Connecticut Brewery Round-Up 

Hoppy, malty, dark, sour, fruity, rich, roasty, and funky. These are just some of the ways beer drinkers described their favorite beverage while doing the intense research necessary for this piece. Beer enthusiasts will also tell you there are myriad ways to taste, pour, or store beer, not to mention, go to bat for the many bene ts of it. The variety and nuances of one of America’s favorite adult beverages does seem to be endless. Here in Connecticut, there also seems to be no end of brewery’s popping up; and like co ee shops or cafes, the demand is there.

Professors and writers, Eric D. Lehman and Amy Nowicki, who’ve both written extensively on the subject and have published books including A History of Connecticut Food and A History of Connecticut

Wine were just the experts needed to shed light on the subject. “We are living in the golden age of brewing in Connecticut today. Some of these breweries will certainly collapse in the future, but I don't think we have seen the maximum number yet. A century ago before Prohibition there were even more small local brewhouses, but the overall quality and variety is much higher today because of modern methods and technology. Brew-masters are investigating classic and innovative styles, from traditional Bavarian lagers to Goses, [a warm fermented beer from Germany and usually 50% malted wheat], with sea salt and citrus. We even have locally sourced malt and hops,” Lehman mentioned when I asked if there are actually too many breweries at the moment.

Nowicki added, “What's also exciting is that the ‘local’ ordinary or neighborhood pub idea has taken root in a new way. These breweries are mostly fun, family-friendly places with games, food trucks, and special events. They help local economies and build communities in a new (old) way. They are also reviving old factories, giving potential to some of these historic buildings that would otherwise fall into total disrepair.”

With these wise notes in mind edible decided to celebrate just a few of the many breweries in our region:

Elicit Brewing Co.
 

Meet Elicit Brewing Co, truly the new kid on the block opening this month! Under the arm of Eli’s Restaurant Group Elicit lands in Manchester, CT with hops and hopes to entertain and tempt palates of locals with great brews, wine and cocktails, quick bites like sandwiches, pretzels, pizza, and wings, a beer garden, and arcade. Cheers to you, Elicit, edible is rooting for you!

• 165 Adams Street, Manchester; Elicitbrewing.com @ElicitBrewing

Labyrinth Brewing Company
 

Just down the road and celebrating its first birthday, Labyrinth is in a beautiful 135-year old historic building and prides itself on not only offering a variety of flavors, but creating a real experience in its unique space, from tastings to art exhibitions. They’re also partnered with Clover Leigh Farm in an effort to support local business and the small business food movement. Some of their great brews incluse Gogamong, an imperial Double New England IPA, Wail of the Banshee, a Scottish export, Siren’s Song Lime Gose, a sour Gose, and Vanilla Man Cave, an English Brown Ale.

• 148 Forest Street, Manchester; Labyrinthbrewingcompany.com @labyrinthbrewing
   

“We are living in the golden age of brewing in Connecticut today.”

Kinsmen Brewing
 

“Join our rallying cry!” They Say. Or, Faughan Ballagh!” Another translation is “Clear the Way,” which makes sense when carving their path in the state’s beer market. In addition to supplying the community with downright tasty brews, Kinsmen Brewing wants to be the place for local artists, musicians, farms, and businesses. Like some others on this list, Kinsmen is in an old historic building, originally the home of Clark Brothers Bolt Company from 1854. Along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in Yale, and extends to Northampton, Mass, Kinsmen has live music on the weekends and plenty of choices from a hoppy Jack Squat or Hot Pocket, to a light Hella Yummy and the very dark and malty Dark Roast.

• 409 Canal Street, Milldale; Kinsmenbrewing.com @kinsmenbrewing

Outer Light Brewing Company
 

From Oktoberfest to new release, Outer Light is excited about their upcoming release of an imperial maple bourbon barrel aged brown porter called Double Barrel. Their most popular beer by far is the SUBduction American IPA, an homage to Groton being the submarine capital of the world. Another popular one to look out for over the fall and winter would be Pitch & Roll, an imperial chocolate coffee stout.

• 266 Bridge Street, Groton; outerlightbrewing.com @outerlightbrewing

Alvarium
 

Very focused on community, Alvarium says they want to “melt your face with some killer craft beer.” As an homage to the hardware city of New Britain, the owners built the 10-ton bar with steel and oak (reverse) to reflect the tough aura the city exudes. And, like their name suggests, they are busy like bees serving up a hefty tap list with plenty of games and events. And, if that is not all, you’ll get fresh kielbasa from co-owner Brian’s family business Bugnacki Family Meats made kielbasa, and pretzels from Uwe at Pretzel Haus; sounds like a perfect combo for any of Alvarium’s beers.

• 365 John Downey Drive, Suite B, New Britain; Alvariumbeer.com @alvariumbeer @dogs.of.alvarium

CT Valley Brewing Company
 

Perhaps boasting the most events packed in a season (way too many to list), and frankly, one of the best brew websites around, CT Valley is packed at all times with a delicious variety of brews. From an always packed Octoberfest to the upcoming Rosie the Riveters experience on November 7 which honors the millions of women who built most of the airplanes (CT Valley logo), munitions and equipment during WWII. There will be a special beer created in honor of the occasion.

• 765 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor ; CtValleybrewing.com @ctvalleybrewing

Hanging Hills
 

Over drinks at The Spigot in Hartford, owners of Hanging Hills came upon their mission to make great beer together. They’ve just celebrated their 3rd Anniversary and are still going strong. With hilarious names like Weasel Pants and Mail Truck to B-Side and Irregular Hartbeat, their beer variety is undeniable. They balance out the fun with a deep connection to the area’s history, connecting to the mystery and adventure that the surrounding peaks represent.

• 150 Ledyard Street, Hartford; hanginghillsbrewery.com @hanginghillsbrewing

Powder Hollow
 

In its fifth year, owner Michael McManus has been able to turn his dream into a reality. As Enfield’s first brewery, Powder Hollow is going strong. With three stars, West Coast Citrus, Smoky AfterMath (affectionately called the Bacon One), and a hefty Early Morning Oatmeal Stout, but with many more on tap, this is a brewery that just keeps growing, and yet is happily planted to serve the community.

• 504 Hazard Avenue, Enfield; powderhollowbrewery.com @powderhollowbrewery

Stubborn Beauty
 

From their first brew in 2009, Stubborn Beauty has much to be proud of as they move into their tenth year of beautiful brewing in Middletown. With popular flavors like Nummy Nummy and Happy Treez, SB says “to revolt is to be American.”

• 180 Johnson Street, Middletown; Stubbornbeauty.com @stubbornbeautybrewing

Problem Solved
 

Celebrating a year in business this month, the East Windsor community is proud of this new local spot and its growing taps. A bring-your-own food or order-in spot, PS has grown a hefty following for its beers for sure, like Base Case or the melony Countersunk, or its Sweet Wheat Stout or Coconut Pineapple Milkshake. They also have weekly trivia and yoga.

• 2 North Road, East Windsor; Problemsolvedbrewing.com @probsolvedbrews

Fox Farm Beer
 

The only brewery on our list on a sprawling 30-acre farm, in a barn that used to be a dairy operation, Fox Farm Beer is definitely a destination. With the tagline, “from the soils come the spoils,” FFB produces a range of brews, and especially delicious and unique is its Annata, a grape harvest farmhouse ale, for the second year in a row.

• 62 Music Vale Road, Salem; Foxfarmbeer.com @foxfarmbeer