Holiday Spirits in Fairfield County

Brewport in Bridgeport is more than just a brewery, starting with the building itself – constructed in the late 1940s as the central distribution point for all the out-of-town newspapers in Fairfield County. The menus and other supplies are displayed in old newspaper vending machines; the bar rails are made from the original steam pipes; and you can even find vestiges of the commercial green paint on the walls. Treat yourself to their own specialty brews plus a host of guest taps as you take in the old steam and new beer lines, beams, the pizza oven, fermenters, wart kettle, bright tank and service tanks while enjoying great pizza, fresh salads, and terrific beer.

Fifth State Distillery in Bridgeport is the first distillery to open in Fairfield County since January of 1919, the Prohibition era of the 18th Amendment (which Connecticut never ratified). A century later, they continue to produce craft, small batch gin, vodka and corn whiskey using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients from grain to bottle. With the motto “Distilling the Spirit of Connecticut,” locally owned and operated Fifth State invites visitors to share the experience of transforming non-GMO, Connecticut-grown grains into high quality spirits, and to sample the nuances of taste and aroma that separate a decent spirit from an amazing, deep and complex one.

Fun-Loving. Audacious. Brilliant. Restless. Impactful. Collaborative. Sounds like a pretty good foundation on which to build a modern company. At Half Full Brewery in Stamford, that’s what they refer to as their “Fabric.” And with names like “Welcome to Fabulous Stamvegas, Mango Supernova, and Liquid Hoptimism,” you know they have some mad fun crafting some of the most innovative and tasty brews in the area. Take a tour of their Taproom, enjoy delicious beer and meet some really cool people.

On February 4, 1919, by a vote of 14 to 20, the Connecticut State Senate failed to ratify the 18th Amendment, making Connecticut the first of only two states to defeat Prohibition. Hence the number “1420” in the name of SONO 1420/American Craft Distillers in Norwalk. Let’s drink to that! This destination craft distillery produces award-winning, ultra-premium, alternative grain distilled spirits in their custom-designed industrial building in South Norwalk – as they describe it, “One part distillery + one part bar = one great place to spend an hour or three.”

Celebrating their 10^th Anniversary in 2022, Two Roads Brewing Company in Stratford fosters a “road less traveled” philosophy in the beers they make and how they make them. In that spirit, Phil Markowski, their award-winning Brewmaster and craft beer veteran has created an extensive lineup of popular brews that takes a unique twist on classic beer styles (popular names include Road 2 Ruin, No Limits and Two Juicy). Two Roads was named one of the ten best breweries in America by Paste Magazine and has won numerous awards. Take a tour in either of their Tasting Room locations.

Pull up a seat and enjoy a few cold ones at Spacecat Brewing Co. in South Norwalk. Offering the most immersive brewery experience in Connecticut, their 1,700 sq.ft. taproom features seamless wrap-around views into a state-of-the-art, 3,000 sq.ft. manufacturing facility where, under the leadership of Head Brewer, Roger Krackow, Spacecat’s beers are crafted with tradition, passion, and unchecked creativity. Enjoy year-round, seasonal and rotational brews and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and food in their taproom and private beer garden.