Spiritus Fermenti

Spiritus FermentiSpiritus Fermenti
Spiritus FermentiSpiritus Fermenti
Store

220 Meeting St
Providence, Rhode Island, 02906-1335
United States

(401) 273-1999 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.85
Reviews:
18
Ratings:
21
pDev:
13.51%
View: Place Reviews
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Rated: 3.25 by ChrisinRI from Rhode Island

Jun 15, 2015
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Rated by AlcheyAl from Rhode Island

2.53/5  rDev -34.3%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3 | service: 2 | selection: 2.75
Overpriced, save your money and head to other shops in Providence area with better selections and prices.
May 06, 2015
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Reviewed by Coorsy from Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -15.6%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.25
This review is based on the one time i went.

Stuff is extremely overpriced.. 15-16 for a 4pk of captains daughter. And it was an older batch!

Wouldnt go back
Mar 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.64 by Masters from Massachusetts

Feb 09, 2015
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Reviewed by moe-ron from Massachusetts

2.77/5  rDev -28.1%
vibe: 1 | quality: 2 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4.75
Okay so I don't do beer reviews - or at least haven't yet but we were in Providence for a concert and found this place because of B.A... we go in to get a few bottles and a few 6 packs. Wholly F-this place is spendy. 220z'ers of stuff that should be in the $6-9 range were $13.99. I almost left on principle alone...but we went out of our way to go hear. Parking was a complete pain in the bum. We found some inexpensive 6-packs for $12-14 which were too expensive but not off the charts like the bottles.

1.) The selection was very good. Sure some basic stuff but also so quality goods.
2.) I bet a lot of their beer sits because of prices-they still had stuff from Halloween so that blows.
3.) The price blow. I would quit drinking before shopping here again. Ok that's exaggeration but not far off.
4.) Place is tiny. Parking in the area is hampered greatly by tons of other retail/etc. in college area.
5.) The guy that was working (owner I think) on Friday May 30th 2014 comes off like a sleazeball. Just something very slick-willy. Made me want to leave this claustraphobic store all the quicker.

Maybe RI is just way over priced...but I can tell you this place is a the top of that in the price category. It's almost cheaper to drink at a bar than it is to get your beer from here.
Jun 01, 2014
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Reviewed by ThirstyBird from California

3.7/5  rDev -3.9%
I don't hit this place too often (it's probably been a year since my last visit) but decided to pop in to see if they had anything special. A nice smallish Belgian section (Two short shelves).
A larger American Craft section with bombers and 750s. The six pack selection was small in regards to craft.

The prices seemed to be slightly higher than average. Maybe has something to do with where they are located in a college business district.

I didn't find anything that I was looking for but there definitely is decent beer to be had here.

Parking is limited here as others have noted.
Mar 17, 2009
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Reviewed by cbw1978 from Rhode Island

3.7/5  rDev -3.9%
Hadn't been here in probably 5 or 6 years, and stopped by the other night on the way to the movies. I do not remember the craft beer selection being anything like it is now - I was very impressed with how far they have come. For a small store so close to a college campus, the selection of American craft beers is fairly decent (though too much Rogue for my tastes), as are the number of Belgian beers and other European offerings.

I did see some Belgian bottles stored sideways like wine - thought this wasn't kosher. Not sure how much all staff knows their stuff, but somebody that is there must know something because they are certainly the best craft beer selection that I have seen on that side of town.
Feb 14, 2009
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Reviewed by GJ40 from North Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.9%
Spiritus Fermenti is a small but well stocked basement shop just off Thayer Street by Brown University. I've walked by it a million times (mostly as a minor) but never made it in. Tonight I finally stopped by.

They have a decent selection of American, Belgian, British and German beers. Like most RI shops, they're a little weak on west coast beers (although they have a pretty good selection from Rogue). The stock is a mix of six packs and 22oz bottles. A decent portion of the refrigerated section contains craft beer.

