Popular Connecticut Microbreweries

Connecticut has not been traditionally thought of as a great place for locally brewed beer. That has all changed and here are three popular microbreweries in Connecticut that helped bring about the change.

Thomas Hooker Brewery

For over ten years Thomas Hooker Brewery has been building a national reputation on the back of its great, locally produced ales. Named for one of the founders of Connecticut the ales are as rebellious and free-thinking as their namesake. Produced in the slow old fashioned way, the taste is the proof of the skill of their brewmasters.

They produce a total of 13 brews, 8 ales and 5 lagers. 

If you want to take a tour and have a tasting, they are offered on Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. The cost is $5 per person. From 5-8 p.m. on the first and third Fridays of the month you get a guided tour, the tasting and you get to take home your glass, how great is that for $10?

Thomas Hooker is what local microbreweries are all about, producing the freshest local brew in a small, friendly atmosphere.

They produce a nice variety of ales including the seasonal favorites Watermelon Ale from May-August, Octoberfest during September and October and if you are into winters in New England try the Nor' Easter Winter Lager from Nov-February. 

Old Burnside Brewing

Old Burnside Brewing has taken the Connecticut beer scene by storm. Their Ten Penny Ale has been voted the best in microbrew in Hartford many times over the years. Brewed in the Scottish style of ale, it has due to the naturally fresh quality of their water, a lighter fresher taste than the model. They brew their beers with no additives including stabilizers or preservatives and they are never filtered or pasteurized.

They have added three-year round beers, Dirty Penny Ale, Hopt Scot and Penny Weiz and two seasonal ales Amazing Grace Ale and Father Christmas Highland Ale.

They do not have scheduled tours of the brewery, however, if you are interested you can contact them through their website and they will arrange a tour for you which will include tasting and the ability to purchase directly from the brewery.

Their Brewtanical Garden is open every Saturday, April –November from noon to 4 p.m. The cost is $10 pp with unlimited samples. If you interested in tasting their distinctive brews, they are offered all over Connecticut, most of New England and also in New York. 

Cottrell Brewing

Located in southeastern Connecticut this small family-owned operation has been producing an excellent product for the local market for the last 18 years. Located in an old factory building and owned by a descendant of one of the founders of Westerly Rhode Island, this is a small operation with a big taste.

Cottrell does not offer regular guided tours but they have a tasting room which is open on the weekends. They stuck with one brew, their Old Yankee Ale, for 6 years and made sure it was firmly established in Connecticut and Rhode Island as a local favorite.

They now produce nano brews every week which allows their brew masters to try out new beers, Year round they have added Mystic Bridge IPA, Stonington Glory Pilsner and Perry’s Revenge Scotch Ale to their Old Yankee Ale.

Cottrell is a stellar example of a local microbrewery that has stayed true to its roots and with a slow and steady growth has become a contender in the microbrewery world.

When it comes to microbreweries, Connecticut may not be the first place that comes to mind. It should, however; these are just three of the microbreweries that are giving Connecticut a great reputation for fresh, locally brewed beer.