When: June 28th, 2024
Where: 32 Lake Street, Winsted, CT
Little Red Barn Brewers started brewing beers in 2013 and opened up their taproom in Winsted in 2019. The taproom in Winsted was built for variety in all aspects, starting with a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating. Once you walk in, you will instantly notice the barn design of the bar and the large amount of mugs from their mug club. Looking at what’s on tap, you will see wheat beers, IPAs, a stout or two, light beers, ciders, and seltzers, showing again that Little Red Barn wants to reach all crowds. Like many breweries right now, Little Red Barn has put a kitchen into its taproom, and it has an extensive menu with BBQ and pub food. The owners really aim to appeal to all sorts of drinkers and eaters.
Chris: With such a large variety of beers, I decided on getting a flight with a wheat, shandy, porter, and sour. The Berry Manilow sour was by far the best of the bunch with a nice fruity raspberry and blackberry taste and just enough sourness. Unfortunately, my luck with the other brews wasn’t so good. The Everyman’s Porter, Winchester Wheat, and Shade Tree Shandy were all very bland and forgettable. I know that not every beer can stand out with its flavor and you want some easy drinkable stuff, but I still want something that is going to want me to come back for more. I’d like to go back to Little Red Barn at some point to see if I can try some of their other beers, and get a chance to try out some of their delicious sounding food.
Nick: Chris and I stopped in with our friend Steve before a Yardgoats game, and this place was a bit out of the way, especially since I live on the shoreline. If Little Red Barn was closer to where I live, I would probably want to stop in a few more times because I liked their Vibe. Like Chris, the only beer that stood out to me was the Berry Manilow; the Over-Ripened and Cow Tippin’ Copper Ale were pretty bland.
What we drank:
Chris: Berry Manilow (Sour) 4.9% – 4 out of 5
Chris: Everyman’s Porter 5.6% – 3 out of 5
Chris: Winchester Wheat 5% – 3 out of 5
Nick: Berry Manilow (Sour) 4.9% – 4 out of 5
Nick: Over-Ripened (Brown Ale) 5.5%- 3 out of 5
Nick: Cow Tippin’ Copper Ale (Pale Ale) 5.6% – 3 out of 5
Other cool things
- Mug club
- Private event space
- Axe throwing next door
- Cans to go
Brewing Persuasion:
Beer: 3 out of 5
Location: 4 out of 5
Atmosphere: 4 out of 5
Brewing Persuasions 