Their Bourbons are very tasty! My favorite is the Port Cask Finish. The Double Barreled 6 YO is…read morealso excellent, though a bit sharper at first sip. Highly recommend their products and service!!

Such a great place and such amazing community supporters. If you aren't in the area they have an…read moreonline store which has some of their offerings. The place was busy for a Sunday afternoon but everyone was super friendly. Bought the Bourbon barrel maple syrup and it was incredible. Do not miss Litchfield Distillery, such a unique little stop in our amazing state!

Great bar. Hundreds of brew choices and large seating areas. Pool table and room for party's and…read moreevents. Lots of other activities near by within dame complex too. Fast service

If you're a sour lover, Witch Doctor Brewing Company is absolutely worth the visit. Their sour…read moreflights are yummy, and perfect for anyone who enjoys exploring different flavor profiles without committing to just one glass The vibe here is great. It's laid-back but still lively, with dart boards and games that make it easy to settle in and stay awhile. It's the kind of place where you can actually relax, laugh, and not feel rushed. They also have a bunch of different events which they lost in the walls and change each week. One of my favorite things about it is the flexibility with food. You can bring your own, which already makes it a win, but they also take have QR codes you can scan and have food delivered right to your table from nearby restaurants. It's such a seamless setup and honestly makes the whole experience even better. All around, this spot nails the balance between great drinks and a genuinely fun atmosphere. Perfect for a casual night out, meeting up with friends, or just switching up your usual brewery routine. Definitely a go-to. Ive been a few times and I'll definitely be going back.

Relic Brewing is a craft brewery that opened in Plainville, Connecticut in February 2012. It was…read morefounded by brewer Mark Sigman. Although his professional background was in advertising, Sigman had been an avid homebrewer since 1994. Eventually he decided to open his own brewery. Sigman chose the name "Relic" to reference his world travels. Aiming to craft artisanal ales inspired by flavors from around the world, he thought of himself as more of a chef than a brewer. Sigman doesn't brew beer based on which styles are trendy, but rather beers that he personally enjoys with tastes that he views as complimentary or exciting. I have visited Relic Brewing multiple times since I first became serious about craft beer in 2013. At that time, Relic was one of maybe 10 breweries in the state (today there are over 100). Of those original 10, only half remain in business. The taproom was very small during my initial visit: about 10 square feet and they only served small free samples. I recently stopped there with my older son because it occurred to me that I hadn't been there in at least 10 years. A lot had changed! In 2016, a full bar was added and Relic began to serve full pint pours as well as craft cocktails. A large back room addition opened in 2019, which featured a fully furnished lounge and a pinball arcade slowly evolved. When I first arrived, I ordered a taster flight which featured "Oktoberfest", "Nebraska IPA", "The Whim" (New England IPA), and "Double Whim" (Double New England IPA). I grabbed my flight and headed to the back room with my son. He was so excited to play the pinball machines and other various arcade games. The two of us had a nice father-son bonding experience playing pinball as I also enjoyed my beer samples; the "Oktoberfest" was my favorite! If you like great beer paired up with pinball, then head down to Relic Brewing!

I haven't been to Relic in a long time. Last time I was there it was still just one tiny room…read moreserving their beer and a selection of whiskies. They've since expanded the size of their tasting room into another huge, open space full of high tops and comfortable lounge seating along with a bar mixing up creative cocktails. The new space also has tons of pinball machines and other games. We stopped in after a movie on a Friday at about 6:30. There were a few groups hanging out but it wasn't too busy at all. It was pretty chill vibe, and I got the sense that a lot of locals frequent them, which is cool. We hung out for nearly two hours and by the time we left the only other folks there were at the bar in the front room. The beer is still good! I did want to try some of their cocktails though. They have some pretty creative cocktails made with interesting homemade syrups, shrubs, and the like. I tried the Honey Don't which was tart but well balanced. I wished it was a little spicier, but I am a spice fiend.Then I felt for something a little sweeter so I went with the Poolside gossip. All the different ingredients really combined into a unique and delicious flavor! I really enjoyed what they have going on. The space was comfortable and relaxed and there's something on their drinks menu for literally everyone, plus entertainment. They have small snacks available, but you're also welcome to bring your own food. So it's basically like a very relaxed bar. We'll definitely be stopping in more frequently!

