Norwich, CT area

Fox Farm, baby!

 

Well, you’ll be about 20 minutes from Fox Farm and an hour from Tree House. Both must stops especially if you don’t get up here often. Other than beer, you’ll be about 10 minutes from either Foxwoods or Mohegan casinos, both are really nice with plenty of restaurants and bars if you’re not looking to gamble. Would assume you should have no problem getting an Uber/Lyft to either one if you’re not looking to drive.

 

Dont sleep on Tox! just south of you.

 

Beer'd as well in Stonington is close by.

 

Fox Farm, Beer'd, Epicure..

 

Let us know where you end up and what you think!

 

Fox Farm accepts orders up to 2 weeks out so if there’s something available now that you really want, doesn’t hurt to just order it.

 

Hey @PA-Michigander, are you driving to Norwich? Because that would open up a world of Hudson Valley options.

 

Well, at least you can haul back plenty of CT beer. But please feel free to text if you happen to suddenly have an extra hour or so on either end. I’ve got that region scoped out pretty thoroughly.

A burger at District 96 (and a juicy pint) would be a no-brainer.

 

I wouldn't worry about running out of to go options at either Fox Farm or Tox. Both tend to have plenty around and tend to last for a little while.

As mentioned, Fox Farm lets you order up to two weeks in advance. I can recommend just about everything on their menu. I live near by and its hard not to spend hundreds when i visit...

 

Fox Farm and Tox are definitely the ones to hit if you’re short in time. Mohegan Sun is the casino to hit, even if you don’t gamble.

Obligatory mention of the New Haven pizza spots being an hour away from Norwich but only 40 from Tox (Modern, Sally’s, Bar in order. Skip Pepe’s if only time/stomach room for one).

 

It is not beer, but I HIGHLY recommend the Nautilus museum just outside the sub base down in Groton if you have a little time. I was in the Navy and on submarines. Due to that I didn't think i would think it was that cool. But I went a few years ago and I was sooo wrong about that. It is free, and it is actually very cool.

https://ussnautilus.org/

 

I know you are staying in Norwich so you might hit Epicure and These Guys as they are in town but in my past experiences their beer is awful. Fox Farm is light years ahead of these guys and so is Tox but to a lesser degree.

Some food places of note in Norwich.
Philly's - a legit philly cheesesteak place in CT. It's no frills but man they are great.
Brick and Basil - amazing wood fired pizzas. Best pizza outside of Pepe's at Mohegan in the area IMO.

Other spots
Comix Roadhouse in Mohegan Sun - a good craft beer bar / country roadhouse / standup comedy lounge. Prices will be high as it is a casino but they typically have a well rounded menu (i.e. not all NEIPAs) https://www.comixroadhouse.com/menu/beer-list
Canterbury Liquors - If you are a bourbon fan this is a must stop. Irene runs Whiskey Mentors and offers free tastings of her picks. At any one time she will have 20 or 30 private barrel pick bottles to choose from.

 

Any good taplists or pizza (without driving to New Haven) in Groton ... will be in town for a night in mid February

 

In the immediate area, probably Engine Room or Jealous Monk (both in Mystic) for best draft list. There's not a ton of great pizza. Mango's (again, Mystic) or Vincitori (Niantic) are probably best but don't expect New Haven-level stuff.

 

Sorry Tox. Sounds like Tree House Wednesday.

 

We call that area "The Quiet Corner" of CT.

You won't be too far from Willimantic Brewing, one of the oldest/original brewpubs in the state, housed in an old post office. The beer isn't mind blowing but really good mostly classic styles. They usually have other CT breweries on tap too for a pretty decent selection. And the nachos are killer (it's a full restaurant).

Enjoy your visit to CT!

 

Yeah, I’ll be teaching… and 3+ hours from D96. Looks like you have a solid week planned.

 

Are there any recommendations for beer or non-beer restaurants in Mystic? I already have Engine Room and Jealous Monk down courtesy of @WoolEnthusiast. I'm going to be there for a few days with my family, so any beer related activities need food as well. TIA.

 

If you don't mind spending a little more, Oyster Club is my favorite restaurant in Mystic. Same owners as Engine Room, good draft list, and it's far enough down Water St that it doesn't see nearly as much tourist traffic as the rest of the restaurants in Mystic. Their new bar Port of Call is right next door and is pretty interesting too.

Red 36 is really popular (and actually pretty good), but I'd only bother going if you don't have to wait. They do have limited local draft but not as much as Oyster Club or especially Engine Room.

Everyone in Mystic has seafood, but the best specifically-seafood restaurant is probably S&P Oyster. Not much in the way of beer, though.

Best pizza is Nana's, but there's not a ton else down that way, so Mango's is a decent backup and right next to Jealous Monk and the rest of Old(e) Mystic(k) Village.

Rio Salado and Taquerio (same owners, hence the weird spelling on the latter) are pretty good for tacos and Tex-Mex. Taquerio is more focused on drinks, Rio on food.

 

Agreed on the Oyster Club. Usually a great small curated tap list as well. Fox Farm typically on draft. The ambiance and food can't be beat IMO.

 

Thanks for the suggestions! My wife and I love raw bars, so we'll probably check out Oyster Club.