Connecticut Valley Brewing Company

When We Went: June 28, 2020

Where: 765 Sullivan Ave, South Windsor, CT 06074

For this weeks socially distant brewery review, I (Shannon) would like to welcome you to one of my top 5 favorite places, Connecticut Valley Brewing Company! Located in the heart of the Connecticut Valley, this South Windsor brewery opened its doors back in 2018. CT Valley is all about aviation, which makes sense since one of their co-founders is an aviator himself. Their logo features the F4U Corsair, a World War II carrier-based and ground support fighter aircraft used by the U.S. Navy and Marines. The Corsair was named the official Connecticut State Aircraft in 2005 because 12,500 of them were designed and built by Connecticut workers at Hamilton Standard, Pratt & Whitney, and Vought Aircraft. CT Valley truly believes that community and industry is important and that is why they choose to highlight some of the states greatest achievements through delicious beers and beautiful can art.

Shannon: Let me start off by saying that I am a bit obsessed with airplanes, so I may favor CT Valley a little more than I probably should, but who cares? This brewery makes me happy! Between the aviation memorabilia covering the walls, the airplane can art, the aeronautical beer names, even the flight holders shaped like propellers, CT Valley has their theme down to a ‘T’. Beyond my love for old airplanes, CT Valley makes some really delicious beers. I’ve had 16 different beers by them and I can honestly say there has only been one that I haven’t liked. The one I didn’t like (let’s just get it out of the way) is their cucumber gose The Sailor’s Dream. I’m not a sour beer fan so I couldn’t really get behind this one. Beers I can get behind though, oh man, they have so many great ones. The Fun of It (Berliner Weisse), Black Sheep (Stout), The Great Escape (Porter), Double Wasp (Doppelbock), Let’s Fly Away (IPA), Trailblazer (NEIPA), Ace of Aces (Lager), Sherwood (IPA)….okay, okay, okay! I’m done gushing about how much I love Connecticut Valley, but only if you promise to go there!!

Chris: There are a lot of things that make Connecticut Valley Brewing a unique brewery. Shannon has already gone on and on about their (and her) long obsession with planes, but another one of the cool things about this place is how much they change. Every time we go there is something new to see, most recently was their almost finished fancy outdoor patio equipped with fireplaces! The previous time we went Birdhouse Coffee (owned by the same people who own Connecticut Valley) had just opened up inside serving craft coffee to go along with the craft beer. The brewery also makes their very own line of hard Seltzers, so they are doing a little bit of everything. I am a big fan of this place, especially their huge selection of fruit and sour beers, which is perfect for this time of year. They also have a huge selection of beers in general, usually close to 20 things on tap. Definitely check this place out, I guarantee you and all your friends will love it.

Other Cool Stuff:

• Dogs are welcome on their outdoor patio area!
• Awesome merch available
• Outside food is welcome but they often have food trucks for you to munch from
• Wine is available if you aren’t in a beer mood
• They hold fun events featuring trivia, comedians, and live music
• They have their own coffee house located in the brewery! Go check out Birdhouse Coffee!!
• CT Valley partners with Bevv to bring their beer all across the country. You can get their beer in Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Illinois, Kentucky, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Montana, Idaho, and Alaska!!!

What We Drank:

Shannon: Cosmic Circus (IPA) 6% – 3.5 out of 5

Chris: Spiked Smoothie Lemonade (Sour) 5% – 4 out of 5

Chris: Strawberry Lemonade (Sour) 5.1% – 4.5 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 4.5 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?