Summer is just around the corner (6/21) and we want to make sure that you soak up every last drop of beer, so we’ve put together the ultimate guide for summer beer fests and hop-heavy events here in Connecticut. As the events pass, we’ll shift them to the bottom so that you don’t have to scroll as much. Also, if you have anything to add on here, please let us know by replying or sending us an e-mail. Cheers!
Craft Brew Races + Brew Festival
Date: 8/1 from 12-4
Location: Edgewood Park at the corner of West Rock Avenue and Whalley Ave in New Haven
Cost: $53.74 for the 5k and Brew Festival; $43.19 for just the Brew Festival; $16.82 for DD
Why you should go: Look, we know you like drinking, so you just might need to work off some of that beer belly with a 5k run! When you cross that line (whether you walked or ran), you’ll get a medal, a pat on the back, and your own Craft Brew Races commemorative event glass that you can use to rehydrate with some brewskis. And, thank God, they’ll have food at the finish line too, so chow down on Bounty Burger, Get Your Irish On, Cowabunga, and Fryborg.
Breweries rep’d: 30+ breweries including Charter Oak, Beer’d, Kent Falls, Overshores, Allagash, No Worries Brewing, Stony Creek, Stone, Powder Hollow, NEBCo, Stubborn Beauty, Pioneer, Relic, Black Hog, Broad Brook, Troegs, Half Full, Cottrell, Long Ireland, Hooker, Grey Sail, Sierra Nevada, and more.
Charity tie-in: Westville Village Renaissance Alliance
Eli Cannon’s Charity Beer Fest
Date: 8/3 from 5-9 (VIPs enter at 4:30)
Location: Eli Cannon’s Tap Room @ 695 Main Street in Middletown
Cost: $37.92 (VIP Sold Out!)
Why you should go: There will be over 60 breweries represented, live music, various vendors, and food trucks including Whey Station, Ted’s Steamed Cheeseburgers, Bear’s Smokehouse, and NoRA Cupcake Company. You’ll also get a customized Eli Cannon’s tasting glass!
Breweries rep’d: 60+ including Foolproof, Shebeen, Thimble Island, Willimantic, Oskar blues, Stone, Olde Burnside, Finch’s, and Baxter.
Charity tie-in: Middlesex Coaltion on Housing and Homelessness
A Hot & “Sour” Summer 2: Acidic Adventures
Date: 8/15 from 12-7
Location: OEC Brewing @ 7 Fox Hollow Road in Oxford
Cost: TBD
Why you should go: OEC will not only be presenting their killer sour beers that they have become known for, but they’ll also be serving up sour beer from across the world. Pucker up and get ready.
Breweries rep’d: OEC Brewing and various other sours from across the world.
Shore 2 the Pour Beach Run
Date: 8/22 from 8:30-?
Location: Short Beach Park and Two Roads Brewing in Stratford
Cost: $35
Why you should go: There’s nothing quite as rewarding as conquering a challenging run then drinking afterwards. And while this run won’t be too long (3 miles), it’ll definitely be a challenge because 3/4 of the race will be on sand or grass. But, you’ll hit the sweet spot, er Honeyspot, when you get to the finish and start drinking some brews.
Breweries rep’d: Two Roads
Charity tie-in: Audubon Connecticut @ Stratford Point
ShakesBeer Festival
Date: 8/22 from 1-7 for VIP and 2-7 for GA
Location: American Shakespeare Theatre @ 1860 Elm Street in Stratford
Cost: $60 for VIP or $40 for GA
Why you should go: Because it’s an awesome name and because beer. Oh, and there will be plenty from CT and across the Northeast! Adding to the excitement, there will be lots of rare brews on tap including some speciality casks being brewed just for this night including one from Two Roads. Oh, and VIPs get to try a few more speciality casks, so the VIP tix are worth it! To sweeten the pot, you can purchase some iambic pentameter inducing food from Vazzy’s Brick Oven Pizza, High on the Hog, The Spud Stud, Lobstercraft, and Zack’s Frozen Yogurt.
