Mayflower Brewing Company

Of the major cities in Connecticut, New Haven has always been the vanguard of culture in the state. It is the second largest city in the state, home of ivy league Yale University and proximally located to New York city making it a prime site for residence, industry and creativity. I would urge anybody to take a day to explore New Haven-the The Peabody Museum of Science, Yale art museums, theater of all stripes, botanical gardens, a stunning collection musical instruments housed on the Yale campus to name a few. My only regret is that I can only discuss a few of the incredible options for beer in the city. To quote Rogers & Hammerstein, “these are a few of my favorite things”.

In a word, Ordinary is genuine. It has been a bar since 1858, starting its life as part of the New Haven House Hotel, then the Taft hotel and then in 1982 as “Richter’s”-a popular Yale watering hole throughout where future presidents and leaders of industry would whet their whistle throughout the late millennium. Re-opened in 2013 as Ordinary, the old-world charm is preserved, it emanates from every inch of lovingly restored carved wood that adorns the walls. As you enter the main seating area in the back of the bar, you are greeted by a taxidermied moose-head shot and stuffed by Richter Elser himself. The food, cocktail and beer menus are concise and thoughtful-they offer meat pies, sandwiches, BBQ, cheese and charcuterie selected by part-owner Jason Sobocinski, who also owns the local destination French-style bistro and cheese shop, Caseus. Stop in, grab a draft and get acquainted with a new classic.

Part night-club, part brewpub and part pizzeria, BAR integrates the best elements of all three. The interior is modern, spacious and open, with high ceilings and unfinished wood beams throughout. Jeff Browning makes some spectacular beers using a beautiful copper brewing system, proudly displayed in the dining room. On top of his own offerings, he is gracious enough to leave some taps open for other local brewers to showcase their wares. BAR plays host to two incredible beer festivals each year; OctoBARfest and the Connecticut Real Ale festival–both feature cask conditioned ales prepared especially for the festival. Mayflower is proud to be involved for the first time, pouring a cask of India Pale Ale on spruce tips and Porter on vanilla beans! Stop in for a night of dancing, a Wednesday rock show or a pint and a slice of mashed potato pizza for dinner.

Majoring in burgers and beer, minoring in bourbon and liquor, New Haven mainstay Prime 16 opened on the cusp of the second surge of the craft beer industry and have been going strong since. With twenty draft lines constantly rotating, you’d be hard-pressed to find the same thing on tap for more than a couple of days. Their bar staff is impeccably trained to understand the crafted items that they are selling and they work with breweries to bring unique offerings to their patrons. Keep an eye on their calendar for brewery spotlights where you can taste through the range of beers and talk shop with a representative or brewer! I can think of few things more glorious than a pint of Mayflower Porter paired with “Cajun Patty Melt”, a burger featuring pepperjack cheese, applewood smoked bacon, fried onions and chipotle aioli on multigrain bread.