Weekend Recap: Counter Weight / NEBCO / Bad Sons

Another weekend has come and gone - but we couldn't let a random Saturday off together go to waste! So we headed out to the New Haven area in search of awesome brew!

We decided we haven't been to the New Haven area in awhile... and Counter Weight Brewing has been on our list to check out for quite some time. We've had a number of their brews already... from their Headway IPA 6.5% which as been one of our go-to IPA's over the last year and a half; their Festbier which we put on our favorite Oktoberfest beer list; more recently Crucial Mass DIPA 8% which we loved and has been buzzing around the area the last few months; and of course I cannot forget about Void oatmeal stout 7% which is definitely one for the dark beer lovers - just awesome. We are most certainly already huge fans of these guys and were more than amped to check out the brewery - off to Hamden, CT!

Vulture Culture DIPA 8%

As we drove down the roadway to the brewery we were instantly panicked - tons of cars on the side of the road. We knew right away that this place was gonna be jammin'. We somehow lucked out and got a spot to park after only one quick loop around, and managed to squeeze our way inside - the place was absolutely packed! I guess going there on a Saturday was not the best choice... lesson learned. Either way the staff were all super friendly despite running around trying to keep up with the demand, so cheers to them! And the beer? It was totally worth standing in the madness... well at least for one glass anyway. 

We quickly decided on one of their new beers, (which I believe they were doing a can release of that day and may explain some of the craziness), Belmageddon DIPA 8.3%. It's almost like a hoppy, creamy smoothie with strong tropical aroma and flavors - as it warmed we even got aromas of banana and coconut. It was crazy yummy and Chris absolutely loved this one. I opted for Vulture Culture DIPA 8% brewed with galaxy hops which I found to be very soft and citrusy - really hit the spot. Both were excellent brews. We also managed to get a small taster of Slumbering Behemoth Imperial stout 10% with notes of chocolate and extremely smooth and easy drinking for the high abv - so good.

We are already talking about our next trip to Counter Weight - but I can guarantee you it won't be on a Saturday, ha! The beer is killer... hopefully next time will be less crowded. We highly recommend you check it out for yourselves as well!!

Double Fuzzy Ducks DIPA 8.2% &
Spin Cycle #16 IPA 6.3%

Since we were in the area we decided to also hit up one of our favorites, New England Brewing Co in Woodbridge!  Another bustling brewery on a Saturday, but this wasn't as uncomfortable - definitely more spread out. We also noticed they were rocking a really good metal channel - yeah!

We have been fans of NEBCO for quite some time and we were excited to see how the taproom has changed since we were last here in 2015. Yeah I know, its been a minute - we don't get out this way too often. Some our favorite brews from NEBCO include G-Bot DIPA 8.8%, Coriolis DIPA 8.2%, Imperial Stout Trooper 9.5% and literally one I call "Chris's other girlfriend" because he drinks it so much... Sea Hag IPA 6.2%.

We went right for a favorite, (which we also purchased a 4-pack of), Double Fuzzy Baby Ducks DIPA 8.2% (try to say that three time fast!) - and one we haven't had... Spin Cycle #16 IPA 6.3% brewed with galaxy, mosaic and el dorado hops. Double Fuzzy is definitely running on all cylinders with citra punching you in the face with its citrusy flavors. Spin Cycle 16 has a soft mouthfeel - hoppy with a tropical citrus mash up. Both solid brews.

 NEBCO bustling with beer lovers

The one brew we tried and I wish I had ordered a full glass of was the Coconut Joy porter 6.5% - reminds you of that favorite candy bar that need not be mentioned - huge coconut flavor, hints of chocolate and sweet, but not overly. Perfection. Next time I'll get a full glass if they still have it!! Delish! If you haven't ever visited NEBCO, we highly recommend you do! Definitely one of our all time favorites and hopefully it wont take as long until we visit again!

Front entrance to Bad Sons

Bad Sons Brewing were a quick 15 minute drive away so once again we were off... this time to Derby, CT. Upon pulling into the parking lot - we noticed the ridiculously cool entrance and awesome fire pit in the fenced-in outdoor patio area. We could already tell a lot of work went into this brewery - and it was even more apparent once we got inside.

From the detail in the hop skull that is their logo on tap handles... to the old factory lights built into the bar - we were very impressed with the revamp of this old factory building...and we could definitely feel the amount of passion and planning that went into creating this incredible atmosphere.

Upon checking out their website, we learned that their name is actually an acronym for surrounding towns: "B" Beacon Falls / "A" Ansonia / "D" Derby / "S" Seymour / "O" Oxford / "N" Naugatuck / "S" Shelton. Pretty cool if you ask us - way to represent your area!

Again we found ourselves in another busy brewery, but didn't have any problem finding a place to camp out for awhile - found two seats at the bar and were immediately welcomed. We opted for a flight since we've never had any of their beers previously.

Bad Sons flight

In our flight: Fortunate Son IPA 6.5% and Mischief IPA 6.6% which were both very easy drinking, smooth IPA's. Next up was Double Doobious DIPA 8.4% hoppy and citrusy, solid. It turned out the two we loved the most were the last two we tried: Billy Brown ale 5.5%  which is a solid malty brown and Twisted Pretzel porter 8.2% that was bready, malty, and even had salty hints, but definitely did not go down like an 8% beer - very smooth. Overall, we enjoyed the nice selection of styles and the vibe - definitely worth checking out if you're in the area! I bet that patio will be awesome in the warmer months!

Dew Drop Inn WINGS!

What do beer lovers dig more than beer? SNACKS! When we decided to head this direction we had remembered being told that this cool little bar and grill called Dew Drop Inn has killer wings. Since it was literally a minute drive down the road from Bad Sons we had to check it out... and we were not disappointed! Like everywhere else, it was packed, but lucked out with getting seats - and it was off to the races. What flavors do we get!? We were ridiculously impressed with the staff - everyone was on their A game and were extremely attentive, friendly and super helpful about the menu. We opted for some specialty wings, which were a little pricey, but worth it. We got the Parmesan garlic butter bacon with a side of blue cheese... and I do mean bacon! We also ordered the creamy peanut butter which to our surprise was served with a side of FLUFF! You heard us right! FLUFF! It absolutely ruled! Don't knock it until you try it! They've also got a pretty good craft beer list. So if you find yourself in the area, DO check this place out - killer eats!!

Overall we had a pretty awesome Saturday!! More soon beer friends!