Breweries throughout Connecticut and nearby breweries in Massachusetts & Rhode Island
284 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 945-0450
Signature Beer: Birds of a Feather NEIPA
Five second Description: A very lively place with a young crowd near MIT and Harvard.
Why you should go: Great beer and a really cool and comfortable setting, always crowded with many brews to choose from.
My Rating
Beer: A-
Setting: A-
Website: Lamplighter Brewing Company
200 Highpoint Ave., Unit 6B, Portsmouth, RI 02871
Signature Beer: Surfers End IPA
Five-second Description: Business park setting with pretty good beer and a lively crowd.
Why you should go: Great place to bring a group with food served from a grill out back.
My Rating
Beer: B-
Setting: B
Website: Ragged Island Brewing Company
530 Wellington Ave, Cranston, RI 02910
401 461-2337
Signature Beer: Attractive Today
Five second Description: Nice repurpose of an old factory building with pretty good quality beer.
Why you should go: When in Cranston, you should stop by.
My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: B
Website: Buttonwoods Brewery
137 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield, CT 06877
(203) 617-1191
Signature Beer: Light of Foot
Five second Description: A great small setting that makes great use of the space with seating throughout, including the tank area! Quality service too.
Why you should go: Interesting twist on German style beers and a popular hang out.
My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: B+
Website: Nod Hill Brewery
Off the beaten track and not very interesting with meh beers.
7 Main St, Redding, CT 06896
(203) 587-9000
Signature Beer: American Pale Ale
Five-second Description: Very nice space that has a lot of comfortable corners, they need to improve their specialty beers and find one out of the ordinary.
Why you should go: Good for those that are not very serious about craft beer, a real crowd-pleasing selection.
My Rating
Beer: C+
Setting: B
Website: Redding Beer Company
This was a cool spot although never crowded. Sold to J restaurant, which I am excited about.
140 Huyshope Ave, Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 461-0945
Signature Beer: Ode to Blumpy
Five-second Description: Great meeting space with a nice rentable room in the back. Great beer and they also serve wine and mixed drinks, although there is not much brewing done here.
Why you should go: Great place to grab a cold one with friends in the back of the historic Colt building.
My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: B+
Website: Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt
54 Research Dr, Stamford, CT 06906
(203) 313-6454
Signature Beer: City Chocolate Stout, Stout
Five second Description: Great venue with ample seating, good beer and food trucks. Lots of fun!
Why you should go: The setting and beer that goes across the spectrum. Great and knowledgeable staff.
My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: A-
Website: Lock City Brewing
43 Homestead Ave, Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 658-3631
Signature Beer: Liquid Hoptimism
Five-second Description: Great tasting room with a lot of action and great experimental beers on tap. Brewery space is cramped with a small single canning line. They give tours, but the guides were not very knowledgeable.
Why you should go: Fun and busy tasting room with many beers to choose from beyond their canned brews
My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: B+
Website: Half Full Brewery
Pretty cool concept, but way to small. They never graduated to a larger footprint with food and entertainment.
3389 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605
Signature Beer: Lupulus Erectus Double IPA
Five-second Description: Limited parking and space with a friendly staff. Very clean brewery with very good beer. Set up like a chemistry lab.
Why you should go: In Bridgeport for the day? Then stop for some good beer that will please most palates.
My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: C+
Website: Aspetuck Brew Lab
16B Center St., Wallingford, CT 06492
Signature Beer: Probably the Synaptic Misfire
Five second Description: Very comfortable nano brewery with good German beer and a rich New England IPA
Why you should go: If you are in the old downtown of Wallingford, this is worth a stop.
My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: B
Website: Cliffside Brewing