Wow, what a find. Not sure exactly how I came across this business on yelp but so happy I did. I…read morestopped by an hour before close after dinner tonight. I just missed their live jazz band that they have on weekly Wednesday basis starting at around 7 or 8pm. I wasn't too disappointed because I knew I'd be back. The entrance is setup as a VHS store with VHS movie cases displayed all over the "storefront." Everyone here was polite and welcoming. I was met by a host who showed me the way into the hidden bar, that you enter via a soda machine. If I'm not mistaken, there's a specific button that opens the vending machine door (you'll get a hint as to which one it is.) I was lead to the back to a narrow, elongated bar area that was perfectly dim with cozy decor; incredibly inviting, warm, could make be described as elegant. At the end of the bar, near the exit (at the back of the establishment), is where the band usually sets up. I sat down and asked the bartender to free flow through his cocktail creativity and to please include smoke. He didn't disappoint, I can't recall the name of the cocktail but he included two scotches and delivered the smokiness I was looking for. I love a good spirit despite lacking the knowledge of its production to which Jeremy, the founder, explained to me in a way that helped me understand the distilling processes simpler than I thought possible. On their bar top there were two mini wooden barrels that held their own aged products . One contained Irish whiskey which was referred to as the Irish- the other was as a cherry infused bourbon-- both good but the bourbon? Divine. Tonight I learned that the wood you choose to age your alcohol in heavily impacts the flavor of the liquor, not only through the amount of time the spirit ages in the barrel, but the type of wood used. The example I was given was that of oak and its ability to allow sugar to be drawn from it via a liquor (can't recall which one exactly was used to describe this process). Here they also produce all of their bases/ juices or an additions to the drinks they make. You know exactly what you're drinking here. I had little knowledge of this distilling/infusion/aging components and also of Wallingford, a place that was once referred to as the wettest town in the U.S. It makes sense given that their main strip contains 18 bars in itself. This Gilded Curtain was incredibly immersive, there is no doubt that I'll be back, lots of times, with lots of different people to impress. Love this place, it's a must visit recommendation from here on out. Thank you Gilded Curtain (Jeremy).

What a COOL concept. And the drinks were delightful and so well crafted. Uber gets confused and did…read moredrop us in the back based on the maps location, but that's the parking lot if you drive yourself! And truly everyone working there was so sweet and kind. We only could stay for one drink but god I wish we could've lingered longer. Such a great atmosphere.

Visited this new winery with a friend to catch up! This space is so large and it's so cool that it…read morewas created from bare bones. I love the touches of green combined with Brown, it definitely makes for a calm atmosphere. Service was very friendly and quick. We ordered the charcuterie board, margarita flatbread, white flight, and mixed flight. The charcuterie definitely needed more crackers so we ended up ordering about eight for an additional two dollars. Since there is so much on the charcuterie, I do think giving more crackers would make sense. I enjoyed all of the whites, but particularly the oblique. I could definitely see myself visiting when in the Southington area.

I recently visited Mindset in Southington, and it's quickly become one of my favorite spots! This…read moreplace is all about local wines, and they truly know how to make each one shine. You can enjoy a wine flight, a glass, or even take home a bottle of your favorite, which I love for discovering something new and bringing it home. The food is just as impressive. I tried the spinach artichoke dip and the cheese & crackers platter, and both were delicious. They also have a selection of desserts that are perfect for a little sweet treat. I even got a sneak peek of their flatbreads, coming soon, and they were absolutely amazing! The atmosphere is cozy and refined its the perfect spot to relax, connect with friends, or just enjoy a quiet glass of wine. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, which makes the experience feel extra special. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or just looking for a hidden gem to explore, Mindset is a must-visit. I can't wait to go back!

Woodbury Brewing Company is a craft brewpub that opened in Woodbury, Connecticut in December 2017…read more It was founded by friends and business partners Allan Cetrone, Tim Budrewicz, T.J. D'Alexander and Ken Mair. After he found his previous employer's ethical standards unconscionable, Cetrone decided to quit and find a new line of work. He and his friends frequently got together at a backyard barn man-cave which was complete with a fridge and kegerator. Cetrone had also been experimenting with his own homebrewed beers. Once their man cave became a popular spot for family gatherings, the four friends decided to open their own brewery. The taproom has a rustic saloon aesthetic (a nod to the friends' backyard barn man-cave) complete with a stage for live musical acts to perform. In addition to the housemade beer, WBC also serves wine, cider, craft cocktails, and a large menu of delicious food from their in-house kitchen. I recently visited Woodbury Brewing Company for the first time. I had heard that they host a lot of live music acts and I purchased a ticket to see Hudson Valley-based Rush tribute band "Limelight". I'm a HUGE Rush fan, so I was really excited to see the group perform. I arrived over an hour before the show started. I had a reserved table right by the stage. There was a modest crowd when I first arrived, but the whole taproom was packed by the time the show started. After looking over the menu, I decided to order the "Nashville Hot GIANT Chicken Sandwich" (hot honey, cajun spice, pickles, mayo) with "Sweet Potato Fries" as well as an order of "Cheese Curds" (served w/ house-made marinara). I was totally shocked when the food finally came to the table. When they say "giant chicken sandwiches", they mean GIANT! I could barely fit the sandwich into my mouth, but it was so delicious! The sweet potato fries were equally big and delicious, and the cheese curds were really good too! Throughout my visit, I enjoyed pours of "Yummy Beers" (Double New England IPA), "Collusion" (New England IPA), and "Barrel-Aged Don't Go Romanov" (Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout). They were all surprisingly good! Limelight also gave an excellent performance to the very energetic crowd. Overall, I had quite an enjoyable evening and I'll definitely be back! I already have a ticket to another show!

