Stubborn Beauty - Up and Coming

Discussion in 'New England' started by Ultra-Plinian, Jul 7, 2014.

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  1. Ultra-Plinian

    Ultra-Plinian Pundit (877) Mar 1, 2013 Connecticut

    I had not heard of Stubborn Beauty until just last week. I wanted to get some fresh brew for the 4th weekend, but had too much stuff going on to sneak a trip down to Woodbridge, so I took a flyer on Stubborn Beauty in Middletown. All I can say is that they are definitely worth checking out. Its a pretty small space and they just opened in March and they only do fills only on Friday and Saturday, but all 5 of the beers that I had from them were solid. They Imperial Rye IPA was very good and the Imperial IPA was also very good. Its a couple of guys, just starting out, but I like how their future looks, I can seem them learning more as they refine their recipes and growing and then one day be thought of as one of the best here in CT.

    They let me sample all of their beers for free and their growler fill prices were in line with other stuff in the state. And it should be noted that they really only make big beers, their Saison was 8% and tasty! I like big beers, so if that's your thing check them out. And great guys behind the bar pouring and talking about how they make it and why they make it that way. oh...and one of their beers is called Kommandant Lassard.

    One last thing, the GPS drops you off in the wrong spot. They are 180 Johnson street and GPS drops you off on the wrong side of the railroad tracks, when you think that you can't go any further on Johnson street because of the railroad tracks, go over the tracks and take a right into the little industrial park for 180 Johnson street. They are the right had side about half way down.
     
    #1 Ultra-Plinian, Jul 7, 2014
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  2. Robtobfest

    Robtobfest Initiate (0) Oct 21, 2009 Connecticut

    Never had their stuff but website is cool and people say beer is worth it. I'll check it out.
     
    #2 Robtobfest, Jul 8, 2014
  3. Patbrown2

    Patbrown2 Zealot (627) Nov 27, 2013 Connecticut

    I do want to get up there, but 6hrs a week (Fri/Sat) is tough when you're 40 min away...wrt to work, family commitments, etc. I recognize these businesses start as a hobby, and there needs to be some critical mass before there's F/T commitment from owners. But it's gonna be tough nonetheless...
     
    #3 Patbrown2, Jul 8, 2014
  4. winkingstarfish

    winkingstarfish Initiate (0) Nov 4, 2009 Connecticut

    I went in June I think and there was a healthy crowd.
    I think there is some potential there......I would like to see
    more thought applied to what formulas are producing the finest
    IPA's at the moment and make a single great beer. After that
    happens, the rest of whatever they want to do that is unique and
    or individual to their trip will come together/follow. Just my 2 cents.
     
    #4 winkingstarfish, Jul 8, 2014
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  5. Ultra-Plinian

    Ultra-Plinian Pundit (877) Mar 1, 2013 Connecticut

    Hey man....I get it, limited hours make it tough, but for me that was why I found it, I didn't have time for a 40 minute ride down to Woodbridge. But in my opinion I saw some potential and wanted to share. They are looking to get into some more bars, so maybe you won't be able to get to them, especially with some funky hours over the next few weeks due to outside goings on that they have, but maybe you'll be able to try some of their stuff. Check out the Middletown article giving them some love.

    http://www.middletownpress.com/busi...rn-beauty-taps-craft-beers-growing-popularity
     
    #5 Ultra-Plinian, Jul 8, 2014
  6. shane_stubbornbeauty

    shane_stubbornbeauty Aspirant (245) Sep 18, 2013 Connecticut

    Totally understand Pat. We'd love nothing more than to be open more. With our current bar/restaurant accounts (~10) and tasting room hours we blast through each beer (7bbl) within a couple weeks. It truly is a balancing act between two jobs...and trust me, the brewery clocks in more hours than our day jobs :wink:

    This a very true statement. Our impetus for brewing is really no different than any other art form, it's expression. And at the same time that is also the problem. An artist doesn't just want to paint one perfect painting nor a musician just make one beautiful song. Now from a total business perspective, you are 100% spot on - we just battle between those two worlds. Rest assured though, refinement is always taking place - even in the most minute areas of every beer we brew.

    And as Ultra mentioned, we do have some funky hours coming up. We are closed on the 11th & 12th. Friday the 18th, we will be at the Max Restaurant Group's Chef to Farm Dinner in Lebanon - our Black Farmhouse IPA is being featured/paired with one of the dinner courses. FYI - last I heard, NEBCO, Beerd and Willibrew are a few of the other breweries being paired at the dinner - can't have any better lineup in my mind...

    Tasting room hours go back to normal Sat, July 19th (1-4).

    Finally, tomorrow we will be at Westbrook Lobster in Wallingford for our tap takeover. It's a smaller one, only 6 beers - although we are releasing our Oud Bruin :slight_smile:

    Cheers all,
    Shane
     
    #6 shane_stubbornbeauty, Jul 8, 2014
  7. Pahn

    Pahn Initiate (0) Dec 2, 2009 New York

    i went to the opening (as detailed in a previous post). the rye saison was really solid, makes me think they have potential.
     
    #7 Pahn, Jul 8, 2014
  8. Patbrown2

    Patbrown2 Zealot (627) Nov 27, 2013 Connecticut

    SeaDogs are in town on the 25th. Looks like a stopover on way to a Rock Cats game is in order.
     
    #8 Patbrown2, Jul 8, 2014
  9. Ultra-Plinian

    Ultra-Plinian Pundit (877) Mar 1, 2013 Connecticut

    Finally, tomorrow we will be at Westbrook Lobster in Wallingford for our tap takeover. It's a smaller one, only 6 beers - although we are releasing our Oud Bruin :slight_smile:

    Shane, bummer man, I now have to work from 6 to midnight tonight, so I won't be able to make the Tap Takeover at 7. UGH. I really wanted to try the Oud Bruin...let me know when you guys decide if it will be bottled/canned or on tap. Hope you guys have fun!
     
    #9 Ultra-Plinian, Jul 9, 2014
  10. Patbrown2

    Patbrown2 Zealot (627) Nov 27, 2013 Connecticut

    SB announced new lengthened Sat hours: 12-5pm. No excuse now not to stop by. Want to try some of the rye saison, which is supposed to be on this weekend
     
    #10 Patbrown2, Aug 29, 2014
  11. Ultra-Plinian

    Ultra-Plinian Pundit (877) Mar 1, 2013 Connecticut

    I will be there at noon!!! See you then!
     
    #11 Ultra-Plinian, Aug 29, 2014
  12. Pahn

    Pahn Initiate (0) Dec 2, 2009 New York

    nice, i might pop in as well, as i'll be visiting CT this weekend. the rye saison is very good. want to try out the IPAs, since i think i got burned by the end of a keg at the brewery opening.
     
    #12 Pahn, Aug 30, 2014
  13. shane_stubbornbeauty

    shane_stubbornbeauty Aspirant (245) Sep 18, 2013 Connecticut

    Morning all, just one small point of clarification - the Saison is going on tap next weekend (9/5).

    Tap list today looks like this:

    Nummy Nummy - IIPA - 8.1%
    Sour Tiddy's - Oud Bruin - 6.5%
    Freaky Deaky Dutchman - Black Farmhouse IPA - 7%
    Rear Admiral - Single Hopped IPA - 6%
    Us & Them - Collabo-Session IPA - 5% --> last keg
    Speaking in Tongues - Black IPA - 7.7%
    Porter Justice - Imperial Porter - 8.4%
    Australopithecus - Belgian Pale Ale - 6.3%
     
    #13 shane_stubbornbeauty, Aug 30, 2014
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