My wife is going to the Newport RI naval base for work. Anyone know what the best bottle shops are by there? What can she expect on the shelves there as far as rare new England beers and juice bombs?
Not sure about bottle shops and what they get out that way as far Vermont/Mass breweries but Proclamation Brewing is 30 minutes from there and brew some pretty awesome stuff. I haven't been there but tried a few of their brews and they're solid.
Proclamation is doing good things. They are in Kingston, not too far from Newport by Route 138. If she has time, tell her to swing by Wakefield Liquors in Wakefield-Peacedale (15-20 min drive tops). They always had a great selection when I lived in the area. You won't really find rare New England juice bombs in RI as most are made in VT/MA and don't distribute, but Captain's Daughter is a fantastic DIPA that is made in RI. Cans should be available in the area. Wakefield Liquors gets the rare releases like KBS, FW Anniversary, FW Parabola, etc. Sometimes they are on the shelf, other times you have to ask. If she heads there, I suggest going to Phil's for breakfast/lunch. Great food. Mew's tavern is close by too and they have 40+ taps and always something good on. Pier Liquors in Narragansett also has a good selection. Crazy Burger is not too far from there and it's a must if you're in the area. As far as Newport goes, I don't know much in the way of bottle shops in the area. I didn't spend much time in Newport. Storm Brewing is in Newport, and while I was never a fan of their beers, I've heard they've changed direction and are making some good beers now.
As mentioned above, RI doesn't get distro for the really rare, highly rated NE stuff. No Lawson's, Trillium, New England Brewery, Bissell etc. and obviously no heady, tree house or hill farmstead. For Bottle shops there are a couple that are the best. Bridge Liquors. 23 JT Connell Hwy, Newport, RI Small store that packs a bunch. They get allocated all the best stuff, locals like proclamation and grey sail, as well as the larger brands. Have a mix a six, nice large format selection and every 6 pack in the store can be found cold. Sandys Liquors. 717 Aquidneck Ave Middletown, RI Again another small store, but pretty much the same as bridge in that they get the limited stuff, great customer service, large format beers are a plenty, plenty of cold 6ers. Both locations are close to the base, maybe 5 minutes to either store. If she is looking for bars, tell her to stick to Broadway in Newport. Especially in the summer months with all the tourists. Pour Judgement, Tavern on Broadway, Noreys, Malt are all phenomenal imo. Oh and if she likes burgers, tell her to go to Mission Burgers, best in town with a great craft can only lineup. Mostly local beers too.
Sandy's is my store of choice, very helpful there. And only 2 of the fridge doors are used for BMC with the other 5-6 full of cold craft. A lot of good bombers opposite the coolers too, excellent beer spends a surprisingly long time on the shelves there (good for me!). Proclamation is kept behind the counter for a few days when they first get it, so definitely check social media for their delivery times in advance.
