Visiting a local brewery is unquestionably one of the best activities you could enjoy during any vacation.
Whether it’s a weekend away with your partner, time away with friends, or a business trip with key clients, a CT brewery tour is one way to impress.
And there’s no need to go all the way to Portland, Maine; Portland, Oregon, or Asheville, North Carolina, to find great breweries.
Connecticut is home to several brilliant breweries. No matter where you are in our little state, one of the best Connecticut breweries is sure to be close-by. So head to the closest brewery to you and support local businesses while feeling like you’re going farther afield.
Find all of the most unique and interesting things to do like the best Connecticut breweries when you download a copy of the Connecticut Travel Guide!
List of the 25 Best Connecticut Breweries
Here are 25 of the best breweries dotted around Greenwich and nearby areas.
Each of these breweries are great stops for craft beer drinkers, or pauses during day trips in their host towns or while exploring a broader area.
Many of the towns playing host to these breweries made our list of the cutest towns in Connecticut.
Stamford, CT, Breweries
Just next door in Stamford, these Stamford breweries are an easy trip from Stanton House Inn in one of the best towns near Greenwich, CT.
1) Half Full Brewery, Stamford
The Half Full Brewery isn’t the easiest to find (down an unmarked alley), but it’s worth the effort.
The small yet friendly CT brewery has a decent selection of beers and ciders while the pleasant outside seating area is ideal for downing a few pints with friends.
And speaking of friends, this place is on the list of the most dog friendly breweries in Connecticut. And it’s very close to our dog-friendly bed and breakfast, so win!
2) Lock City Brewing, Stamford
Lock City Brewing is open Thursdays through Sundays and is home to a range of tasty alcoholic beverages.
The company’s name derives from an early name for Stamford, as the home of Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company which at one time employed 25% of Stamford’s population. Its funky setting and cool vibe makes this a great place to throw back a couple of their brews. The outside is also dog friendly.
In addition to IPAs and Stouts, Lock City Brewing has several ciders on offer, including the 5.1% ABV Original Blend.
Their main focus, though, is on making dank, hazy, East Coast-style IPAs.
3) Beer Garden at Shippan Landing
This writer admits that this isn’t actually a craft brewery. But this outdoor biergarten is a great stop when exploring Stamford, CT, nightlife, especially on a nice night.
Craft beer, food trucks, live music, and special events descend upon the Beer Garden at Shippan Landing, a 17-acre office park in Stamford, Connecticut.
Because it is located on the water, this outdoor oasis is a popular spot for friends and family to relax by the water.
The beer garden, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday and is located at 290 Harbor Drive, is a seasonal favorite in Fairfield County.
The Best Connecticut Breweries in Norwalk
Norwalk itself is a fun stop on a Connecticut day trip. This little city has more than enough attractions and things to do in and around Norwalk to keep you entertained, beyond imbibing.
And with more craft breweries opening there, it’s definitely worth a stop on a craft beer lover’s tour.
4) Lesser Mind Brewery, Norwalk
Norwalk is home to a couple of very good breweries, and the Lesser Mind Brewery is certainly one of them. We’d suggest opting for a bottle of Great White, but there are plenty of other great tasting drinks on offer at this small yet sophisticated venue.
5) Iron Brewing Co, Norwalk
The Iron Brewing Company offers far more than craft beer, as its delicious menu of food underlines. However, tipples like Sono Wheat and Hipster Vienna Lager play center stage as you enjoy the stylish setting and comfy ambience.
6) Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer, Norwalk
With 20 beers to choose from, Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer in Norwalk gives you plenty to choose from. A range of gluten-free beers allows those with wheat intolerances to enjoy beer without the fear while the fruity hints of Cranberry, Grape, and Prickly Pears are all great options.
7) Beaver Beer Brewery, Westport
While Beaver Beer’s various tipples can be purchased throughout the state of Connecticut, there’s nothing like the fresh on tap solutions on offer at this CT brewery. You can celebrate the visit with some ultra cool merchandise featuring the snazzy beaver logo.
The Best Breweries in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport, Connecticut offers some benefits to local brewers: lots of cheap land that relatively recently was used for industrial purposes. That’s my best guess as to why breweries often pop-up in former industrial sites, but your guess is as good as mine.
8) Brewport, Bridgeport
Brewport is open seven days per week, and the modern industrial brewery combined on tap beers with stunning foods like the BBQ pork pizza. The menu is why this brewery is also on the list of the best restaurants in Bridgeport, CT. The South End Pale Ale is a winner in our books while those seeking a strong craft beer can choose the 8% ABV Old News Double IPA.
