Beer festivals abound this fall across Connecticut, bringing together craft brew fans for tastings of ales, porters and stouts as the weather grows cooler. Here’s a schedule of local events through October:
>>Two Roads Brewing Company, 1700 Stratford Ave., Stratford, hosts its third annual Ok2berfest Sept. 19 and 20 from noon to 6:30 p.m. each day. The event features food trucks and live music on two stages. The $20 admission fee includes one beer and a commemorative stein; a two-day pass is available for $35. Additional beer tickets are $5 apiece and must be purchased with cash (limit of four tickets). Attendees must be 21-plus; no minors or animals are permitted. Information: 203-335-2010 and tworoadsbrewing.com.
>>The Rotary Club of New London presents Brewfest at the Beach at Ocean Beach Park on Sept. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event features tastings of more than 150 beers, live music and food. Cost is $25 in advance and $30 at the gate; proceeds benefit Camp Rotary, a nonprofit camp for New London students. Information: newlondonrotary.org.
>>The annual Tapping into Twain beer festival on Sept. 25 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Hartford’s Mark Twain House features more than 20 regional breweries, food from local restaurants and live music. Tickets are $45 in advance; $50 at the door and include all food, beverage and a collectible pint glass. Member tickets are $40; designated drivers are $20. Information: 860-280-3130, marktwainhouse.org.
>>The annual Kym’s Kause Hops for Hope on Oct. 3 will be held at the Four Town Fairgrounds (Egypt Road, Somers) from 1 to 6 p.m. The fundraiser features craft beer and wine tastings, live music and food trucks, including Szabo’s Seafood, Rolling Tomato, Cupcake Brake and Melt Mobile. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Designated driver admission is $15; $20 at the door. Proceeds will benefit LifeChoice Donor Services. Information and tickets: kymsbenefit.com.
>>The annual Smoke in the Valley Craft Beer Festival at the Seymour Community Center Oct. 2 and 3 features tastings from more than 100 breweries, food trucks and live bands on two stages. Friday brings a kickoff party with live music from 4 to 11 p.m; tickets are $25. Saturday’s tasting event is $45 and runs from noon to 6 p.m. A combination ticket for both days is $60. Information: smokeinthevalley.com.
>>The annual Mohegan Sun BrewFest returns to the casino Oct. 2 to 4, with a special beer trivia night Friday at 7:30 p.m., tasting sessions on Saturday afternoon and a special BrewBrunch Sunday morning. Tickets to the Saturday sessions are $25 each; the first session runs from 1 to 4 p.m., and the second session from 7 to 10 p.m. Guests can also grab tickets to a “fanatic hour,” which allows access to Saturday’s festival one hour early, for $40. The Sunday brunch at Todd English’s Tuscany features Goose Island beer and Absolut Bloody Mary cocktails, with beer-infused food items. Tickets are $42, including all food and one sponsored cocktail. Information: sunbrewfest.com.
>>The Powder Ridge Beer Fest at Powder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort in Middlefield Oct. 10 from 3 to 8 p.m. features tastings from 20 breweries, food, live music and ski-lift rides up the mountain. Tickets are $24 in advance; $29 the day of the event. Designated driver tickets are $15 with complimentary coffee. Information: powderridgepark.com.
>>Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport hosts Brew at the Zoo Oct. 10 from 3 to 7 p.m. with craft beers, food trucks and more. Tickets are $40. Information: beardsleyzoo.com.
>>Max Restaurant Group hosts a Hoptoberfest on Oct. 11 at Simsbury’s Rosedale Farms and Vineyards from 2 to 6 p.m. The event features beer from more than 50 local, regional and national breweries and food samplings, with additional food available for purchase. Tickets are $45 in advance; $55 on the day of the event if not sold out (capacity limited to 700 guests.) A portion of the ticket price will be donated to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. All guests must be 21 or over with valid ID. Information: maxrestaurantgroup.com.
>>The Harbor Brew Fest at Bridgeport’s Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Oct. 17 from noon to 5 p.m. features international, domestic and local beers, with several food trucks and live music. General admission is $40 in advance and $50 at the door, and includes unlimited beer sampling and a souvenir glass. “Brewer’s Special” VIP tickets are $60 and include admission one hour early and exclusive access to the Brewer’s Beer Garden. Information: harborbrewfest.com.
>>Westbrook Lobster, 300 Church St., Wallingford, hosts its first Oktoberfest beer festival at the restaurant Oct. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m., with Connecticut beer samplings and free food. Tickets are $25 and include a commemorative tasting glass. All proceeds will benefit the First Congregational Church of Wallingford’s scholarship fund. For tickets, call Mike at 203-499-7389 or Tony at 203-747-5869. westbrooklobster.com.
