Two Roads Brewery + Food Trucks = Weekend Fun!

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood

and I, I took the one that lead to the brewery

and that has brought me all the hops and barley in the world.

-Robert Frosty Mug

We heard about Two Roads Brewing a while ago and were happy when they opened up in December. But, because they are in Stratford and we were in Greenwich, we weren’t sure when we could travel out there. Well, as a stroke of pure genius, we decided to break up an annoying drive to Ikea to return some glöreögköps  and kröakelörigöbrigs (sp?) with a trip to Two Roads.

It’s pretty easy to get to, just past Bridgeport and right off exit 31. And, parking wasn’t too hard to get even though it was packed. We rushed out of our car because we were dying of hunger and Fryborg (RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!), a food truck serving up french fries, sandwiches, natural sugar sodas, and other fried goodness was there. We knew that we wanted fries, but what kind and variation?

1. Dutch Fries with a mound of fries topped with curry ketchup, mayo, and minced onion?
2. BLT Fries with hand-cut fries topped with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, chopped bacon, and mayo?
3. Italian Fries with crispy fries topped with pesto mayo, tomato, and Pecorino cheese?
4. Bacon, Egg & Cheese Fries with Belgian style fries topped with a fried egg, melted American cheese, and bacon?
5. Assimilation Fries with golden brown fries topped with a fried egg, American cheese, 1000 island dressing, and onion?
6. Chili Cheese Fries with our delicious fries topped with truck-made chili and cheddar cheese?

Dayummm

Or, what condiments to throw down:  Ketchup, Smoky Ketchup, Curry Ketchup, Spicy Ketchup, Mayo, Herbes de Provence Mayo, Old Bay Mayo, Spicy Mustard, Honey Mustard, Ranch, Pesto Mayo, Cranberry Mayo, 1000 Island, or Brown Sugar Maple Mustard?

We went with the chili cheese fries, though all the other options looked seriously re-donk-ulous.  The chili was rich, came out hot, and hit the spot.  The fries were crispy and held up nicely to the chili.  Make sure you keep your fry to chili ratio in proportion so you don’t run out!  Later, in the middle of our beer sampling, we traveled down to get a sandwich that had caught our gut-eye:  Grilled Fluffernutter with Bacon.  They throw in some “old-fashioned peanut butter” with fluff and bacon and toast it up.  Holy good God.  That’s our jam, we dig it, and so should you.  So, we’ve professed our love of Frybrog, a killer food truck from New Haven, but it’s time to gush about our other newfound lover…

We climbed up the stairs to an old factory that was used for manufacturing. The tasting room was…how do you say…SICK! It’s seriously huge! There are plenty of tables to sit at and plenty of places to stand around with some friends and have some drinks. All of which overlook their stunningly beautiful and pristine brewery tanks and bottlers that were running when we were there.

Oh, and of course there’s the huge, rectangular bar. Here are your options:

• Get a 16 oz. pour for $5 or $6 for the Road 2 Ruin (2x IPA) or Seasonal
• Get a 20 oz. pour for $6
• Get a flight of their beer for $10
• Get a growler fill for $10 or $12

If you’ve never been there before, haven’t had their beer at some local CT restaurants, or got some bottles at your local shops, we definitely recommend getting a flight. Just something to keep in mind: you’ll get a bunch of tasting glasses with a place mat, but if you aren’t at the bar, you’ll need to carry them over in probably two or three trips. No big deal when it comes to good beer, though.  You can also check out the brewery with tours at 1 or 3 for just $5.

Enough delaying, let’s take you through our flights:

• Worker’s Comp Saison is easy going down, ripe with exotic flavors, and has some nice spice notes.
• Ol’Factory Pils has a honey flavor that comes forward with just a slight pineiness at the end.
• Honeyspot Rd. White IPA hits you with the hops at first, then fades away nicely. In terms of IPAs it’s light and refreshing.
• Road 2 Ruin Double IPA is one of their most popular brews. It’s definitely strong but, oddly enough, doesn’t get out of control with hops.
• Holiday Ale is rich, well-rounded, and has a slightly bitter end.

Saison, Pils, White IPA, Double IPA, and 2 Seasonals

With our amazing luck, we ran into owner, Brad Hittle.  We talked for quite a while (as he was drinking Road 2 Ruin nonetheless) and he shared something pretty awesome:  They aren’t brewing just their own beer…they also are producing beer for local brewers that don’t have the room or space or money for the overhead. So cool! Brad also said, “If you had seen this place just a few months ago, you never could have imagined what we have now.”  Yeah, we totally agree.  The brewery is a sight to behold and it’s putting out some really nice beer.

As we left, we felt like the drive wasn’t so bad and that the good beer and good food (food trucks usually every Saturday, BTW) made it well worth it.

So, when you come to the two roads that diverge in the yellow wood, take the one that leads to the brewery with the beer and food trucks.

After your visit, we’d love to know:

What’s your favorite Two Roads beer?

What did you order from Fryborg or any other food trucks and how was it?

Two Roads Brewing Co.

1700 Stratford Ave

Stratford, CT 06615

Phone:  (203) 335-2010