Center Street Brewing Company

Center Street Brewing Company

When Chris Went: November 29th, 2020

Where: 24 Wallace Avenue, Wallingford, CT 06492

Center Street Brewing Company in Wallingford opened their taproom almost two years ago, and has been a family run business from the beginning. The brewery’s location was completely remodeled for the taproom and had lived many lives before being a center for craft beer. Before Center Street came to Wallace Avenue, the location had been an art studio, a recording studio, and an auto repair shop. The two things that I noticed when I walked in was that it definitely was a repair shop, but also how it felt like fall in New England. So obviously it WAS fall in New England when I went, but Center Street tries to keep the unique feeling of a northeastern fall going year-round. It creates a very welcoming environment, but I am pretty biased being a native of New England. I want to go back in the summer because they have windowed garage door on the front which they open up, and I have always liked fresh air coming into taprooms. They had a decent amount of high top tables and outdoor seating, and a good sized parking lot, so it was a pretty convenient trip.

Chris: Speaking of convenience, Center Street had a good selection and variety of beers. They currently have 10 beers on tap ranging from IPAs, Pilsners, Porters, and Browns. They also have cider, wine, cocktails, and soda, so no matter who you are going with, you will be able to find something for everyone. I was also impressed by their musical choices as they were playing 2000s rock the entire time we were there. When it comes to their beer, I had their Charlie Brown Ale and Mocha Jo Porter. Both were good, but to be honest, I wasn’t really thrilled with the beer, although one of my friends loved it. To be fair, two beers is a small sample size, so I hope I can go back soon to try some more.

Other Cool Things:

  • Cans-to-go
  • Wine, Cider, Cocktails, and soda available
  • Alpaca snacks made from their beer!
  • Flights
  • Merch for sale

What Chris Drank:

Chris: Charlie Brown (Brown Ale) 5.7% – 3 out of 5

Chris: Mocha Jo (Porter) 7.1% – 3.5 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 3.5 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?

Listermann Brewing Company

When Shannon Went: September 13, 2020

Where: 1621 Dana Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45207

If you take the time to Google the best Cincinnati breweries, you are sure to find Listermann Brewing Co. gracing almost every list. Among one of the best breweries in the city and the state, this German style beer hall is held in high regard across the country. Listermann has most recently collaborated on beers with craft brewing giants from Anaheim, California, and Chicago, Illinois. When they’re not collaborating, they’re brewing award winning beers in almost every style. What do they do well? Everything. But they’re best known for pumping out delicious stouts on the regular. One of their most popular brews is Nutcase, their 6.8% peanut butter porter.

Shannon: I was immediately smitten with Listermann Brewing Co. before even entering the taproom. When a brewery has a large Mario Brothers themed mural on the side of their building, how could you not fall in love? A few other things that made me like Listermann even more was the vast amount of beer on tap and the really cool merch that was for sale. While there was almost over 20 beers of draft, I opted for a canned lemon meringue Kolsch. A classic light, sweet, tart, 5% Kolsch, this beer is the perfect combination of lemon and vanilla flavors.

Other Cool Things:

  • Owns and operate their own homebrew store!
  • Really cool merch for sale
  • Website has a tab called Winners Circle where they share first place winning recipes!
  • Cans to-go available
  • Food trucks outside
  • Partnered with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden to celebrate its super cute cheetah cub Kris and her equally adorable companion pup Remus with a canned caramel stout brewed with vanilla. Proceeds benefit the zoo!

What Shannon Drank:

Shannon: Lemon Meringue Pie Fight (Kolsch) 5% – 3.5 out of 5

Brewing Persausion: 4 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?

Hog River Brewery

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.

Hog River Brewing | Hartford's 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.

Ten Cozy Cold Weather Hideouts | Cold weather activities, Brewery, Old factory

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?