Top Craft Beer Happy Hours In Connecticut
172 Temple St.
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 782-1616
www.prime16.com
Prime 16 has made a name for itself in New Haven with its menu of 16 incredible burgers, from the all American with classic toppings to its Mediterranean lamb burger. Even more impressive is the 20 craft beers on tap. They are available at half-price during happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Prime 16 carries a number of beers from Connecticut breweries such as Black Hog, New England and Two Roads as well as nearby favorites like New York's Brooklyn and Delaware's Dogfish.
942 Main St.
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 525-1600
www.citysteambrewerycafe.com
Hartford's City Steam is one of the state's top breweries, with over a dozen distinctive beers from its Sneak Peak lager to its Pugnacious Porter to its popular amber ale The Naughty Nurse. Its home is a handsome-looking, nine-story building that was a department store in the 19th century. But you don't have to go higher than the first floor for happy hour weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. Pints are $2 off, and if you're there with a few friends, you can get $7 off beer towers. There are also plenty of tasty appetizers for $3 from crispy calamari to loaded potato croquettes.
295 Treadwell St.
Hamden, CT 06514
(203) 288-6400
www.theouterspace.net
In its short time in Hamden, The Outer Space has defined itself as one of the state's top destinations for first-rate craft beer and live music. The musicians who have performed sets there this past year include alt-rock legends like J. Mascis, Thurston Moore and Marshall Crenshaw. Stop by for happy hour — 5 to 7 p.m. on weekdays, 2 to 6 p.m. on weekends — for always-changing specials on select drafts. The Outer Space's 16 rotating beers on tap range from Connecticut creations to West Coast offerings from breweries such as Widmer and Lagunitas.
262 Main St.
Monroe, CT 06468
(203) 880-5007
www.tavernmonroect.com
While Tavern's claim that it has the largest beer selection "within 11,402 square miles" is quite possibly an exaggeration, its selection is nonetheless extensive. In addition to several rotating brews on tap, it offers around 50 bottles. They include not only American lagers from Vermont's Long Trail to Oregon's Rogue, but a number of porters, stouts and ales imported from England, Belgium, Germany and Japan. All of Tavern's beers are $2 off weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. Combine them with $3 fried artichokes or $4 lobster mac and cheese.
6 Wilcox St.
Simsbury, CT 06070
(860) 408-9626
www.mcladdens.com
This laid-back Simsbury pub has plenty to receommend it, not the least of which is its lineup of over 70 craft beers on tap. Several of them are offered for just $3 Monday to Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., among them Blue Point Toasted Lager, Founders All Day IPA and changing selections from Goose Island and Sierra Nevada. They go well with other happy hour specials like $3 fried pickle chips or $7 lamb lollipops. Or pay a visit on Wednesdays from 4 to 9 p.m. for traditional Irish meals like chicken pot pie or bangers and mash for $11 each.
