A great, local brewery. Craft beer breweries are starting to pop up all over Connecticut, but Hooker is one of the originals. On Friday nights throughout the year, Hooker has all you can drink beer for $20 accompanied with a Thomas Hooker pint glass to keep. It's a great deal and an excuse to get together with a group of friends. I have gone to multiple charity events at Hooker. They are always open for supporting a good cause. Hooker has great beers of all types. Their chocolate stout is currently in season. If you haven't gotten "caught with a Hooker", then you should soon! read more

Thomas Hooker Brewery - The Dunkin Goat Coffee Stout - Breweries Near Me - Bloomfield, Connecticut

Love Thomas Hooker not just because I used to live above their new bar in Hartford for a few years, but because of all their awesome events they host for the community. Favorite by far was the foodie venture put on at their Bloomfield location with Dog Star Rescue where you can play with the pups, and eat yourself into BBQ coma before touring the operation! Very cool read more

Always good. Husband likes the beer. They have wine for me. Food is a bonus! We like the spacious outside option too. Great music in the warmer months. read more

Good times here at Thomas Hooker Brewery (T.H.B.). I arrived here at 12:30pm on a Saturday, and it showed how much people love good beer at a cheap price by the 30 people who were already there! Parking was easy for me, but it appeared harder for others as time rolled on. People parked on the street and on the side and back parking lots. There seemed to be a generally diverse crowd of ages and gender. I would say almost 50/50 males and females came here from the ages of 20 to 45. I paid $5 (CASH only), got a tour and unlimited sample of their four or five beers (depending on what gets kicked first for kegs) and that's it. Apparently, from what the owner at THB told me, was that those who paid for the special deal also get the pint glass. So sad. The growler idea was cool. It's a machine that keeps out the oxygen that ruins the freshness of the yummy beer. I had the Munson's Chocolate Truffle Stout. I like it, so much that I had several helpings. They put in Munson's cocoa powder. I tried their new Siason which tasted like a Sam Adam's Scotch Ale. Since I drink their Watermelon Ale in a bottle I was not impressed by the draft. I felt it was too sweet, but the aromas definitely came out more. They also served the Naughty Nurse Blonde Ale. I was too busy sampling the Chocolate Stout to care. I tried a couple samples of their Irish Red Ale which won first place in a competition. I was not impressed. I felt like I was part of the beer snobbery. The bartenders and other staff were knowledgeable of the THB brews and other companies. There were many emptied beer bottles and growlers from other companies lined up on a ledge near the ceiling. The tour was cool but small, and I got to taste one of their brews in the making that was unfiltered. It had a honey like taste. I thought it was an overall cool experience. I was rocking my Spanish soccer jersey, so going there alone made me a lot of friends and THB bracelets to sample more beer. I felt like Dave Attel in Insomnia. I should have had camera men and a microphone with me as I struck up convo with the patrons there. My favorite was listening to their lists of top ales, pale ales, lagers, porters and stouts. Fun times! read more

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I went with several friends for the Saturday $5 ten-tastes tour. I loved the dark beer and the atmosphere. The layout is a bit confusing. You pay your money at the door. Then, before the tour, you pass some taps. These feature their regular beers. After that, you go into the back room to wait until your tour number is called. While you wait, you drink. The back room has the specialty beers. People (as usual in Breweries) are mostly young and very friendly. The back room has couches, tables, board games, and very funny pictures on the wall... all punning on the Hooker Beer name. The tour itself is lead by... a tour leader... not an actual brewer or company big cheese. He talks fast and is very funny. Warning: the side parking lot is narrow and there is a blind spot before you pull out... after TEN sample beers, it may be a challenge. read more

Thomas Hooker Brewery - Breweries Near Me - Bloomfield, Connecticut

Only reservation about returning would be that they didn't have whole or 2% milk only skim.

