Three-Way Tap Showdown (Friday, March 30th) Delaney's v. Prime 16 v. Coalhouse

Delaney's Tap Room, New Haven

 

VS

Prime 16, New Haven

VS

Coalhouse Pizza, Stamford

What a draft line up for today! Here goes ...

Innis Gunn Rum Cask Oaked Aged Beer - 7.4%
Dogfish Head Noble Rot Saison - 9%
NEB Gandhi Bot IPA - 8.8%
... NEB Gold Stock Strong Ale - 6.5%
Victory Storm King Imperial Stout - 9.1%
Victory Moonglow Weizenbock - 8.7%
Berkshire Brewing Drayman’ Porter - 6.2%
Victory Hop Wallop IPA - 8.5%
Victory Yakima Glory Black Ale - 8.7%
Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin - 9%
Shipyard Smashed Blueberry - 9%
Victory Summer Love Blonde Ale - 5.2%
Ithaca’s Flower Power IPA - 7.5%
Berkshire Brewing Raspberry Strong Ale - 9%
Leffe Brune (Brown) Belgian Dark Ale - 6.5%
Victory Munich Helles Lager - 4.8%

 

 

 

And the winner is...Delaney's Tap Room, New Haven!!!  Not just for styles represented but also for overall draft beer quantity. I believe I count 43 different beers on tap today at Delaney's including no less than 8 IPAs (including 1 cask IPA).  Prime 16 gets honorable mention for the sweet chalkboard display

The draft lists for Prime 16 and Coalhouse are nothing to shake your head at either (And Delaney's better watch out, cause Coalhouse Pizza down here in Stamford has a new 52 Tap system being installed soon!)

Drink With The Wench Features My Beer Can Chicken Recipe!!!

Ashley Routson A.K.A. The Beer Wench is currently featuring my very own Beer Can Chicken recipe on her awesome website, Drink With The Wench!

Go there for all the scrumptulescent details.

While your there please be sure to check out all of the other cool things that she features.

Beer News: Plan B Burger Bar Opening Stamford Location!!! (Photos)

So, remember when I mentioned that a few days back that Plan B Burger Bar was opening a new location in Stamford? Well a few days ago I decided to head downtown for a random IPA adventure.  During my adventure I figured I'd wander over to the new Plan B spot to check it out.

A little smaller restaurant front than I was hoping for but still plenty of room for outdoor seating.  AND to my delight the liquor permit request was already plastered on one of the outside walls (Way to be on top of things, Plan B Management).

Here are a few not-so-professional photos that I snapped:

The tan front in the distance!

The future front of Plan B Stamford

Plan B Corner and Liquor Permit, Can you taste the  Beer?!?!

P.F. Chiang's Horse in the foreground, Liquor Permit in the background!

From the Exit of the Landmark Square  Restaurant Row

Mug Club Alert: The Cambridge House Brew Pub, Granby

Look who has a Mug Club!!!

Who:  The Cambridge House Brew Pub

Where: Granby

Cost: $50/Year

The Skinny:

• Members enjoy the use of an official numbered English 20 oz. dimple mug.
  
• Members are served a full 20-ounce beer in their exclusive numbered dimple mug for the same price as a regular pint.
  
• Members receive one free CBH Real Beer each Wednesday!
  
• Members receive discounts on special Brewery events such as tastings, field trips, pub-crawls and beer dinners. (Certain events may not qualify for this discount.) This benefit includes the member and one guest.
  
• Members receive advance invitations to special Brewery events.
  
• Members enjoy private Mug Club Parties.

Kevin's IPA Adventure

I am an IPA nut. IPAs are hands down my favorite of any type of beer.  I have had dozens of different IPAs, maybe even more than 100.  I have decided to chronicle my quest to consume every IPA on the planet.  I am going to start my list in the "Kevin's IPA Adventure" section up above.  I will include a picture of the beer and a link to the site for the Brewery that makes the beer.

I will organize these by month (I thought of organizing them by day but then I realized that the public and any future employers probably shouldn't know how many beers I knocked back on a given night...haha)

Beer Dinner: Mikro Craft Beer Bar, Hamden

Beer Bar: Mikro Craft Beer Bar

Location: 3000 Whitney Avenue, Hamden


When: Monday, April 2nd

Price: $100 per person (Tax and Tip Included) Might want to check your bank balance before buying tickets for this event haha

The Skinny: Mikro Craft Beer Bar is teaming up with Brooklyn Brewery for this succulent event.  I know the price is steep but if you are only going to get to one beer dinner this Spring, this might be the one.  This is going to be a 5 course event.  The food theme here is PIG.  As in Chef Mike of Mikro is going to be getting and using a whole Pig for the courses.  Can you smell the food yet?!?!  Also, Brewmaster and renowned beer scholar Garrett Oliver will be on hand from Brooklyn Brewery to discuss each beer selection.