Great venue with live open mic music on Tuesdays. Flight is four 5 oz pours with a mix of layers,…read moresours, IPAs and stouts for your selection. Grabbed a couple cans for home and enjoyed more of Woodbury beers with friends and family. Service was quick easy and friendly. Nothing better than starting a visit home than a drink at Woodbury!

Always looking for a new fun spot. The good, it's small, intimate, friendly staff, great drinks…read more Amazing vibes, good music.. The I wish there was more---- As a chef disappointed only hummus or a small charcuterie for food. (Better than no food but wish there was a few more picky things.. (I'm happy to help curate a few easy menu items for ya that don't require a full kitchen.. and can be set ahead as it's served cold ... I'll trade for cocktails!! lol) End of the day, glad we came, will be back

What a cool speakeasy this place is! A few friends and I visited this place on the spur of the…read moremoment. What a hidden gem! Literally! This establishment is a tea shop during the day and speakeasy by night. We started off getting a small plate of hummus and Mediterranean olives. Then to drink I got specialty cocktail MICTLANTECUTLI (AZTEC) blood orange margarita blood orange tequila* *, lime, bitters, smoked salt And I added a RITUAL KIT Each Elixir has a custom, crafted Ritual You can add the Ritual for $5 As you imbibe, you alchemize * create with intention This was so cool and I would definitely recommend them. Overall the service here was great. Our waitress was super friendly and helpful. Would definitely come here again.

Spoke + Spy Ciderworks is a craft cidery that opened in Middletown, Connecticut in March 2018. It…read morewas founded by husband and wife Ronald and Kimberly Sansone. Ronald lived in London, England for a time and worked as a graphic designer. While in London, he saw how popular hard ciders were and it sparked his interest in the beverage. After returning to the states, he began making his own cider at home and enrolled in programs at Cornell and Oregan State Universities. He won numerous accolades over the years from his homemade ciders. Eventually, the Sansones decided to open their own cidery that featured hard ciders made from locally sourced apples. The cidery officially opened to the public in 2016 inside Middletown's old Remington Rand building. The historic building complex opened in 1896 as the Keating Bicycle Factory. Throughout the decades, motorcycles, automobiles, typewriters and even military missile parts were manufactured there. The building closed its doors in the early 1970s and fell into disrepair. The city later took it over and by 2009 it had been refurbished with several new tenants renting space inside. Sansone named the cidery 'Spoke & Spy' as a reference to the building's history as a bicycle factory as well as the Northern Spy Apple (one of Sansone's favorite varieties). I first visited Spoke + Spy in August 2019. I was training for the upcoming Closer To Free ride, so I decided to cycle from my home in North Haven all the way to Middletown (21 miles). By the time I made it to the cidery, I was very thirsty. The taproom is decorated with all sorts of bicycle memorabilia. I decided to order a sampler flight that consisted of six ciders ranging in flavors from pear to grape. I liked them all, but my favorite was a tart, semi-dry strawberry-rhubarb cider called "Love Shouldn't Hurt". I ended up purchasing a growler of it to bring back home. If you plan on visiting the cidery in Middletown, I must recommend making it a craft beer afternoon because the Remington Rand building is also home to Stubborn Beauty Brewing and Forest City Brewing.

Cool place. I guess new thing in CT is touring breweries…read more We did 3 brewery tour while we were visiting CT. This place is located right next to Forest City Brewery. I never tasted cider as beer, but liked them a lot. We tried a flight with 8 different ciders. Some tasted like apple juice with bubbles, but pretty good. It was 20F below out side, in side of this old factory converted brewery was not much warmer, but extremely good ambience. Definitely we will visit here again whenever we are in CT.