If your buddy opens his messy garage and invited you over to drink his great homebrew, that's pretty much what the brewery is like. Bring your friends it's good beer and a fun atmosphere. read more

I have to say, I'm not a beer drinker (anyone who is friends with me on Yelp would know what I prefer by all of my martini pics) but I'm sooooooo grateful to my coworker who invited me to the happy hour on the first Friday of the month! I went for the first time last night and will definitely be going back! For $10 you get unlimited tastings from 5-8pm and a clean pint glass at the end of the night to take home. There was also a fundraiser so that you donate $5 and eat the food that was set out buffet style. There were sliders, wings, chips, brownies, cookies, nacho cheese sauce. I didn't expect food and beer and an excellent time for just $15! As a non-beer drinker, I didn't go for anything too heavy but I did enjoy a watermelon flavor, a grapefruit IPA, the Octoberfest and the Stout made with Munson's Chocolate. I wish I took pics to get all of the names of flavors I've tried correct, but I was having too much fun to think about that at the time. :) read more

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I think this is a pretty fun place to spend a Saturday afternoon. The beer is great, and you get to drink quite a bit of it for a measly $5. Bring some friends, hang out on the couch, chat up some strangers. Even though you are allotted 10 3oz tastings, we discovered that a few friendly people were willing to give out their unused tickets. We actually had to say "no thank you" to some of these offers after 2+ hours of drinking (and feeling the effect of 30+ ounces of beer). The ambience- it's a brewery. It stinks, feels like a warehouse, no food or snacks- it's simply a brewery with lots of delicious beer and Hooker swag for sale. The room in the back is much cozier to hang out in. If you're really interested in the history of the brewery and the beer making process, do the tour. Otherwise, I'd say you wouldn't be missing anything great if you decided to skip it. I was really surprised at how much I liked the Watermelon Ale! I was super skeptical as I don't normally enjoy flavored beers, but this was freakin tasty. I'm also a fan of the Nor'easter, IPL, and Brewtus Maximus. They have so many different beers on tap that there's bound to be something for everybody. The only bummer is the lines. It had gotten so crowded by late afternoon that we were going up for a beer and immediately getting back in line, because the wait was that long. It won't prevent me from going back though! read more

I knew that Friday open houses were $10 including a pint glass, but I didn't know until this Saturday when I stopped in that Saturday open house - with just beer, no glasses - is only $5. You really can't beat that! The beer is delicious - we were able to try five or six that were rotating on tap - and we stayed for a good two hours, drinking as much beer as we wanted. We got a neat, very informative tour of the brewery from a member of the staff, and for the rest of the time, we were able to sit in one of the seating areas and just hang out. The atmosphere is great - all of the staff is really friendly, and it wasn't that crowded on a Saturday afternoon. There was a TV set up with an Xbox Kinect, so we could play a little virtual bowling, too. This was my second time at the Thomas Hooker Brewery. My first time was for a fundraiser, where we paid a little more, but it was for charity, and I still think it was a great deal for all the beer we got, and for how much fun we had. Whether you're stopping in for a fundraiser, a Friday open house, or a Saturday open house, the tour and unlimited beer is a great deal, and it's always a good time. read more

I'm not gonna lie- my expectations for this place were very low upon pulling in. Nestled on some half paved road in Bloomfield around NOTHING else, with no parking to speak off- they do not give a first good impression. But don't let that deter you. For $5 you get a bracelet that entitles you to 10 samples and a tour. I originally thought that 10 samples would be like drinking 1 beer, but it really wasn't...let's just we were glad we had a designated driver bring us home. The Irish Red Ale and the Watermelon Ale were the favorites. (Take a sniff of the watermelon- smells just like a Jolly Rancher!) The tour guide was nice and answered questions and give you an additional free sample of new beer not released to the public yet. The only downside here is really limited seating. They could do with some picnic tables to accommodate the large crowds on the weekends. I would be back and bring some snack food with us to accompany the delicious beer! I can officially say I am a fan of Hooker Beer :) read more

I just don't get the hate for the tasting/tour event. Stink eye, bros who want to fight...I've never experienced such a thing here. What I did experience was a younger crowd that was there to enjoy themselves. You can mingle, hang out with your friends, mess around on the Xbox, or just sulk and drink while judging everybody else. There's something for everyone here. It's $10 for a Friday event, but you get a pint glass to take home. You can't drink from it, though. Instead, you get a small sample cup. I've been to large brew fests that give you the same size cup, so it struck me as fairly standard. Sure, it goes quick, but what do you expect for a sample? Just get right back in line, and try something else. When I was there, they brought out some pizzas around hour 2 of the tasting. I believe it was $1 or $2 a slice, and went quickly. All in all, it's a good time. You can't beat the value, and Hooker is a great local brewery. I would recommend it to anybody. read more

