Trailblazer - Connecticut Valley Brewing

Discussion in 'New England' started by Hos, Jul 14, 2017.

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  1. Hos

    Hos Initiate (0) Mar 25, 2015 Massachusetts

    So today is the first can sales day of Trailblazer at the new location named Connecticut Valley Brewing (765 Sullivan Ave., South Windsor, Connecticut, CT 06074). 19 cans per person and 200 cases available. Guessing it will be a sellout by 4 and will be a nice chance to see the new location that is nearly complete and ready to serve in the tap room. Anyone else headed down there today?
     
    #1 Hos, Jul 14, 2017
  2. mschofield

    mschofield Pooh-Bah (1,871) Oct 16, 2002 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    No, but how on Earth did they come up with 19 pp
     
    #2 mschofield, Jul 14, 2017
    Rysk22, jaxon53, LukieBL and 1 other person like this.
  3. Hos

    Hos Initiate (0) Mar 25, 2015 Massachusetts

    CT law about how many oz can be sold. Gotta love CT!
     
    #3 Hos, Jul 14, 2017
    mschofield likes this.
  4. Shyla987

    Shyla987 Zealot (599) Jul 18, 2013 Connecticut

    Can sales only, the tap room isn't ready yet.
     
    #4 Shyla987, Jul 14, 2017
  5. mlm61

    mlm61 Crusader (468) Jun 16, 2016 Connecticut
    Trader

     
    #5 mlm61, Jul 14, 2017
  6. mlm61

    mlm61 Crusader (468) Jun 16, 2016 Connecticut
    Trader

    Just FYI, name change

    [​IMG]
    Dan Hahn So are you guys Pioneer or Connecticut Valley Brewing? I've always followed Pioneer but is CT Valley better for updates?
    Like · July 12 at 3:28pm · Edited
    [​IMG]
    Connecticut Valley Brewing Company     Great question! We are now simply Connecticut Valley Brewing Company. Same people that make Trailblazer, just a simpler company structure and new building [​IMG]
     
    #6 mlm61, Jul 14, 2017
    Hos likes this.
  7. sulldaddy

    sulldaddy Grand Pooh-Bah (5,716) Apr 6, 2003 Connecticut
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    This is probably related to the original growler passage law allowing 8L of beer to be sold to one person per transaction.
     
    #7 sulldaddy, Jul 14, 2017
  8. Hos

    Hos Initiate (0) Mar 25, 2015 Massachusetts

    Another can sale today and tomorrow if it lasts. Trailblazer and a new one called I'm in love with the Simcoe.


    Trailblazer-165 cases
    -I'm in Love with the Simcoe-130 cases

    Hours: Friday 7/21 & Saturday 7/22 10 AM to 6 PM

    19 can legal limit- $4 per can (+tax)

    Follow us on Twitter for updated case counts: @CTValleyBrew

    Connecticut Valley Brewing Company
    765 Sullivan Ave, South Windsor, CT 06074


    https://www.facebook.com/CTValleyBr...2Tbcn3Nrcz3veFepyxJp2sXXEJ6q04Nxu2K_dlzf8dG2g
     
    #8 Hos, Jul 21, 2017
  9. Hos

    Hos Initiate (0) Mar 25, 2015 Massachusetts

    Was a little surprised that there was literally no line and just a steady flow of a couple people in and out. the place is pretty big though but very empty still. Tap room looks roomy but nothing is in it yet.

     
    #9 Hos, Jul 21, 2017
  10. Hos

    Hos Initiate (0) Mar 25, 2015 Massachusetts

    Their new one I'm in love with the Simcoe is really good. Hazy and juicy with a similar lack of head and creaminess like trailblazer. Taste is still very good though.
     
    #10 Hos, Jul 22, 2017
  11. Hos

    Hos Initiate (0) Mar 25, 2015 Massachusetts

    Anyone know how to get the new brewery name listed instead of Pioneer? Wanted to put a review up for the new one but new name isn't listed yet.
     
