Back East Brewing Company

When We Went: June 24, 2020

Where: 1296A Blue Hills Ave, Bloomfield, CT 06002

Back East Brewing Company opened way back in 2012, which is ancient in the Connecticut craft beer scene. They are one of the most recognized breweries in the state and it seems every package store carries them. Over the years they have gone through a number of expansions, most recently they renovated their brewing capacity and taproom. Shannon and I went to their old tap room awhile ago, and it was a little small, but that is not a problem anymore. Their brand new taproom and outdoor patio fits tons of people, and during Covid they have sectioned off part of their parking lot for even more spaced out seating. The taproom boasts plenty of wooden high tops and high ceilings that makes you feel like you have plenty of room even if its crowded. The bar itself is massive in comparison of what it used to be, and they will be able to deal with big crowds with ease. If you haven’t been to Back East in awhile, head on back to check out the new space.

Shannon: It makes me really happy to see that Back East was able to pull off a total taproom renovation and grand re-opening during the Covid-19 shutdown. That is some really impressive stuff, especially in the world we are living in. Despite all of that planning, they continuously pumped out new beers, keeping their canning line BUSY. In my fridge right now is a 4-pack of their mango IPA called Suzy Greenberg. I wasn’t expecting this beer to be as good as it is, but I’m really enjoying it! This 5.6% brew is fruity, juicy, and just hoppy enough that it rates a 3.8 overall on Untappd.

Chris: Have a mentioned that I like dark beers before? Back East is known for their IPAs but they aren’t very well known for their stouts or porters. They do have a few like their uniquely named porter, “Porter.” To be honest I have never been impressed with their dark beer, but Shannon keeps telling me there are other styles of beer so I ended up liking the one kind she doesn’t, sours. Back East is much better with their sours than they are with their dark beers, in my personal opinion. Last time we went I got their Pomegranate Berliner Weisse and this time I was very impressed. It was perfect because we went on a very sunny and hot day, and with its low percentage (3.5%) it ended up being very refreshing. Back East has enough variety that you will be able to find a style you like, and you will especially love them if you like IPAs.

Other Cool Stuff:

  • In April, the brewery released All Together IPA as part of a worldwide collaboration to raise money for local hospitality workers!
  • Pre-pandemic they released Ooooooh, Berrycuda for the Pink Boots Society, an organization that supports women in the beer industry!
  • Beer-to-go, plus indoor and outdoor seating
  • Free Wi-Fi – you know you love to see it
  • Grab some grub at their guest food truck
  • Dog friends welcome on the outdoor patio
  • They started to make their own seltzer, because that is the new thing apparently
  • Through the end of the summer, Back East is donating 50% of all their draft sales to community organizations that advocate for equity in education, mental health accessibility for disadvantaged communities, social justice, the elimination of racism, sexism, and discrimination, and helping the children of the Greater Hartford community!!!!
    • ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR BACK EAST!!! 

What We Drank:

Shannon: Audacity (Brown Ale) 8.1% – 3.5 out of 5

Chris: Pomegranate Berliner Weisse 3.5%- 4.5 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: rating 3 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?

Kinsmen Brewing Company

When We Went: June 17, 2020

Where: 409 Canal St, Milldale, CT 06467

Kinsmen Brewing Company, located in the historic 1854 Clark Brothers Bolt Company building in Milldale, opened its doors in 2017. When the breweries two founders got together, they wanted to create an extension of home and kinship, leading them to the name Kinsmen. This enormous beer hall is full of exposed brick, wood, and pipes. Large communal tables, tinted lighting, and a huge “V” shaped ceiling make the taproom feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the medieval period. Most important is their sprawling tap list full of creative, flavorful, and innovative tasting beers. We can say with confidence that these guys know their way around a dark beer!

Shannon: Kinsmen Brewing is a pretty epic beer hall. It kind of reminds me of where the Red Wedding took place on Game of Thrones, minus all the fighting and bloodshed, of course. They have a tap list with normally 10 or so beers ranging between all the traditional styles. My favorite beer by them was a collaboration with Eli Cannons Tap Room, Perkatory Coffee Roaster, and NoRa Cupcake Company, all located in Middletown. The beer, called Two Bad Neighbors, is a strong and VERY roasty chocolate/coffee/cupcake imperial stout. Two Bad Neighbors hasn’t been on tap since the end of 2019 but keep your eye out for it, you’ll regret not having a pint.

Chris: I have been to Kinsmen quite a few times, but it was the Secret Stash Stout Brunch that made me fall in love. It combines two of my favorite hobbies, drinking stouts and eating brunch. They switched their taps to go all out on stouts and porters , not just from Kinsmen but other local breweries. They also had their in-store restaurant Sauced do breakfast pizza which if you have not had you are missing out. In summary, it was a dream come true. Even if you go when there isn’t a special brunch event, Kinsmen is a great place to go. They are constantly trying out new beers. Last time we went, I got their Dessert Sandwich Stout, a Nutella flavored beer. That’s not to say they don’t do plenty of non-dark beers too, but you know me, I like my beer as I like my metal.

Other Cool Stuff:

  • The taproom is crafted with reused lumber, pipes, and other materials original to the old factory building!
  • Kinsmen is on the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail that goes from New Haven up to Northampton, Mass.
  • Huge outdoor deck and patio
  • A bar full of assorted liquors available
  • Has an in-house restaurant called Sauced where you can order some pretty tasty food!
  • Pets welcome on the patio
  • Live music on the weekends
  • There’s a rental hall in the brewery called Clark Hall where weddings are held!

What We Drank:

Shannon: Bowl Cut (DIPA) 8% – 3 out of 5

Chris: Dessert Sandwich (Imperial Stout) 10% – 4.5 out of 5

Brewery Rating: 4 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?

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?