Good times are to be had at the Hooker Brewery. The beers are pretty good, and for $10 (they bumped it up from $5) you can drink 'til your heart's content. I'll echo the sentiment of the previous reviewer. There's a very interesting group of people here, and they give you munchies to help you quaff more beer. Granted, they only give you about 40% of a pint with each pour, but it's not hard to stroll back up to the bar and ask for more. Well, it's not hard the first dozen times or so, but then it gets progressively more difficult... read more

I've been here twice. Both times I had a BLAST!! Great place to hang out with friends on a Saturday. You get a tasting cup and a bracelet for 10 tastings. Trust me, by the time you get to the 10th one, you won't need any more. I recommend taking the tour. Not only is it informational, but you get a taste of fresh beer while it's still going through the brewing process. Yay!!! Parking is limited. Beers are awesome. Grab some friends and enjoy some delicious Hookers!! You can also bring food and have a party at the brewery. Can't wait to grab another Hooker with friends! read more

Traveld up to this brewery the day after thanksgiving. Thought i had read they were having a sale on merch for black friday. Soon found out that was the online store...oops Thankfully the head brewery was there and i dropped the "i'm visiting from southern california" line, which got us invited in to have a few samples. Most of the beer is pretty pub standard flavors. I think the yeast strain they use isn't my favorite, but the beer was clean and tasty. The one beer that stuck out was the Imperial Porter. Yum, have to get this in a bottle. Big beer, easy to share with friends. Their T-shirts are funny hooker references. Easy to please and no STDs or LAST CALL? Better grab a Hooker... If i lived around the corner i would come here alot, but if i lived more than 20 minute drive i don't think i'd go out of my way. read more

Like beer? Then you'll like Thomas Hooker Brewery. They have a great selection and I highly suggest getting their a flight so you can enjoy a couple of different brews. One of my favorite parts about this place is the laid back atmosphere. It is an ideal place to spend a lazy afternoon. Must try: chocolate truffle stout! read more

While dining one evening at the Storrowton Tavern, I had a glass of The Storrowton Lager and was told it was brewed by Thomas Hooker Brewery and in fact was Hooker's Munich Lager, a helles style Bavarian beer. At first taste, I was struck by how closely it mimicked the great lagers of Munich and for a brief moment before I new its origin, I thought it was an Augustiner Edelstoff, high praise indeed. From that moment THB was on my list and yesterday I finally dropped by. The brewery while open was not conducting tours or tastings as there are specific schedules for those events and honestly I just wanted to see the place and pick up a six pack of Munich Lager. The interior bottling area can be viewed from the lounge area and it was spotless, stainless steel shiny. The tasting area is large with a small comfortable seating area to ruminate about your beer tasting choices. On the other side of the room is a beer/ale display for purchase as well as growlers, glasses, tee shirts and the like. I was anxious to try Hooker's Amber Ale so I headed out to the nearby Republic Gastro-Pub for a glass, yup that too turned out to be a very pleasant quaff. read more

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I found an Amazon local deal for this place for half off beer tasting for four people....plus Amazon gave me a promotional credit so I scored the deal for a whopping 8 bucks! Beer tasting at $2 a head is most definitely a good thing! This brewery is small, but they produce a good variety of beers...I think there were about a dozen to taste. They give you a wristband with 10 tabs and you tear them off as you taste. You actually end up getting more beer than you think..probably about 3 full beers by the time you finish! The staff were helpful and friendly, and our tour guide seemed to really enjoy his job. The tour is quick, as the brewery is small, but it was a fun experience. My favorite beer was the Chocolate stout....really tasty! Worth a stop if you're in the area. read more

