It’s shaping up to be a good fall for beer lovers, with no shortage of festivals in Connecticut this season. Find local beer celebrations, tastings and Oktoberfest parties near you
The Thread City Hop Fest: Oktoberfest debuts on Main Street in Willimantic Oct. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. The festival features traditional Oktoberfest brews and seasonal beers, along with food from A Cupcake For Later, Cafemantic and Willimantic Brewing Company. Tickets are $30 in advance. $40 at the gate (if any remain) and include a commemorative Oktoberfest stein and 4 half pours. Additional beer tokens can be purchased inside the event for $3 for a half pour, $5 for a full pour. Information: threadcityhopfest.com/oktoberfest.
The 4th Annual Beer Garden at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford Oct. 21 begins at 6 p.m., featuring 50 microbrews, food, entertainment and prizes. Tickets are $40 and are available at Playhouse on Park (244 Park Road) and Maximum Beverage (333 N. Main St., West Hartford.) Information: playhouseonpark.org.
The Hartford on Tap beer festival at the XL Center Oct. 22 from 2 to 5 p.m. features three hours of unlimited beer tasting, live music and food for purchase. Standard tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the door; VIP tickets are $60 and include admission one hour early at 1 p.m., a food voucher and commemorative hat. americaontap.com/hartford-ct.
The Elm City Brew Festival returns to New Haven’s College Street Music Hall Nov. 12 from 1 to 5 p.m., featuring dozens of breweries, food vendors and music by local artists. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door; VIP advance tickets for $45 include early entrance at noon. collegestreetmusichall.com/brew.
Foxwoods on Tap comes to the casino’s Grand Pequot Ballroom Dec. 10 from 2 to 5 p.m., featuring beer tastings from 50 American craft breweries, live music and food for purchase. Standard tickets are $35-40 in advance and $45 at the door; VIP tickets are $55 and include admission one hour early at 1 p.m., a food voucher and commemorative hat. americaontap.com/foxwoods.
The annual Beer Conn beer festival returns Dec. 10 to Bridgeport’s Webster Bank Arena, promising a showcase of more than 50 local, regional and national craft breweries.
The event features afternoon and evening tasting sessions; the first runs from 12:30 to 4 p.m., followed by session 2 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $40 online; $50 at door (if still available) and include all beer tastings and a souvenir glass. Designated driver tickets are $10. beer-conn.com.
(This post has been updated to reflect the correct door pricing at Beer Conn and to remove events that have already happened. )