   Amuse: Crispy Chicarones

   Course 1: House Cured & Applewood Smoked Ham

   Course 2: Pastrami Cured Pork Belly

   Course 3: Roasted Stuffed Pork Loin

   Intermezzo: Lardo dolce/yuzu + tellicherry pepper granita (I Don't what any of that is but I'm sure it goes well with a nice beer from Brooklyn Brewery haha).

   Desert: Parsnip Cake

For more info and to make a reservation head here
 

 

Beer Bar Review #2: Delaney's Taproom and Restaurant, New Haven

Name: Delaney's Taproom and Restaurant

Location: 882 Whalley Avenue, New Haven

Beer Selection: 60 Taps / 70 Bottles or Cans

Beer Prices: $4-$9

Beer: 3.5 Mugs (More Taps than any other CT bar I know of and the bottle list is second to none)

Food: 2.5 Plates (for wings and fries...yet to venture into the rest of the menu)

Happy Hour/ Beer Specials: YES!!!.  Awesome Happy hour here.  Monday - Friday 3-6PM select drinks, including some beers are Buy one get one.  The coolest part is when you buy a beer you get a sweet token to hold onto to redeem for your next beer.  They also offer free wings during happy hour.  Now I know what you are thinking.  The wings are plopped by the hundreds unto some aluminum dish and end up cold in 5 minutes, right?  NOPE!!!  They make your wings to order even during happy hour!  Not only does this ensure better quality wings but it is way less wasteful.  Great job Delaney's!!

Will I go Back: In a heartbeat, instant favorite

Scene: Awesome, This is not a touristy New Haven establishment.   This is a "feel like you are part of the family" kind of place.

Ahh Delaney's Tap Room.  Where o' where to begin.   For starters let me just say that this place is beyond awesome.  One of my favorite places in all of Connecticut.  I came across Delaney's a few years ago at the recommendation of a bartender at Christopher Martin's Restaurant in New Haven.  I do not have a ton of eating experience at Delaney's so lets skip right to the beer.  There is soooo much beer.  60 Taps and more than 70 different bottle selections.  The beer is always fresh and always cold.  On top at Delaney's you can find Lagers, Wheat Beers, Pale Ales, Stouts, Porters, India Pale Ales!!!, Brown Ales, Black Ales, Tripels, Blondes and more.  Like any awesome Beer Bar, the beer list changes faster than you can say Sea Hag IPA.

Current CT beers on tap are:  Naught Nurse (City Steam Brewery), New England Gold Stock German IPA...which I have never tried but sounds AMAZINGGG.

Delaney's has a great flow to the place itself.  The place takes up the whole side of a very small street, which gets closed in July for their Beer and Chili Festival (more details on this great event as we get a little closer).  Outside there are a number of Patio Tables for warm weather dining and drinking.  There are two main bar areas with the dining room sandwiched in between.  There is the restaurant bar with a smaller selection of draft beers and then there is the tap room.  The Tap Room features the huge selection of draft beer, tables for dining and a few dart boards as well.  There are TVs in both areas to watch Soccer and anything else (Thank god for the TVs, it was at Delaney's last July during the Beer/Chili Fest where I saw Derek Jeter's 3000th hit!!!)

This place has a great vibe to it.  While I have yet to have a meal here, I have had the wings and the fries on several occasions.  Both are biggity-boom-banging (very damn good)!

Delaney's also holds many many events from beer dinners to their very own beer and chili festival.  I will be spotlighting these as they approach.

For more on Delaney's:

Website: http://delaneystaproom.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/delaneystaproom

Twitter:  @DelaneysTapRoom

Beer Dinner: The Ginger Man, Greenwich (UPDATED)

As I promised, below is the menu for the Brooklyn Brewery Beer Dinner at The Ginger Man in Greenwich.

Seems positively scrum-diddily-umptious: (The brews are in blue!)


Amuse
Local #1
Crabbed Devil Egg
toast point | lemon vinaigrette

First
Sorachi Ace
Pan Seared Sea Scallops
grapefruit escabeche | honey curry

Second
BLAST Double IPA
Seared Citrus Swordfish Loin
shaved artichokes | charred carrot puree | spring garlic emulsion

Third
Concoction
Sweet & Sour Roast Suckling Pig Lo Mein
nappa cabbage| crispy pork skin

Fourth
2005 Vintage Monster Ale
Smoked Lamb Kabobs
saffron cous cous | golden raisins | honey yogurt

Fifth
2009 Vintage Black Chocolate Stout
Chocolate Covered Pretzel
covers double chocolate-chocolate chip peanut butter ice cream

Beer Dinner: The Ginger Man, Greenwich

Beer bar: The Ginger Man                                                           

Location: 64 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT

When: Tuesday, March 27th 7PM

Price: $75 All Inclusive (This is the usual price for their beer dinners and I have not received any notice of a different price for this event)

The Skinny:  The Ginger Man in Greenwich will be teaming up with Brooklyn Brewery on this one.  No info yet on the exact food/beer pairings.  It will be a 5 course dinner so bring your appetites and bring your wallets.