Why drive to Boston when you can swing by Bloomfield!!?!! Having done a tour of Sam Adams brewery, I can tell you that you get far more out of the Thomas Hooker Brewery on all levels. This brew tour takes you to the bare bones of brewing. Owner and brew master are available at all times during the tasting/tour & being able to be on the actual bottling and brewing floor is awesome. Up at Sam Adams, it's more of a show than the real thing. Not to mention how awesome THB is!! They have such a great variety of beers, especially the newest beer which was just released today: Chocolate Truffle. Such amazing flavors made with Munson's chocolate, this beer did wonders on my tongue. As soon as you can, head up to Bloomfield to see this top notch brewery, only 10 minutes outside of Hartford. 10 bucks gets you a pint glass & all the beer you can drink!!...why wait!??!?? read more

Last week was our first time at the brewery. We heard for $5 you could tour the brewery and try samples of the beers on tap. Upon arrival, we found parking right away in the "alley" and made our way into the brewery to meet my sister's friends. There was a lively crowd of about 20 or so people in the tap area. 4 beers were on tap (Blonde, Irish Red, IPA, and Nor' Easter Lager) and like I said $5 got you unlimited tastes in a taster cup. Within a few minutes of arriving, they started up a tour which only a few people joined. Our tour guide (a teacher during the school year), guided us around the brewing equipment, explaining the process, and the different ingredients for different colors and styles of beers. The most impressive part of the tour was the bottling line, which you usually never see because they either bottle off-site or it's so big (like Harpoon), that they don't bring tours through that area. I really enjoyed learning more about the bottling process and seeing it first hand. After the tour, we headed back over to the tasting area and people began pouring in to try the beers and meet up with their friends. I look forward to our next visit so I can try the Watermelon Ale. read more

Favorite brewery!!! Their beers have so much flavor and they offer so many types. They also do such fun events. We love going to their Friday night open houses. Wish they had food at their Bloomfield location like they do at their Hartford location! Also love how dog friendly they are! read more

Upon arrival, we were a little confused. From the outside, the place looks like an old factory-type building. Not the nicest looking place by a long shot. Since the location isn't the greatest place in CT (in Bloomfield on the boarder of Hartford) we were a little leery of entering...but out taste for beer took over and we went in. There was a pretty good crowd of about 25 people inside. There is a small "bar" area where the taps are and across the room is where they make beer. they had 4 beers were on tap (Blonde, Irish Red, IPA, and Nor' Easter Lager). The price was $5 and it was all you can sample (in small sample cups). There was a tour going on when we arrived, so we decided to just start trying beer. Well, there was not another tour while we were there (about an hour). This was fine tho as we really just wanted to taste some beer and look around. They sell Hooker merchandise there which is pretty cool. It was fun, and if you are looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon, then go check it out! read more

The Brewery's Friday Open House was the first stop during my friend's birthday celebration last weekend. That event runs from 5 to 8pm, and for $10 you receive a small plastic cup for unlimited tastings, which you can turn in for a souvenir pint glass on the way out. The price is very reasonable, and was made even more so when guys at the door let my fiance and I in for $5 each because we got there late, at 7:15. They were really friendly, and we could tell they were happy to be there. The place was very crowded, but our group staked out a spot, and never had trouble getting samples. They were offering the Munich Style Lager, Irish Red, an IPA, and the seasonal Watermelon Ale (which most of our group didn't care for, but if you can find a way to make a beer smell like a Jolly Rancher, I'm in). I enjoyed all the samples. That said, I wish they had offered more than four. According to the website, they have eight year-round beers, and I would have liked to have tried them. I'm sure there are logistical reasons why they don't offer more-- with that many people, serving more than four beers could get complicated. On the cons list: The lighting in the brewery was off-puttingly bright. That, combined with the fact that it had to have been 80 degrees in the building, made me feel like I was sitting under a halogen lamp. (If you think that makes me sound elderly, wait until you hear this...) There also wasn't really any place to sit. So, minus a star because it wasn't the most comfortable situation, but otherwise it was a fun activity. read more

