Back East Brewing Company

When ever I have to drive into my office in Windsor (I work remotely), I make it over to these guys. They make some really good beer. I am a big fan of the Misty Mountain Hop IPA. I also love the Pallet Mallet when it is available. They do growler fills and sell six packs in their showroom.
They have recently remodeled the showroom. It is easy to miss the place as you have to know where to pull in as it is a pretty busy road (Blue Hills Ave). The staff has always been friendly. You get a free sample of each style they have on tap that day. This is nice as it allows you to find what you like before actually buying some.
I noticed that their beers are showing up in more and more package stores in the area. Even my local Stop & Shop had the Misty Mountain in their case! Good to see local brewers catching on. I will never go back to mass produced beer again. So many good local brews to enjoy!

I would love to embrace and enjoy a great local brewery, but sadly these guys aren’t the ones!
Average to below average beer in my opinion, no creativity, and it’s brewed in a cinder block commercial building in Bloomfield, CT — seriously? Where’s the story and marketing behind the product? Probably done by the same person responsible for creating the name Back East — how stupid!
Toured their facility, and tasted some of their offerings… I asked a few questions and they acted like their recipes were trade secrets revealing absolutely nothing! Honestly I couldn’t have cared less, but I was simply trying to engage in some intelligent conversation.
I have traveled the world, and tasted some of the finest craft beers on the planet — I am truly passionate about beer! Someday a Two Roads of New England Brew Co will setup a brewery in the Hartford area and it will be available on at least one tap in every restaurant and bar! Beer styles, like technology continue to evolve and reinvent themselves constantly. It’s a shame in CT we have to rely on great beers traveling from hundreds if not thousands of mile to satisfy our desires!

Our go to brewery!!! It’s kinda hard to figure out where to park the first time you go but once you’ve been you’ll want to go back. We went on a Friday afternoon lucky to score one of the tables. They let you sample what’s on tap without a fee but once you’ve tasted you end up buying something to take home I think we ended up with a case the first time. If I had a DD I’d be there every week.

These guys have it all together and it’s only getting better. I’ve sampled a number of their brews, but today was my first visit to their tasting room.
Situated in an suspecting commercial/​industrial office park. I actually drove past, then a double take corrected my oversight. With ONLY 2 hours remaining to today’s tasting my friend Wil & I wasted no time getting inside.
Free samples, really? «Hey now! Hark thy Angels!»
Not being too greedy and seeing 8 on tap, we went straight for their new release Rakautra. Oh my, the citrus aroma and hoppy flavor knocked my socks off. Really! The bar was then set and we moved onto BEB’s Winterfest, Misty Mountain IPA, Porter, Imperial Stout. All were great.
The staff and clientle were a pleasure to mingle with and hear numerous other journeys of fellow beer lovers.
The Rakautra won 4.75 out of 5 and Five 6-​packs came home for the Holidazes.

This was the second stop on the CT Beer Trail tour that my boyfriend and I took last week. Our visit included samples, a tour, and a 5 oz. sample glass. I saw from the website that that normally goes for $ 3, so not a bad deal if you’re coming just for that. We sampled both their porter and their Imperial Stout. I normally like porters, but I just wasn’t a fan of this one. The flavor packed a lot of punch, and it had a bitter aftertaste that I didn’t enjoy. I next tried the stout, and that one was even bolder. My boyfriend went from the stout to the porter, and said that he couldn’t taste anything at all after drinking the stout. That’s how heavy and strongly flavored it is. He normally loves dark beers, but these weren’t his thing either, and he also noticed the same aftertaste.
Even though the beers were disappointing, we enjoyed the tour. It’s probably the most in-​depth tour you’re going to get at a CT brewery (it was something like 45 minutes), and I appreciated that our guide, one of the owners, was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about beer. If you’re really interested in all the nuts and bolts of beer-​making, this is the tour to go on!
Some criticisms and suggestions, if I may: There are a few tables and chairs in the place, but by the time we got there a little after 1, the place was full of people, and you could only really stand. I would love if there were more seating areas so people can really relax and enjoy the beer. Also, it was never made clear to us how many samples we could have (though I’ll chalk this up to poor organization by the CT Beer Trail folks), and there was no explanation of what we were drinking. I usually love porters, but if I had known this beer was characterized as «bold», as the website description says, I might have chosen something else. There were only two people working the sample counter, and they were swamped by people, so there wasn’t a lot of time to ask them about the beers. Overall, I think this place is worth the stop if you’re in the area, and definitely if you like bolder beers, even if they weren’t for me.

