If you’re fond of craft beer or fine wine, you’re well positioned as a guest here at The Goodwin in Downtown Hartford, a recent winner of the best overnight stay/city lodging 2020 by Connecticut Magazine. You’ll find yourself within shouting distance of some outstanding Connecticut breweries, with an array of wineries in the broader region promising some tasty day-tripping.
Here’s a look at some of your options in the local brew and vino departments with a luxury home base at The Goodwin!
Hartford, CT Craft Breweries
A number of great breweries call the Connecticut capital home (or maintain branches here). They include Hog River Brewing (1429 Park Street), situated in a historic building in the Parkville neighborhood that once served as the Hartford Rubber Works and Pope Manufacturing Co. Presently offering outdoor seating on Fridays and Saturdays and curbside pickup Tuesdays through Saturdays, Hog River offers such sudsy sensations as German-style Kölsch and lagers as well as the Hartford Pale Ale, Illusionist Peach & Mango Milkshake IPA, and the across-the-board sumptuous Sticky Fingers Apple Brandy Barrel-aged Belgian Tripel.
Then there’s the Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt (140 Huyshope Ave), set in its own historic digs within one of the buildings of the former Colt Armory. The taproom pours such winners as the Tropical Storm IPA, the Hartford Athletic Lager, and the Old Marley Barleywine, which landed a Gold Medal in the barleywine category at the Great International Beer Fest.
The Hartford Steam Company’s pipes power the beer-making process at City Steam Brewery Cafe (942 Main St.), a modern expression of the old-school method of steam-brewing pioneered in the mid-19th century. City Steam’s temporarily closed on account of COVID-19, but at this point is slated to reopen in September.
Phantom Brewing Co. (290 Murphy Rd) is offering to-go beer and regular visits from local food trucks, which supplement the kielbasas, hot dogs, and other fare served by the taproom. Its beers include the Do It For the Graham Sour IPA—which incorporates graham crackers into the mash—as well as the Mythical Czar Russian Imperial Stout, the Phantasma Blood Orange Berliner Weisse, and the Secret Summer Raspberry Wheat.
New Park Brewing (485 Park Ave, West Hartford), meanwhile, is presently taking reservations for taproom service as well as serving out of a to-go window. Here’s another hotspot for fine craft brews, including the Rook Imperial Stout, the Stereogram Double IPA, the Blender Blackberry Berliner Weisse, and the Transfer Belgian-style Grisette ale.
Nearby Wineries
Connecticut has a surprisingly rich assortment of wineries, a number of which are within easy day-trip reach of Downtown Hartford. Among the closest are Jerram Winery (535 Town Hill Rd, New Hartford), Connecticut Valley Winery (1480 Litchfield Turnpike, New Hartford), Priam Vineyards (11 Shailor Hill Rd, Colchester), and Hawk Ridge Winery (28 Plungis Rd, Watertown). Check out others at the website of the Connecticut Wine Trail!
Enjoy Local & Regional Craft Beer & Wine on a Goodwin Getaway
From city taphouses to tasting rooms at regional wineries, sample the top-quality libations area brewers and vintners whip up on your next stay here at The Goodwin! (And don’t forget the fantastic wines as well as beer available at our on-site Italian restaurant Terreno, which is temporarily closed but down the line will once again welcome Goodwin guests and walk-in diners alike!)