9) Aspetuck Brew Lab, Bridgeport
The small yet classy brewery based in Bridgeport brings subtle tastes to provide the perfect solution for an afternoon of drinking. The taster flights are a particularly popular option at Aspetuck Brew Lab that gives you a chance to try up to 6 different beers for just $2 each.
10) Two Roads Brewing Company, Stratford
In the industrial area of Stratford, close to the Bridgeport border, sits the largest brewery in the Northeast.
Two Roads Brewing Company took over an old factory, and refurbished it for their brewing area and tasting room. The tasting room features the cool old wooden floors, huge double hung windows, and a classic industrial feel that can’t be remade.
The regular special releases warrant visits to the nearby experimental Area Two. Area Two Experimental Brewing, Two Roads’ sister company, is right next door, with a walking path connecting the two. Area Two is exactly what it sounds like: an experimental hub that produces more interesting choices.
Some recent releases included an Imperial stout in tribute to helicopter mogul Igor Sikorsky and a sour fruit gose beer aged in oil tankers out front. And regular visits from food trucks will keep you from getting sloppy.
Fall is a great time to try the Roadsmary’s Baby Pumpkin Ale at Two Roads Brewing Company.
11) Athletic Brewing Co, Stratford
Getting drunk isn’t the only reason to enjoy craft beer, and Athletic Brewing Co’s non-alcoholic beer range proves it. Enjoy a few craft beers without fear of gaining a hangover, allowing you to enjoy Connecticut in style. Their merchandise range is pretty impressive too.
More of the Best Breweries in Connecticut near Danbury
John Oliver may not be a fan, but there are plenty of reasons to check-out the various attractions, activities, and things to do in Danbury and the surrounding towns.
One of which is the breweries!
12) Nod Hill Brewery, Ridgefield
Open Thursdays through Sundays, Nod Hill is a stylish brewery with a rustic vibe about its décor. They also produce an array of wonderful beers, including Zoar brown ale. With live music often on offer too, this is a great venue for a relaxed evening out in Ridgefield, Connecticut.
They typically have a different food truck each night. For a great, active, afternoon, head to Devil’s Den Preserve, one of the best hiking trails in Connecticut, then stop-in to Nod Hill for a beer or two and some food truck fare.
13) Redding Beer Company, Redding
The Redding Beer Company aimed to offer a relaxed environment for local, beer drinkers, and beer aficionados to enjoy. And they’ve hit the mark with their chill, coffeeshop vibe of a tasting room.
Get a tasting flight or growler (or anything in between) of their English ESB, American IPA, or East Coast IPA.
14) OEC Brewing, Oxford
Ordinem Ecentrici Coctores = Order of the Eccentric Boilers
The founders of OEC Brewing wanted to create a slightly more unconventional brand, focusing on eccentric concoctions.
Even their name is a spoof on old-time secret societies.
And this eccentric take on brewing has gained a small but devoted following, with many claiming it to brew the best craft beer in America, let alone Connecticut.
OEC Brewing used to specialize in sours, but has diversified. Even to the point of adding house-baked bread and other baked goods, plus coffee, to their menu.
Don’t miss their Baladin Panettone, made with beer. A unique gift, made in Connecticut, for the beer drinkers in your life.
The Best Breweries in CT near Hartford
The state capital is starting to see a revival, as Millennials pick the area to settle down.
It’s easy to see why, between the restaurants, attractions, and activities in Hartford; plus the lower cost of living compared to other parts of the state.
And where you find Millennials (this one included), you’re sure to find a craft brewery or two.
15) Back East Brewing Company, Bloomfield
This small craft brewery specializes in porters, ales, and seasonal brews.
Visit Back East Brewing Company for tastings and tours, but especially for their new tap room and outdoor seating.
The Ice Cream Man IPA is by far one of their most popular brews.
16) Firefly Hollow Brewing, Bristol
As is the case with many breweries across Connecticut, Firefly Hollow Brewing took over an old factory building to house their Connecticut brewery and taproom.
The result is an exterior that is nondescript to say the least. But the inside is a cool industrial-style atmosphere.
Their pints and growlers are worth stopping-in for when passing through. Especially if you’ve got your pooch along, as it’s one of the most dog friendly places in Connecticut.
Some of their most popular brews include:
- The Heavy Creamer Carbomb is an Imperial Cream Stout, blended and aged in vanilla and whiskey barrels
- Lizard’s Breath IPA has a great taste, and the can is gorgeous
17) New Park Brewing, West Hartford
Even tony West Hartford has a few industrial areas ripe for brewery occupation by members of the craft beer industry.
