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March 23, 2015 Reporter's Notebook

CT adds more craft brewers

PHOTO | Contributed Outer Light Brewing Co. co-owner Tom Drejer (right) and head brewer Tyler Cox (left) stand in front of a delivery of new kegs.

Connecticut's burgeoning craft brewery industry is growing larger with two more taprooms getting ready to open shop.

In Groton, Outer Light Brewing Co. (OLBC) said it plans to open a 4,500-square-foot brewery and taproom and eventually sell its beers in Greater Hartford, said company co-owner Tom Drejer.

OLBC plans to distribute its craft brews to bars, restaurants and liquor stores in kegs initially, with 12-ounce bottles to come this summer.

“We are furiously working toward the finish line right now, and pending approval of permits we hope to be open by the end of March,” Drejer said.

Meantime, Peter and Tara Cowles are opening Aspetuck Brew Lab in Bridgeport. Their Fairfield Avenue location will also feature a brewery and taproom.

After years of trailing behind nearby states and the rest of the nation, Connecticut's craft beer industry has taken off in recent years.

Consumer demands for new and better beer and a recently passed state law allowing breweries to open onsite taprooms have spurred a surge of craft brewery startups in Connecticut.

OLBC will feature a taproom open to the public several days during the week and on the weekend where people can sample beers, order pints and fill growlers.

In addition to their experimental releases, OLBC will produce three year-round brews: Lonesome Boatman, a red ale; SUBduction, an IPA; and Libation Propaganda, a coffee stout.

Drejer said the beermaker will focus on New London County, but will also have limited quantities sold around Greater Hartford.

“Our bottling line will be up and running later this summer, after which we will likely be in Greater Hartford liquor stores in limited quantities as well,” he said. Tyler Cox, a commercial-brewer from North Carolina, was recently named OLBC's head brewer.

– Greg Bordonaro

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