Tapped In CT: From cold-weather stouts to Parkville Market’s Oktoberfest, there’s plenty of pints to drink this week
The weather’s finally cooling off. Time for a stout, or two.
While this week’s list holds a varied spread of brews to check out across the state, we wanted to highlight a pair of standout stouts to check out. You’ve got a lighter milk stout clocking in at 5.2% brewed with vanilla beans, as well as a heartier 9%-er with plenty of Sumatran coffee.
While you’re checking out the breweries below, make sure to swing by Parkville Market’s Oktoberfest as well. The annual event returns this Saturday, Oct. 1, and runs on Oct. 2, 8, and 9 as well. There will be plenty of food, beer, and lederhosen-clad contenders. Check it out.
Bear Hands Brewing Co.: Key Lime Pie, 4.2% Gose
75 Main St., Suite 1, Putnam
It’s a simple question with this brew. Do you like key lime pie? If you answered yes, then swing by Bear Hands and pick up a pink of this gose.
“A Key Lime Gose. Do you like key lime pie? If so Then you’ll enjoy the dessert of a beer. This Gose features a sweet, semi-tart body with a graham cracker finish.”
Candlewood Brewing Co.: Five Fathoms Essence of Vanilla, 5.2% Milk Stout
116 Danbury Road #3, New Milford
With stout season just around the corner, start things off light with an easy-drinking 5.2%-er. Candlewood Brewing threw in some vanilla to their usual Five Fathoms brew this time around.
“Our milk stout has been aged over Tahitensis style vanilla beans. It offers an essence of vanilla, and soft notes of stoned fruits as it slowly warms.”
Luppoleto: Piccolo Tripel, 6.5% Belgian Tripel
20 Main St. Unit #15, Windsor Locks
It’s been some weeks since we featured a classic Belgian brew. This Tripel from Luppoleto clocks in lower than what you’d expect of the style, but packs plenty of familiar notes.
“Slightly smaller Tripel that’s not short on flavor.”
New Park Brewing: Ferrous Sumatra, 9% Coffee Imperial Stout
485 New Park Ave., West Hartford
Cooler weather and hearty stouts. Name a more iconic duo. New Park’s Ferrous: Sumatra comes with plenty of honey-processed Sumatra Kerinci, complimenting the caramel, chocolate, and malts of the brew.
“We brew Ferrous with a complex blend of caramel, roasted, chocolate, Munich, and base malts and ferment it with our house English yeast strain. We chose honey-processed Sumatra Kerinci for its beautiful notes of apricot, cherry, and honey. A long boil contributes a velvety smooth body that is the perfect canvas for the coffee to play with.”
Spacecat Brewing Co.: Kalico Kölsch, 5.5%
57 Chestnut St., Norwalk
If you’re looking for something crisp and clean, take a journey down to Norwalk and pop into Spacecat Brewing. Their Kalico Kölsch will round out your day the right way.
“Kölsch beers, a staple in Cologne, Germany, are known for their crispness and straw-yellow color. Ours has a nose of candied Meyer lemons and a clean, malty body that presents thoroughly from start to finish. In Germany, they call calico cats “Glückskatze” which translates to “lucky cat.” This Kalico may just be your golden ticket!”
Still Hill Brewery: I Caved, 7.4% New England IPA
Shunpike Business Center, 1275 Cromwell Ave. Building C Unit 9, Rocky Hill
If you’re looking for a no-frills, classic New England IPA, Still Hill has you covered. I Caved is packed with Citra and Mosaic hops, making for a citrusy, juicy brew.
“Our take on the classic Citra/Mosaic New England IPA. This hazy beer has ton of citrus and tropical flavors that dance across your pallet with each sip.”
