Breweries throughout Connecticut and nearby breweries in Massachusetts & Rhode Island
5 Indian Neck Avenue, Branford, CT 06405
(203) 433-4545
Signature Beer: Cranky IPA
Five second Description: Great space to hang out and have a few. It is on the water with a deck and a fantastic tasting room!
Why you should go: Large variety of beer with a waterfront bar atmosphere.
My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: A+
Website: Stoney Creek Brewery
95B Whiting St, Plainville, CT 06062
(860) 255-4252
Signature Beer: Too many to name just one
Five second Description: They really know how to make good beer here, the newly expanded area for hanging in is fantastic.
Why you should go: Chill atmosphere with great beer!
My Rating
Beer: A
Setting: A-
Last reviewed September 14, 2019
Website: Relic Brewing
250 Bradley St, East Haven, CT 06512
(203) 909-6224
Signature Beer: With all the guest beers, who knows?
Five second Description: Made to look like a nautical theme, but comes off like a finished basement. Used to be just for Overshores, but now they have beers from several other brewers, most of which are contract brewed on location.
Why you should go: They do know Belgian beers and if you don’t like their beer they have many others.
My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: C-
Website: Overshores Brewing Company
942 Main St, Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 525-1600
Unfortunately, they never evolved to reinvent themselves as a brewery introducing new beer and interesting food. It is never good to get locked in time.
Signature Beer: Naughty Nurse
Five Second Description: Great brewpub in downtown Hartford. Very innovative brewery with really OK food and a full restaurant. Time to get a little creative with newer beers if they want to stay relevant.
Why you should go: A place to get a bite to eat and many of their own brews on tap including lighter New England IPAs.
My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: B-
Website: City Steam Brewery
175 Amity Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525
(203) 387-2222
Signature Beer: Sea Hag (but they do not serve it in the tasting room)
Five second Description: Great tasting They do not charge for the samples and they let you try all their experimental brews. You can get half pours if you like and they are very generous with their pricing. They also serve glasses of beer and frequently have vendors in the room 🙂
Why you should go: Great staff and a fun tasting room. If you like dogs, there are always plenty there.
My Rating
Beer: A-
Setting: B+
Last Reviewed: March 7, 2020
Website: New England Brewing Company (facebook)
504 Hazard Avenue, Enfield, CT, 06082
(860) 205-0942
Signature Beer: Prohibition Porter
Five second Description: Good beer in a great historical setting.
Why you should go: Open 7 days a week!
My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: B+
Website: Powder Hollow Brewery
16 Tobey, Rd Bloomfield, CT 06002
(860) 242-3111
Signature Beer: Chocolate Truffle Stout or #NOFILTER
Five second Description: Very mature brewery that has managed to keep up with the times. Many beers, great tours and plenty of tasting rooms.
Why you should go: Brewery tours, several tap rooms and 10+ beers on tap. Very generous with their samples, 10 samples per person!
My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: A-
Website: Thomas Hooker Brewery
No surprise here, they never evolved and started brewing craft beers. They also never created a real tasting room.
100 Mechanic Street
Pawcatuck, CT 06379
(860) 599-8213
Signature Beer: Old Yankee Ale
Five second Description: They have a good formula for success and have been in business since 1997.
Why you should go: Free samples and a friendly staff
My Rating
Beer: C
Setting: C+
First visited January 2017
Website: Cottrell Brewing Co.
22 Bayview Ave #15, Stonington, CT 06378
(860) 857-1014
Signature Beer: Hobbit Juice
Five second Description: Fantastic beer, but not a lot of attention to the tasting room.
Why you should go: Great beer and free samples right near the water in a cool building.
My Rating
Beer: A
Setting: C+
Website: Beer’d Brewing Company
First Visited: Jan 31, 2017
Pretty good beer, but a strange location that did not feel safe, they also did not keep inventing new beers which are essential for a small brewery.
Signature Beer: YPA
Five second Description: great stop to grab a pint of good beer, they typically have a food truck too. This is a great stop for a quick beer and they have munchies out.
Why you should go: Nice tasting room and they allowed pets!
My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: A-
Website: Hanging Hills Brewing Company