I don't have any dining experience at Ginger Man, but Brooklyn Brewery always brings the goods.

I will provide more specifics as soon as I get them.

To make a reservation head to: gingermangreenwich.com

   

Beer News: Plan B Burger Bar Opening Stamford Location!!!

Plan B Burger Bar is opening it's first Fairfield County location and 5th location over all.  They will be bringing their gourmet burgers and huge beer selection to Stamford.  It looks like they will be coming to Stamford some time in the fall.  Exact details to follow as they come in.

If you like Beer and Awesome food (think bangin' fresh burgers) then you are going to love this place.  All the burgers are fresh, never ever ever frozen.  The closest comparison to Plan B is Prime 16 in New Haven.

Along with the killer Beers and Burgers there should be some cool events, such as Beer Dinners and Kill the Casks!

As I find out more I will pass it along.

Tap in to CT Logo (explained)

After looking at my logo at the top of the page, you may be asking yourself a few questions:

  Question 1: "What are you, like 6 years old?, Seriously my infant has more skills"

      My Answer: No, I'm 28 and yes I have pathetic art skills

  Question 2: "Did you really turn Connecticut into a keg for your logo?!?!"

      My Answer: Yes, Yes I did (smiling to myself)

  Question 3: "Is this real?"

      My Answer: Maybeeeee (take I95 or the Merritt and see for yourself)

  Question 4: "Can I try this?"

      My Answer: No, please please please do not try to tap the state of Connecticut or fill the State with beer.


And that is the Tap in to CT logo explained.

Beer Event: "Kill the Casks" @ Plan B, West Hartford

Beer Bar: Plan B

Location: 138 Park Road, West Hartford, CT

When: Sunday March 25th, 2-5PM

Price: $45 Tax & Gratuity Included

The Skinny: Local 8 restaurant group which includes The Half Door, Plan B and Tisane is hosting this killer event.  The event includes Blue Point cask beer (until the casks run dry) as well as an assortment of food (IPA Fondue, Mesclun Salad, Cheeses, Smoked Chicken Salad, Chicken and Apple Sausage Sliders, Sweet n' Sour Meatballs, IPA Cookies and Beer Spice Cake).  There will also be live acoustic music by Russ Hillman.

For all the juicy food and beer details and to purchase your tickets go here

Another Tap Takeover!!! This one is at Backstage Eat.Drink.Live (This event is Thursday, March 15th!!!)

Location: Backstage Eat.Drink.Live in Torrington

Brewery: Sebago Brewing Company (Maine)

Date: Thursday, March 15th @ 6PM

The Skinny:  This is a Sebago Brewing Company Tap Takeover at Backstage Eat.Drink.Live in Torrington.  Sebago Brewing Company will be taking over 6 of the Taps at Backstage.  The beers available from Sebago Brewing Company will include:

Elegans Saison, Frye's Leap IPA, Full Throttle Double IPA, Runabout Red Ale, Bourbon Barrel Aged Lake Trout Stout and Midnight Porter.

There will also be music with Andy Stylz

Tap Takeover!!!

There is a Tap Takeover this Thursday night!!!

Location: Prime 16, New Haven

Brewery: Dogfish Head

Date: Thursday, March 15th

The Skinny:  This is a Dogfish Head Tap Takeover at Prime 16 in New Haven.  In addition to great beers this place has great food and an awesome scene.  There will be 20 Dogfish Head beers available, including:

60 Minute IPA, 90 Minute IPA, 120 Minute IPA, Aprihop, Burton Baton, Indian Brown, Palo Santo, Marron, Robert Johnson Hellhound on my Ale, Miles Davis Bitches Brew, Pearl Jam Twenty Faithfull Ale
Fort, 2011 Olde School Barleywine, World Wide Stout, Red and White, Noble Rot, Chateau Jiahu, Namaste, My Antonia, Ta Henket, Immort

Beer Dinner: Pond House Grille, Glastonbury (Hurry this one is just 3 days away!!!)

