CT Breweries Bracing To Reopen

If you're one of the many craft beer fans that have been craving a cold one in your favorite local brewery's beer garden, you're in luck as many have reopened or are about to reopen for outdoor service. Your experience will be a little different from what you're used to, so just be ready and patient.

Breweries are their own unique animal as far as regulations are concerned. Many of them do not have kitchens onsite, and part of the state's regulations state that food must be served in order to serve drinks. So a lot of them are getting food trucks on the premises so that they can be in compliace.

Locally, Housatonic River Brewing in New Milford has spaced out their tables to maintain 8 feet of separation. There will be a limit of 5 people per table and all beer sales will be table service only, no bar service. For the time being there will be no one under 21 allowed to maximize safety and space. The brewery will be open Friday and Saturday this weekend.

Charter Oak Brewing in Danbury has tables ready to go, again with a limit of 5 people per table. Curbside grab & go is also available.

Reverie Brewing in Newtown's beer garden is open. All tables are placed over 6 feet apart. No one can visit the bar, all orders will be done via table service by an employee. They have single use paper menus that will be discarded as each party leaves and a new one arrives.

Redding Beer Company in Redding has set up a parking lot beer garden with off-street picnic tables. They have 4 tables set up so you can enjoy a brew outdoors as well as takeout.

Woodbury Brewing Company in Woodbury is working on their beer garden and expect to be open on Friday as well.

Broken Symmetry in Bethel has expanded their outdoor area. All beer and food ordering will be done through their app, and they'll have a menu board at their window rather than printing a lot of disposable menus.

For the time being, Nod Hill Brewery in Ridgefield will just be doing curbside pickup and Friday deliveries. They are trying to come up with an outdoor solution that they feel will be the best and safest experience for their customers and staff.

In all cases, the staffs have been trained on safety and cleaning protocol. You'll need a mask if you enter the building to use the restroom, and hand sanitizer will be readily available. In all cases expect to wait a little bit and please be patient with the great folks at all of these places as they work out the bugs in the system and likely crowds from a pent-up demand. All of the breweries have their hours and any special circumstances posted on their respective Facebook pages.