Tour de Anniversaire 2015

Birthday cake courtesy of Willimantic Brewing Company

This is that very special time of year when I enlist hubby as my chauffeur so that he can haul my ass all over the state on a beerific drunken odyssey. Yep, it's birthday time. And I have the best husband ever.

We started my quest by checking out Stony Creek. I was really impressed with the new digs. The brew house is glistening and has plenty of room for expansion. The tasting room is bright and airy with a beautiful deck overlooking the creek.

The beer wasn't so bad either. In fact, I was quite impressed. I admit I was not a fan of any of the Stony Creek beer that was contract brewed at Hooker. But the new brewmaster has done a fine job creating some fine and tasty brews.

We enjoyed samplings of all the brews on tap. I liked all the brews but I especially like Cranky and Creeker. The black ale on nitro was wicked good!

I can't wait to go back!

Then it was off to say a fond fare-thee-well to Thimble Island's soon-to-be old location.

We sampled a few brews and went on our way.

I'm looking forward to visiting the new brewhouse.

Then we were off on a short run up the road for a first visit to Duvig. I've had Duvig beer several times over the past year at various brew festivals but this was my first visit to the brewery.

We got a flight and sampled each brew. I liked all of them. I'm not usually a fan of brown ales, but I was even impressed with this one. I especially liked the pale ale, it was really flippin' good.

And, finally, off to the ultimate destination - Willimantic Brewing Company - where we enjoyed a variety of wings, burgers, garlic fries, every dessert on the menu, and BEER!

There were too many beers on the menu to try them all, so I stuck with my beloved IPA's.

Willimantic Brewing Company is one of my happy places.  Good food and better beer.

Ah, good times.

CBG Revolution Brewfest - Old friends

There were so many great Connecticut craft brewers at CBG Revolution Brewfest.  I wanted to give a special shout out to breweries I already know and love.

Thimble Islands represented with their American Ale and Coffee Stout.  I stopped by and was like, "What?  No IPA?  How disappointing."  No sooner was I disappointed than a growler of Thimble Islands' latest and greatest creation pulled from the cooler.  Oh my sweet lord.  YES!  Bright and aromatic, bitter and delicious!  Thimble Islands makes some kick ass beer!

Relic was on hand pouring up Clockwork Session IPA.  It's always good to see these guys.  I first tasted their beer at a previous CBG event and then again at a Cask Night also hosted by CBG.  They have a great variety of beers that are unique and creative.

Half Full was represented by Nikki from J. Timothy's.  Prior to this event, I'd only had one other taste of their beer.  Admittedly, it wasn't the best experience but I certainly wanted to give them another shot!  I had a much better experience this time around.  I really enjoyed the IPA and I'm looking forward to trying more of their beers!

New England Brewing was pouring up Sea Hag IPA and Galaxy Pale Ale.  I've had the Sea Hag before.  In fact, I've made pickles from this deliciously bitter brew.  By this point in the day I was pretty much beered up, so I opted to sample the Galaxy only.  It was bitter with juicy fruity sweetness to balance out the flavor making it quite drinkable.  The 4.8% ABV makes it nicely sessionable.  

Back East was pouring up their Misty Mountain IPA and Golden Ale.  I have to admit that Back East isn't my favorite Connecticut brewery.  It's not that they're beer is bad.  I wouldn't say that at all.  I just don't think they hit the high bar set by so many other breweries busting out of the woodwork in our state.  That being said, the representative was nice enough to hear me out and indicated that they appreciate the feedback.  I did enjoy my sample of the golden ale, tho! 

CBG Revolution Brewfest

Craft Brew Guy put on an amazing event.  He's got a passion for great craft beer that that may rival my own.

The Revolution Brewfest had some of Connecticut's best brewers represented. 

(In no particular order) 

Shebeen, Thimble Island, Stubborn Beauty, New England, Back East, Bottom Side Up, Lasting Brass, Relic, Half Full

The selection of hand crafted beers was remarkable.  Many of the brewers poured similar style brews on tap but each had their one unique twist which made them all different.  It's what I love best about craft beer!

It was an fantastic day and I'm not ashamed to say I had more than my fair share of beer.  And, I probably got stupid obnoxious. But that's how Brauista rolls.

Please see my individual reviews for each of the breweries represented

A visit to Thimble Island Brewing Company

I just so happened to be in the vicinity of Thimble Islands Brewery so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to stop in and get a growler refill.

The last time I was there (February) I had spoken with brewery co-founder Mike Fawcett about future expansion plans.  The new tanks have been installed and this weekend they finally brought their two new 15BBL fermenters online.  

When I arrived, there was a lot of activity in the brewery.  Despite that, Mike and Justin took a moment to say "hi".   I was pleased that they remembered me from my last visit and was even happier when they offered kind words about the article I wrote about my last visit (click here).

