Microbrewery Coming To Bethel

Upper Fairfield County may soon be getting its first microbrewery in about a decade, if a local investors' group's plans come to fruition. The old Bethel Train station will be converted to a brewpub, serving beer brewed onsite.

This is great news for Danbury area beer fans. Microbreweries have been popping up throughout Connecticut and New York at a fairly brisk pace over the last few years. We've got Half Full in Stamford, Two Roads in Stratford, Thomas Hooker and Back East in Bloomfield, Black Hog and OEC in Oxford, Shebeen in Wolcott, the new Veracious Brewing in Monroe, and many more. NY has the great Captain Lawrence in Westchester, Bull & Barrel in Brewster, and Poughkeepsie, of all places, has a couple of thriving brewpubs.

However, Greater Danbury hasn't had a microbrewery to call their own since the Colorado Brewery closed its doors over a decade ago. Looking back, they were ahead of their time, as proved by former Colorado brewmaster Scott Vaccaro's success with Captain Lawrence.

According to the News-Times, the as-yet-unnamed Bethel Brewery will be owned by La Zingara owner Lisa Tassone, brewer Chris Sanzene, assistant brewer Kevin Arrington and Paul Mannion, owner of Danbury's popular Green Grunion food truck. We hoist a glass and wish them much success!

While we ponder fresh-brewed beer right in downtown Bethel, we remind you that there will be some great beers available at our Brews & BBQ event May 14th at the Ives Concert Park!