Hey all, just moved to fairfield this weekend. Spent the last 5 years in north Jersey and before that three decades in Manhattan. BA since 2010. Long time trader, yadda yadda. Still headed to NYC four times a week for work. Anyway would love to hear from the locals with any advice they'd like to offer. Breweries, bars, bottle shares, releases. So far I've been to Moes and landed some good stuff, had a flight at two roads. Will def be swinging by NEBCO as often as I can. Really enjoyed chardonneighbor and redrum in years past and will be following them on FB for release info. Still haven't been able to try IST or fuzzy baby ducks. I'd love to know if there are ba's right in fairfield - my dream is to be able to do great bottle shares without having to drive afterwards! Really though, fire away, any thing you want to share. Btw what's the consensus on Relic? Worth the drive?
there are definitely some good beer drinkers in the area! im 15 min away in Milford, and the gf lives in Fairfield, so im there often nowadays.
Welcome to CT! My biggest piece of advice would be not to insist on a limited release before you check out NEBCO. It's only 20-30 minutes up the Merritt, and they have delicious beer on tap there six days a week, guaranteed. Brewery-fresh Sea Hag and Elm City are things of beauty, to say nothing of Gandhi-Bot, 668, Galaxy Pale Ale, Ghost Pigeon Porter, etc, etc, etc. Yes, their barrel-aged specialties are amazing, but they're consistently putting out the best beer in the state and you'll be missing out if you only look for hyped stuff like FBD and IST. Cheers! P.S. If you post here about when you plan to head to NEBCO (maybe a Friday afternoon, or a Saturday) there'll be a good chance that you can meet up with some other CT BAs and turn it into a little bottle share.
Thanks woosterbill! Of course I plan on hitting NEBCO often as I've really enjoyed everything I've had of theirs (668, Gandhi, Chardonneighbor, Sea Hag, Weiss Trash, the barleywines, etc). I was just such a fan of the attempted redrum I'd love to be able to try it again. Would love to meet up with you and any other CT guys there and crack some bottles too. I don't see any responses about Relic so far. Anyone been or tried their stuff? They seem like they may be putting out some interesting beers.
I've only been by Relic once, and I wasn't impressed. I tried three of their beers - two were rather disgustingly infected, and one was quite good. They certainly seem to have the potential to do good things, but I have yet to be impressed. I did enjoy the vibe on my visit, as the people there seemed engaged and enthusiastic, but enthusiasm alone isn't enough to produce quality beer. I just hope they can survive long enough for their technical ability to catch up to their vision.
I grew up in Fairfield and just moved a few years ago. that being said... here's a list. i sure do love a good list. the gingerman in norwalk. pretty good beer bar. the walrus and carpenter in the black rock section of Bridgeport. excellent bbq and an extremely good (thus far) tap list for ten handles. it's very expensive. the whole black rock bar area is pretty good. myplace restaurant in newtown is a great place. great tap selection, very good food and mark the owner is a a great guy. southport brewing is terrible, the food is ok though get yourself up to new haven. the cask republic, prime 16, rudy's all offer a very good and numerous tap list. the meatball house has a decent tap list and the food in new haven is great. not to mention new haven pizza is by far and away better than any pie ever made, all time. imo. look for sally's pizza, pepe's, and my favorite- modern pizza on state st. breweries in CT WORTH visting are: new england brewing co beer'd brewing in stonnington relic brewing in plainville treehouse brewing just over the border in mass. plus in CT you can fill just about any or anybody's growlers.