Brewery:  Thomas Hooker Brewery 

Location: Pond House Grille, 2935 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033

When: Thursday March 15th, 6:30-10:30PM

Price: $47.62 per person (that super specific price is no joke...also, no mention of whether tax/tip is included

The Skinny:  This is another DOUBLE CT DELUXE (CT Brewery and a CT Restaurant.  Thomas Hooker Brewing Company is teaming up with Pond House Grill for this Beer Dinner.  This will be a 5 course Dinner.  First the Beers: Blonde Ale, Irish Red Ale, IPA, Doppelbock, Chocolate Lager.  The Food: Conch Chowder, House Made Corn Dogs, Chicken with pretzal dumplings, Scallops and Chips and lastly White Chocolate Mousse parfait.

For More Info and to make a reservation head here

   

Beer Dinner: Darien Social, Darien

Beer bar: Darien Social

Location: 10 Center Street, Darien, CT

When: Tuesday, March 29th 6-9PM

Price: $34 + Tax & Gratuity

The Skinny:  This is Darien Social's first Beer Dinner.  They are teaming with Fairfield County's own Beaver Brewing Co.  This will be a Three Course Beer Dinner:

Course 1: Cheese and Beaver Brewnette. Course 2: Pork Chop & Beaver Big Red. Course 3: Strawberry Shortcake & Beaver Blonde

For More Info and to make a reservation head to: dariensocialct.com

     

Beer Bar Review #1: Darien Social, Darien

Name: Darien Social

Location: 10 Center Street, Darien CT 06820

Beer Selection: 31 Taps / 6 Bottles or Cans

Beer Prices: $4-$9

Beer: 3 Mugs

Food: 3 Plates

Happy Hour/ Beer Specials: None that I have found

Will I go Back: In a heartbeat, instant favorite

Scene: Wealthy folks acting casual...haha but seriously

I recently went to the newly opened Darien Social with my girlfriend.  There has been much buzz leading up the opening of this place a few weeks back so hopes were high.  To put it simply we were not disappointed. 

First and foremost lets discuss the place in general.  The only thing that I find that rivals beer selection/quality/price in importance is the general look and feel of the establishment.  Either Beer Bars and Brew Pubs either have that "it" feel or they don't (The same goes for Beer Festivals, but more on that in future posts).  "It" is tough to explain but I will try.  A Beer Bar that has "it" has an older somewhat rustic/worn feel, whether or not the building is actually old or brand spankin new.  A Beer Bar that has "it" does not look or feel like part of a chain even if it is. 

Darien Social has "it"!

Darien Social has a great interior.  The setup of this place is one of my favorites of any bar/restaurant.  There are three main aspects to the interior.  The back of the restaurant serves as a formal dining room.  The front of the restaurant is split into a more casual dining area and the bar itself (there is a partial wall separating the two).  The formal dining area is far enough away from the bar that you don't hear any of the noise if that is what you are looking for.  We opted for the casual dining area, which fit our desire to eat at a table as opposed to the bar but also allowed us to enjoy the vibrant scene.

There is a patio in the back of the building for outdoor eating in warmer weather, though there was a fire pit ablaze back there and a few brave souls gathered around it...beverages in hands.

The Location of this restaurant is fantastic as well...right across from the train station on Center street in Darien.

Now to the Beer :)

Lets talk numbers for starters.  31 Different Beers on Tap and half a dozen bottles and cans.  The number of taps puts this place up there with any Beer Bar in CT (the bottle/can selection is a little light)

The selection of draft beers is excellent.  Pilsners, Lagers, Light beers, Dark beers, White Ales, Ciders and my favorite of all the IPA!  Beers are served in a variety of glasses that are suited to bring out the flavors of the accompanying beers.  These glasses range 16oz to 23oz and include the: Snifter (16oz), Pilsner (16oz), Imperial Pint (20oz) and Weizen (23oz).  Beer prices are a little much if you aren't used to the FCSRIR (Fairfield County Super Rich Inflation Rate).  The priciest beer is 9 bucks and the cheapest is 4.  The majority settle in the 6-7 range.

One feature that I think is a great idea is that 5 of 31 taps are dedicated to specific breweries and provide a "beer of the week" each from the 5 breweries.

Lastly concerning Beer, it was cold and the glasses were clean which is always nice.

I will only briefly touch on food, as this is a Beer blog.  The food here was excellent.  Not a huge menu but a solid selection of small plates, artisan pizzas, sandwiches, salads and entrees.

I had: Mac & Cheese small plate, Burger w/ Blue Cheese and Bacon and Lagunitis Little Sumpin' Sumpin Ale and Widmer Imperial IPA 

Post #1: Welcome

Welcome to my Blog about Beer and Connecticut.  I hope you enjoy it.  Just in case you couldn't tell by the appearance (mainly the lack of pictures and the lack of overall complexity), I am a new blogger and learning how to do this on the fly.

I will try to post as often as I can about upcoming events and anything Beer related in Connecticut.

Kevin