Went with some friends to Back East’s tasting room. Knew their porter but was new to their Octoberfest. Loved both. It’s a great brewery and happy it’s here in Connecticut! Great work!

You’ve probably seen Back East beers in local package stores and at restaurants/​bars, especially in the Hartford area. The brewery itself actually happens to be randomly located in Bloomfield, just over the Windsor line. They are open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for limited hours in the afternoon/​evening, where they offer free samples and brewery tours.
There is VERY limited parking in front, and most likely you’ll have to pull around the back where there is more than ample parking. I think some people mistakenly pull into the Dunkin Donuts lot since it is next door, so if it’s your first visit you want to make sure you’re using the correct lot.
The tasting/​tap room is on the smaller side, so you should expect a crowd when you visit. There’s a tap area with the samples (usually 4 taps on my visits), and a cooler with growlers and six packs. The staff is always friendly and willing to answer questions.
All of their beers are solid. The Golden Ale and Back East Ale are good choices if you’re not a fan of hoppy beers, while the Misty Mountain IPA has a good balance of hoppiness. The Pallet Mallate is a favorite of mine, but very hoppy. They also have seasonal and special limited-​time offerings, so you want to check out their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Overall, this is another in a line of really solid Connecticut-​based breweries, and worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Back Easy is a fun little hometown brewery. Even though I visit a lot of these little breweries when I’m visiting somewhere, there aren’t very many in the Hartford area. The tour piece was given by one of the owners and he made it relaxed and friendly. This was also one of the few tours where we got to see a canning machine demo in action. After the tour, we sampled the 4 – 5 options on tap and grabbed cans, bottles, and growler fills to go. The workers were all super nice and they are generous with charity events too.

What a great place to visit. The folks running the taps were super and it was great beer. First time I’ve been to a tasting and walked out buying a six pack.

Very cute little brewery. $ 3 for a glass and tour. Not sure how the samples work but I got 4 for $ 3 which is pretty good. It was small but not too crowded. The staff were also very nice.

Not bad. Randomly located, it’s a bit out of place. Swung by a handful times for their tastings, and what they lack in size — they sure make up for in tasty brews!
A bit on the smaller side, the tap room can comfortably house a few dozen guests. 4 taps are usually on the ready — Golden Ale, Back East Ale, Misty Mountain IPA, and a Seasonal Porter. Staff has always been real friendly, and the guys truly make Friday night tastings refreshingly engaging. Their Golden Ale is light but cool. The stout bold but not overwhelmingly too intense. And the IPA was equal parts hoppy and good, just right!
Tastings are from Wednesday through Friday, 4 – 7 PM and Saturdays from 12 – 4. They offer a round of complimentary samples and and have ½ gallon growlers ($ 10 after tax, plus a $ 2 refundable growler deposit) or six-​packs to go. Brewery tours are also offered on Saturdays for $ 3 and include samples, a brewery tour, and a pint glass for you to keep.

We are big fans of Back East both as a local business and brewery in general! I have to say that after going to a tasting, my favorite is the Winter Warmer. It’s a darker (but not too dark) brewed with local honey from Farmington CT, and you can taste the sweetness of the honey! Smooth and wonderful, especially around the holidays!
The owner, Tony, is super friendly and there to answer all of your brewing questions. On a typical day, they will have their Back East Ale, Misty Mountain IPA, a Porter and then a seasonal on tap. You can purchase Back East swag and growlers right at the tasting counter.
The outside isnt much to look at, but dont let it fool you. Back East is definitely a craft beer competitor in CT!

You wanna know what sets a great CT brewery apart from a good one? It’s not just the beer, or the ambiance, or the marketing. It’s having a passion for what you do.
I know firsthand that this brewery wasn’t conceived because of a grant or endowment or the deep pockets of some investor. It’s the raw result of love for beer and a desire to utilize your talents for something other than insurance and banking in what is quickly becoming a very soulless state.
Oh yeah, and did I mention their beer is also phenomenal? Some of the best in the state IMO. I especially love their IPA and porter, but the Imperial Stout and Palate Mallet Double IPA are really the gems.
Support local beer and your local economy and pencil this place into your CT Beer trail itinerary for some good times and great brews!