We chatted briefly the new fermenters.  These new tanks are a big deal for them because they increase their production capabilities enormously.   Bigger tanks mean more beer.  More beer is just all kinds of awesome.

I let them get back to their work and, while my growler was being filled, I had a tasted of their American Ale.  It was also my birthday and when I logged the beer on Untappd I had another happy surprise of getting a badge for drinking a brew on my birthday!  


Thimble Islands currently makes only two beers - American Ale and Coffee Stout.  As I was talking with their tap tender, I asked if there were any plans in the works for any new brews.  






In fact, they had just finished a test batch of a new IPA.  That got me very excited; if you know my beer preferences you'll know why.  As were were discussing the new beer, co-founder Justin Gargano went around the back of the bar.  To my delight he offered up a taste.  

Wow!  This was turning out to be the best birthday in recent history!!

The IPA, as yet unnamed, was delightful!  Even my husband, who is kind of meh on IPA's liked it.  

It poured a clear golden color with - in grand IPA style - a big bubbly head that clung to the sides of the glass.  The aroma was mouth wateringly hoppy.  The flavor was quite nice.  The initial taste was a light, flavorful blend of hops that progressed into a pleasant bitterness that built through to the finish.  

Justin informed me that what I tasted may not be exactly the same as the final product.  It will all depend on the availability of the variety of hops they end up using in the finished recipe. 

The test batch was delicious!  I can't wait to taste the final product.

Visit Thimble Island Brewery's website or check them out on Facebook. 

My Mardi Gras Beer

Thimble Islands Brewery

Just a short detour off the beaten track in Branford, CT is a pint-sized brewery with kegs of potential - Thimble Islands Brewery.

I dropped by the other day and the place was packed with people.  By packed I mean that the tasting area had about a half dozen folks hanging out sampling beer and there wasn't a whole heck of a lot of room to move around.  Hey, I wasn't exaggerating when I said it was small!

I was promptly offered a sample by tap-tender Sarah.  I tasted both of the their offerings - an American ale and a coffee stout.

After enjoying the brews, I introduced myself and was offered a tour by co-founder Mike Fawcett.  Was I interested?  Hells ya!

Thimble Islands was founded in 2010 by a pair of enthusiastic homebrewers, neither of whom had ever apprenticed with a master brewer.  They started their business with a passion for beer and a dream.  They wanted to create beers that any beer lover could enjoy.  I think that they succeeded quite well.

I was particularly impressed with how much of the work they put into the brewery.  Most of the equipment they purchased was used and required repair, which they did themselves.  They also did a lot of the construction on the space themselves, including the walk-in beer cooler and office area.

Mike explained that Thimble Islands beer is only currently available in growlers directly from the brewery or from one of the several bars and restaurants that the brewery self-distributes to locally.  He pointed out that they will soon have a small bottling line in production to expand their distribution.

In addition to the new bottling line, there are other expansions being done.  They are currently brewing a little over 20 barrels a month.  However, they have recently purchased equipment that will allow them to increase their capacity to up to 100 barrels a month.   Hmmm . . . perhaps a new recipe or two is in the works as well??  I don't know - *hint* IPA *hint* - just askin'.

The beer . . . 

American Ale (5.25% ABV) is a red ale.  It pour a clear amber with a creamy white head that leaves behind appreciable lacing.  It has a mild hop and rich malty aroma.  I was first impressed by the creamy, full mouth feel - really, quite nice.  The flavor I tasted most was a nice toasty malt.  Very tasty with hardly any bitterness. This is a very fresh, clean tasting beer - very drinkable.   There is nothing in-your-face about this brew.  It is simply a great every-man's beer. Overall - excellent and my personal favorite.

Coffee Stout (6% ABV) is a new brew for Thimble Islands that features whole coffee beans from Willoughbys, a Connecticut coffee roaster.  It pours a deep mahogany brown with a thick, off-white head that clings to the side of the glass leaving behind layers of lacing.  The aroma is coffee and malt.  The flavor is a little smokey with a nice coffee flavor that doesn't overpower the roasted malts.  It is medium bodied and lightly effervescent on the tongue.  This is a nice middle-of-the-road stout with good flavor.  A beer any stout lover would like.  Overall - very good.














What I appreciate the most is that these recipes were formulated by home brewers with no commercial beer making experience.  They developed these beers with their own ideas about how they wanted them to taste and without the influence of a master brewer.  I think they did a great job in creating a pair of good, well-balanced beers.  I look forward to whatever they come up with next.

I went home with a growler tucked under each arm with a smile on my face and quite happy that I paid Thimble Islands Brewery a visit.

Visit Thimble Island Brewery's website or check them out on Facebook.