This small venue is quite pleasant, especially with food trucks in the parking lot outside in the summer.
New Park Brewing‘s beer list includes everything from IPAs to stouts, but the most popular is the Berliner weisse, currently served in their Blender Brunch series.
18) Alvarium Beer Company, New Britain
The Alvarium Beer Company is New Britain’s first microbrewery and taproom, run by what they call worker bees.
The company, located in New Britain’s industrial center, aims to revitalize a historic city by creating an inclusive, ultra-communal atmosphere.
Come as you are, and everyone can unite under the banner of “righteous craft beer.”
Alvarium Beer Company is committed to hard work and handcrafting, and they welcome the working class as Alvarium worker bees.
The Best Breweries in CT, Litchfield County edition
After an afternoon of hiking or other mountain activities, head to the nearest town for what is likely one of the best breweries in Connecticut.
Even the smallest outfits in the Litchfield Hills seems to have their contenders.
But here’s our top pick:
19) Great Falls Brewing Company, Canaan
On your annual Fall foliage driving pilgrimage from Norwalk to the Massachusetts Berkshires along Route 7, stop into the little town of Canaan.
In an old train depot shared with downtown Canaan’s Railroad Museum, you’ll stumble upon Great Falls Brewing Company.
While their beer menu changes regularly, the stouts and sours never disappoint.
The Top Breweries in Connecticut near New Haven
Better known for its intellectualism and beaches, the New Haven, CT, area also hosts some of the best breweries in Connecticut.
19) New England Brewing Company, Woodbridge
After the closure of a previous location, New England Brewing Company, a Connecticut-based brewery, was established in 2001. While lots of breweries have variations of their name on their walls, no one had actually claimed the title until they opened.
Rob Leonard, the company’s head brewer, bought it and relocated to Woodbridge, Connecticut. In 2006, New England Brewing Company expanded its offerings to include Sea Hag IPA and Imperial Stout Trooper.
New England Brewing Company relocated to 175 Amity Road in Woodbridge in 2013, remodeled its front area, and began serving local craft beers. The brewery upgraded its brew house in 2016, adding 60 barrel tanks and doubling the system size.
20) Twelve Percent Beer Project, North Haven
Twelve Percent Beer Project is a Belgian craft brewery with a lively taproom. It’s a suburban beer garden in North Haven with silver tables and candy-colored flights of Omnipollo’s Bianca Lassi Goses. To brew their recipes and distribute finished products, the company collaborates with breweries such as:
- Fat Orange Cat Brew Co.
- Evil Twin Brewing
- Abomination Brewing Company
- Hoof Hearted Brewing
- American Solera Brewery
- And Stillwater Artisanal Ales
The tasting room looks like a modern craft beer hype house, but the truth of the Twelve Percent Beer Project is more complex and sincere.
Brian Ewing, Ashley Van Valkenburgh, Alex Blank, and Bridget Blank met in Norwalk, Connecticut, through a mutual friend and first collaborated over a passion for Belgian craft beer. They eventually joined the beer industry when their hobby became a little too expensive to maintain on its own.
20) Stony Creek Brewery, Branford
The name is deceptive, as this Connecticut brewery used to be in the cute nearby neighborhood of Stony Creek.
Today, Stony Creek Brewery occupies a gorgeous space overlooking Branford River. The airy taproom is lovely in the colder months with a window into the brewery’s canning and bottling lines. And yet, it’s even better when the deck, terrace, and yard overlooking the water are comfortable for seating, with a few fire pits to add to the atmosphere.
Stony Creek Brewery even has its own little dock for boat-traveling visitors.
But there’s plenty of parking for those lacking in maritime transportation, plus room for food trucks. They serve pizza from a wood-fired oven in a food truck, speaking of which. That said, you can bring your own food to Stony Creek Brewery, as long as it’s not pizza.
With regards to beer, Stony Creek Brewery has a broad range of options, from IPAs to lagers, stouts, porters, and creative seasonal beers. That said, sours are the most popular here at this CT brewery.
21) Thimble Island Brewing Company
Thimble Island Brewing Company, founded in 2010, is another Branford, Connecticut, brewery. It took its name from the largest group of islands in Connecticut, the Thimble Islands.
The brewery focuses on quality craft beer and aims to connect and inspire the community. Under the leadership of founder and CEO Justin Gargano, the company has over 1,800 accounts and offers 7 core products, seasonal and specialty products in draft, bottles, and cans.
