When: October 21, 2023
Where: 776 Tolland Street, East Hartford, CT
East Hartford Brewing Company opened its doors in 2020 in the old Burnside Ice Company building built in 1930. Before East Hartford Brewing Company was Old Burnside Brewing Company that specialized in Scottish beers. It closed down in 2018, but they have brought back their flagship beer, the Ten Penny Ale. The parking lot was small and kind of hidden away and the building was easy to drive past and not notice. We didn’t sit inside the main building where the brewing happens as it is apparently very small, but instead we sat in the much larger barn out back with a full bar inside. The inside of the metal barn was decorated for Halloween, but still looked very much like the inside of a metal barn if you just added a bar. There was plenty of seats indoors and out, but no heat. So when winter comes, its going to be cold. They have added a nice bathroom next to, but not attached to, the metal barn, so there is that. The taproom had a nice variety in beers with sours, stouts, IPAs, and ales.
Chris: We both got flights so we could sample as many beers as possible, so I of course went for the sours and stouts. My favorite was their Sour Penny Ale with strawberry and green apple. I am a sucker for green apple flavors so this was nice to have, but I wish it was a bit more flavorful, which was the overall theme for all of EHBCs beers. Their Sour Penny with orange creamsicle was much the same, good flavor that I wish there was more of it. Their stouts were even more bland, but I kind of get it since this brewery is very much an old school brewery.
Nick: I was also drawn to the sour ales. The Sour Penny Ale with strawberry and green apple was a standout for me as well. However while I enjoyed the combination of strawberry and green apple, I also found myself wishing for a bit more intensity in the flavor. It seems like subtlety is a common thread in EHBC’s beers. The Sour Penny with orange creamsicle, although tasty, left me wanting a more pronounced citrusy kick. Interestingly, I also noticed the same trend with their stouts. While they might be considered more on the mellow side, I can appreciate the nod to the old school brewery vibe they have going on.
Other cool things:
- Cans to go
- Occasional events
What we drank:
Chris: Dirty Pumpkin Ale (Black & Tan) 5.2% – 4 out of 5
Chris: Sour Penny Ale (Sour) 5% – 4 out of 5
Chris: Dirty Joe Coffee Ale (Stout) 5.1% – 3.5 out of 5
Nick: Money Penny Stout (Stout) 7%- 3.5 out of 5
Nick: Ten Penny Ale (Red Ale) 5.5%- 3 out of 5
Brewing Persuasion:
Beer: 3.5 out of 5
Location: 2.5 out of 5
Atmosphere: 2.5 out of 5
Brewing Persuasions 