The Litchfield History
Museum is hosting a lecture on the history of Connecticut beer making on
November 19 at 7 p.m. at the Litchfield History Museum located on the corner of
Rte. 63 south and West Street in Litchfield.
The history of the frothy
beverage in Connecticut dates back to early colonists, who used it to quench
their thirst in the absence of clean drinking water. Over the next two
centuries,the number of breweries rose and then declined, especially after
Prohibition.
It was not until the 1980s
that home brewers brought this vital Nutmeg State tradition back to life. Join
Will Siss, author and Connecticut Beer Snob, as he discusses his new book about
the history of brewing in the Nutmeg State.
The craft beer craze sweeping the country has taken firm hold in
Western Connecticut, where half a dozen micro breweries offer unique tastes on
tap as well as the chance to sample and tour their one-of-a-kind facilities.
Beer aficionados will discover many creative new combinations as young brewers
experiment with intriguing ingredients.
Some of these beer makers have lost no time being recognized. Two
Roads Brewing Company in Stratford was included in Boston Magazine’s “21 Top
Breweries in New England and” O.E.C. Brewing in Oxford was Connecticut
Magazine’s 2015 pick as best in the state.
Meeting the brewers is part of the fun of a visit as their
backgrounds and goals are as unique as their products. Contact each property
for current tasting and tour times.
Oxford
Scholars
OEC stands for the Latin phrase, Orinen
Ecentrici Coctores, loosely translated as The Eccentric Brewers Influenced
by the lost brewing traditions of Northern Germany and Belgium, this
Oxford brewery does not filter or pasteurize any of their ales. The award-winning
results include a number of sour beers and unusual brews such as Albus, a
historic interpretation of a white ale and Arcanum, modeled after an extinct
German style ale. 203-502-9768, www.oecbrewing.com
Black Hog Brewery, another Oxford operation,
just opened for business in July, 2014 but their popular brews can already be
found in neighboring Rhode Island and New York... Veteran Brewmaster Tyler
Jones honed his skills at Smuttynose and the Portsmouth Brewery in New
Hampshire and Mercury Brewing in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Beer choices include. Ginga’ Ninja, a Red India Pale Ale
brewed with ginger; Granola Brown Ale, brewed with oatmeal; S.W.A.G., a Summer
Wheat Ale made with grapefruit peel; and Nitro Coffee Milk Stout. 203-262-6075, blackhogbrewing.com/
Sending
a message
Young proprietors who have realized a dream with their breweries
hope to inspire others to their own fulfillment. Conor Horrigan,
founder of Stamford’s Half Full Brewery is a former Wall
Street executive who put in four years of study and fund raising before the
brewery’s first beers were poured on August 7, 2012. The name tells everyone
his philosophy that a positive outlook can make for a more rewarding life.
Half Full produces a variety of ales including seasonal flavors
such as pumpkin ale for fall and Winter White., 203-658-3631, halffullbrewery.com
“Get Lit” the slogan at Firefly Hollow Brewing in
Bristol refers to ideas not imbibing. The owners say. “We are a conglomerate of
creative minds who believe we can make the world a better place by providing an
atmosphere and a product conducive to creative expression.” Firefly is in
the midst of an expansion that will double its production. Among its popular
brews on tap are Toadstool Oat Stout-, Moonrise Amber and Penumbra Cream Ale.,
860-845-8977, www.fireflybrewing.com
Luck
of the Irish
Shebeen Brewing in Wolcott takes its
playful name from an Irish Gaelic word meaning “illegal brewhouse. “ Rich
Visco the co-founder hails from Derry, Northern Ireland. The mural in the
Tasting Room depicts his drinking adventures in Galway. Along with its
signature Irish Pale Ale, the brewery creates unusual combinations like their
Cannoli Beer and CucumberWasabi along with seasonals such as Pumpkin Scotch and
Concord Grape Saison., 203-514-2336. shebeenbrewing.com
From
Pabst to Pints
Brad Hittle, a former Pabst marketing executive, and brew master
Phil Markowski head the team of Stratford’s award-winning Two Roads
Brewery. Founded in 2012, Two Roads is known for its wide range and
creative names such as Road 2 Ruin, “a temptingly hoppy ale,” and Unorthodox,
a Russian Imperial stout aged in Aquavit barrels. The experimental Road Less
Traveled Series includes Philsamic, a sour beer made with aged balsamic
vinegar. 203-335-2010. http://tworoadsbrewing.com.
Down on the Farm
Kent
Falls Brewing Company, one
of the newer operations, is one of the few farm-based breweries. The
owners are producing farmhouse ale in Kent by growing their own hops, drawing
water from their own well and sourcing local grains and ingredients. They plan
to open their tasting room in the spring of 2016. 860-398-9645, kentfallsbrewing.com
For information about lodging, dining and other activities in the
area and a free copy of UNWIND, a full-color, 152-page booklet detailing what
to do and see, and where to stay, shop and dine throughout Fairfield County and
the Litchfield Hills of Western Connecticut, contact the Western Connecticut
Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or visit
their web site at www.visitwesternct.com
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