And during the pandemic, Thimble Island Brewing Company expanded its taproom into a full-service restaurant, offering a variety of menu options and 30 draft lines.
Either (or both) of these are an ideal rest stop after taking a ferry tour of the Thimble Islands or poking around the Stony Creek neighborhood of Branford.
The Best Connecticut Breweries near Mystic
Visiting a brewery or two should be on the lengthy list of things to do in Mystic, Connecticut.
22) Fox Farm Brewery, Salem
This Connecticut brewery is about a thirty minute drive northeast of Mystic.
But Fox Farm Brewery isn’t necessarily close to any other major town in Connecticut. And it has consistently won the title of best brewery in Connecticut, so it needs to be on this list.
Occupying a former industrial dairy barn in rural Salem, Connecticut, the space (outside of the tasting room) is dog friendly. And the entire area of Fox Farm Brewery is family friendly, with what many claim is some of the best beer in the entire Northeast.
Plus, Fox Farm Brewery offers half and full pours, so the tasting room is also driver friendly, eventually.
Whatever you pick: browns, farmhouse ales, pilsners, porters, sours, or stouts; their brews are all high quality. And the friendly team at Fox Farm Brewery is sure to guide you well in making your pick.
Westchester County, NY, Breweries
Greenwich is on the edge of a finger of Connecticut that juts in between Long Island Sound and New York State. A chunk of Westchester County is closer to Greenwich than parts of Connecticut.
And there are more than a few great breweries in Westchester, so we’d be remiss not to mention them!
23) Neversink Spirits, Port Chester (NY)
When beer isn’t the only drink on your agenda, the gins, bandies, and cocktails at Neversink Spirits are just the answer. This brewery in Port Chester, New York, also offer a good selection of foods while the distillery’s bottles can be ordered to take away.
24) Decadent Ales, Mamaroneck (NY)
Decadent Ales is based in the nearby town of Mamaroneck, New York. That said, it is still very close to Greenwich, Connecticut, and has a cozy, open brewery atmosphere. Decadent Ales opens its doors to the public on Wednesdays through Sundays. Known for a number of IPAs, we’d suggest trying the Strawberry Coconut Smoothie for a gorgeously fruity flavor.
25) Wolf & Warrior Brewing Co, White Plains (NY)
The Wolf & Warrior Brewing Company opens every day except Mondays. The brewery offers over 20 beers. Project Mayhem is our pick of the bunch, but all of the deliciously fresh tastes are sure to put a smile on your face during the visit.
26) Broken Bow Brewery, Tuckahoe (NY)
The family-owned brewery is focused on providing a comforting experience, and a trip to the tasting room is sure to tick all the boxes. Since opening its doors in 2012, Broken Bow has won over many guests in NY and CT. With its:
- solid beer
- great prices
- good service
- great indoor/outdoor seating
Broken Bow Brewery has earned its reputation for being one of the best Westchester County breweries.
You won’t be disappointed.
Besides, the cute, little, town of Tuckahoe and nearby Bronxville is worth exploring.
27) Captain Lawrence Brewing, Elmsford (NY)
Located just over the borders in NY, Captain Lawrence Brewing doesn’t only provide a selection of delicious craft beers on tap. It also takes the experience to another level by offering facility tours. The food is surprisingly good too. It’s a particularly good option for larger groups as there are over 600 beers from which to choose.
25) Gun Hill Brewing Company, Bronx (NY)
Yes, this one isn’t in Westchester. But it’s close to the border in the Bronx.
Gun Hill Brewing is a must-visit brewery for fans of Stout beers. Their Void of Light has won many accolades in recent years. The dark wood décor of the tasting room is a winning backdrop as you tuck into their glorious showpiece beverage.
The Final Word on the Best Breweries in CT
Greenwich, Connecticut, is blessed with some truly incredible CT breweries that are sure to provide you with experiences that you’ll treasure. However, that’s not the only reason to visit this part of the Constitution State.
For example, if wineries are more your thing, you can check out our list of the best wineries in Connecticut.
Or, check out our guide to planning a romantic getaway in Connecticut, including our guide to the most romantic restaurants in CT.
From the historic and quaint neighborhoods to the beautiful beaches and gorgeous greens spaces, there’s plenty to explore in Connecticut. Be sure to download a free copy of the Connecticut Travel Guide for all of the most unique attractions, activities, and things to do in Connecticut.
Updated and republished on October 30, 2023
