86 Main St Unit E, Stafford, CT 06076
(860) 971-7095

Signature Beer: Fade to Black (with a coconut finish)

Five-second Description:  Small well-themed place on an older Main Street area.  Lots of decorations tied to the train derailment theme.  Very cool bar that has HO tracks and hops epoxied into the top.  Six very diverse beers that are decent.  Good stop if you are passing by.  Cool space and exterior, but not what I classify as a reuse.

Why you should go: To support another old Main Street area, and when you are done, there is an ice cream shop down the road a bit.

Food: None, other than snacks.

My Rating
Beer: B-
Setting: B

Website: Off the Tracks Brewing Company

First visited:  August 27, 2023

CT – Off the Tracks

16 photos

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101 N Branford Rd, Branford, CT 06405
(203) 433-4660

Signature Beer: Cleopatra IPA with New Zealand Hops, still early though

Five-second Description:  Fantastic high-quality beer, a very refined interior, and a lovely outdoor space.  They use ancient people as the names for all their beers which can be a bit confusing.  Love their branding, but again the beer names throw me.  If you want to stop at a great unique vineyard close by I recommend Rosabianca Vineyards.

Why you should go: They have very high-quality beer and it is not just IPAs.  Very crowd-pleasing beer selection.  Great space with some really cool decorations.

Food: They often have food trucks, check their website.

My Rating
Beer: A-
Setting: B+

Website:  Caius Farm Brewery

First visited:  July 30, 2023

CT – Caius Farm

24 photos

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21A Furnace St. Danielson, CT 06239
(860) 942-6506

Signature Beer: Es Bien

Five-second Description:  Former home of Black Pond Brewery without a lot of change. I hope they can pull off what their predecessor did, brew good beer, and grow out of the building.  The building is incredibly unique and was originally built as a photo studio over 100 years ago.  They are in the end in the basement, I would love to see them grow to take over the upstairs.  The space is a bit small, but certainly large enough for now. The beer was OK and still needs some work to get to the next level.  Friendly owner that is willing to talk beer to anyone!

Why you should go: A great stop before going to Putnam for another brewery stop and dinner.  The very unique building is worth a look. A nice outside area that I hope they take advantage of.

My Rating
Beer: C+
Setting: C

Website:  The Boroughs Brewing Company

First visited  April 19, 2023

CT – Boroughs Brewing Company

14 photos

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39 Ragged Rock Rd, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
(860) 339-3762

Signature Beer: Too Early to tell

Five-second Description:  Former home of 30 Mile and although this is off the beaten track a bit, it is worth a visit.  The new owner is brewing some really good beer already.  I liked the indoor space but found the outdoor space just OK since you still feel like you are in a parking lot.  I could never figure out how 30 Mile failed and I hope these guys can pick thinks up and continue to grow their following.

Why you should go: They have very good quality beer and it is not just IPAs.  Very crowd-pleasing beer selection.  Great inside space with lots of games.

My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: B

Website:  Myrcene Brewing Company

First visited:  April 15, 2023

CT-Myrcene

14 photos

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215 Main St, Niantic, CT 06357
(860) 850-2789

Signature Beer: Pew Pew

Five-second Description:  Expected a bit more from this second location of Five Churches.  They were out of a lot of beers on the menu and the pretzel was not as good as the one at the main location.  There is very little signage outside, which may be a restriction, but at least get a new awning with your brand on it.  It is located in the old Morton House, which has not had a real use for years.  There are windows facing the water, but you cant see out of them from the main floor.  Hope they can make this work, but it may be a bit of a struggle.

Why you should go: It is in a great location and across the street from the water.  Good Five Churches beer is also worth the visit.

Food: Pizza, wings and pretzels

My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: C+

Website:  Five Churches By The Bay  Facebook

First visited  March 25, 2023

CT – 5 Churches Niantic

9 photos

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180 Johnson St, Middletown, CT 06457

Signature Beer: Nummy Nummy

Five-second Description: great beer, cramped but cool tasting room in an old industrial building.  No more food trucks anymore, but they expanded and finally have enough room for the crowds.   Good solid brands, but they need to start working to get new beers on the line.

Why you should go: Good quality beer

My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: B

Website: Stubborn Beauty

Last visited March 27, 2023
First visited Dec 2016

CT – Stubborn Beauty

34 photos

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180 Johnson St, Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 788-2138

Signature Beer:  Maybe…   Coniferous Kolsch?

Five-second Description: Nice German style beer with an IPA thrown in.  Clean and bright tasting room.  the new IPA’s have some real promise too!

Why you should go: The beer is well made and it is two doors down from Stubborn Beauty Brewery…and food trucks!

My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: B-

Website: Forest City Brewing (Facebook )  – Time for a website!

First visit: Jan 2017

CT – Forest City

22 photos

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201 W. High St, Unit B1, East Hampton, CT O6424
(860) 729-2969

Signature Beer: 1st Rule

Five-second Description:  Industrial Park location with minimalistic features.  They do have 4 large TVs and a huge projection screen if you want to watch the game.  Large open space with very nice nano-size tanks for brewing.  Thought the beer was good, especially their Kolsch, English Bitter and their smooth triple IPA coming in at 10%. They also typically have food trucks on the weekends.

Why you should go: This place is in a brewery void and is very easy to get to right on Route 66.  . They also create a wide variety of beers with something for most pallettes.

My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: B-

Website: Rule of 3 Brewing

First visited  February 2023

CT – Rule of 3

16 photos

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4 Grove Beach Road N., Westbrook, CT 06498
(860) 664-5185

Signature Beer: Shore Shore for now

Five-second Description:  Nautical theme throughout with ropes and paddles.  The booths are built to feel like you’re on a boat as well.  Nice outside space with very friendly staff and owners. Great branding and merchandise too.

Why you should go: This place is in a brewery desert and very easy to get to. They also create great beer mixtures that enhance the flavors of their beers i.e Maple Stout and Pumpkin Marzen.

My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: B+

Website: Coastline Brewing Company

First visited  December 2022

Coastal

13 photos

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1139 Center St., Bristol, CT  06010
(860) 845-8977

Signature Beer: Cone Flakes IIPA

Five-second Description: Not much has changed since they opened, love the recovered space, but a bit more could be done to create an outdoor area.  Food trucks at times and always friendly staff.

Why you should go: The beer is unique and good.  The tasting room is full of character and often has entertainment on the weekends.

My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: B+

Website: Firefly Hollow Brewing Company

First visited on February 1, 2017

CT – Firefly

15 photos

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