Connecticut Valley Brewing Company - South Windsor, Connecticut

Aleksander M.

This review is a part of my quest of visiting all CT breweries. Around 2019 I came to Connecticut Valley Brewing Company and bought one of each beers they had. It ended up being about 4 dozens of delicious beer. So I planned this visit to the taproom only as a formality. However, the overall experience was a bit worse.

The place is big - it has a huge indoor space with multiple seating options, including couches. No separation, just one big room. Plus there is a big patio for warmer months. The went for a plane theme and decorated the room with it. It is a bit noisy inside when there are many people, but still manageable. The brewery has an excellent selection of beers of various styles. Since I tried every beer they had over the years of going to beer festivals where CTVBC is always present, I can say that their beers are amazing. Every style they produce is delicious. From the latest visits I would recommend Spiked Smoothie Strawberry Lemonade (Fruit Beer) and Camper's Maple Stout, as they just boast rich taste. You can also order beer flights, although the options are limited to 12 taps only.

There is a food served via a separate business which coexists in the same building - Birdhouse Coffee Shop. And this was a downer. I will leave a separate review for this business, as blaming the brewery for the quality of food is unfair. But this coexistence means, that you are now limited in food options and cannot bring your own or order from a food truck. So you're stuck with a very mediocre food and slow service.

Other problems I experienced were:
- Messing up my order. One bartender asked for beer numbers from the menu, while the other one asked for the names. The latter one messed up my position.
- By the end of Monday, which is not too busy of a day, restrooms lacked the paper towels.

Overall, the beers are great. The theme of the taproom is awesome. The service might have been better.

Kim V.

In 2010, Connecticut Valley Brewery created their Trailblazer beer, which is a New England Indian Pale Ale. That style of beer was still new at that time. They created other styles of beers since then, such as sours, seltzers, and stouts. Their Spiked Smoothie Blueberry Lemonade received awards in 2022. In 2019, Birdhouse Coffee opened in the same establishment; they serve coffee and food. The parking lot was spacious, packed, but we found parking. In the warmer months, they also have a nice patio area. The tap room was spacious with plenty of seating and high ceilings.

I'm a huge fan of seltzers and sours, so I was excited to see that they had a few to choose from. I got to try two different flavors; those were called:

1. Blueberry Lemonade Spiked Smoothie- ABV 5%
2. Raspberry Lemonade Spiked Smoothie- ABV 5%

Those were one of the best sours I've had in a long time. They also sell other brand's beers as well. My family and friends ordered beer and food from the Birdhouse Coffee. Aside from the food delay, we had a great time. The beertenders were friendly. The employees kept the area clean. They also hosts a number of events; the day we went, there was a toy drive. Overall, a great brewery with delicious beers; I can't to go back!

Gudrun S.

Thank you from Gothenburg in western Sweden for this excellent Pumpkin Patch Ale 🍺 It will be warmly recommended from Halloween on next year to our Connectocut & Rhode Island relatives 🎃 Coming to Hartford next time 🇸🇪 🫶 🇺🇸

QUANISHA W.

🍺 🍻 🍺 my first time at a Brewery! This place is beautiful big and the staff are all so nice and friendly, there's food, beer and live music 🎶 💜 I loved my 🍋 lemonade spiked smoothie. I highly recommend you visit! Very spacious in/outdoors and plenty of patio seating 👏 we will definitely visit again

Margaret H.

8.12.22 Fun venue with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Depending on the season, they have coffee & cars on Sunday mornings, live music/bands, trivia nights, October Fest, etc. So check out their events page. There's lots of free parking. This is a great venue for date night, small or big groups, happy hours, or just a place to hang out and relax. Besides their great beer you can buy coffee, food, pastries.

Curt A.

Should have stopped here last on a recent vacation to Connecticut! By going here first, the bar was set too high for any other brewers to come close. This is not a slam on the other breweries as they also had very delicious products, but this, is to say how great Connecticut Valley brewery really is. Staff was incredible. Brendan, the production manager went out of his way for us. The brewmaster gave us a tour, the promotions manager brought up stories and told us as well as Brendan the history behind the brewery. Definitely going to be the first stop again on the next visit to Connecticut. I can honestly say that they had no product that I did not like. The dill pickle beer was delicious! Blackberry wheat best beer I’ve ever had! All of their smoothies are exceptional! Ice, tea, just unbelievable flavor.
Don’t just get lost in the incredible brewery and hospitality, right next-door is bluebird coffee. The person that made the coffee, also gave me a tour and explained in depth how coffee is roasted and blended to give us the different flavors that were available. Exceptional and opens early. Whether going to Connecticut just to be with friends or take in the beautiful state this place should be Tops on destinations.
Thanks again, to an incredible staff. We’ll see you again next year!

Mark L.

Connecticut Valley Brewing has attracted a nice steady following during the Covid-19 crisis. They have been allowing folks to sit outside by their fire pits and picnic tables. The overflow crowd bring their our chairs and sit on the lawn. It's a park-like atmosphere with people bring blankets, chairs, their dogs. So much fun. There is also a coffee shop adjoining the brewery. And always some food trucks! Lots of beer styles to choose from. Plenty of canned varieties to take home. Super nice bar staff, of course. Highly recommended.

Xiomari C. G.

Huge food portions ! Great food & great night life scene 🙂 Good for families, couples , friends , etc. and they share the space with good coffee / pastries shop.