5 Breweries to Visit - Connecticut

Yikes! That's a shame, I remember meeting the owner when they first opened and I thought he was a really nice guy. I'm guessing he got a little overzealous with the whole internet anonymity thing. My 5...

1) Nebco - 'nuff Said
2) Two Roads - Mostly because the facility is just so cool. They contract some solid beers too.
3) Shebeen - I really enjoyed the place, its got a nice vibe and strange enough beers that its worth checking out
4) Relic - Small, but also interesting.
5) Half Full - a welcoming bunch and right off of I-95 so its a quick visit

Can't speak for Back East, Willimantic, Hooker, Old Burnside as I have yet to visit. Though I'd add Willimantic based on word of mouth.

 

Nebco Nebco Nebco...Two Roads is pretty cool to visit, but you will leave Nebco with a bigger smile on your face.

 

I and many others would, sure.

 

May not work for you on this trip but Beer'd Brewing In Stonington Does some nice things and it's a really cool vibe. I recently picked up a growler of their singlehop moteuka pale ale and was really really impressed. Also there Black IPA is fantastic. They also make a really good wit

 

I definitely want to check this place out but so far away.

 

They are exact opposites in every way. NEBCO is small, but very hands on, with many free samples, and direct interaction with the owners/brewers. They are growler only, and no 6/4 pack sales. No pints for sale perse, but enough free samples to make you happy.

2 Roads is a huge production facility, big bar area and souvenier shop and (I believe) 6packs and growlers. They also charge you for everything there, incuding small samples. Everyday stuff is $5 or $6 a pint, and the "special" stuff goes up from there.

I'd choose NEBCO 100%. They nake MUCH better beer too. That said, they're close to each other on 95 if you're headed North. You could do both.

 

This is one of the few things we disagree on, my good friend...

 

Thanks y'all. Sounds like NEBCO is the preferred option. Do they fill any growler or just branded?

 

They'll fill other branded growlers, but they also won't fill the tall Hill Farmstead/Tree House/Blue Lobster 750s, or typically the fliptop 1Ls either. Doesn't fit well under their taps. If I recall correctly, they can fill the 2L fliptops (Hill Farmstead/Bruery/etc.) just fine, but I don't own any of those so take that with a grain of salt. 64oz and 32oz growlers also for sale.

 

Thanks. HF 2 liter it is.

 

They fill them.

 

thats the beer he does bash!

 

I dont plan on trying any of their beer because of this and the fact that canoli beer sounds completely dumb

 

To be clear in what you are getting into ... (I will say 100% I prefer NEBCO beers and the guys there!)

NEBCO - Very small, very personal. You will not sit down to taste here, the bar is maybe 8 feet long ... you will hang out almost always with someone heavily involved in the brewing process. That said, you will at most have 4 beers (very rare) on tap there. Often as few as two. Sometimes (admittedly rare) only one. Most commonly is probably 3. You should check their facebook or call them ahead of time to see how much is on. I say "how much" because whatever it is WILL be good. Samples are free.

Two Roads - Always have all their base beers on, usually a seasonal and often a brewery only release. Generally, I'd say minimum of 6 beers available there. You will be in a large bar setting or outside in their "beer garden". the experience will be far less personal than you NEBCO. Some would probably just come right out and say "impersonal". You will pay money for samples.

Just feel like the responses were not giving you full disclosure on what you will be getting at each place.

 

In person, I liked the Shebeen owner when I talked to him. Liked my visit there a lot.

That said, the untapped reviews so sound a little off putting.

 

This was a brewery I was very much planning on visiting but his Untappd reviews have changed my mind. Typical insecure crap where you put something down to build yourself up. All his beers he gives 5 stars, he ought to atleast have the decency not to rate his own stuff. Dick Move!

 

Yeah, just popped on to his Untappd. Dude seems like a dick. No need to put your competition down. I thought brewers, especially ones local to each other were supposed to make the area better for everyone. He's obviously not about that.

Guess I'll have to rethink my stance on them...

 

NEBCO makes some of the best beer in New England, and stopping there is a must on any beer-centric trip to Connecticut. I'd also definitely recommend Willimantic. As others have said, it's a brewpub rather than a production brewery, but they make some solid to great beers, with a strong focus on IPAs (every time I've been in, they've had several different house-brewed IPAs on-tap at once). It's also a very cool space. But another perk is that they have a very large selection of guest taps as well, with many from fellow Connecticut brewers.

 

I think he also gave sierra nevada's pale ale a 4 or something like that which could be a fair review but then to give all of your own beers nothing but 5's is ridiculous

 

I've had all of their Double IPA's and they are all worth the trip for them. All have been different in flavor but stay true to the style