Problem Solved Brewing Company

During this time with COVID-19, please support your local breweries if you can! They are doing everything they can to stay above water, and lets be honest, you can’t quarantine the right way without their beer. Many breweries are doing online or pick-up orders, so give them a call or check out their websites to see what they have available. #drinklocal

When We Went: March 12, 2020

Where: 2 N Rd #4, East Windsor, CT, 06088

What makes you need a drink more than an irritatingly hard math problem? Well, you don’t need to be good at algebra, geometry, or calculus to grab a drink at Problem Solved Brewing Company. This mathematics/ invention themed brewery, currently located in the former location of Broad Brook Brewing, has a rotating tap list of 7 to 10 beers, all named after different mathematical terms. Problem Solved opened in 2018 after a successful kickstarter by a math teacher and an engineer! I guess the breweries math theme really adds up. Sorry, I hope that horrible pun doesn’t subtract from our post.

Shannon: Out of their entire tap list, Problem Solved has two beers that I find really enjoyable. Their Milkshake IPA called Parabolic is a tasty dessert beer made up of equal parts chocolate, banana, and lactose. It’s a fairly average brew, but it’s executed perfectly. Now, if you’re looking for a beer with a unique flavor profile, give their other Milkshake IPA called Wave Generator a try. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Pina Colada flavored beer before, but Wave Generator nailed it. With hints of coconut and pineapple, this beer is a smooth, creamy, sweet drink made for summer days or getting caught in the rain.

Chris: When you walk into Problem Solved brewery the layout gives you the feel of a very clean and bright Buffalo Wild Wings. The decor is all about inventions with blue-prints posted all around the taproom. They go all in with the engineering theme with their light-bulb logo and many of their beers named after gadgets. They have a great variety of beers that are constantly changing. The first time I went here I had one of my favorite beers of all time, their Coarse Threads Cinnamon French Toast Double Imperial Stout. Unfortunately they did not have it on tap this time so I got a flight and really enjoyed my two milkshake IPAs, the Parabolic Split and Wave Generator. Once you have had enough beer you can head into their giant game room which includes a map of where their beer has been!

Other Cool Stuff:

  • You can bring food into the tap room
  • Large game room!
  • 3 TV’s to watch sports on
  • Offering a beer-to-go service during COVID-19 quarantine!!

Our Persuasion

What We Drank:

Shannon: I got a flight!

  1. Parabolic Split (Milkshake IPA) 4 out of 5
  2. Wave Generator (Milkshake IPA) 4 out of 5
  3. Quadrifolium (Irish Red Ale) 3 out of 5
  4. J(ELLY) (Stout) 3 out of 5

Chris: I also got a flight, but mine was cooler!

  1. Parabolic Split (Milkshake IPA) 4 out of 5
  2. Wave Generator ( Milkshake IPA) 4 out of 5
  3. Six Sides with Mixed Berries (Kolsch) 3.5 out of 5
  4. J(ELLY) (Stout) 3 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 4 out of 5

Our 10 Favorite Connecticut Craft Beers

In no particular order, we thought we would share some of our favorite Connecticut craft beers with you!

Source: Alvarium Beer Co. logo from website.

Clusternutter

Brewery: Alvarium Beer Co. (New Britain)

Beer: Salted Peanut Butter Cup Porter

ABV: 6.9%

Clusternutter is the cream of the crop, the best of the best, the pick of the litter, the heavy-weight champion of the world! I know we aren’t supposed to rank these beers but this is the best beer PERIOD! Alvarium hit the jackpot when they came out with this peanut buttery masterpiece. Next time its on tap you better start running to get it because it will be gone before you know it.
Source: Problem Solved Brewing Co. logo from website.

Coarse Threads- Cinnamon French Toast

Brewery: Problem Solved Brewing Co. (Windsor)

Beer: Double Imperial Stout

ABV: 8.5%

The original Coarse Threads is a coffee imperial stout made with cold brew coffee from Baker & the Brew. Problem Solved decided to add Cinnamon French Toast to the mix and came out with something godly. But thats not the only variant of Coarse Threads, they also have a pumpkin coconut, white chocolate raspberry, B-52 sumatra, peanut butter, salted caramel cider donut, and more!
Source: Kinsmen Brewing Co. logo from CTvisit.com.

Fat Little Bastid

Brewery: Kinsmen Brewing Co. (Milldale)

Beer: Marshmallow Peanut Butter Stout

ABV: 13%

This is a peanut butter fluff sandwich but in a very alcoholic liquid form. Fat Little Bastid has a rich flavor of marshmallow and peanut butter while not being overly sweet. This beer will knock your socks off with its powerful flavors, coming in at a hot 13%!!
Source: Fat Orange Cat image from CT Brewers website.

Electrical Banana

Brewery: Alvarium Beer Co. (New Britain) and Fat Orange Cat Brew Co. (East Hampton) Collaboration

Beer: Banana Milkshake NEIPA

ABV: 7.5%

Alvarium and Fat Orange Cat hit gold with their collaboration brew, Electrical Banana. It has a thick and creamy feel from the added lactose and a nice mix of vanilla and banana flavors. Drinking this beer really does feel like drinking a well made milkshake.
Source: Alvarium Beer Co. logo from website.

