When Chris Went: October 24th, 2020
Where: 1429 Park Street, Hartford, CT 06106
Hog River Brewing Company’s founding has the “traditional” craft brewery story. A husband and wife tire of their corporate jobs and decide to pursue their lifelong dream of owning and operating a brewery. They finally realized their dreams with the opening of Hog River in Parkville, Hartford in August of 2016. It is located inside the old Hartford Rubber Works industrial building, which is home to a number of other businesses including Pine & Iron Axe Throwing. All of these businesses are connected, and you can get a growler to go and bring it right on over to axe throwing. I mean, what could be more fun than drinking around dangerous weapons? I know I had fun when I did it. The brewery takes its name from the Park River, nicknamed Hog River because of the smell and pollution. For that reason, and its constant flooding, the army buried the river in the 1940s and it now exists in a subterranean tunnel that empties out into the Connecticut River. Luckily, the taproom is more appealing than a subterranean tunnel; it keeps its industrial look that so many breweries have while still being a welcoming location. Hog River has tons of benches inside and a few stools, and a few benches outside during warmer months. The taproom has simple decorations, grey painted walls with a few murals and industrial parts to give the feel of a true craft brewery.
Chris: I have frequented Hog River Brewing a number of times over the years and almost every time they have something going, usually live local bands playing. They have a pretty good variety of beers and a decent selection. Hog River is a great hangout spot for you and your friends since there is so much to do at the brewery and nearby. From the axe-throwing and the live music its a place that you can go to as much for the events as for the beer. Last time I went I got their version of the Black is Beautiful and the Zozimus Sour. The sour was pretty unique, with marshmallow, coconut, and vanilla. When I went they had the Baba Ganoush food truck, which is the food truck of Tangiers, a Mediterranean restaurant in Hartford. My spicy lamb gyro was absolutely amazing and I hope next time I go to Hog River I can order it again.
Shannon: I’m a sucker for a relaxed, industrial brewery. I’ve been to Hog River a handful of times, maybe not as many as Chris, but enough times to know that I really enjoy their taproom and their beers! If you’re ever there and they have their Coffee Milk Stout on tap, I highly recommend getting it! This beer is sweet, rich, and creamy with the hearty coffee roast flavor to finish. Another beer of theirs that I often enjoy is the Granola Brown Ale. At 5.7% ABV, this granola tasting beer is malty and holds a brown sugar sweetness to the very last drop. The Granola Brown Ale is often on tap but can also be found canned in a number of different package stores.
Other Cool Things:
- Fancy event room called the Stave Room
- Lots of live local music
- Cider and Kombucha on tap
- Axe-throwing next door
- Free parking
What Chris Drank:
Chris: Black is Beautiful (Pastry Stout) 7% – 4 out of 5
Chris: Zozimus Mango with Marshmallow, Coconut & Vanilla (Sour) – 4 out of 5
Brewing Persuasion: 4 out of 5
Feeling persuaded yet?
Brewing Persuasions 