No wife...no girlfriend...no date...grab a Hooker. Don't need to ask me twice! This was my second time visiting the Thomas Hooker Brewery Friday happy hour and it will certainly not be my last. The last time I went was a few years ago and the renovations have made a major difference in my overall experience. Before the area was narrow with only bar which made for some cramped, unusually sweaty and smelly conditions. This made getting a sample damn near impossible and really if you have to wait 30 minutes to fill your bathroom cup with a swig of beer, what's the point. Now, there are 2 bars, both with 4 different samples and ample space for mingling. They have a TV with Kinect for playing games and a few couches to lounge on. Not to mention, a decent display of their products for sale. We didnt have to wait at all for our samples this time around and had plenty of space to hang out. For $10 (CASH ONLY) you get 3 hours (5-8) of unlimited samples (trust me you get your money's worth...plan accordingly for a designated driver) and a pint glass. Definitely a great value. Some room for improvement: more bathrooms and more options for food. Currently they have pizza slices for sale but would be nice to have bar snacks or something light like that. Also the parking is kind of a disaster, not that it's a deal breaker or anything. Bottom line... nice happy hour atmosphere, great local beer and fun times had by all! read more

Beer beer beer. I like beer! My friends and I come go here relatively often for the Friday open house. It never disappoints. They always have a good selection of beer, and overall it's just really cool. This is one of the first breweries in the Hartford area, and it's always a classic. Their chocolate truffle stout made with Munson's chocolate is to die for! read more

I recently went through the Saturday opening house/tasting tour and had an absolute blast. The bartenders/employees were knowledgeable and really excited about beer. Our tour was conducted by the Brewery's owner and one of the brewers. A few things to keep in mind - the parking is relatively limited, so I would suggest on the Saturday tours to arrive earlier in the day. By 2:00 pm new arrivals were having a serious issue getting in. Also, if you call the employees will ask you when you'd like to schedule your tour. They're only checking to make sure you're coming in while they're open. The tours are first-come, first-serve. read more

No need for a long review here. I went for a tasting and out of 10 beers I was allowed to taste, I only like one. I definitely was expecting more. And oh, about that "tour"...if you blink, you'll miss it. We stood around waiting for our tour group only to find out that the tour everyone went on and on about, consisted of basically a hallway. I gave this place two stars because I actually found a beer I liked, but overall the experience could have been better. read more

A group of 4 of us went because we purchased the groupon. The groupon got all of us a tour, 10 tastings each and a pint glass. This brewery is not the best looking on the inside as it has a bunch of old couches and a bit of a basement feel but most of their beer is really good. read more

There is just something cool about being in the very same building where your beer is born. I have been to the Hooker open house 4 or 5 times now (my wife and I have accumulated quite the beer glass collection). The first time we went there were 15 maybe 20 people. I think each one of those people did what I did and told a friend (or 10). The only problem is that the secret is out. And its inevitable b/c everyone who goes wants to bring someone else to share the experience (and maybe someone willing to drive home). My only complaint is that the space is just too small to accomadate the growing crowds! But that probably won't stop me from going back. If you hate crowds, just pop in for a brewery tour - you get to taste everything in a little more low-key setting. And that warm, happy feeling you get...that's not just the brew, a portion of the Open House $$ goes to a good cause. While Hooker Brewery may represent a departure from the puritanical beliefs of brewery-namesake, Rev. Thomas Hooker. The good reverend would certainly be pleased by the funds brewery-owner, Curt Cameron, has raised to benefit Village for Children. read more

This place is great if you enjoy local, delicious beer. The tour is alright but for 5$ bucks you get a decent amount of beer! I ended up leaving feeling pretty happy. They make some great beer and you will be amongst some fellow beer lovers! Go check it out. read more

We went here for a Friday night tasting. 10 bucks gets you 8 sample cups and a pint glass to take home. It's a good deal and fun way to taste the beer. All were very tasty. The water melon ale was outstanding. I usually don't go for these flavored beers but they do it right! The have a front room and back bar with seating that looks into the brewing area. We were tempted to stay longer but got hungry. We be be back. read more

I attended the Hooker Open House on the first Friday of the month. For $10.00 you can have as many mini-beers as you want, but you just have to be willing to stand in line each time. While I was frustrated at first by having to wait, I soon found that the line moved quickly and the small talk in line decreased the time. The Nor'Easter was the best beer by far, although the other beers on tap were good as well. You can attend the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month. My favorite part of the experience is that Hooker Brewery donates money to a local organization with each ticket you buy, turning your drinking into a good cause. read more

