New England Brewing Co lookout thread

Has anyone been to the brewery in the last few days? I was hoping for an update on the Coffee Oatmeal Stout.

 

I was in there briefly on Saturday to say hi to Matt, and he mentioned that the new stout would probably be ready around Thursday. It's 5.2%, 6˚ Plato, and has received multiple coffee additions in the fermenter. I'm seriously, seriously excited.

P.S. I think we should shut down this thread and stop talking about NEBCO in public, since the place was an absolute, wall-to-wall madhouse on Saturday. It looked more like a Final Friday than a normal day of growler sales, and was decidedly worse than when I went to Hill Farmstead on a Saturday in the fall. Wasn't it only a couple months ago when Saturdays were a good time for a handful of guys to hang out there and share some beers without getting lost in the crowd? I mean, I'm happy for their richly-deserved success and all that jazz, but get off my lawn!

 

Just spotted 5 cases of G-bot at Premier Wine and Spirits in Fairfield brewed on 2/14

 

Wow! Really?

I haven't been there on a Saturday in a bit...

 

Really. I had to park all the way down at the Winchester, and the only place Matt and I could talk without getting bumped into constantly was in a corner behind the forklift.

If you can get your growlers another day, I'd recommend giving the place a wide berth on Saturdays from now on. If February was that crowded, I can't imagine what summer will be like.

 

As you said, awesome for them. They deserve it.

It's pretty crazy that even 1-2 months ago, you could go in there and chat and open bottles no problem. Not any more...

 

I feel like a NEBCO hipster now.

 

I think (hope) that this wall to wall popularity Woosterbill speaks of is just a blip. Not that the NEBCO guys don't deserve all the accolades/success in the world, but I wouldn't be surprised to see things calm down over there once Spring hits. I feel as though many of our local breweries have seen a major uptick in visitation over the last month. I was at Half Full's open house on Friday and it was a zoo, we had to wait 15 minutes to get in and the place was sardine-can packed. I've also heard that the Two Roads tasting room has had some very high traffic days recently. Despite the fact both are newly established breweries, they are becoming popular very quickly. It seems like on these cold winter days hanging around a brewery is something that's interesting more than the hard-core beer geek.

Once things warm up, I'd be surprised if people are going to spend a nice afternoon a dark/crowded brewery. Then again, maybe this is a sign of things to come in Southern CT. As Davey101 acknowledged, now I know how the cool kids in Williamsburg feel!

 

Are growler fills available every day? Do they have Ghandi Bot year round?

 

It will be brewed sporadically year round. Growler fills I believe everyday except Sunday.

 

And Gandhi Bot is brewed somewhat regularly, but call ahead to be sure.

 

Thanks everyone. I assume they sell growlers there? Is there a tasting room as well?

 

I would call ahead on growlers. Ran out on Saturday. The big crowd the last few weeks are because of the living social tours. It expires soon so last minute tours.

 

They usually have glass available ($4), but call ahead to check since they run out from time to time. They will refill any brewery's growlers, though (although they hate HF 750s).

There isn't a tasting room proper, but they have a small bar set up near the front of the brewery where you can get your samples and fills. While not exactly luxurious, it's one of the friendliest breweries out there and well worth a visit.

 

Ah, a Living Social thing. That helps explain the apparent insanity. Here's hoping that things calm down soon, but that NEBCO also gains a new crop of loyal fans.

 

I called earlier today, they said they'd have 3-4 offerings tomorrow

 

Wowie wow wow.

https://twitter.com/NewEnglandBrew/status/306766251374542848

 

I love the cease and desist letter from Lucasfilms they've got on the wall. Serious badge of honor.

 

Just saw this on The Ginger Mans Facebook....

 

...Fancy Pants??

and cask IST - i hope that's not on something or i will probably drive all the way down just for that