Bomb Pop

Brewery: Alvarium Beer Co. (New Britain)

Beer: Fruit Sour

ABV: 4.5%

Remember the feeling of getting a bomb pop from the ice cream truck on a hot summer day? Ever wondered what it would taste like as a beer? Well Alvarium has answered your question with their Bomb Pop Sour and it tastes like heaven. This beer is a perfect mix of cherry, key lime, and raspberry with a nice sour finish. There is nothing better than a Bomb Pop on a hot day or any day really.
Source: Thimble Island Brewing Co. logo from facebook.

Bon Voyage – Mimosa Brut

Brewery: Thimble Island Brewing Co. (Branford)

Beer: IPA – Brut

ABV: 5.5%

Beermosa anyone? Coming in at a cool 5.5%, this beer is the perfect morning or brunch choice. A take on Thimble Island Brewing Co.’s super dry Brut IPA, Bon Voyage is packed with fresh oranges and champagne, giving it a strong tangy flavor. A second variant on this beer is the Bon Voyage – Rosé Brut brewed with strawberries and hibiscus.
Source: Two Roads Brewing Co. logo from website.

Nitro Orange Creamsicle

Brewery: Two Roads Brewing Co. (Stratford)

Beer: Wheat Beer

ABV: 5.5%

What’s more refreshing than beer and ice cream? Mix the two together and you get Two Roads Nitro Orange Creamsicle Wheat Beer. Brewed at only a 5.5% ABV, this nitrogenized cream beer has bright notes of orange, citrus, vanilla, malts, and hops, giving it a delicious summer taste.
Source: Witchdoctor Brewing Co. logo from website.

Bunny Patch

Brewery: Witchdoctor Brewing Co. (Southington)

Beer: Strawberry Malt-Shake NEIPA

ABV: 5.4%

As they say at Witchdoctor Brewing Co., this is a beer that would make the Nesquik bunny proud. The Bunny Patch isn’t your standard milkshake, in color or mouthfeel. It’s a clean, smooth, creamy, sweet brew that’s a little malt and strawberry forward.
Source: Connecticut Valley Brewing Co. logo from website.

Double Wasp

Brewery: Connecticut Valley Brewing Co. (South Windsor)

Beer: Munich Doppelbock

ABV: 8%

This 8% take on a traditional Munich Doppelbock is rich with subtle hints of molasses and dried fruit, finishing with notes of caramel. It’s the perfect beer for someone looking to expand their pallet!
Source: Shebeen Brewing Co. logo from CTvisit.com.

Salted Caramel Cannoli

Brewery: Shebeen Brewing (Wolcott)

Beer: Spiced/ Herbed Beer

ABV: 5.2%

Brewed with natural caramel flavors and salt, and served with a powder sugar rim, this beer is a twist on Shebeen’s classic Cannoli Beer. Other flavor variants of this beer include: chocolate cherry, pumpkin spice, orange chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, marshmallow peep, chocolate coconut, pistachio, lemon meringue, pecan pie, Irish coffee, cinnamon toast crunch, and blueberry cream.

Feeling persuaded yet?

Luppoleto Brewing Company

When We Went: March 12, 2020

Where: 20 Main St, Windsor Locks, CT, 06096

Luppoleto Brewing Company is a neat, minimalist brewery with eye popping décor, that opened its doors for the first time in the fall of 2019. The first and only brewery in Windsor Locks, the taproom is located in a small plaza, and in a way feels like it doesn’t quite belong there. Looking through the large glass windows into the parking lot isn’t the best view, but they’ve done a lot with their space to make up for it! With three different types of seating, (high tops, benches, and couches) each space provides a relaxed environment to sit back, chat, and enjoy one of the many Italian-inspired beers on their frequently changing tap list. Oh, and did I mention that “luppoleto” means hop farm or hop yard in Italian? They’re really sticking to their slogan with that name and tap list: American Beer; Italian Hospitality.

Shannon: Going to Luppoleto simply makes me happy! Chris and I have only been here a handful of times, but I swear every time we’ve been there, most of the beers (if not every single one) on the tap list has been different! Where most breweries are good with one type of beer or have a lot of options for one style of beer, Luppoleto tries really hard to offer different styles and varieties when it comes to their brews. I enjoyed a cherry and blood orange wheat beer that is part of the Luppoleto’s experimental series. It was tart, yet sweet, and a really lovely red(ish) color. Definitely a tasty experimental beer that I’d like to have more of in the future! I wonder what the other experimental flavors are? Hmmmm….check back with me on that later.

Chris: Luppoleto does a really good job of creating a comfortable atmosphere in a small space. Even though they have three different types of seating in a small venue, it feels relaxed rather than crowded. I really like that every time we go they have tons of new beers because I always want to try something new, unless it’s an IPA. It gets a little annoying when you go out of your way to a brewery and they have the same exact beers as last time. Even though they are constantly coming out with new beers, I have never had a bad beer at Luppoleto. Last time I went I got the Xport, a foreign export stout, and it was sweet and creamy, reminding me of a Guinness Extra Stout. Also, on a side note I find the design of their glasses to be really cool. I look forward to going back and trying another batch of their beers.

Other Cool Stuff:

  • Located 10 minutes away from Bradley International Airport
  • Live music!
  • Besides beer, they also serve CT-made soda, cider, and wine
  • Merchandise for sale
  • Food isn’t for sale here but they love it when you bring food in from other places!
  • Offering a take-out beer option during the COVID-19 quarantine!!

Our Persuasion

What We Drank:

Shannon: Prova #5 (Cherry and Blood Orange Wheat Beer) 4.5 out of 5

Chris: Xport (Foreign Export Stout) 3.75 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 3.5 out of 5