The Hooker made me do it! This place is awesome every 1st & 3rd Friday for $10 you can come in enjoy some great beer and leave with a pint glass souvenir. The brew crew are very friendly and look like they love their jobs. We tried every beer on tap and some more than once.....Blonde, Irish Red, Watermelon, Munich, Saison, Softspoken, Chocolate Truffle Stout, IPA, and Tenacious just to name a few. There is a very diverse group of people to strike up a conversion with and since I talk to strangers I made a whole bunch of 3 second friends. You might want to bring some munchies with you, I saw quite a few people who did so. Parking can be hard to find mostly street parking on the opposite side of the road from the brewery. So you might want to get there earlier than later. And they shut down promptly at 8:00pm. So go with a full tummy or bring some munchies or you may need to take a nap in your car before you drive home. read more

One of my favorite breweries. There is no bad time to go. There is brewery's open house, 1st and third Fridays 5-8 pm for unlimited beer and a pint glass only $10. There is also Saturday tours and $5 gets you 10 4 oz. tastings (plenty for me!!!) and a tour of the brewery. I love their selection of beers (at least 8 on tap). The Chocolate Truffle Stout is super flavorful and not even that heavy for a stout. It is a collaboration with Munson Chocolate. The Demure Smoked Saison had a real smoky flavor to it, like nothing I've ever had. I think it would be amazing with some bbq. My favorite hot summer beer is their watermelon beer. Not at all too fruity and as light as beer can get without tasting light dirty water. The rest are great too...its hard to cover all of the deliciousness (Munich Lager...another standout with deep flavor). The people here is great. though the atmosphere is pretty basic. There is plenty of standing area and a small couch area inside. They also have a REALLY nice and spacious deck area. I just wish they had more tables, regular or high top to stand or sit and play games. They also have a retail area to purchase a case of beer or some of their hilarious "Hooker" clothing and hats. I've noticed there is always some food being offered for purchase by various vendors - I've heard it is hit or miss depending on where the food is from. It is a nice option if you start to think you had too much! I've seen people bring food and think that is a great idea too. I've tried to look up a pizza delivery place before but don't know the area well and Yelp didn't reveal a lot of options unfortunately. I'll have to test the waters and let ya'll know what I find! read more

Nice little brewery. People are helpful and friendly.. It seems like a cool gig to have. Talk to people, drink good beer...I need this job. The tour was interesting and informative...not boring at all and worth the quick little ten minutes. Definitely worth visiting for a nice little afternoon trip. read more

Randomly one day I thought, we live in CT, love beer and have never been to a CT brewery - road trip to Hartford! My boyfriend, his best friend and I love beer and this was totally worth the trip from Danbury. We went to a late Saturday brew tour/tasting, which was $5 for 10 samples of beer. I would suggest coming a little earlier than than the last tour, as it was a bit crowded and we were kicked out right at 5 p.m. We still had a few tickets left on our sample bracelet. But we still got to sample everything on tap (7 or 8 varieties total I think) and I personally enjoyed everything. Very good beer that was crisp and clean tasting - even the stouts and IPAs. There were two huge rooms, one with their all their brew equipment and one with history/informational items and awards on the walls, plus a gift shop. It was a fun place to just hang out and sample beer. If you're into craft beer and brew tours and are driving through Hartford, Thomas Hooker is worth a stop. And if you're spending a day in Hartford, they work with another brewery City Steam, which is a downtown brewpub. You can pick up a coupon for a free app at City Steam while at TH. read more

Great beer and friendly head brewer. Well worth the trip, but they aren't open late. The chocolate stout with local chocolate added and the summit XPA are two extremes in terms of style but both are of the highest quality. read more