Spiritus Fermenti is worth a visit if you're in the area but it's not worth a special trip.
Jan 07, 2009
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Reviewed by Jwale73 from Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +3.9%
I went in with one goal in mind; Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence Stout. Unfortunately they didn't have it, but the staff person was very helpful and pleasant and offered to look into it for me. Nice selection of belgians, as well as several Unibroue, Avery, Dogfish Head and Victory brews. Spiritus is definitely small, but they do cram a lot of brews in. Shelf selection was better than the cooler selection. Not too may six pack options, but quite a few 22oz's to keep you occupied. I found some of the prices to be a little high, but all and all, a pretty nice craft beer selection right in the heart of Thayer Street.
Oct 24, 2007
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Reviewed by auxiliary from Rhode Island

3.7/5  rDev -3.9%
I have known of the place for awhile but always thought they sold brands like Bud and Coors.
By my surprised they had a lot of Craft beers here, cold and on the shelf. Nothing that I have not seen at other places. Some prices were a little higher then other places.
Service...bunch of college kids working the place. They also people playing in the cooler.Not sure if it was customers or not.
Oh they had like 2 tags of Beer Advocate on the shelf. Why not have someone put them on all of the beers or not at all.
Apr 15, 2007
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Reviewed by OldSock from District of Columbia

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
Quality – Never gotten a bad bottle, but there is occasionally a bit of dust on some bottles or some six packs on the floor. Plenty of cooler space for the good stuff, but the organization system can be a bit confusing with bottles placed rather randomly.

Service – Generally pretty good with a chatty staff, however they often have just one person working and that person occasion disappears briefly into the cooler making it hard to pay and leave. They do often take the price tags off with a razor, pretty classy.

Selection – Its my standard stop to grab some Three Floyds, plus I always walk out with a couple more bottles that I haven't seen around MA.

The only real problem with this place is that its hard to park nearby. Its convenient to go to off of 95, not a bad ride from where I live.
May 15, 2006
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Reviewed by Billolick from New York

4/5  rDev +3.9%
This place basically is on the Brown University campus, down a flight of stairs to a quite small wine and beer store, the beer is located mostly to the left and in the coolers along the rear wall. Respectable selection of Belgians, local, regional and national good stuff. I didn't find anything way out of the usual suspects. Parking will be tight. The guy behind the counter was friendly and gave us a good tip on getting a bite the eat (the bagel place, that also has a full burrito selection, around the corner) as the joint upstairs took forever to seat us and we left...Worth a stop to find BA worthy beer, but dont expect your eyes to pop out.
Apr 17, 2006
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Reviewed by tempest from New York

4/5  rDev +3.9%
Nice little beer store tucked under a nice BYOB cafe (thank you Rhode Island). Almost everything seems to be well handled and in its prime. just watch out for the dusty bottles in the bottom corner of the walk-in cooler. About 4 cooler doors of craft beer, a couple shelves and a few random piles throughout the store.

Very nice service, friendly staff. Willing to help and somewhat knowledgable. Kept the line moving quite fast when I visited on St. Patricks day.

Good selection of NE brews plus a few imports and others from across the country. Had 5 brews from 3 Floyds, and thats always impressive. Also good selection from Concorde, some Middle Ages, Hooker, Jolly Pumpkin, and Dogfish Head.

A great stop if you're in Providence and near Brown. The best part about this store is their willingness to sell singles of any beer they have. I recommend going down, grabing a couple bottles and drinking them in the cafe above with a nice sandwich.
Mar 20, 2006
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Reviewed by bignick from Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%
This is one of the best small liquor stores in New England. It is within shouting distance of Brown University on Thayer Street. I have been here several times to pick up Three Floyds beers that cannot be found in Massachusetts, and they always do a good job of securing a decent amount from their distributor. They have rather large selection of hand-picked sixers and bombers. As far as size goes, they are as small a liquor store as there is, but they cram so much product into the space that the selection of beer is vast. The couple that owns the place is very friendly, as is the younger guy who often works the counter.
Mar 03, 2006
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Reviewed by tastybeer from North Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.9%
Finally a good store in my area (1/2 hr away from Fall river). The store has a nice feel to it despite the fact that its a small, tight place. You have to go down a few steps to get to it at basement level, and it is a cozy place, but its a warm atmosphere. The shelves are wood, and the whole place has a tavernesque feel to it. Something I also always appreciate is when prices are clear. There is a chalkboard along the top of the back wall above the coolers listing prices of everything. Everytime I go to this store I'm usually there for a good while. Spacing is tight but thats fine because it is taken up by beer. The selection was pretty nice including brews from Middle ages, Three floyds, Weihenstephaner, Dogfish head, Ommegang, and others. The girl working there was friendly and helpful too. There was a great sale of a CASE of THOMAS HOOKER BLONDE ALE for $13.99! The reason was because you had to drink it before expiration in 4 months, which was absolutely no problem of course (being a solid summer brew and all).

