Beer lovers bound for Providence
2:26 PM Thu, Nov 03, 2005 | Permalink
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Organizers of the 12th Great International Beer Festival expect more than 4,500 beer lovers to visit the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence on November 12th to sample offerings from more than 30 brewers. The festival will have two sessions: from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is $30 and Some of the participating brewers include Trinity Brew House of Providence, which is also a sponsor, Buzzards Bay Brewing, Boston Beer Company, Narragansett Brewing Co., Harpoon Brewery, Sierra Nevada Brewing I've never gone to the beer festival -- and it doesn't look like I can make it this year -- but I'd like to get feedback from people who've attended in previous years. How was the beer? How was the food? Is the festival worth $30? Your guidance could be useful to other readers. -- Jack Perry 
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Narragansett Brewing Co. Is that still around?
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Unfortunately I cannot make this year's beer festival; however, I did attend last year and had like the BEST TIME. It helped because the Red Sox were on a HUGE projection screen (it was in mid October), so while tasting different beers you could watch the best team of all time. The samples are small (like shot size) but you definately catch a tight buzz. I personally think it is totally worth the $30 and I can't wait till next year so I can go. You should check it out sometime if you get a chance!
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I went to last year's fest.
The bad:
The beer was OK, but tended toward larger breweries, although I had a great chat with the guys from Dogfish Head about how to make 60 Minute IPA. The "food" was nothing to write home about. $30 is too much to get in for 3.5 hours. Lastly, the convention hall is, how can I put this delicately?, not a pleasant space to hang out in. Because of the concrete walls and floors, it's uncomfortably loud and almost impossible to hold a conversation.
The good:
Unlimited samples.
In the end, I prefer the more "traditional" beer fest: in a park, pay $10 get 10 tokens, stay as long as you like.
I probably won't go back.
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I stopped going because the price got too high and the bands were so loud you couldn't here yourself think.
If neither of those things bother you, then go, because the beer selection is outstanding.
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I have been to the "Great International Beer Festival" numerous times since the very first show. As far as beer festivals go, I'd rank the aptmosphere in Providence as average. The selection of breweries is not as large as some of the other beer festivals, as the show seems to attract a higher ratio of mass produced beers rather than craft beers.
If I had to choose between this show and the Maine Brewer's Festival that is being held tomorrow (11/5/05) in Portland, I would certainly take the trip north. The MBF is comprised only of brewers from the state of Maine, so the quantity of beers is not great, but the quality is far superior to the many mass produced beers found at the Providence show.
Still, the GIBF is worth a visit as long as you are not looking to try something new.
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Anyone try Narragansett Beer lately? I saw the billboard and decided to try it. I remeber my father used to drink it when I was a kid. The stuff is horrible. Turns out it is brewed in Rochester, NY under license. I'm sticking with Coors Light, Foster's, and Sam Adams.
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