Breweries rep’d: Two Roads, Sam Adams, NEBCo, Charter Oak, Otter Creek, Brooklyn, Dogfish Head, Cisco, Shebeen, Long Trail, Clown Shoes, Back East, Foolproof, Half Full, Sixpoint, Black Hog, Ommegang, and more.
Charity tie-in: Tix help to fund the revival of the American Shakespeare Theatre!
Secret Stash Beer Bash
Date: 8/29 from 5-8
Location: Goodwin College @ 1 Riverside Drive in East Hartford
Cost: $42.99 for GA; $16.74 for DD; $105.99 for Pilsner Sponsor
Why you should go: Not only will you be helping to fund money for Goodwin College scholarships, you’ll also get to taste one-of-a-kind brews for over 20 CT breweries. Why so unique? Well, Onyx Moonshine sent them their Secret Stash whiskey barrels and the breweries will be making their own beer right inside. You taste, you vote! Plus, you’ll get some tastes from local restaurants and will also be able to purchase some food from local food trucks.
Breweries rep’d: Back East Brewing Company
Black Hog, Broad Brook,Bru Rm at Bar, Charter Oak, City Steam, DuVig, Half Full, Hooker,
Firefly Hollow, Outer Light, Overshores, Powder Hollow, Relic, Shebeen, Southport Brewing Company, Stony Creek, Stubborn Beauty, Thimble Island, Willimantic Brewing
Charity tie-in: Goodwin College Scholarships
Hops for Hope Brewfest
Date: 8/30 from 12-1 for Early Birds (sold out) or 1-4 for GA
Location: The Quartette Club @ 225 Wooster Street in New Britain
Cost: $45
Why you should go: It’s always nice to go to a beer fest that has a heart and this one definitely does! What we also love about this brand new fest is the quality breweries they nailed down. Beer’d, Lasting Brass, Steady Habit, and Kent Falls? All in the same place. Hell yes. Smokin’ with Chris and Whey Station will also be on hand to provide your nomming needs.
Breweries rep’d: NEBCo, Beer’d, Steady Habit, Lasting Brass, Captain Lawrence, Willimantic, Firefly Hollow, Kent Falls, Back East, Relic, Thomas Hooker, Overshores, Stony Creek, Black Hog, Grey Sail, Stubborn Beauty, Long Trail, City Steam, Broad Brook, Two Roads and more.
Charity tie-in: Smith-Magenis Syndrome Research Foundation
Beer Fest & Pig Roast
Date: 8/30 from 1-6
Location: Harugari German American Club @ 66 Highland Street in West Haven
Cost: $5 entrance; free for under 18
Why you should go: Slow roasted pork, German food, and German beer. But, if that ain’t enough, there will be live music from The Adlers along with dancing from The Harugari Schuhplattlers.
Breweries rep’d: Various German brews.
Brass City Brew Fest
Date: 9/12 from 1-5 for GA and from 12-1 with a Preview ticket
Location: Library Park @ 267 Grand Street in Waterbury
Cost: $30 for GA; $10 for a Preview ticket; $10 for Belgian and International tent
Why you should go: This is probably the most epic beer fest of them all with over 125 breweries in attendance with more than 275 brews in total for sampling. Holy crap, people. That’s insane! In addition to all that sampling (no doubt you’ll be busy doing that), you can check out free seminars, listen to some bands, and munch on some food.
Breweries rep’d: TBD, but will be epic.
Charity tie-in: Main Street Waterbury
America on Tap 2015
Date: 9/12 from 3-6 for GA or 2-6 for VIP
Location: Ives Concert Park @ 43 Lake Avenue Extension in Danbury
Cost: $35 for GA; VIP for $55 (you get access to rare beers)
Why you should go: We went last year and we had a great time, so we’re excited to see what American on Tap has . . . er . . . on tap this year! Right now, they are set to have over 100 brews from over 50 different American craft breweries. In addition, there will be a silent disco which will be pretty freaking amusing with all the tipsy people as well as some live music. Plus, there will be food from The Spot, Northern Smoke BBQ, Rita’s Italian Ice, The Cookhouse, Bull and Barrel Brew Pub, Mima’s Meatballs, and Hog Wild BBQ as well as fun stuff to purchase and check out from Buttheads Tobacco Emporium, Ireland on the Road, Danbury Tattoo, and more.
