Berlinetta Brewing Company

90 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport, CT
(203) 549-8203

Signature Beer: Berlinetta ‘Extra’  American Pale Ale

Five-second Description:  Very good crisp beer, but not a place for IPAs. This place has a tube-based sound system that plays old records from a retro setup.  They also sell a curated collection of used records that you can listen to before buying.

Why you should go:   Where else can you go to a record store that is also a brewery or vice versa.

My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: B+

Website: Berlinetta Brewing Company

Housatonic River Brewing

30 Kent Road, New Milford, CT

Signature Beer: Too many to choose from

Five-second Description:  Rustic place that feels like a log cabin inside with a fireplace.  They also have an expansive beer garden outside.

Why you should go: Very good beer and a great place to hang out and room for hundreds.

My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: B+

Website: Housatonic River Brewing


Candlewood Brewing Company

116 Danbury Rd. Suite #3,  New Milford, CT

Signature Beer: Candlelight Extra Pale Ale

Five-second Description:  Small place in a shopping center that is doing what they love.

Why you should go: Very chill with a great owner that loves to talk about brewing beer.

My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: C+

Website: Candlewood Brewing Company

WeHa Brewing and Roasting Company

141 Shield Street, West Hartford, CT
(860) 578-8934

Signature Beer: Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal Milkshake IPA

Five-second Description:  Intersting place that serves both beer and coffee, but not necessarily at the same time.  Parking can be a challenge when they are in brewery mode.

Why you should go: Great beer and a standard brewery atmosphere.

My Rating
Beer: A-
Setting: B

Website:  WeHa Brewing and Roasting Company


Surfridge Brewing Company

6 Main Street, Building 3, Centerbrook, CT 06409
(860) 578-8934

Signature Beer: We Used to be Friends Pale Ale

Five-second Description:  Very different kind of brewery with a parent brewery in California.  Very fancy food offering including oysters and other very expensive small dishes.  Cool space in the back of the old Witch Hazel building.

Why you should go: The beer is very good and the food is great if you like quality on a small plate.

My Rating
Beer: A-
Setting: B+

Website:  WeHa Brewing and Roasting Company

Little House Brewing Company

16 Main St, Chester, CT 06412
(860) 322-4153

Signature Beer: Alternative Fax IPA

Five-second Description:  Great little place perfect for the small town center it is located in.   Very good small-batch beers, especially the IPAs.

Why you should go:  Good beer surrounded by a few nice local restaurants.  Very unique brewery.

My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: B+

Website: Little House Brewing Company

First visited May 2019


Bank and Bridge Brewing

54 West Main Street, Mystic, CT

Signature Beer: Mystic IPA or Vengeful Albatross

Five-second Description:  Nice way to repurpose an elegant bank and the food is very good.  All in downtown Mystic!

Why you should go: Good beer, good food, and check out the original bank safe.

My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: A-

Website: Bank and Bridge Brewing


Barley Head Brewery

12 Water Street, 1A, Mystic, CT 06355

Signature Beer:   Continuously rotating beer list

Five-second Description:  Small place that serves as a diversion to downtown Mystic.

Why you should go: Unique beer that the owner will tell you all about.  Nice quiet place to grab a quick brew.

My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: C+

Website: Barley Head Brewery 

First visited September 2017


Newsylum Brewing Co

36 Keating Farms Avenue, Newtown, CT 06470
(203) 491-2038

Signature Beer: Therapy Session Hoppy Pale Ale

Five-second Description: Can’t say enough about the uniqueness of this place.  It is on the campus of an abandoned mental hospital.  Plenty of room to park and the building converted to a brewery is incredibly ornate with pizza and pretzels.  This is the most unique brewery I have ever been to.

Why you should go: The site alone is worth the trip, and they have good pizza!

My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: A+
Food B+

First visited November 2021
Last visited July 2024

Website: Newsylum Brewing Co

Oakholm Brewing Company

80 Lake Road
Brookfield, MA 01506
(413) 272-9620

Signature Beer: Leapfrog Lager

Five second Description: Beautiful farm with a nice indoor space built like a barn and additional outdoor space for enjoying their beer.  Plenty of animals and it is also a wedding venue.

Why you should go: In the woods and a real enjoyable property. Music and food trucks as well.

My Rating
Beer: B-
Setting: B+

Website: Oakholm Brewing Company

First visited October 2020