what their holiday hours are. TB is Friday/Saturday only on normal weeks, so they might stick to this schedule, or shut down completely to enjoy the holiday.

Tree House is 1-hour from Providence, and Trillium is about 45-minutes. Holiday crowds will be out in full force even early in the week, so count on long lines and 1-2 hour wait times at Tree House (Wednesday - Saturday normal hours - might differ for the holidays). Trillium (open 7-days) may be busy, but nothing close to as crazy as TH, and you can get full pours and drink while in line for cans, which is a big plus. No full pours at TH during busy times, unless they have a big policy shift in the next month.

Also at around 1-hour away is Jack's Abby and Springdale which are literally right next to each other, and has a great atmosphere, food, and beers.

 

For bottle shops, High Spirits and Nikki's are basically across the street from each other in University Heights area. Bottles is in East Providence, and a weird little place downtown is Eno. I would not know about BCBS - I am not inclined to join that madness. I would expect HS and Nikki's to have it, there's also Yankee Spirits in the Providence area. Basically you have a pretty good location with easy access to SEMass and greater Providence.

Jack's Abby, Springdale, Exhibit A, and I think Castle Island are all MA breweries in pretty easy reach of Providence. JA and Springdale are in the same building, Exhibit A is around the corner, pretty much. There are probably a few more - hard to keep track...

 

Set up some IPs for New Glarus, CW, Funk Factory and I bet you can score some Treehouse and/or Trill without having to make the drive.

 

If you just want to hit some small places without much hype along the way between Providence and Canton (Trillium) there are options: Skyroc (Atlleboro), Bog Iron (Norton), and Castle Island (also Canton and mentioned above). Trinity and Union Station are also in downtown Providence if you are simply walking around and looking for somewhere to stop in for a pint/bite to eat.

Providence has a few bars now with decent tap lists as well, including the new Bayberry Beer Hall that recently opened about a block from Long Live.

 

If you are over at Long Live and/or Bayberry, do yourself a favor and walk over to Bucktown to get some fried chicken, po boys, or burgers. That place is awesome!

 

In Providence, I'd stick only with Long Live.

Just outside the city (10 minutes) Buttonwoods could be open in Cranston (NE IPA'S, saisons, sours).
Proclamation (Warwick) is 20 away and Tilted Barn (Exeter) is 30 minutes.
Trillium (Canton) is worth it with only about a 35 minute drive and Tree House (Charlton) could be worth it with each way at 75 minutes.

If you're limited in time, Trillium might be your best with the 16 plus taps and 12 or so cans/bottles to take home.

 

Many more food choices than beer, but I'd keep North on a very short list. I personally like spicy food, and places like Jahunger and Rasoi may also be worth checking out.

Next door to Long Live, Slow Rhode also makes great spicy fried chicken.

 

Avoid long car travel on the day before thanksgiving, world class, want to die traffic, esp on the MA pike going west.

 

If you're willing to take a trip, tree house is about an hour out from providence and is definitely worth the trip. Trillium is about 45 minutes away and is also worth a trip. If you can only go to one, drive the extra 15 minutes to go to tree house. You won't regret it.

Besides what people have already named you could try Sons of Liberty down in South Kingston if you end up going to Tilted Barn. They make good beer and even better whiskey.

 

East Side Pockets is a must for any trip to PVD. No beer there but food is awesome.

 

Nice column and it looks like you packed a lot in over the short duration!

 

Nice write up. Love Rhode Island.

 

Fantastic write up and I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. I grew up in RI but haven't lived there since the 80's (family still is there)--gotta say when I was there- Fountain street was seedy at best and that downtown area has really been improving by leaps and bounds in recent years. Glad to hear the beer scene has improved quite a bit too. One side note that I always like to mention about Providence that I prefer over Boston is its not over-run with tourists. As a tourist, maybe you didn't quite grasp that but its more pronounced in the Summer months anyways. Oh and welcome home !!