Lewisboro / Connecticut

I just asked my buddy that lives in Cortlandt. His suggestions were Brew and Co in Bedford, Beer Noggin in Mt. Kisco, and you already mentioned DeCicco's.

Nod Hill is on the route we take to the aquarium in Norwalk. It's a nice brewery, and the beers are fairly decent. I wouldn't go out of my way to go there, but if you're fairly local they're worth the stop. If you're willing to go further into CT, I recommend New England Brewing Company and Counterweight.

 

ha ha ! Can't speak to the beer up that way, but I used to go bass fishing in the reservoirs up that way, great fishing!

 

You're in kind of a desert there for breweries. Others have mentioned Nod Hill (who I really like), and Lock City is solid and half an hour south but not much else. Sing Sing Kill is like 45 minutes away but I've never heard anything that would lead me to believe they're worth going out of your way for.

 

Just go to decicco’s or cross the state line to some packie, keep your fridge stocked with shelf beers from counterweight, nebco, industrial arts and jacks abby and don’t overthink it. Your wallet will thank you and you will be drinking consistently well made and tasty brews. No need to chase the latest haze/tose/pastry flavor of the week.

And sorry to see you go.

 

Don’t really know the area, but Vista Beer and Beverage looks close and pretty well stocked. May have to drive a bit more for some of the CT offerings.

crazy grapes in Stamford?

someone more local can probably be more useful. I’m just using the interwebs.

 

Nowhere near as familiar with either as some other people in that area would be but I will echo DiCicco's being great for buying beer.

 

Phil Markowski, and his experimental facility is another option: Area Two

Granted not SHBRL material, but the newest rendition under the Area Two banner should not disappoint along with some of the other lambic options currently available

 

You might get more info in the New England subforum. Gonna tag @mountaindewORcrabjuice in case we're missing anything. He's usually my go to for CT beer.

 

Damn man, no more OH? The horror! I second the recommendations for NEBCO and Counterweight. Really enjoyed those two on our yearly guys’ weekend in CT.

 

It’s a bit of a road trip but you should hit Fox Farm on the southeastern part of the state once they fully open. I’ve never been there but every beer, every style, I’ve been lucky enough to try is absolute class. I’ve heard the brewery itself is beautiful. Hit NEBCo on the way back home. Great selection of hoppy and dark stuff there.

 

‘Bout equidistant to fox farm and suarez

 

You’re gonna blow @RauchbierFan33’s mind.

 

Yeah Fox Farm is a top-10 brewery in the Northeast and you can make a legitimate argument for top-5. I probably would. It's 2 1/2 hours from me and I'd make that a day trip without hesitation.

 

Another vote for Fox Farm if you have time @RauchbierFan33 . Everything they make is excellent but I’m a big fan of their lagers in particular.

 

Pretty much down the street from OEC is Black Hog.
Kent Falls is in the area.

If you hit New England Brewing, check out Amity Wine and Spirits.

Total Wine Milford.

Counterweight in Hamden is well worth a stop.

Fox Farm: If you can make it, go.

Cheers

 

I'll echo the sentiments of @Xerlic and others about where to go in that neck of CT.

The space + vibe at OEC is excellent. Great jams on the speakers, good company, and beer that's fun but wildly refined. If you visit on a day where they're brewing their own coffee/espresso, baking in-house bread, and offering some charcuterie, you'll be a happy camper. I can't say enough good things about this place.

Fox Farm has been my favorite brewery visit anywhere in the country (although a lot of boxes on my 'to-visit' list remain unchecked). Surprisingly remote even though you're right by the casinos. As others have stated, they nail a wide array of styles. If you're a NEIPA guy, their haze is reminiscent of Hill Farmstead offerings - nothing too over the top but expertly-crafted. Honestly haven't regretted sipping on anything from FF. I don't go as frequently as I'd like to, but it's a place where you can bring some food, grab some pours, and lay on a grass mattress for a few hours and look at the clouds.

(I know being near Suarez is a lager-drinker's dream in the US, but both Fox Farm + OEC offer some real quality lager in their own right)

If you get to Fox Farm, might as well visit Fat Orange Cat, about 20 min west. Beer is pretty good and it looks like/is(?) someone's backyard. Easy place to have some tasters, lounge outside for a minute, and pick up some cans. There's a small animal farm going on, as well.

Finally, as @Xerlic mentioned, New England Brewing Co. and Counterweight are two great breweries around the New Haven area, the former being a CT OG and the latter being the brainchild of NEBCO's old head brewer (I give CW an edge in beer quality, range of styles, and overall space + atmosphere). Since you'd already be close by, feel free to go to New Haven and grab some CT apizza. There are a handful of great spots, but Modern Apizza is at the top of my list.