For this next “best brewery for” article are recommendations for breweries for an older crowd. Actually, they are all brewpubs. Same as the other entries, I asked around to see which places are best for an older demographic. Geography spanned coast to coast on this one with three on the east coast (all in New England) and one on the west. The commonalities for best breweries for an older crowd included plenty of seating, a comfortable atmosphere, and the availability of really good food.
Two of the recommendations are for brewpubs from my home state of Connecticut: Willimantic Brewing Company in Willimantic and These Guys Brewing Company in Norwich.
Willimantic Brewing Company
WilliBrew’s roots harken back to the original deli, opened in Willimantic in the 1990s. Since the late 90s, they have been in their current location, in the circa 1909 post office where they started brewing their own beer. The rest is history, as they say. WilliBrew has been a popular spot long before craft breweries are the destinations they have become today. They have a classic pub grub menu with local Connecticut references in the names of the menu choices, including the Fitchville Fried Calamari (highly recommended!), Litchfield Turkey, and the Prospect Primavera. Many hungry patrons come to WilliBrew for their food, nevermind their beer. But the beer has put them on the map. They often have around fourteen of their own brews on tap, with stellar guest-tap selections as well, which feature national and many Connecticut brands. People flock here for their great food and a wide variety of beer.
These Guys Brewing Company
Another Connecticut brewpub is known for both their food and beer. These Guys is located in downtown Norwich and features an impressive gourmet menu. Sure they do pub grub but expect it to be high end. Burgers and steaks are on the menu along with Brussel sprouts and a bowl of stout French onion soup. The restaurant itself is beautiful in its design with the use of wood and tin. They brew their own beer and serve many styles on tap. Along with those are a few well-chosen guest taps that include such well-regarded breweries as New England Brewing Company, Thomas Hooker, and Outer Light. These Guys is known throughout the region for its delicious cuisine. If you can, make sure to trek to the men’s room of all places; the urinal is a reconstructed beer keg!
Iron Furnace Brewing Company
Over the summer, I visited Iron Furnace Brewing Company in Franconia, New Hampshire, after stumbling upon its construction a year earlier. Iron Furnace has a relaxed atmosphere, excellent food, and a wide-ranging and flavorful beer palette. It has quickly rose up my list of favorite breweries. My visit to Iron Furnace occurred on my family’s annual New England summer vacation. Last summer it was to the White Mountains. In preparation, I asked my own parents who both enjoy a good brewpub (my dad especially enjoys a good beer!) what their favorite breweries and brewpubs are and both mentioned Iron Furnace. For the same reason that I have included it in Backyard Road Trips before, they were thrilled with their visit.
Stone Brewing Company
Typically I write only about New England, but I didn’t set parameters on this post. One suggestion for best breweries for an older crowd was Stone Brewing Company in Escondido, California. Stone has taprooms scattered around Southern California (as well as far off in Germany, Shanghai, and Virginia.) The brewpub in question is on J Street in San Diego, adjacent to Petco Park where the San Diego Padres play baseball.
Stone is more than a household name in craft beer circles. Between their Arrogant Bastard brand, their Delicious IPA, the Enjoy By series, or their stouts they brew standout stuff. Stone is an oxymoron, a giant microbrewery. Even with a wide distribution, their product doesn’t lack in taste. They’ve expanded globally. This brewpub, is relaxed, with great food and superior beer. Couches, high top tables, games, and flatbread pizza accompany Stone’s beer just fine.
A combination of delicious beer in a wide variety of styles, food that is just as good as the beer, all served in a relaxed atmosphere, make these four brewpubs stand out from the pack. These are among the best breweries for an older crowd, but in reality, these are some of the best for everyone. If you like beer and food, make sure to add WilliBrew, These Guys, Iron Furnace, and Stone to your itinerary.
