CTFishTalk.com: Craft Beer Drinkers - Connecticut General Topics ( CT General Topics ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

dogfishhead · Joined: 18 Mar 2013 Posts: 82 Location: Cromwell

Just tried out a new craft brew yesterday, Heavy Seas "Loose Cannon".... close comparison to dogfishhead 60min, and I may have a tough time deciding between the two....
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Got em!!

BigEd · Joined: 22 Feb 2012 Posts: 103 Location: Monroe

I favor hoppy stuff in the summer. Harpoon IPA is kind of a go-to standard for me, not really a craft brew but a good IPA and there is usually some in my fridge. Lagunitas is definitely one of the better breweries out there as others have mentioned and there hasn't been one of their beers I thought wasn't excellent (Maximus being my favorite).
Other favorites would be Stone IPA, New England Brewing Sea Hag or Ghandi Bot hen available, Founders All Day IPA, anything Smuttynose is good, Ipswich IPA, North coast Brewing Red Seal Ale, Dales Pale Ale and Beaver Brewing Brewnette or Blonde are also pretty good.

Youngs Double Chocolate Stout, Boddingtons Pub Ale, Left Hand Brewing Milk Stout, Founders Breakfast Stout are good winter beers.

Most of the great beers I've had are from brewpubs around the country. I either can't recall them or they have limited distribution. There are alot of breweries in CT but many are only distributed regionally. You guys near Hartford have some great options though as many of the breweries seem to be up that way!

If you get a chance stop by the New England Brewery in Woodbridge. No pub or bar but you can get samples and growlers there. Ghandi Bot is some yummy high octane stuff if you like hoppy beers!

The best place to get info on CT craft brews and events is the Connecticut Beer Trail.
http://ctbeertrail.net/

Yankee Brew News is also awesome for getting New England brew info
http://www.brewingnews.com/yankeebrew/

Anyone up for a FishTalk member brewpub gathering?

SheltonTom · Joined: 16 Apr 2011 Posts: 96

I just tried two ales in cans from New England Brewery in Woodbridge. The first is 668 - Neighbor of the Beast. It's a Belgian-style golden ale. The second is Sea Hag - an American pale ale. Both are very heavy, in a good way. the Sea Hag more so than 668. The fact that they come in cans is really nice so they can be safely taken on a boat. i am going to go to the brewery in the next few weeks.

BigEd · Joined: 22 Feb 2012 Posts: 103 Location: Monroe

New England brewing has some good stuff. Don't expect too much from the brewery, it's basically a real big garage where everything happens.Nothing fancy but the product speaks for itself. They are very welcoming and happy to pour samples and fill growlers. Many times they are serving beers that they never package or distribute to local stores.

Tom, here are a couple of upcoming beer events that look like fun in our area.

Brew Festival at Harbor Yard - Bridgeport
http://www.harborbrewfest.com/

Smoke in the Valley, chili cook off, beers/breweries and bands - Seymour
http://www.smokeinthevalley.com/

DirtyDawg10 · Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 2238 Location: Granby, CT

If you're in the area it's well worth the trip over to Back East Brewery in Bloomfield. They have a tasting room where you can try out their beers and they sell growlers and cans. Check 'em out.

http://backeastbrewing.com/