Breweries rep’d: The list should be released sometime in July.
Get Lei’d Charity Pub Crawl
Date: 9/19 from 1-10 pm
Location: West Hartford, details TBD
Cost: $22.09
Why you should go: The Craft Beer Enthusiast Union is an awesome group on Facebook that has grown from its Connecticut roots to expand into other states. And, Jeff Roberts is organizing a pub crawl that will go down in the books as purely awesome. Jeff has picked out some great spots, bars will have specials for attendees, and he promises that everyone will get lei’d! So, make sure to throw on your Hawaiian shirts and grass skirts then hit up the mean streets of West Hartford with some great people.
Breweries rep’d: whatever’s at the pubs!
Charity tie-in: CT Children’s Hospital
3rd Annual Ok2berfest from Two Roads
Date: 9/19 and 9/20 from 12-6:30
Location: Two Roads Brewery in Stratford
Cost: $20 for either day or $35 for both days.
Why you should go: Two Roads does it right when it comes to Ok2berfest! Entry gets you a stein made just for the event and one free beer. If you buy the weekend pass, you’ll get two steins and two free drinks. After that, beer costs just $5, but remember that it’s cash only. And, you’ll get hungry, no doubt, so check out some of the many food trucks that they’ll have available. And, of course you’ll need to start to sing along to some music, so they’ve got you covered with plenty of live bands on both days. We definitely recommend this one, as we’ve been there for both years and we’ve had a great time.
Breweries rep’d: Two Roads will have their Hef, Pils, Road Jam, Marzen, and Fester pouring.
Oktoberfest @ Harugari German American Club
Date: 9/20 from 1-6
Location: Harugari German American Club @ 66 Highland Street in West Haven
Cost: $5
Why you should go: Brats, bier, potato pancakes=happy times. In addition, there will be live music from Bernie’s Orchestra and The Harugari Schuhplattlers will be back to dance up a storm.
Breweries rep’d: Various German breweries.
Past Beer Fests
Half Full Brewery Hop Skip & a Run 5K & Beer Festival
Date: 6/20 from 10:30-2:30
Location: Waterfront (17 Harbor Point Rd.) @ Harbor Point Stamford
Cost: $40.03 for 5k, t-shirt, festival, and 1 free beer; $34.75 for under 21 including t-shirt and festival; $16.82 for festival entry and 1 free beer.
Why you should go: Half Full is hosting their second annual 5k and it’s like none other that you’ve probably ever run. At times you’ll hop, at times you’ll skip, and at other times maybe you’ll run . . . or walk: hey, no one is judging! After the 5k, head back where you started for some cold and refreshing Half Full brews and pick up some food from The Brunch Box and Christophe’s Crepes.
Breweries rep’d: Half Full
Charity tie-in: Achilles International
Ski Sundown Summer Brewfest
Date: 6/20 from 4-8
Location: Ski Sundown @ 126 Ratlum Road in New Hartford
Cost: $30 in advance; $35 at the door; $20 for DD (includes water and soda)
Why you should go: The Ski Sundown Summer Brewfest is one of the best festivals that you’ll attend all year long. This one shines because of its heavy focus on CT breweries. There will be over 30 breweries on hand and, chances are, that you haven’t had a good deal of them, so you’ll want to come out and explore. Also, there will be live music from Uncle Polly & The Family Jam and plenty of good food from Prime Meats and KC Dubliner.
Breweries rep’d: Nearly all are CT breweries including Back East, Black Hog, Broad Brook, City Steam, DuVig, Firefly Hollow, Half Full, Kent Falls, Overshores, Relic, Stubborn Beauty, Thimble Island, Thomas Hooker, Two Roads and more!
Charity tie-in: Connecticut Brewers Guild
Brew with a View
Date: 6/20 from 3-5
Location: Community Health Center roof @ 675 Main Street in Middletown
Cost: $15 in advance; $20 at the door (anyone who attended the March event and brings their tasting cups will get $5 back!)
