Burgeoning Breweries

There is very little European charm to be found in Winsted. A New England factory town half destroyed by Hurricane Diane in 1955, it is a utilitarian working town bent on reinventing itself. But, sitting outside the Little Red Barn Brewery, with autumn light filtering through an overhanging tree and the splash of the Mad River in the background, you can almost imagine yourself in the yard of an English pub.

One of the newest entries into Connecticut’s burgeoning brewery scene, the Little Red Barn Brewery found its origin in a Christmas present. Laura Day gave her husband, Matt Day, one of the founders of the brewery, a Mr. Beer kit. “He made some horrible beer,” confessed co-founder Nils Johnson, “but he caught the brewing bug.”

Day and his brother, Nathan, began making beer regularly on the kitchen stove. “A friend, Greg Hoffman, took them to the next level in beermaking,” Johnson recalled. He taught the brew crew the importance of precision, sanitation, documentation and passion. Then Johnson enthusiastically joined the merry crew.

Their efforts soon exhausted their wives’ patience, and the brew club was exiled to Johnson’s parents’ “little red barn,” which would eventually provide the name for their brewery. Barn brewing went on for a few years before the brewers debuted one of their beers at a home brewer table at a craft beer event. “We had the longest line at the event,” Johnson related. “After that, we decided to be a ‘brewery-in-training.’”

By 2017, after researching several Northwest Connecticut towns, the trio decided on 32 Lake Street, a derelict factory in Winsted that dated back to the mid-19th century, as their future home. In 2019, after two years of fundraising and much renovation, the brewery was opened.

“We thought that was the hard part,” Johnson confessed, “but then COVID struck.”

As with so many area food and drink purveyors, the great outdoors has provided the answer and, on a pleasant weekend afternoon, the parking area around the brewery is filled with people enjoying the craft beers prepared onsite. Food trucks provide tasty snacks and live music plays in the background.

Johnson said there are always five beers fermenting and 14 beers on tap. So popular is the brewery’s Double IPA, they have had the happy problem of trying to keep up with demand.

Although the craft beers are the main draw, the brewery also serves red and white wines and soft drinks. It is open Wednesday and Thursday, 3-8PM; Friday and Saturday, noon-8PM, and Sunday, noon-6PM.

Other area breweries also attract a bevy of visitors. Here are some of them.

Brewery Legitimus: Established in 2016, the brewery is located at 283 Main Street, New Hartford, and offers beers “lovingly crafted and cared for to ensure the best quality and flavor,” according to owners Chris and Christina Sayers. Their brewery and its inviting community taproom is located in the former Waring factory. A beer garden is outside. Curbside pickup is available, with beer served in the taproom. Food trucks provide refreshments.
Hours are Monday-Tuesday, closed; Wednesday-Thursday, 3-9PM; Friday-noon-10PM; Sunday, noon-7PM.

Norbrook Brewery: Located at 204 Stillman Hill Road, the brewery straddles the Colebrook/Norfolk town line on 450 acres formerly dedicated to farming. The brewery, itself, offers plenty of space for convivial socializing—either at the copper bar, in a cozy nook with a friend, family-style at a table, in the mezzanine for a special event, or outside on the patio. Trails crisscross the property for walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, mountain biking and disc golfing.
It is closed Monday and Tuesday, and opens Wednesday-Sunday, noon-8PM.

Great Falls Brewing Company: Located at 1 Railroad Plaza in North Canaan (not Canaan, as its name implies), the brewery has attracted attention not only for its craft beers, but also for its location in the historic 1872 Canaan Union Depot. The taproom is filled with pictures recalling the town’s past and is comfortably situated with a variety of games for patrons to play as they sip the proffered libations. Seating is also available on the deck outside. The taproom offers a selection of snacks and patrons are welcome to bring their own prepared food or to order from a nearby restaurant.
Current pick-up hours are Monday–Thursday, 4–9PM; Friday-Saturday, noon–9PM, and Sunday, noon-6PM. Seating hours are by reservation only (860-453-4076) Monday-Thursday, 4–9 PM, and Friday–Sunday, noon–9PM.

Kent Falls Brewing: Located at 33 Camps Road in Kent, the brewery sits on Camps Road Farm, a 50-acre diversified farm. The farm focuses on pasture-raised poultry and pork, along with one acre of hops and an acre-and-a-half of cider apples destined for Neversink Spirits, the brewery’s associated distillery in Port Chester, NY. As the first farm brewery in Connecticut, Kent Falls now has a fully functioning tasting room as well as distributing its products through a wide range of purveyors. In normal times, visitors can explore the brewery’s hopyard and view various farm animals. Frozen meat from animals raised on the farm is sold in the taproom. There is an outside drinking area with a swing set for children.
During the COVID crisis, however, the brewery is open for curbside pickup only, Wednesday 3:30-5PM, Thursday 3:30-5:00PM, Friday and Saturday, 3:30-6PM, Sunday noon-4PM; Email: info@kentfallsbrewing.com

Big Elm Brewing: Located at 65 Silver Street, Sheffield MA, the brewery is the dream of Bill Heaton and Christine Bump, who met while working for Victory Brewing Company in 2003. They first opened a brewpub in Pittsfield before deciding to start their own brewery, offering 12 varieties in the taproom and six sold through outlets.
The taproom is open Thursday-Sunday, noon-6PM. Curbside pick-up is available.

Barrington Brewery & Restaurant: Located at 420 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington MA it is the granddaddy of area breweries, having opened its doors in 1995. It offers craft beers and food, including from-scratch desserts, bread baked fresh on the premises, burgers from grass-fed cattle and local sausages.
It is currently open for outdoor/indoor dining or take-out Monday-Thursday (closed Tuesday) 11:30AM-9:30PM, Friday-Saturday, 11:30AM-10PM, and Sunday, 11:30AM-9PM.

Chatham Brewing Located at 59 Main Street, Chatham NY, the brewing company, which offers 13 selections, was started more than a decade ago by Tom Crowell and Jake Cunningham when their wives discovered the men shared a love of beer. When Albany’s Big House Brewing sold its former 3.5-barrel brewing system the two quickly moved to form Chatham Brewing. Just three months after crafting their first batch, they won their first prize, a bronze medal, for their porter at TAP New York. In 2013 they moved their tanks down Main Street and into a new space and soon opened their doors to visitors. The brewery provides craft beers for take-out and on tap. Food is served at the taproom.
Opening hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 4–9PM; Friday and Saturday, noon-10PM, Sunday, noon-8PM.