Breweries throughout Connecticut and nearby breweries in Massachusetts & Rhode Island
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
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
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
1225 Leonard Dr, Groton, CT 06340
(860) 800-4461
Signature Beer: Dogs & Boats
Five second Description: Nice small space convenient to the Groton Airport. They need to have a bit more going on, more of a beer pickup place.
Why you should go: More comfortable than the main brewery in Stonington. Very cool artwork from the images used on their cans.
My Rating
Beer: A-
Setting: B
Website: Beer’d Brewing – The Silo
This closure was a shame, I wish they had considered moving to a better location. The beer was good and they did everything right.
939 Ragged Rock Road Unit #5 Old Saybrook, CT
Signature Beer: Breaking Belma
Five second Description: Typical industrial park atmosphere with a few outdoor tables. A bit quiet on the day we went.
Why you should go: Friendly atmosphere with great beer.
My Rating
Beer: A-
Setting: B
First visited August 2016
125 Commerce Court No. 7, Cheshire, CT 06410
(203) 600-9572
Signature Beer: The Shire Chocolate Stout
Five second Description: Very comfortable spot with outside seating and good quality beer.
Why you should go: Knowledgable staff and a good place to hang
My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: B
Website: Cheshire Craft Brewing
725 Main St UNIT 27, Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 358-9326
Signature Mead: Bochet
Five second Description: A meadery that does not have beer. Great job with the recovered space.
Why you should go: Where else can you try different kinds of Mead?
My Rating
Mead: A-
Setting: B+
Website: Bergen House
470 James St, New Haven, CT 06513
(203) 350-9060
Signature Beer: They are still woking on it
Five-second Description: Incredible setting and one of the nicest outdoor spaces I have ever been to that I consider a brewer. They are really Bear’s BBQ (which is awesome) and the work with Black Hog to brew beers on premises.
Why you should go: Recovered smoke stack in the center of the outdoor space is a real sight to see.
My Rating
Beer: B-
Setting: A
Website: Bear’s New Haven
418 Forest Road, Northford CT, 06472
Signature Beer: Smoked Maple Maibock or Zing Bang
Five-second Description: The indoor and outdoor space is gorgeous. Often have food trucks there and live music on Sundays. Very relaxing and a view overlooking a farm field. the beer is a bit unique, unfortunately for me, their IPAs need a lot of work.
Why you should go: Very cool space.
My Rating
Beer: C+
Setting: A-
Website: Stewards of the Land Brewery
16 Business Park Dr, Branford, CT 06405
(203) 335-2010
Signature Beer: Ghost Island Double IPA
Five-second Description: This place has been around a while and has really grown up. Large crowds inside and outside with food trucks and more.
Why you should go: Quality beer with a great tasting room. They even have a large back room for events.
My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: B+
First reviewed August 2017
Website: Thimble Island Brewery
