[3][4] The company has undergone significant transformations, including growth in the early 20th century, adaptations during Prohibition, acquisition by the Falstaff Brewing Corporation in 1965, and the closure of its Cranston facilities in 1983.

The modern iteration of the company primarily distributes to the Southern New England regional market and produces a variety of lagers, ales, and seasonal offerings.

[5] The Narragansett Brewing Company was founded in 1890 in Cranston, Rhode Island, by six German-American entrepreneurs including John H. Fehlberg, Augustus F. Borchandt, Herman G. Possner, George M. Gerhard, Constand A. Moeller, and Jacob Wirth.

The company was established with an initial capital investment of $150,000, intended to produce lager beer modeled after traditional German brewing methods.

The company diversified its product offerings to include non-alcoholic beverages such as ginger ale, sarsaparilla, root beer, and malt extract.

Recognizing the potential for growth, Haffenreffer was appointed the president and chairman of Narragansett and agreed to provide the necessary fiscal support, facilitating significant modernization of the Cranston plant.

[13] This partnership significantly boosted brand visibility through radio broadcasts where Red Sox announcer Curt Gowdy popularized the slogan, "Hi, Neighbor, have a ’Gansett!"

Two days before the sale, the U.S. government initiated an antitrust lawsuit against Falstaff, expressing concerns that the acquisition could reduce competition in the New England beer market.

In On April 8, 1975, Paul Kalmanovitz, a San Francisco-based investor, gained control of the Falstaff Brewing Corporation, Narragansett's parent company.

[22] Under new ownership, the company sought tax relief and other concessions to mitigate financial challenges but faced difficulties in securing long-term solutions.

These disputes, coupled with escalating operational costs and declining sales, led to the cessation of production at the Cranston brewery on July 31, 1981, resulting in the layoff of 350 workers.

This relocation led to perceptions of diminished product quality among consumers, accelerating the decline in sales, with some referring to it pejoratively as "Nasty Narry.

[7] The last surviving structure, the Narragansett Brewing trolley barn that was formerly used for interurban freight traffic in the early 20th century, was initially spared for redevelopment but was eventually demolished in June 2005.

In the years following the reintroduction of the lager, the company expanded its product line to include limited craft offerings that were contracted to third-party breweries in Providence, Rhode Island and Pawcatuck, Connecticut.

The Fox Point brewery serves as the company's production hub for small-batch and specialty beers while also operating as the flagship taproom for the brand.

While maintaining a strong presence in traditional markets like Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, the company has extended its reach to other regions, including the Mid-Atlantic, South, and Midwest.

In 2012, the company launched in Wisconsin; in 2015, Narragansett entered markets in Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, including major cities like Pittsburgh and Erie.

[30] The company's product lineup, which includes the flagship Narragansett Lager, Del's Shandy, and seasonal offerings, is widely available in cans, bottles, and on draft.

In the 1940s, Theodor Geisel, later known as Dr. Seuss, developed advertising materials for the company, including the character "Chief Gansett," which was featured on promotional items such as posters and trays.

In Steven Spielberg's 1975 film Jaws, the character Captain Quint, portrayed by Robert Shaw, is depicted crushing a can of Narragansett lager.

The production was filmed on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, and Narragansett was a widely available in New England during that time, making the lager a practical prop for the filmmakers to easily acquire on the island.

There is no evidence to suggest that the beer's inclusion was the result of a deliberate regional authenticity-driven decision by the filmmakers; however, by the 2010s the brand has since been widely associated with the film.

In 2008, Narragansett partnered with Marlo Marketing to develop a public relations campaign aimed at reeducating consumers and reestablishing the brand as a regional beer.