CT Breweries/Beers

Looks like we have a new one to add to the mix...not sure how I've missed this...
http://www.shebeenbrewing.com/

It seems as though Shebeen Brewing had their official opening last weekend, here is a recent tap list at the brewery...https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...485953.-2207520000.1368116970.&type=3&theater

I have to say, I'm very intrigued by their Concord Grape Saison, Bacon Kona Stout, and a CANNOLI BEER. Anyone give them a try yet (they are barely reviewed on BA), I may pop up there Saturday afternoon to check them out.

 

I haven't tried any of their stuff, but some comments on them are in this blog post:
http://www.craftbrewguy.com/shebeen-enters-the-ct-craft-scene/

 

In general, I take very little, if anything, of what he says seriously.

 

Beaver beer is terrible.
Dont forget about Overshores out of East Haven coming this summer.

 

I went to the grand opening on Sunday and tried the six beers that they had on tap. For me the stand out was their Black IPA. The Bacon Kona Stout was unimpressive, tasted too thin and not enough flavor. The West Cost Pale was OK, nothing special, the Idaho IPA was not great, and German Cerveza was decent. The Cannoli beer was good, but very gimmicky. They basically have a spicy beer (tasted like nutmeg) that is served in a sugar rimmed glass and has shaved chocolate on top. I mean it was good and the sugar and chocolate worked with the beer, but it was just not something that i would order.

I was hoping to try the concord grape saison, but it was not available on Sunday.

 

That's how I felt about Beer'd's Imp Stout. It was shockingly thin with little flavor. Like "pilsner with brown food coloring" thin...

 

They are set up that way because they are 90% contract brewing. 40 vs. 4 of their own.

 

The 40 and 4 are bbls of beer, not the number of beers. Their first year production is slated to be 44bbls. Contract brewing isn't yielding some play money, it is the backbone of the business.

 

BTW those are thousands in my previous post.

 

I guess my point was that it is surprising or disappointing that they are not devoting some of their capacity to distributed seasonals / one offs. Clearly they mainly want to be in the contract business. Until I can see something they are contract brewing substantially improving the offerings in the CT market ... I could care less about their contract operations.

 

I wasn't confused about your post, I was responding to Zybler's posts.

 

Have you not noticed the dramatic increase in Evil Twin selections, as well as the appearance of reasonably priced Stillwater 4-packs? I'd say that Two Roads contract work has already produced clear benefits for the state, and I would wager these benefits will only become more and more evident as time passes.

While I understand the mistrust that many have for contract brewing, Two Roads seems to be doing it right: Phil knows what he's doing, QC appears to be top-notch, and they don't seem to be contracting for just any profiteering yahoo who wants to cash in on the craft trend with some gimmicky idea. Now, they may well prove me wrong on that last point, but business is business.

I'd much rather see contract beers coming out of Two Roads than Mercury, FX Matt, Minhas, etc.

 

Down here in Fairfield County ... I have seen none of those benefits at the places I shop.

I'd still rather see the CT brewery with the enormous capacity and the experienced brewer brewing their beers. I am sure I will enjoy benefits from the contract side of it. I'd just rather see Two Roads produce more Two Roads beers that go to market.

 

Amen! Availability to Biscotti Break is already worth it as a consumer in CT. It is still their first year and I only see it getting much better. Can you say Firestone Walker? *crosses fingers*

 

Had the Two Roads Henry's Farm Dopplebock recently. Good quality beer for the style. My wife LOVED it. I think they are going to put out more beers, but are taking a slow/ smart approach to marketing their brewery.

 

Been meaning to stop here as they are in the next town over. Anyone else been to Broad Brook, actually I am not 100% sure they are even open yet?

http://broadbrookbrewing.com/

 

I've had the Doppelbock and Igors Dream on tap down in Stamford at Coalhouse Pizza. Again, I just thought they would have bottled more one-offs for retail (i.e. not just the brewery only release on Igor).

 

Broad Brook is targeting June. Accoring to the courant at least..

http://www.ct.com/entertainment/restaurants/nm-ht18cvrstory1beertrail-20130507,0,3619526.story