If you have been a craft beer lover over this past decade, you may remember when the first Rhode Island Brewery Passport was released. It was changed to an app in 2020. Six years later, it is reverting to a physical passport. Why did it change from booklet, to app, and soon back to booklet? Before I get into the background history and answer any questions you may have, let me first introduce you to Nils Weldy.
Weldy has been the full-time executive director of The Rhode Island Brewers Guild since April 2023. He has brought his experience in marketing and promotion to support our local craft breweries. Some examples of this include the RIBG annual collaboration beer, the annual Newport Craft Beer Festival, and the annual Ocean State Fest. These types of events help economically by bringing in locals and getting the attention of tourists, drawing them to visit RI.
The RI Brewery passport was first made available in August, 2017. This was a physical passport that was stamped upon a purchase at one of the breweries involved. In this first year, obtaining all thirteen stamps gifted you with a 22 ounce Belgian Strong Ale that was made with locally sourced ingredients. This was a collaboration beer made from all thirteen participating breweries; Bucket Brewery, Coddington Brewing Company, Crooked Current Brewing, Foolproof Brewing Company, Grey Sail Brewing of RI, Long Live Beerworks, Newport Storm (Newport Craft Brewing Co.), Proclamation Ale Company, Tilted Barn Brewery, Ravenous Brewing Company, Trinity Brewhouse Pub, Union Station Brewery, and Whaler’s Brewing. The OGs.
In 2020 the RIBP changed from physical to digital. Weldy explained, “The transition from a physical passport to the app was influenced by the wave of novelty toward everything going digital in the mid/late 20-teens.” Forty breweries are participating currently. Each brewery visit and purchase adds points that add up to rewards in Rhode Island Brewers Guild branded swag: pint glass, hats, or a long-sleeved tee. The app allows one to view weekly events and deals as well as posts from other users.
In April 2026, the RIBP is changing back to the OG physical passport. This transition is being coordinated with the release of the Rhode Island Guild members’ collaboration beer, called the 401 Beer, at Buttonwoods Brewery on April 1. The proceeds from this limited Lager will support the RIBG. It is described by Dylan Burns, the head brewer of Buttonwoods Brewery, as a, “Great way to welcome spring. It pops with bright, hoppy flavors within a light, crushable package that makes it the perfect complement to your first outdoor adventures of the year.” After the winter we have had, it is certainly something I am looking forward to!
Some local craft beers lovers have expressed that the app was more convenient and useful, with everything at one’s fingertips. Others feel they are likely to forget the physical passport. Mark Ambrose, a member of RI Craft Beer Group (on Facebook) supports the change, “I prefer the switch to the new paper passport. It will make you actually go into the brewery and interact, rather than digitally check in from the parking lot.” Ambrose has a point here. Weldy touched on this, “When we started hearing from taproom staff that some app users were using disingenuously – stamping within the geofence outside the taproom hours, it became clearer that a return to a traditional passport booklet requiring interaction with a brewery’s knowledgeable taproom staff was the right decision.”
The purpose of the passport is to support local craft. As Weldy describes, “The vision and mission of the passport is to prompt Rhode Island beer fans and brewery goers to visit all that Rhode Island has to offer. While routine and repeat visits to your neighborhood brewery are always encouraged, there is such a wide variety of experiences to take in at taproom settings, from urban to suburban, and even to a farm.”
The 2026 passport will have the participation of every Rhode Island Brewery, including the soon-to-be-open Discipline Brewing. They will be distributed by the RI Brewers Guild and can be picked up on and after April 1 at any RI brewery taproom. The passport will be the size of a credit card. If you forget it, you can easily obtain another one. Each visit gets you a stamp but you won’t accumulate points by going to a brewery more than once. As Weldy told me, “Passport holders are encouraged to ‘Follow The Road To Great Beer’ the whole year by collecting a stamp at each RI brewery they visit. At 15 stamps, a RIBG branded pint glass is awarded at the tap room; collect 25 and you’ll score a RIBG t- shirt, collect 36 and you’ll win a RIBG tin tacker and be entered to win four tickets to the following year’s Newport Beer Festival.” Passports must be mailed by the end of March and prizes (all but the pint glass) will be awarded by mail. Local RIBG events will be able to be viewed on the RIBG website.
I think there is something to be said about the physicality of it. Each stamp will make me feel like a local beer traveler. Either way, as Charles Martel, member of FB’s RI Beer Group and craft beer lover, said, “It gives me an excuse to visit all local breweries. I like the way it drives the business towards them. The challenge of getting all your stamps is fun, and the rewards are a nice touch.”
No reason to go abroad, get a passport and drink locally! Cheers to great beers and please support RIBG and RI breweries