#05 Business Spotlight — Brendan O'Donnell of Newport Craft: Brewing, Distilling & a Rhode Island Cultural Hub

Bob Dylan went electric on this property in 1965. Now it's home to one of only 275 craft "brew-stilleries" in America — and Brendan O'Donnell is the man running it.This week on the So New England Podcast Business Spotlight Series, Ian Brownhill and RJ go on-site at Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co. to sit down with CEO Brendan O'Donnell. Brendan moved to Newport from New Jersey in 2014 after meeting his wife in New York City — and never left. Today he runs Newport Craft, Heritage Hospitality (which has acquired legacy Rhode Island restaurants like Brick Alley Pub), and Wally's Wieners, the three-location hot dog and martini concept his team has built from scratch.In this episode, Brendan shares the launch of "It's Called Soccer," Newport Craft's beer designed around the upcoming World Cup. He breaks down why he and his family acquire legacy Rhode Island restaurants instead of building new ones, the "cheat code" of New England restaurant succession, and how Newport Craft has become a venue for Jay Leno comedy shows, the Rogue Island Comedy Festival, and one of the most underrated event spaces in Rhode Island. He also shares the cultural history of the property where Bob Dylan went electric at the Newport Folk Festival, and why he believes a soccer field might be in the brewery's future.You'll also hear Brendan's thoughts on Rhode Island as a product-testing market for major brands, how Quonset Point has transformed regional economic opportunity, his honest take on whether New Jersey or Rhode Island has worse drivers, and his perfect New England day.You can find Brendan on LinkedIn as Brendan O'Donnell, and follow Newport Craft at newportcraft.com. Heritage Hospitality information is at heritagehospitality.com.Follow the So New England Podcast for new episodes every week. Don't forget — life's better in New England!