Firefly Hollow Brewing Company

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

 

I liked this place.  Unfortunately, they couldn’t get to the growth cycle needed to survive.

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

30 Mile Brewing Company

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


 

Better Half Brewing

The better half here was the pizza.  This place felt more like a pizza place that brewed beer on the side.  You would think that either the pizza or the beer could keep them afloat, but neither was great and it did not work.

 

59 N Main St, Bristol, CT 06010
(860) 261-7062

Signature Beer: Not Sure

Five-second Description: This place leans more toward a pizza place that also brews OK beer.

Why you should go:  Lively place with entertainment and food.

My Rating
Beer: C
Setting: B-

Last reviewed November Nov 16, 2019

Website: Better Half Brewing


Breakaway Brewhaus

 

5 Steeles Crossing Rd, Bolton, CT 06043

Signature Beer: Still working toward it

Five-second Description: This is a set up in the driveway of a residential house with a cover for inclement weather.

Why you should go:  The beer is very good and the brewer is very serious about using minimal ingredients yielding a fresh and claen beer.

My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: C

Last reviewed Sep 28, 2019

Website: Breakaway Brewhaus

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Noble Jay Brewing Company

I like that this place was dedicated to veterans, but both the beer and the setting were not enough to keep people coming back.  

 

11 Freedom Way, Niantic, CT 06357

Signature Beer: Fatty Boom Boom Baltic Porter

Five-second Description: A bit of a small boring place dedicated to our armed forces

Why you should go:  The beer is good for those not seeking good IPAs.

My Rating
Beer: C+
Setting: C

Last reviewed Jun 23, 2019

Website: Noble Jay Brewing Company


Nolo

This was a restaurant that made its own beer, but it was more about the wine and the food.  My guess is that the restaurant was too high-end for the spot and for a brewery theme.

 

687 State Street, New Haven, CT 06511
(203) 891-7704

Signature Beer: Any of the Erector beers

Five second Description:  More of a high end restaurant that features Erector beers made on premises.  Very chic, but it is all about the expensive and great food.

Why you should go: Very high end food and exotic Italian cocktails.  The beer is great too!

My Rating
Beer: A-
Setting: A-

Website:  Nolo


Labyrinth Brewing Company

148 Forest St.
Manchester CT. 06040
(860) 791-2295

One of my go-to breweries.  great indoor and outdoor space, good beer, and they recently added pizza.  Not sure what happened to them?

Signature Beer: Too early to tell

Five-second Description: Fantastic and popular space with a wide variety of beers.

Why you should go: You can walk there from downtown and are poised to be great.

My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: A-

Website: Labyrinth Brewing Company

Parable Brewing Company

This closure was a shame, it was due to the lease that they were not able to extend, poor planning.

 

422A N Main Street, Manchester, CT 06042
(860) 643-2739

Signature Beer: Too early to tell, but their IPA seems to have some traction rock

Five-second Description: Standard office park setting with a well done interior. Still needs an identity or differentiator to make it memorable.

Why you should go: Good beer and a great bunch of owners.  This is the best place east of the river in CT.

My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: B

Website: Parable Brewing Company (Facebook)

Fat Orange Cat Brew Co.

This funky backyard brewery always had great beer and they sold the recipe and brand to 12 Percent which still brews great new versions.

47 Tartia Rd, East Hampton, CT 06424
(860) 881-8045

Signature Beer: Severe Tire Damage IPA

Five-second Description: This is a home brewer that decided to build a bar in his back yard.  The place is awesome with plenty of comfortable outdoor seating and a mini farm for the kids.

Why you should go: They have great beer and one of the most relaxing settings of any brewery I have been to.  You feel like you are visiting old friends.

My Rating
Beer: A-
Setting: A

Website: Fat Orange Cat Brew Co.

         

 

 

 

 

Steady Habit Brewing Company

Plain old bad management.  You could tell when you visited, they preferred to have a keg party vs serving customers.

95 Bridge Road, Haddam, CT 06438
(860) 777-5041

Signature Beer: Big Bad Bunny or Our Daily Bread IAP

Five second Description: They know how to make real good beer, and how to have a good time.  The only issue is that the drinking space if far from complete.  Feels more like a college dorm room than a brewery room designed for potential customers.

Why you should go: They know how to make beer that will appeal to all tastes. high quality beer

My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: C-

Website: Steady Habit Brewing Company (facebook)