So, I was on one of my trips to Crazy Grapes on Hope Street in Stamford to replenish our beer supply. Well, maybe I need to clarify. I need to add to it and add more variety. Kristien doesn’t understand why there has to be 10 different kinds of beer in the fridge, but, look…variety is the spice of life. Right? Whoever first said that was a brilliant person. So, yes, I was at Crazy Grapes just to see if I could find some Dogfish Head beer to prepare for our dinner with Coalhouse pizza. I did sure find their nice Punkin Ale, a favorite of mine now. But, I also found something new, something very local.
SBC (Southport Brewing Company) Connecticut Pale Ale. Yes, SBC has begun sales of their CPA in package stores, supermarkets, and restaurants throughout Connecticut. I decided to get the Punkin Ale and also the CPA even though I knew I might get in big trouble.
The next night the SBC Connecticut Pale Ale was nice and cold, so I poured out a glass. Here’s what I thought:
Pours out with a nice, thick, creamy head. Then again, Kristien has told me that I don’t pour well.
Dark golden in color.
Has a hoppy taste, but definitely not as hoppy as an IPA. The bitterness doesn’t linger, but quickly fades.
In terms of drinkability, it’s pretty easy going down.
From reviews on various sites, people seem to either love this beer or hate it. Although we agree with many reviewers that this is a bit of a one-dimensional flavor profile, it’s a nice easy brew to drink when you don’t want anything too complex, too dark, too overpowering, or too hoppy.
Also, be on the look out because Southport Brewing Company will be opening up a location in South Norwalk. Remember that when you go to one of their locations to ask for the Help Line brew and part of your beer sale will go towards charity.
Branford 850 West Main Street Branford, CA 06405W Main & Mathew Road Hamden 1950 Dixwell Ave
Hamden, CT 06460
Cross Streets: Dixwell & Weybosset Milford 33 New Haven Avenue
Milford, CT 06460
New Haven & Broad Southport 2600 Post Rd
Southport, CT 06890
Cross Streets: Post & Pequot South Norwalk ??? Stamford 131 Summer St
Stamford, CT 06901
Cross Streets: Summer & Broad
OmNomCT 
Gave Nola a try on Saturday (SBC in South Norwalk) and wanted to give you my take but wasn’t sure where to post. :)
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Right here is cool. What’d ya think?
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Overall we liked.
I could probably go on for at least two paragraphs so i’m editing in my head.
lobster and waffles = very good, but a bit pricey ($30)
burger = amazing – the sig other said their burger was one of, if not the best he’s ever had. it’s from a butcher in saugatuck. i had a bite and it was very good.
blood orange jalapeno margartia – tasty, although some other diners thought it tasted too much like juice
so overall, what we had was quite good but i worry that the space is just too large to maintain.
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Saugatuck Craft Butchery…they freaking rock there! Well, we need to get there. Sounds like a good time. Hear what you’re saying about the space in there. Maybe they can install a microbrewery there? :)
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Good idea!
It’s interesting because while tied to SBC, I didn’t get any sort of brew-related vibe.
Definitely let me know if/when you go and what you think.
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Yeah, that is interesting. Cool for them to try something new, though. :) How’s the beer selection?
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I don’t really remember. I know they had a bunch of odd canned beers and a handful on tap.
Sorry, not very helpful.
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haha, that’s okay. :) Cool that they have odd beers in the can to try…we love that. :)
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Great post. We like the beers at SBC too.
I am intrigued about SBC opening up in SoNo as that is near where I live! I am wondering if that is the new activity we have seen inside the old Wasabi Chi restaurant that closed some time ago, on the corner of Washington Street? Just a guess but a good location for SBC. Lots of competition too! :)
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Yeah, there’s so much competition of brew pubs in SoNo! So many…and so many so close by! :)
How big was the Wasabi Chi spot?
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Sorry for the late response! The Wasabi Chi location was pretty much two decent sized rooms combined. There was a bar in the front and another (sushi) bar in the back. Would be interesting to see what they do if that is the space. Quite a bit of seating around the perimeter / windows. Definitely would work. but I don’t see them making beer there as it is small compared to the Stamford location! Either way SBC would make a nice addition to the strip! :)
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Hey, don’t worry about the response…it wasn’t even late. :) Yeah, from what you say it looks like a great location, but the brewing system…well, that will be tough.
What we love, though…how the beer culture in CT is becoming bigger and better, month by month. This is great. :)
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Guvnor’s Brewery is opening up the street at the old Sweet Rexie’s.
http://www.thehour.com/news/norwalk/guvnor-s-to-brew-ales-serve-food-at-washington-st/article_c27e2e77-cd31-5a60-870a-d395c97e5dac.html
Won’t be very large…and the brewing system will be small too. Still, the more beer the merrier!
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This is actually “contract brewed” at Thomas Hooker Brewery in Bloomfield, CT. It’s the same recipe as the beer brewed and served at the brewpubs though.
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Wow, really Loren? How’d you find that out? Crazy.
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Label says Bloomfield, CT and TH is a contract brewer for numerous brands throughout CT. Stoney Creek (203 and 860 IPAs) is another brand brewed there, among a few others (City Steam’s bottles are done there too).
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Yeah, huh, the label does say that. Had no idea that Hooker took care of all those brews. Must be a HUGE location. We need to get there pronto and check it out. :)
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Not to be Debbie Downer, but does SBC really brew it in one of their restaurants? All the times I’ve been to the Stamford location, I’ve never seen anybody actually, you know, brewing beer.
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We think it works like this: they brew it at their larger, high capacity facility. They bring the kegs in for use to their different restaurants. We saw Rogue in Oregon doing this, with a few offshoot restaurants that served their beer in Portland.
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I’m fully with you on the variety side of things. I always look for beer sample packs – 6 bottles of the same thing become too boring too quickly :)
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Yeah, you’re right. I’m glad that we think alike. Kristien, though, doesn’t want you to encourage me. :P It’ll be our little secret. :)
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I promise, nobody will ever know,.. :)
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:)
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