Bristol, CT

Discussion in 'New England' started by mrmattosgood, Jan 7, 2020.

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  1. mrmattosgood

    mrmattosgood Maven (1,301) Nov 6, 2010 Canada (BC)

    On the way home from NYC back to the Boston area on New Years Day, my car broke down. It's currently sitting -- waiting still to be fixed -- in a service center in Bristol, CT. I am currently rocking a sick minivan rental.

    That said, I'll have to head back out those 2.5 hours to get the car eventually. Where am I stopping for a beer or two in or near that area? Bonus points if there's take-home options and lunch.
     
    #1 mrmattosgood, Jan 7, 2020
  2. LetsGoExploring

    LetsGoExploring Pooh-Bah (1,550) Apr 25, 2006 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Bring some Notch and I’ll meet you off 84 with Fox Farm.

    Firefly Hollow is downtown Bristol. http://fireflyhollowbrewing.com/
    They use to have a variety of styles, solid but forgettable. Not sure if they are a haze/lactose factory now.
     
    #2 LetsGoExploring, Jan 7, 2020
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  3. coteman6789

    coteman6789 Aspirant (240) Jan 22, 2016 Connecticut

    That said, I'll have to head back out those 2.5 hours to get the car eventually. Where am I stopping for a beer or two in or near that area? Bonus points if there's take-home options and lunch.[/QUOTE]

    J Timothy’s is the spot you want to hit for tap list/food. It’s in Plainville (next to Bristol) and near the highway. Bristol does have 2 breweries, Firefly Hollow and Better Half, but neither are destination breweries IMO, although the new NEIPA at Firefly (named Lit) has gotten good reviews. Relic Brewing is also in Plainville and they have some solid beers.
     
    #3 coteman6789, Jan 7, 2020
  4. mrmattosgood

    mrmattosgood Maven (1,301) Nov 6, 2010 Canada (BC)

    Yeah, I guess they don't need to be in Bristol, but headed that direction home would be preferable. Just looking for something new that I can't get here in Massachusetts that might excite me and/or give me a new experience.
     
    #4 mrmattosgood, Jan 7, 2020
  5. sulldaddy

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

    Firefly Hollow is the closest, right in downtown Bristol. Ive been a few times and find their beers very solid. No food option though. Relic is in Plainville about 20 mins away (same direction as Boston on 84) and has a wide range of brews and always has cans to go. J Timothys is 5 mins from Relic and usually has good drafts available.
    Seems like an easy 3 stop outing. Enjoy!
     
    #5 sulldaddy, Jan 7, 2020
  6. CTHopman

    CTHopman Initiate (0) Jul 22, 2016 Connecticut

    Firefly and Relic are both closed today. Also, both have limited weekday hours. J. Tim’s is a great place for food and brews but nothing to go. Get the dirt wings. Thank me later.
     
    #6 CTHopman, Jan 7, 2020
  7. jhavs

    jhavs Grand Pooh-Bah (3,587) Apr 16, 2015 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Will you be traveling past the Hartford area? If so, New Park would be a decent stop for a couple beers and some retail.
     
    #7 jhavs, Jan 7, 2020
  8. bootdown21

    bootdown21 Savant (1,114) May 14, 2009 Connecticut
    Trader

    I would second New Park in Hartford. Blender series for great fruited Berliners and then decent to very good NEIPAs. Usually have to-go options and a food truck.
     
    #8 bootdown21, Jan 7, 2020
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  9. EDNOSE

    EDNOSE Pundit (996) Oct 27, 2007 Connecticut

    I find Firefly Hollow to be a worthwhile visit. They do flights so you can try a variety and always have stuff to go. Relic always has a bunch NEIPAs on tap and ready to go. Also have heard good things from friends about Five Churches and Alvarium both in New Britain (can't vouch personally for the locations as I haven't been but the beers I've had have been good). Again, New Britain is on the way between Bristol and MA.
     
    #9 EDNOSE, Jan 7, 2020
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  10. YourDigitalGrave

    YourDigitalGrave Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2019 Massachusetts

    He isn't going to go to New Park because they don't have pilsners.
     
    #10 YourDigitalGrave, Jan 7, 2020
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  11. mrmattosgood

    mrmattosgood Maven (1,301) Nov 6, 2010 Canada (BC)

    it’s a misconception that I only drink lagers. I drink mostly lagers and farmhouses, sure, but I love a well-made IPA or double IPA. I just don’t think too many people do them all that well. And those that do (Hill, TH to an extent, Alchemist) typically aren’t worth me making that long of a drive just for beer — especially a style I don’t drink all that much of.

    If New Park, for instance, is the spot and their jam is IPA, I’ll try them out.

    Edit: As an aside, also should note that much of this has to do with ABV. I’d guess I stay below 5.5% about 95% of the time. I’m a lightweight.
     
    #11 mrmattosgood, Jan 7, 2020
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  12. YourDigitalGrave

    YourDigitalGrave Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2019 Massachusetts

    I know, I was just teasing.

    I don't know if you are into fruited sours though and New Park does make a very good one. 5% abv to boot.
    It also wouldn't be a bad spot to dabble in some ipas. In my opinion, they make the best ones in the area.

    Edit: Holy cow! I just checked their site and they have a dark lager, witbier, and saison on tap! Who knew?

    Their hours are kind of crappy though. They don't open until 5pm Weds-Fri.
     
    #12 YourDigitalGrave, Jan 7, 2020
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2020
  13. bootdown21

    bootdown21 Savant (1,114) May 14, 2009 Connecticut
    Trader

    #woke
     
    #13 bootdown21, Jan 7, 2020
  14. pbrian

    pbrian Pooh-Bah (2,118) Feb 8, 2001 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah

    This thread makes me sad as it makes me realize that the greater Hartford area is full of a bunch of mediocre breweries.
     
    #14 pbrian, Jan 8, 2020
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  15. LetsGoExploring

    LetsGoExploring Pooh-Bah (1,550) Apr 25, 2006 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    That applies to all CT. About 100 breweries and maybe 10% are noteworthy?
     
    #15 LetsGoExploring, Jan 8, 2020
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  16. YourDigitalGrave

    YourDigitalGrave Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2019 Massachusetts

    You mean other than New Park, right?

    All kidding aside, what do you consider "greater Hartford"? Counterweight, NEBCO, and Fox Farm are all under 40 minutes from Hartford. I guess that is a little far.
     
    #16 YourDigitalGrave, Jan 8, 2020
  17. YourDigitalGrave

    YourDigitalGrave Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2019 Massachusetts

    That percentage is probably similar in every state except maybe Vermont and California.
     
    #17 YourDigitalGrave, Jan 8, 2020
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  18. pbrian

    pbrian Pooh-Bah (2,118) Feb 8, 2001 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah

    I'm am not a New Park fan boy. At all. Let's call "greater Hartford" Hartford County. All those breweries listed are not in Hartford County and none of them are mediocre, they are my three favorite breweries in CT.
     
    #18 pbrian, Jan 8, 2020
  19. YourDigitalGrave

    YourDigitalGrave Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2019 Massachusetts

    I am.

    I guess you are correct though. Thomas Hooker and Back East make some good beers. Their best stuff is better than "mediocre" but I suppose the breweries as a whole could fall into that category.
     
    #19 YourDigitalGrave, Jan 8, 2020
  20. lbower860

    lbower860 Initiate (0) Jun 28, 2011 Connecticut

    Correct. Most states have an overwhelming majority of mediocre breweries. At least CT has a few world class ones
     
    #20 lbower860, Jan 8, 2020
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