Whether you’re new to craft beer or can name the Noble hops in your sleep, Fall is the perfect time to get out and explore your local craft breweries. ‘Tis Oktoberfest season, and many US breweries make an American-Style Oktoberfest beer to celebrate. That’s not to say IPAs are forbidden in Fall—after all, straight from the brewery tap is the best way to taste hops at their freshest.
Make your outdoor sipping a day-trip escape via Metro-North’s New Haven Line. In just under an hour, you could be in a bustling town like Stamford, Connecticut, with lots of scenic haunts to explore. Want to bring the kids? Many of these breweries are family-friendly, and it’s becoming more common for breweries to serve food with kid-friendly options. Read on for 10 great breweries to explore, and note that each location requires a short walk or rideshare from the station.
1. Cisco Brewers, Stamford
Metro-NorthA Nantucket favorite for years, Cisco Brewers’ newly opened beer garden features live music, tasty food, and a patio overlooking the water. There are plenty of refreshing drinks to try, like Wandering Haze citrusy IPA, tropical Gripah, Grapefruit IPA, and Grey Lady wheat ale. Bonus: They serve fruity hard teas if beer isn’t always your thing.
2. The Third Place by Half Full Brewery, Stamford
The newest iteration of Half Full Brewery packs a lot under one roof: a sprawling coworking space, coffeehouse, beer shop, and tasting room. Don’t miss their roasty Marzen-style Oktoberfest lager or the Positively Pumpkin ale, which is just what it sounds like.
3. Spacecat Brewing Company, Norwalk
Ever wondered how beer is made? This new Norwalk spot offers wraparound views of its 3,000 square foot brewhouse, so you’ll be sipping a Sundial—a malt-driven Oktoberfest brew—while getting an insider’s view.
4. Aspetuck Brew Lab, Bridgeport
Aspetuck Brew Lab prides itself on the chemistry behind its sips. Brewing water is derived from Connecticut's Aspetuck River, and they infuse their brews with off-the-wall ingredients like Mosaic hops (Tropical Siesta) and flaked maize (Amigo Mexican Style lager). Founder Peter Cowles digs the classics too, as evidenced by Aspetuck’s ultra-malty Fest Fall Fest Bier.
5. Two Roads Brewing Company, Stratford
Two Roads brew has a major New England cult following, and for good reason: Its hazy juicy IPAs are a late-summer favorite, thanks to their citrusy hops. Tons of their brews, like tangerine-tinged Two Juice Hazy IPA and dry-finishing No Limits Hefeweizen, are available at their Stratford brewery.
6. Athletic Brewing Co., Stratford
On a mission to make flavorful non-alcoholic craft beer a thing, Athletic Brewing Company slings a variety of tantalizing options. Try the Free Wave hazy IPA and the light-bodied Upside Dawn golden ale. For teens, their flavored seltzer packs a fruity splash of hops.
7. Dockside Brewery, Milford
Missing summer already? This waterfront Milford beer garden and brewery will have you soaking up the sun on its oversized patio overlooking the ocean. Play cornhole and sip on ultra-smooth Mexican Lager El Capitan, and you’ll feel like it’s mid-July.
8. East Rock Brewing Company and Beer Hall, New Haven
With a slant toward all things German and up to 12 rotating beers on tap, this kid-friendly beer hall is a New Haven staple. Be sure to try their fresh pretzels and grab a growler of their Vienna-style amber lager to take home.
9. Overshores Brewing Co., East Haven
Known for its small-batch Belgian-style beers, Overshores keeps it local with its craft brew incubator, The Beeracks. There, innovative young brewers bring their clever ideas to life, like the super-dry Rusted Brut IPA and kiwi-infused IPA Hooper Drives the Boat.
10. Stony Creek Brewery, Branford
As your day winds down, take in the sunset views from the Stone Creek Brewery in the adorable town of Branford. Over spinach and ricotta wood-fired pizza, sip hop-forward June Bug Tropical Lager or the strikingly smooth Stony Joe Golden Mocha Stout. You’ll wonder why the day must end at all.
Daisy is a food, fashion and lifestyle writer based outside of New York City. Her work has appeared in HarpersBAZAAR.com, ELLE.com, Westchester Magazine, Esquire.com, and many more.
