Narragansett Brewing Company
Associated with the slogan 'Hi, Neighbor, have a \'Gansett!'
The Narragansett Brewing Company, an American brewery, was founded in 1890 in Cranston, Rhode Island, and now operates out of Providence. Its main product is Narragansett Lager, though the company contracts the production of this lager to the Genesee Brewing Company in Rochester, New York. In the middle of the 20th century, it was the largest lager beer producer in all of New England.
The company has seen major changes over its history. It grew quickly in the early 1900s, adapted to survive Prohibition, was bought by the Falstaff Brewing Corporation in 1965, and shut down its Cranston facilities in 1983. The brand was revived in 2005, bringing back its classic beers and setting up small-scale production facilities in Providence for limited batches and specialty items.
Narragansett is known for its slogan, "Hi, Neighbor, have a 'Gansett!", which was made famous by Boston Red Sox announcer Curt Gowdy. Today, the company mainly sells its beer in Southern New England and offers a range of lagers, ales, and seasonal beers.
**History**
**Founding and early expansion (1890–1920)**
The brewery was founded in 1890 in Cranston, Rhode Island, by six German-American entrepreneurs: John H. Fehlberg, Augustus F. Borchardt, Herman G. Possner, George M. Gerhard, Constand A. Moeller, and Jacob Wirth. The name "Narragansett" comes from the indigenous Narragansett people, a Native American tribe native to the area now known as Rhode Island. This name reflects the region's heritage, shared by landmarks like Narragansett Bay and the town of Narragansett. The company started with $150,000 in capital, aiming to produce lager beer using traditional German methods. Construction of the brewery began in 1889 and included a brewhouse, stables, a blacksmith shop, and storage buildings.
Production kicked off in December 1890, and the company was officially incorporated the next year. In its first year, it made 397 barrels of beer, which jumped to 27,887 barrels in year two. By 1901, output had reached 115,000 barrels, making it the largest lager brewery in New England. Over its first 25 years, the company invested more than $4 million in expanding its facilities, building a 42-acre site with over 30 buildings. In 1914, it added a bottling plant and its own ice production facility, and it adopted modern refrigerated train cars and delivery trucks for wider distribution.
Quick Facts
- Location
- 271 Tockwotton Street
- Location City
- Providence
- Location State
- Rhode Island
- Opened
- 1890
- Production
- 100,000 usbeerbbl in 2022
- Owner
- Mark Hellendrung
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Narragansett Brewing Company was founded in 1890 in Cranston, Rhode Island, by six German-American entrepreneurs. The name derives from the indigenous Narragansett people. Production began in December 1890, with 397 barrels in the first year, growing to 115,000 barrels by 1901, making it the largest lager brewery in New England. During Prohibition, the company diversified into non-alcoholic beverages such as ginger ale, sarsaparilla, root beer, and malt extract, and produced a near beer called 'Gansett'. It also provided cold storage services, delivering 25 tons of ice daily. In 1931, Rudolf F. Haffenreffer Jr. became president and chairman, modernizing the plant. After Prohibition's repeal in 1933, lager production resumed. In 1944, Narragansett became the official beer sponsor of the Boston Red Sox, and announcer Curt Gowdy popularized the slogan 'Hi, Neighbor, have a \'Gansett!'. The company relocated to a new plant in Cranston in 1951. By 1959, output reached 1 million barrels annually. In 1965, Falstaff Brewing Corporation acquired the company for $17 million cash and $2 million in stock, amid an antitrust lawsuit. The U.S. Supreme Court case United States v. Falstaff Brewing Corp. in 1973 remanded the case for further proceedings. In 1975, Paul Kalmanovitz gained control of Falstaff. The Cranston facility closed in 1983. The brand was revived in 2005, reintroducing classic beers and establishing limited production facilities in Providence for small-batch and specialty products.
Reader's Guide
Narragansett Brewing Company holds significance as a historic regional brewery that dominated the New England lager market for much of the 20th century. Its early growth, from 397 barrels in its first year to over a million barrels by 1959, illustrates the rapid expansion of regional breweries in the pre-national-brand era. The company's adaptation during Prohibition—producing near beer, soft drinks, and ice—demonstrates the resilience required of breweries during that period. Its sponsorship of the Boston Red Sox starting in 1944 was a pioneering marketing move that cemented its regional identity. The acquisition by Falstaff in 1965 and the subsequent antitrust litigation highlight the legal and competitive pressures faced by regional brewers as national brands expanded. The eventual decline and closure of the Cranston plant in 1983 reflect broader industry consolidation. The revival in 2005, with contract brewing at Genesee and small-batch production in Providence, represents a modern resurgence of a heritage brand. Today, Narragansett primarily distributes to Southern New England and produces a variety of lagers, ales, and seasonal offerings, maintaining its connection to the region's cultural and historical heritage.
Did You Know?
- The brewery's name comes from the indigenous Narragansett people of Rhode Island.
- During Prohibition, Narragansett delivered 25 tons of ice daily to over 1,500 customers.
- In 1944, Narragansett became the first regional brewery to sponsor the Boston Red Sox.
- The slogan 'Hi, Neighbor, have a \'Gansett!' was popularized by Red Sox announcer Curt Gowdy.
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