New Park Brewing

Logo from New Park Brewing’s website.

When Chris went: January 25th, 2020

Where: 485 New Park Ave, West Hartford, CT 06110

New Park Brewing opened their taproom in West Hartford in 2017 and has been a popular spot since. Located in an old industrial building that has been “upcycled,” New Park fits the bill as a stylish brewery. Walking in you immediately feel transported to a Van’s shoe store located in some cool southern California town. The taproom is on the smaller side, but they decorated the space with tons of plants, local art, and skateboards. The boards give it the ultimate skater, hipster vibe. If there isn’t room in the taproom, during the warmer months, New Park has a nice outdoor seating area. They do a really good job of filling the space with greenery to help you forget you are basically in the parking lot near the road.

Chris: I’ve been to New Park a few times, mainly because people won’t stop saying good things about it. Last time I went they had a Grateful Dead tribute band playing and the place was packed! I very much enjoyed my Schwarzbier, which had a nice clean, light, refreshing feel. Unfortunately both times I have gone, their selection has been very limited. Schwarzbier was their only dark available, which I found strange since it was January and that’s prime Stout/Porter season. Every other draft selection was an IPA with the exception of one sour option. They seem to focus in on their IPAs (and I have heard they are amazing) but as someone who only cares for milkshake IPAs, I was clearly out of my element. That is not to say this isn’t a great place, and if you love IPAs definitely head over there. But if you don’t, maybe check their tap-list before you go to see if there is something there for you.

Shannon: I’ve only been to New Park once and it was at least a year ago so bear with me while I try to muster up some sort of contextual review here. I can’t speak much on the interior of the brewery simply because I don’t remember what it looks like, but what I can speak of is their beer thanks to my Untapped beer app! I have apparently only had one of their beers (which was in 2019 so I guess I should really go back to this place sometime). Untapped tells me that I had an IPA called Cloudscape, formerly known as Cloudbreak. Its a 6.5% ABV that I rated a 3.5 out of 5 on the app. Thank god for Untapped, am I right?

Other cool things:

  • Food trucks
  • Live music performances
  • Merchandise available
  • Beer-to-go during COVID-19 and beer delivery to select towns weekly!

What Chris drank:

Chris: Schwarzbier 6% – 4 out of 5

Chris: Blender: Boysenberry (Fruited Berliner Weisse) 5% – 3 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 2.5 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?

New England Cider Company

When Chris went: March 14th, 2020

Where: 110 N Plains Industrial Rd A, Wallingford, CT 06492

You might recognize New England Cider Company from our top 10 Connecticut Ciders post where it had a number of spots. New England Cider is located in Wallingford, but like us you may have seen them first as a guest cider at a brewery or two since they seem to be on tap everywhere. Their taproom is located in an industrial area like most breweries, and although small, it is quite rustic with their polished wood bar and tables. Every time I have gone they seem to be packed, and once you try their cider you will know why.

Chris: New England Cider Company was the first cidery I went to in Connecticut and I keep going back for more. They rotate their ciders pretty frequently and have a decent variety whenever I go. The cidery always has some sweet (my favorite), semi-sweet, and dry ciders so everyone will be able to find something they like. I also enjoy the fact that they like to try new things like their mint cider, and bring back some old traditions, like their ice cider, where you freeze concentrated fresh juice then ferment it to create an very alcoholic cider. It’s hard to pick just one favorite from them, but last time I went I had to get their sweet blueberry cider which was amazing. All of this goes to show that New England Cider knows what they are doing, and you need to try them out.

Shannon: In a state with so many craft breweries (not that I’m complaining) it’s great to have a cidery so committed to serving up flavorful ciders made out of the finest local products. When I try to think back to the first time I tried locally made hard cider all that comes to mind is New England Cider Company. They really are top notch when it comes to Connecticut cider. It’s impossible not to find them on guest tap in different breweries and restaurants around the state. Last year Chris and I attended a cider, beer, and cheese pairing at Front Porch Brewing with New England Cider Company, and while all of their ciders were great, one has stood out to me as the best cider I have ever had from them – a 6% ABV Ginger Hibiscus cider. Since this pairing event, ginger hibiscus has never come back on tap. Don’t ask me why because this cider was delicious. But you better believe that the next time it does grace their tap list, I’ll be running back for the first sip!

Other cool things:

Ever wonder what Shannon looks like? Well, here she is sippin’ away on some New England cider!
  • Snacks available
  • Bring your own food
  • Recently started canning their cider!
  • You can buy merchandise
  • Great peak at their brewing process from the taproom

What Chris drank:

Chris: Blueberry (Sweet) 5% ABV – 5 out of 5

Chris: Fresh Blend (Sweet) 5.8% – 5 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 4.5 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?

Little House Brewing Company

When Shannon Went: March 5th, 2020

Where: 16 Main St, Chester, CT, 06412

Okay, I know were not supposed to call them cute, but…. Little House Brewing Company is SO CUTE! This (extremely cute) brewery lives within the walls of a nearly 200 year old house that has had many different lives throughout the years. Before being known as Chester’s premier brewery, this architectural beauty was built in 1836, and was the home to a meat-market, post office, barber shop, bakery, coffee shop, book store, and grocers market. This historic house has had more careers than Chris and I combined. If you ever get tired of drinking in your own house, change your scenery by drinking in their little house.

Shannon: I had been following Little House for a few weeks on social media before I finally dragged Chris to Chester to try out their beers. Since that first visit, I’ve brought handfuls of people there because everyone needs to experience the magic that lives within the walls of Little House. I mean, what’s not to love about them? A small adorable house, front porch seating, a backyard beer garden, and great beer on tap – they have it all! On tap is normally 6 to 7 beers, plus a guest cider, but there hasn’t been a beer by them that I haven’t liked. If I had to pick, I would say my favorite beer of theirs is WAVE RACER, an 8.3% tropical smoothie Milkshake IPA. It’s a fruity beer that makes you never want to give up that sweet summer feel.

Chris: Although I did not go with Shannon on her latest visit to Little House Brewing, I have been there quite a few times. The taproom still gives you that cute house feel even with all the beer. My personal favorite is their Roasty Boi, a 5% chocolate stout which is surprisingly light. Every beer comes with a song pairing, yes a song pairing, and according to Little House, Roasty Boi should be enjoyed while listening to “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys. With all the breweries Shannon and I have been to I can honestly say that there is no other brewery like Little House.

Other Cool Stuff:

Shannon went to a Girl Scout cookie and beer pairing at Little House!
  • River Tavern delivers food to the brewery but they’re also BYOF
  • Chester might be small but there’s free parking on Maple and Water Streets and Laurel Hill Cemetery
  • Pup friendly! Make sure to say hi to their brew dog Kirby!
  • Outdoor seating
  • They have 4 seasonal logos which are so fun to look for on their merch and glasses!
  • Merchandise and dog treats made from their spent grain for sale!
  • Offering a to-go and delivery can service during the COVID-19 quarantine!

Our Persuasion

What Shannon Drank: I had a flight with a girl scout cookie pairing at Little House!

Shannon: Still Revolutionary (7.3% ABV, Coffee Stout) 4 out of 5
Shannon: Falcon Punch (5% ABV, Sour) 3 out of 5
Shannon: Don’t Call Us Cute ( 6.4% ABV, NEIPA) 4 out of 5
Shannon: Tintype (5% ABV, Brown Ale) 3.5 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 5 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?