I will be back at this store often. Very recommended, especially in comparison to the lack of good beer stores in the Southern MA/RI area.
Sep 03, 2005
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Reviewed by wedge from North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +11.7%
Located right in the Brown University area, a small basement store packed with lots of good beer and wine. The girl working there was very friendly and helpful with recommendations and informing me as to the specials. Took me awhile walking around the cramped space to make my selections. Beers that especially caught my eye: Three Floyds (Alpha King, Dreadnaught, Gumballhead, Pride & Joy, Robert the Bruce), Middle Ages (Beast Bitter, ImPale Ale, Druid Fluid, Wailing Wench), Great Divide, Thomas Hooker, Weihenstephaner, Dogfish Head. Picked up a cold CASE of Thomas Hooker Blonde for $13.99 on sale!!! (not to mention a few others). Needless to say I walked back to my car with my arms full. I will definately be back...highly recommended.
Aug 23, 2005
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Reviewed by mschofield from Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +11.7%
A tiny basement level store, packed with good beer.
A fair amount of micros and imports, but I can get those closer to home - I was here for some Middle Ages and Three Floyd's. Alpha King, Pride and Joy, (they were out of Gumballhead for a week), and from Middle Ages - Wailing Wench, Kilt Tilter, 10th anniversary, and Beast Bitter. And what else did I find - Thomas Hooker Liberator, Imperial Porter and Old Marley, plus Hop Meadow and 6ers of the Blonde and APA. What a haul!
The manager was very nice - telling me about some new beers they'll be getting in (Great Divide soon). The only limitations come from the location - price is a little high and there is no parking - you're on Thayer St. in the middle of Brown so those really can't be helped.
Jun 16, 2005
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Reviewed by gentlebubbles from Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%
One of those little stores where all the beers are good. Even the wines that greet you as you enter from walking down the stairs from streetlevel are interesting. Just behind the wines is the first rack of beer, and all along the back of the store is the cold cases, and another racks at the far end of the store. All this offers up an excellent, well-chosen selection of the New England stalwarts, Belgians, and English beers. A bit weak on German beers. As a visitor from Mass, I was glad to see Yard's and Thomas Hooker as well. They had several gift packs, ranging from Sam Adams and Saranac to Czechva(sp?) Pivo packs.

The woman at the counter was friendly, and happy to talk beer and the area, and give us directions to help us find our way about.
Dec 13, 2004
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Reviewed by MuddyFeet from North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
One of the best selections I have seen in Rhode Island. There are many regional craft brews represented. Plus a lot from England and Scotland which were novel to me. Most of the New England breweries were present. Among the breweries that caught my eye: Hooker, Weyerbacher, Offshore, Cisco and Dogfish. I have not seen these too many other places around here. But then again I've never really gone exploring. A couple of odd things, a couple of the six packs looked mixed and matched, so make sure you are grabbing all six of what you want. Also, they had a lot of winter brews and I know winter is just around the corner, but it seemed like an awful lot for this time of year. I found myself wondering if some could be leftovers.
Nov 05, 2004
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Reviewed by mzwolinski from California

4.3/5  rDev +11.7%
This, in my opionion, is *the* place to hit if you're around Brown looking for some local beers to take home. They are walking distance from the university, right off the main drag (Thayer) on Meeting St. They have a decent number of imports here, but their real strength is in the NE regional beers. Lots of Dogfish head, both the standard stuff and some more special 22 ozers. Harpoon, Smutty, and also some neat local stuff from Cisco and Newport. The owner really knows her beer too, and was super friendly -- showed me some stuff she'd just gotten in that hadn't made it to the shelves yet. Everything in the store is for sale in single bottles, even the six-pack stuff -- very nice for the tourist on a budget (or with limited suitcase space!). Highly recommended.
Jun 21, 2004
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Reviewed by ybnorml from Rhode Island

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
This is a small almost hole in the wall establishment. Located below the Meeting Street Cafe on the Eastside of Providence near Brown U. The selection is very ecclectic and includes many high quaility brews. Dogfish is well represented, including 120 Min IPA and World wide Stout. Unibroue beers, Piraat and Chimay are also found here. I have found the staff here knowledgable and quite interested in beer. If you catch the during a lull they are more than willing to talk beer with you and are quite eager to hear of new beers and their characteristics. Again this is a s m a l l place and so shelf and cooler space is at a premium you won't find cases upon cases, but if you're in the area and looking for a little someting to take to a dinner party with you, this might just be the spot. Lastly, it is on the Eastside so some might feel the prices a bit higher than normal.
Dec 27, 2003
Spiritus Fermenti in Providence, RI
Place rating: 3.85 out of 5 with 21 ratings