Why you should go: This is one of the most anticipated events of the year, beer-wise, so you’ll want to make sure that you come on down. There will be a nice amount of homebrewed beer that you get to taste and ultimately vote on. While you’re sipping on the homebrews, jam out with your kilt out with the Middletown PBA Bagpipe Band and chill with some jazz from Clay Selmont
Breweries rep’d: CT Homebrew!
Charity tie-in: North End Action Team
Veracious Brewing Grand Opening Party
Date: 6/20 from 5:30-8
Location: Veracious Brewing @ 246 Main Street in Monroe
Cost: $20 in advance; $25 at the door
Why you should go: Veracious Brewing is CT’s newest brewery and you need to check that out, right? As if that wasn’t enough reason to go, listen to this: you get a tour, a pint/a flight of four brews, and your own unlimited supply of pizza and fried dough from Vazzy’s Pizza Pie Wagon. Oh hell yes.
Breweries rep’d: Veracious Brewing
Two Roads Road Jam Fest
Date: 6/27
Location: Two Roads Brewery @ 1700 Stratford Ave. in Stratford
Cost: $25 with first beer free; $18 for DD (water and soda extra)
Why you should go: This is the second year for the Road Jam Fest and it’s definitely gonna be another great time. Beer is just $5 (you buy tickets with cash, btw) and there will be food trucks there too to help you soak up all that Two Roads. Also, don’t forget the “jam” part of the event with Snooty Garland, McLovins, The Alpaca Gnomes, and The Soul Rebels.
Breweries rep’d: Two Roads
Kent Falls Tasting & CT Beer Book Signing
Date: 7/2 starting at 6
Location: Westbrook Lobster @ 300 Church Street in Wallingford
Cost: Per pint and whatever you order; specials
Why you should go: Not only is Kent Falls Brewing so killer good, but Westbrook Lobster is one of the most popular seafood spots here in this fine state of ours. So, why not bring them together with special pairings of their Field Beer w/ Spelt, Waymaker Brett IPA, and Farmer’s Table? There will also be a deal for ya: $20 gets ya a lobster roll with a Kent Falls beer! Wrapping this all up will be Will Siss (@beersnobwrites) who will be signing copies of his book Connecticut Beer: A History of Nutmeg State Brewing.
Breweries rep’d: Kent Falls Brewing
German Bierfest
Date: 7/12 from 1-6
Location: Harugari German American Club @ 66 Highland Street in West Haven
Cost: $5 entrance; free for under 18
Why you should go: The Austrian Boys will be on hand to slap you in your polka face . . . boom! Like their other events (2 more listed), they’ll have plenty of great German food and brews to partake in.
Breweries rep’d: Various German brews.
Moo & Brew Festival
Date: 7/12 from 4-8
Location: Rosedale Farms & Vineyards @ 25 East Weatogue Street in Simsbury
Cost: $45 (tax and tip extra)
Why you should go: The 7th Annual Max Chef to Farm event series is now in full swing and heats up with the Moo & Brew Festival. Your ticket gets you not only tastes of brews, but also gives you food pairings. Oh, but they aren’t any ol’ food pairings. Nope: each brewery will be paired with a speciality from the state or region where they are from! There will also be music from Will Evans.
Breweries rep’d: Abita, Allagash, Ballast Point, Full Sail, Google Island, New England Brewing, Oskar Blues, and Victory Brewing.
Beers at the Beach with Kent Falls Brewing
Date: 7/16 starting at 6:30 or 6 for VIP
Location: Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk
Cost: $30 for GA or $42 for VIP; $10 to park at city beach
Why you should go: Drinking beer at the beach is an American birthright! Plus, we freaking love Kent Falls Brewing and they’ll be there with their stellar farmhouse ales. All entrants get to pick between a burger, 2 hot dogs, or a veggie burger. VIP tix get you in half an hour early, access to a special release beer brewed just for that night, and a Beers at the beach tee.
Breweries rep’d: Kent Falls Brewing
Dan and Kristien Del Ferraro
OmNomCT 
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