Beer is hands down tasty! I am more of a hops girl so I’m all about the IPA and can’t wait to try their double IPA sometime. I picked up a growler of the winter fest which is only sold at their brewery and some local watering holes. I can’t wait to crack it open one of these chilly, winter nights.
As for the ambience, the brewery itself is self explanatory… metal, hops, hoses galore. As for the tasting area, it seems really cold but I’m just guessing it’s because this is a newer brewery. Maybe next time there will be some more charm. I mean, I guess you really only go there for the beer so I can’t complain too much. :)
Overall a cool brewery that has some great flavors. Oh and they are conscious of the environment and you definitely get that feel from them when they give the tour.

Summary: Tasty beer in a nondescript location!
But for the incredible Unilocal event I attended, I would never have known this craft brewery was here. That seems to be the status quo in CT, so many amazing small business that are easily overlooked if you aren’t in the know. Enter Unilocal… problem solved! Anyway, Back East is no joke. The competition for tasty craft beer is fierce and Back East is not only holding its own, it’s expanding. This little industrial space in Bloomfield offers a full tour, tasting, and opportunities to buy growlers and other beer-​related swag. If you are a craft beer afficionado this is a must do. If you aren’t, it’s definitely worth a visit.

This was stop #3 and a wonderful way to end our Unilocal Day Trippers Excursion.
Thanks to the co-​owner Tony for opening up the brewery for us on a Sunday afternoon, providing us with our group with a private tour and tasting of their Misty Mountain IPA (a favorite), their Back East Ale, Porter, and Winderfest.
Although Back East has only been opened for 2 years I see great things for this company in the future due to the owners love of the craft of brewing beer and the fact that their brews are so darn tasty.
I always say that coming to a brewery is the best way to find out the brewers philosophy as well as to (usually) try their beers without having to commit to a 6 pack — as there is nothing worse then getting home and being suck with something that you «might like».
That is not the case here as each one of their varietals I tried was distinct and refreshing — especially the Winterfest which was a red ale with wonderful local honey notes at the end. My second favorite was the Misty Mountain IPA — at 7% abv this one is definitely a sipping beer!
I will definitely be back in the future to purchase some freshly brewed beer — especially when the Pallet Mallet becomes available again!

Enjoying a fresh keg of Summer Ale, am long with dozens of other hoppy people!
They are so friendly here during tastings. I was one of the first who showed up, for the tapping of an authentic barrel-​tapped Summer Ale, which means they didn’t ass any carbonation. It was expectedly not as sparkly as the average beer, but its flavor could not be denied. Very fresh, light, and just enough hops to satisfy the IPA-​drinker in me.

This place is quickly becoming my favorite local brewery. I got turned onto them last year when I saw their stuff start popping up at several local restaurants. I gave it a try and the rest is history…
The Back East Ale is absolutely fantastic and the Misty Mountain IPA is top notch as well. I’m not going to be a beer snob and try to describe the various flavors and aromas to you, but trust me, it’s worth the trip. In terms of quality, this place is on par with any well-​established craft brewery in Connecticut, or even New England for that matter!
Check. It. Out.

Super friendly staff.
Really great beer. All of their beer is on the dark side (for its respective style), which I really like. Their IPA is pretty light on the hops though so if you aren’t a fan of IPA and hoppy beer, this one might be for you.
They sell some of their brews in growlers and others in 6 packs of cans. I left with a 6 pack of the Back East Ale and thoroughly enjoyed it.
My only complaint was that they were out of bumper stickers on my visit :(

Swung by tonight to check out the tasting room. They have a small bar with 4 taps — Golden Ale, Back East Ale, Misty Mountain IPA, and an Octoberfest Specialty. I tried the Back East Ale and the Special– both were light to medium and very good (I’m not an IPA fan), and I already sampled the Golden at the Taste of Simsbury and the Coventry Farmers Market.
I chatted with Joe, the Assistant Brewer, and he said he would love to have Unilocalers visit for a tour and a tasting– either as a group or individually. They have growlers only for sale now, but will add a canning line very soon. Unopened, a growler has a 30-​day life. Once opened– you’d better drink up within 3 days.
They’ll be at the Brewer’s Club Brewfest at Ski Sundown on Sept 22 and at Max’s Oyster Bar in West Hartford on Oct 18. Joe is a super friendly guy and the beer is excellent– so why not swing by, say hello, and scoop up some growlers or cans?
The Tours are 12:00, 1:00. 2:00 or 3:00 on Saturdays, the Tastings are Wed-​Sat (see website).