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We first learned that Thomas Hooker offered catering services when they supplied the post race food and beer after the O'Hartford race. (My fiancé at the time, could not get enough of the stew and had 4 helpings.) We originally wanted to have multiple food trucks cater our wedding, but after meeting with Thomas Hooker, we opted to have them provider all the catering from apps, to the meal, drinks and dessert. We were not disappointed. Josh is a magician with the food he creates and Steve was extremely accommodating and helpful - both in the days leading up to the event and the night itself. The tastings were some of our favorite parts of the wedding planning. The biggest problem that we had was trying to narrow down the options of what to choose because everything tasted so amazing. On the day of the wedding, Thomas Hooker staff went out of the way to make sure that we always had food or drink whenever we needed it. We even had staff bringing us appetizers and drinks during the photo session after the ceremony to make sure we didn't miss out. All of our guests raved about the food and drinks - and continue to do so. Some of our Massachusetts friends have even come down to visit the tap room locations because they loved the food and beer from our wedding. The beer trucks are able to accommodate 4 or 5 different taps, so we were able to have a good variety (we went with No Filter, Blonde, Oktoberfest, and a cider for our gluten free guests). Josh was even able to accommodate any and all dietary restrictions our guests had which was really important to us; my niece was recently diagnosed with celiac disease and needs strict gluten free food. We became huge fans of Thomas Hooker from day one and continue to visit both locations regularly. We cannot recommend Thomas Hooker enough for your wedding or any other upcoming event that you may have planned. Even if you don't have an event coming up, you should still stop by the Bloomfield location for their great pizza options (Hot Nashville Chicken!) or the Colt building location in Hartford (try the grilled cheese flight!) and you won't be disappointed. read more

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Quick note - bring cash. We didn't know it was pretty much cash only and didn't have anything to tip with! I felt so guilty! I sat here for a bit debating between 4/5 and 5/5 stars, but you can see where I landed. Pulling into the brewery was a bit off putting. It's just a brick building with just a few signs and literally is one of those places that you could just drive past and never know was there. Walking in the door there's that familiar smell that any home brewer can place - that wonderful mix of hops and grain - and not just a "beer" smell but a "beer brewing" smell. The best way to describe this place is the basement all men who home brew dream of. There's a little shop out front with different beers on tap and then another bar just behind the wall with even more. Cozy couches and informal seating areas are scattered along the walls and it leaves you feeling very welcome and at home. The place was quiet when we first arrived a little after 5pm, but there was a consistent flow of people and by the end of our tour, the place was packed. This truly seems to be one of those "best kept secrets" by the locals because everyone was jovial, well mannered, and enjoying themselves. The tour was brief, but the guy giving it was great. He broke everything down into layman's terms so that despite knowing the cycle of things, I still learned a lot and understood other things better. He equated their final product in one of the giant steel drums to being enough beer that if "you drank a 6 pack everyday, it would take you 7 years to reach the bottom." Challenge accepted? Overall, the place has a very comfortable, laid back vibe and I had a great time. The beers weren't really my particular cup of tea, but it was a great experience. I'm not sure if I'd ever come back - but I'm also an hour long drive away. If you're looking for something fun and different to do, and you're in the area, make sure to stop by. You won't be disappointed. read more

What a great opportunity to get up and close with the beer you already love and enjoy. I've been to Hooker before- years ago- and am glad to see that the space has expanded, due to (yay!) the need to accommodate popular demand. For $5 you get 10 "tastes" of the various beers on tap (and sometimes by the bottle, depending on what's around), as well as an optional tour that lasts roughly 25 minutes. Here's how it works: You enter. You pay your $5 (cash, I believe, is preferred). You strap on a bracelet, and pick up a plastic cup that holds roughly 3 - 4 oz. You enter the room and sidle up to the bar. Your bracelet is equipped with 10 tabs that strip off, and are placed in a receptacle each time you redeem a taste. Through a doorway is the "visitor's center," which contains information about the history of the place and its beers, as well as another bar, and the merchandise counter. There are plenty of couches, chairs, and high tables which are perfect for congregating. Tours occur loosely. They basically wait until they think there are enough people interested, announce it in both rooms, and tell you where to meet up. Despite its expansion, the place is still fairly small, so you're not likely to get lost. ;-) The tour is informative without being boring, and the staff seem engaging enough. We found it worthwhile. On our most recent trip, we were pleased to taste the Watermelon Ale, Hefeweizen, Soft Spoken, Demure, Irish Red, Octoberfest, and Nor'Easter. Thankfully, there's always a lot of variety on tap, so there is something for everyone. On Saturdays, they're open from 12 - 5. We arrived at about 1:45, and left around 2:40. The lines were nonexistent/short when we first arrived, and pretty long when we left. My advice is to go early, and enjoy yourself leisurely. read more