Sign up for our free newsletter; we’ll keep you informed about all that’s happening, new, and to do in Newport and Rhode Island!
A Rhode Island brewery has been nominated for the highly prestigious “Brewing the American Dream” experience, a program sponsored by Sam Adams Brewery that provides mentorship and capital to food and beverage entrepreneurs.
Providence Brewing Co., located in the Farm Fresh RI building on Sims Street in Providence, has been selected as a finalist for the third annual Sam Adams “Brewing the American Dream” experienceship. Owner Efren Hidalgo has been recognized for developing a diverse selection of beers that aim to not only preserve the rich brewing heritage of Providence, but also to integrate Efren’s Cuban-American heritage.
A second-generation brewer, Hidalgo inherited his father’s passion for brewing, inspired by the traditional methods and ingredients of Cuba’s historic Cerveceria La Tropical brewery. We spoke to Hidalgo, the first Hispanic American to open a brewery in RI, after he learned he was a finalist.
When he got the email, he wasn’t sure it was real. “I thought it was a joke, I thought it was somebody from The Guild pranking me,” he laughed. “I was in shock, to say the very least.”
Once it sunk in, Hidalgo began planning for the competition, which happens next month in Boston.“I’m looking forward to meeting the folks from Sam Adams and the other local beer fanatics like me. I’m really excited about it,” he said.
Hidalgo is bringing a special brew to the competition, the Dirty Sundae Blue Raspberry, a highly-rated fruited sour. “The way I look at it, other breweries are going to bring more common things, like IPAs. I want to bring something that’s uniquely different and allows us a great deal of flexibility.”
Hidalgo explained how his Cuban-American heritage inspires his beermaking. “The way that I’ve brought in a lot of my heritage is to introduce tropical flavors, flavors that are very common in the Caribbean,” he said. “Some things that are sweet, some things that are tart, definitely things that tend to be very flavorful.”
“I’ve been focusing heavily on the lagers, the pilsners, things that are very clean and crisp, that have some notes of tropical lime and pineapple, things that are more on the lighter side, but are very enjoyable. People really enjoy something that is akin to what they are used to, but also something slightly different, a tanginess, a tartness, a lingering aroma that’s behind it. There is something fun about that.”
His heritage also inspires the vibe at the Providence brewery. “It’s very familial, it’s very much about welcoming you into the home, the brewery, the taphouse. You walk in, you become familia, you become primo, you become a cousin, like everyone is a direct or indirect relative,” he explained.
Not everyone who walks through the doors at the Farm Fresh RI location is necessarily a beer enthusiast. Hildago noted that many customers are looking for something a little different, so he’s added frozen drinks and seltzers to the always-expanding menu.
“The seltzers I’m making tend to be more like champagne or white wine, they have that body and aroma,” he explained. “So we are able to serve those folks that are looking for something that ‘isn’t beer,’ but is beer-like. It’s given us the opportunity to blend things like fruit juices or ice cream with our beer.”
“For us, winning this mentorship would be a game changer, if you think about the resources and knowledge from Sam Adams, it would take our humble little brewery to the next level.” It would help to put us on the craft beer world map. And hopefully, it inspires more minority small business owners, like myself, to chase their dreams and goals,” he added.
Providence Brewing is one of six breweries from across the country to be considered for the award. The nominees also include breweries from Texas, California, Georgia, and New York. That list includes Back Unturned (San Antonio, TX), Crowns & Hops (Inglewood, CA). Dokkabier (Oakland, CA), Dublin Corners (Linwood, NY), and Khonso Brewing (Atlanta, GA).
The winner will be chosen at an event at Samuel Adams Downtown Taproom on June 7.
“The whole experience is a real reminder to me that the American Dream is still alive and well,” said Hidalgo. “Like my father has always said, more hard work and a never-give-up attitude. And more importantly, use failure as an opportunity to learn.”