    #11 Hos, Jul 22, 2017
  12. Billyro1818

    Billyro1818 Initiate (0) Aug 21, 2015 Massachusetts

    I went back in the spring for a release in Walcott. The trailblazer is nice but the double is much better. Keep your eyes out for that at surrounding liquor stores.
     
    #12 Billyro1818, Jul 23, 2017
  13. mjco04

    mjco04 Initiate (0) May 30, 2013 Connecticut

    There is a double TB?
     
    #13 mjco04, Jul 24, 2017
  14. Hos

    Hos Initiate (0) Mar 25, 2015 Massachusetts

    You referring to the "New Frontier" DIPA? I've had that one and find it to be pretty good. Like Trailblazer and Hop Whammy better though. Trailblazer is 8.0ABV though so technically a DIPA? Still not sure why Trailblazer and the new "I'm in love with the Simcoe" have like zero head. After a minute head is gone after an aggressive pour and just a steady fizz of carbonation. Latest batch though was hazy but no chunks or paste like residue which I know they had issues with a while back.
     
    #14 Hos, Jul 24, 2017
  15. Billyro1818

    Billyro1818 Initiate (0) Aug 21, 2015 Massachusetts

    Yes the new frontier. The other California style is decent as well.
     
    #15 Billyro1818, Jul 24, 2017
  16. Billyro1818

    Billyro1818 Initiate (0) Aug 21, 2015 Massachusetts

    That is interesting. I would hope that this is temporary while the adjust to the new location. I was pretty happy all around with the batch of Trailblazer I picked up in the spring.
     
    #16 Billyro1818, Jul 24, 2017
  17. Hos

    Hos Initiate (0) Mar 25, 2015 Massachusetts

    I've had trailblazer at least 3 other times and the lack of head/carbonation? was the same then as well. It's still a tasty beer don't get me wrong. But compared to a Treehouse or Trillium they are completely different to the point where I look at it wonder why. Here are my pics from both beers this weekend. Was after an aggressive pour and no more than a couple minutes.



     
    #17 Hos, Jul 24, 2017
  18. OntheLambic

    OntheLambic Initiate (0) Jan 9, 2015 Connecticut

    Lack of head retention can be a result of a number of different factors, not the least of which can be due to not cleaning your glassware properly, i.e. using dish soap, detergent, etc. Assuming that is not in play here, then it is likely a result of flaws in the brewing process. Could be any number of things, from not pitching enough healthy yeast and maintaining proper fermentation temps to packaging the beer too quickly after fermentation concludes and not effectively allowing for the trub and fatty-compounds to fall out of suspension.

    I do agree though, it is very odd, especially given what is likely a large amount of hops used. I live in the town CTVB is located in and have yet to get over to brewery, so appreciate you keeping us informed via your initial visit. That Simcoe brew sound lovely, one of my favorite hops, hopefully they will brew another batch soon.


     
    #18 OntheLambic, Jul 24, 2017
    Shyla987 and Hos like this.
  19. Hos

    Hos Initiate (0) Mar 25, 2015 Massachusetts

    Appreciate the feedback and would recommend going to the new location for a Friday can sales when you can to see the inside a bit. Glass was definitely clean. I hand wash my nice beer glasses and have never had another brewery's beer do this. Taste is still great just visually less appealing.
     
    #19 Hos, Jul 24, 2017
  20. Shyla987

    Shyla987 Zealot (599) Jul 18, 2013 Connecticut

    I've seen lots of pictures of these beers, none have any head retention. It's definitely not dirty glassware, it's the brewing process. His previous beers at Shebeen were inconsistent, consistently. Was hoping that on a new, supposedly better system, the issues would go away. He's gotten rid of the trub issues, but not the head retention issues. I just wish he'd make a beer with no issues so he will live up to his own "Master Brewer" title.
     
    #20 Shyla987, Jul 24, 2017
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