If you are in the area of Rhode Island on I believe the first weekend of June each year, the Newport Chowder Festival is excellent, pay one price, sample 40 or so different types of chowder, New England style, Rhode Island style (clear broth), different seafoods, etc.

Beer is by the bottle

http://www.newportfestivals.com/Chowder-Cook-Off/

Some of it is very good stuff.