Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co. sits on JT Connell Highway in Newport, Rhode Island, where founders Brent Ryan and Derek Luke opened their doors in 2008 as primarily a brewery before expanding into distilling. Ryan, a former financial advisor, and Luke, who worked in hospitality, decided to chase their passion for craft beverages in a 10,000-square-foot facility that houses both brewing and distilling operations. The space feels industrial but welcoming, with exposed brick walls, concrete floors, and towering fermentation tanks sharing space with copper stills. They produce a range of spirits including vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey, alongside their well-established beer lineup that put them on the map first. The operation reflects Newport’s maritime character, with several spirits drawing inspiration from the coastal location and local ingredients. What started as two friends wanting to make great beer evolved into a full craft beverage operation that’s become a fixture in Rhode Island’s growing craft spirits scene. The distillery side launched several years after the brewery was established, allowing them to build a solid foundation and customer base before diving into the more complex world of spirits production.