NMot a lot of room in the industry for hobby brewers any more. Black pond made a smart move and left this location right at the right time.

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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Very sad and surprising, they did fail to evolve and never tried to grow out of their origonal shell. They also never created new beers, I think they missed their many chances to be something bigger,

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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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

CT – Firefly

15 photos

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Sad that they closed, it was one of the origonals I visited when we started brewery hopping. Not much happenning there and the beer was meh.

2520 State St, Hamden, CT 06517
(203) 691-6662

Signature Beer:  Still waiting on this, they have new beers all the time

Five second Description: Nice quick stop with food trucks, plenty of room, they have fancied up their tasting room and it is a pleasant place to stop for a beer.  Small outdoor picnic tables.

Why you should go: Friendly owner and well decorated.

My Rating
Beer: B-
Setting: B-

Website: No Worries Brewing Company

First visited February 2017

CT – No Worries

18 photos

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Went once and it was completely empty. Not sure they have any marketing, the premis of “build it and they will come” does not work with breweries. They also have a pretty stagnant and boring beer selection.

62 Washington St, Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 996-0092

Signature Beer:  1929 Prohibition Porter

Five-second Description: The setting is an old storefront right off Main Street in Middletown.  Not the best location since parking is not free (except on Sundays).  They did everything right, but I am not sure there is a compelling reason to go.  No entertainment, no food, and a few of the beers were not drinkable.   They had a couple of New England IPAs but were out of them.  This place will not succeed at this location without better beer and some sort of food option.

Why you should go: Worth a stop if you happen to be walking in Middletown.  A lot needs to be improved to make this a destination.

My Rating
Beer: C-
Setting: B

First visited March 2022

Website: Powder Hollow Middletown

CT – Powder Hollow Middletown

16 photos

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This was a stripmall setting and one of the shortest lived breweries ever. I think the owners realized the model was not great and got in time before they lost a lot of money. 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

CT – Candlewood

14 photos

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Very small nano brewery in an expensive rent district. The beer was OK, but I think Bank and Brew killed them, openning around the corner with food and a better location.

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

CT – Barley Head

10 photos

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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

CT – 30 Mile

18 photos

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No surprise here, no one ever there and almost no parking.

277 Main St, East Hartford, CT 06108
(860) 289-2337

Signature Beer: Too early to tell

Five-second Description: Small place on Main Street with a wide variety of beer types for all levels of taste.

Why you should go: Better than the bars on Main Street and a pretty cool space with a nice outdoor area.

My Rating
Beer: B
Setting: B-

Website: Paddle Creek Beer Company

Last Visited: June 22, 2022

CT – Paddle Creek

21 photos

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Not sure why this place didn’t make it, good beer and a busy location.

246 Main St, Monroe, CT 06468
(203) 880-5670

Signature Beer: Too many to pick from

Five-second Description: A very popular place that is like a big beer hall. Seating ran out and the owner set up tables around the tanks to accommodate.  Ownership cares about their customers.

Special Acknowledgement: This is the place I experienced my 2000th beer checking on Untappd, it was “Shortcut to Nappi’s”

Why you should go: Great beer and a great fun setting, they allow you to sit in the brewing room too!.

My Rating
Beer: B+
Setting: B+

Website: Veracious Brewing

CT – Veracious

16 photos

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