When One CT Beer Week Is Just Not Enough

For Connecticut’s growing beer industry, a single beer week was just not enough.

The Connecticut Beer Wholesalers Association, which is comprised of six beer wholesalers in Connecticut and conducted the CT Beer Week marketing campaign for the first time last May, has decided to double down on the effort in 2014.  The second annual Beer Week later this month will be the first to two “weeks” planned for this year.

The first Beer Week is coming up during the week of May 12 – 18, the same week as American Craft Beer Week. The second one is slated for October 14-20, and coincides with CT Restaurant week. Consumers are asked to “join us as we celebrate the growth of an industry in partnership with craft brewers, restaurants and retailers.”

Organizers say the "Brew & Buy Local" campaign brings focus to the Connecticut organizations that work together to strengthen “a vibrant industry filled with cooperative spirit and a desire to brew something good for Connecticut!”

Among the events in Connecticut later this month will be the 4th Annual Rising Pint Brewfest, designed to kick off American Craft Beer Week. The event will be May 10, 2014 at Rentschler Field, featuring over 90 craft breweries, live bands and local restaurants.  Proceeds of the Rising Pint go to Folds of Honor, a foundation working to help the families of our fallen and severely injured soldiers.

A full calendar of beer week events has been developed, and features more than 40 events around the state.  Connecticut has 22 local breweries, with a dozen new breweries being developed including three slated to open later this year in Oxford and Glastonbury.