Stony Creek Brewery- Branford, Connecticut

While I am in the Cayman Islands diving (sorry for all of you stuck in winter still..) Katie Wanders will be sharing a few posts all about local breweries.  

Welcome to Monday and another post featuring a New England brewery (Katie Wanders visited, tasted and approved).  Truth be told, Stony Creek has been on my radar for a while.  I have heard awesome things about their new space in Branford with its large outdoor area right on the water.  I have also enjoyed some of their beer on tap at restaurants and bars around the Connecticut shoreline like Little Cranky that was almost always on tap at Dog Watch right down the road. 

Whoever does their marketing and logo is genius.  I love the bird (actually a Great Blue Heron), the color on everything and everywhere and all of the signage.  You can tell these people have a great graphic designer on their team.  I also love the space.  Right on the water with an awesome outdoor area, this is a great place to spend a summer evening with friends.  Because it is a brewery, I have to rate their beer.  I am a fan of the Little Cranky and while visiting the brewery I enjoyed a flight.  I loved that they were doing some unique and fun things in the beer scene.  The Vanilla Porter, Sun Juice (BELGIAN SUMMER ALE) and the Crum (APPLE CINNAMON OATMEAL AMBER ALE) were fun seasonal offerings. Big Cranky, their double IPA is good but for me, not up in the ranks with the other New England DIPA favorites (Dogs and Boats CT, Captain's Daughter RI, Heady Topper VT, Sip of Sunshine VT).   They had a great variety and "something for everyone" on tap (sweet to hoppy).  They even offered wine for the non beer drinkers out there.  I also really liked that there is a different food truck here every day and you can bring in your own food.  Overall good beer and great designs in an awesome space.  You can find me here on a warm summer evening.  

"Stony Creek Brewery believes this is the time for Connecticut craft beer. And our small, ambitious team is doing their part to contribute creative, high-quality beers that inspire people across the region, and invest in a bright future for the state".

The modern (and gargantuan) brewery is very impressive.  While many breweries are tucked away in some industrial space, Stony Creek hit the nail on the head when it comes to location and the building.  The indoor tap room offers a wide open space with multiple tables, chairs, a large bar, and various TV's.  From inside the tap room, you can see right into an area of the brewery where the canning and bottling operations happen (i.e.,where the magic happens).  One of my favorite things about this brewery is indeed their awesome outdoor area.   The outdoor area offers water views, a game pit, and dock access (yep, you can come via boat). In the summer, enjoy the breeze off the water and play a game of corn hole.  In the winter, sit outside around one of the fire pits and soak up some vitamin D.  Between the large indoor space and awesome outdoor area, you can find some room to relax at Stony Creek. Stony Creek prides themselves in being "aggressively laid back" and here at the brewery, you can pull up a chair and do just that.  

Stony Creek prides themselves in making a beer that brings the coasts together.  They call their style "THE FUSION OF CLEAN, BOLD, AND AGGRESSIVE WEST COAST FLAVORS AND EAST COAST BALANCE AND DRINKABILITY. WE CALL THIS 'AGGRESSIVELY LAID-BACK BEER'".

At the brewery, you can buy Stony Creek beer buy the tap (and even a few guest taps), as well as a variety of wines and sodas. You can also try a beer flight with your choice of 4, 5.5oz beers. If you want some swag or beer to go, there is a gift shop and growler and crowler (32oz.) fills are available along with six pack to-go beer.

I enjoyed the Vanilla Porter (a lot of vanilla, be prepared!),  the Crum (like a apple cider beer) and the Little Cranky (a great IPA without all the hop and bite of the other IPAs). Summer Juice is a great summer beer and an easy to drink Belgian White. I was not a huge fan of the Crimsang (soured double IPA) but in it's defense, I am not a huge fan of sour beer. 

While the brewery itself does not serve food, you have some options. First, you can bring your own food into the brewery. I have often seen people bring in a pizza or various snacks and apps. Secondly, you can get food from the food trucks parked out in the lot. There is (almost) always a food truck parked outside Stony Creek and the food truck changes daily. Check out the food truck schedule HERE to see when your favorite food truck is due at the brewery.  A third option is to order food to be delivered-  there are several takeout menus in the Tap Room, should you wish to call for delivery.

Sometimes it can be hard to find live music in the non-summer season here on the shoreline.  At Stony Creek, live music is offered several times a month.  From acoustic to rock and roll, there is a variety of live music playing at the brewery.  Be warned, the music playing the day I was there was insanely loud and we opted to sit outside to preserve our hearing.  Check out the schedule HERE. 

Stony Creek offers a variety of events at the brewery.  For instance this past Saturday there was a "Namastay and Drink Beer" yoga session.  Yoga followed by a beer, what could be better? (besides the addition of Pizza).  

Host a private event: The private Celebration Room, has plenty of space for you and 166 of your closest friends.  Enjoy a private bar, fireplace, elevator, bathrooms and large deck overlooking the Branford River.  We also have a prep kitchen for any catered food that is arranged for your event.

Dogs and Minors

Dogs are not allowed (service animals only)

Minors are allowed if accompanied by an adult 

Location

5 Indian Neck Avenue

Branford, Connecticut 

Contact

203.433.4545

info@stonycreekbeer.com

Tours

We do Brewery tours Saturday and Sunday at 2 and 4pm. 

The tours are $5.00 and include a sampling.

Hours

Monday:  Closed

Tuesday:  3 pm to 8 pm

Wednesday 3 pm to 9 pm

Thursday 3 pm to 8 pm

Friday and Saturday:  11 am to 10 pm

Sunday:  11 am to 8 pm

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