Connecticut Travel

The Litchfield History Museum is hosting a lecture on the history of Connecticut beer making on November 19 at 7 p.m. at the Litchfield History Museum located on the corner of Rte. 63 south and West Street in Litchfield.

The history of the frothy beverage in Connecticut dates back to early colonists, who used it to quench their thirst in the absence of clean drinking water. Over the next two centuries,the number of breweries rose and then declined, especially after Prohibition.

It was not until the 1980s that home brewers brought this vital Nutmeg State tradition back to life. Join Will Siss, author and Connecticut Beer Snob, as he discusses his new book about the history of brewing in the Nutmeg State.

The craft beer craze sweeping the country has taken firm hold in Western Connecticut, where half a dozen micro breweries offer unique tastes on tap as well as the chance to sample and tour their one-of-a-kind facilities. Beer aficionados will discover many creative new combinations as young brewers experiment with intriguing ingredients.

Some of these beer makers have lost no time being recognized. Two Roads Brewing Company in Stratford was included in Boston Magazine’s “21 Top Breweries in New England and” O.E.C. Brewing in Oxford was Connecticut Magazine’s 2015 pick as best in the state.

Meeting the brewers is part of the fun of a visit as their backgrounds and goals are as unique as their products. Contact each property for current tasting and tour times.

Oxford Scholars
OEC stands for the Latin phrase, Orinen Ecentrici Coctores, loosely translated as The Eccentric Brewers Influenced by the lost brewing traditions of Northern Germany and Belgium, this Oxford brewery does not filter or pasteurize any of their ales. The award-winning results include a number of sour beers and unusual brews such as Albus, a historic interpretation of a white ale and Arcanum, modeled after an extinct German style ale. 203-502-9768, www.oecbrewing.com

Black Hog Brewery, another Oxford operation, just opened for business in July, 2014 but their popular brews can already be found in neighboring Rhode Island and New York… Veteran Brewmaster Tyler Jones honed his skills at Smuttynose and the Portsmouth Brewery in New Hampshire and Mercury Brewing in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Beer choices include. Ginga’ Ninja, a Red India Pale Ale brewed with ginger; Granola Brown Ale, brewed with oatmeal; S.W.A.G., a Summer Wheat Ale made with grapefruit peel; and Nitro Coffee Milk Stout. 203-262-6075, blackhogbrewing.com/

Young proprietors who have realized a dream with their breweries hope to inspire others to their own fulfillment. Conor Horrigan, founder of Stamford’s Half Full Brewery is a former Wall Street executive who put in four years of study and fund raising before the brewery’s first beers were poured on August 7, 2012. The name tells everyone his philosophy that a positive outlook can make for a more rewarding life.

Half Full produces a variety of ales including seasonal flavors such as pumpkin ale for fall and Winter White., 203-658-3631, halffullbrewery.com

“Get Lit” the slogan at Firefly Hollow Brewing in Bristol refers to ideas not imbibing. The owners say. “We are a conglomerate of creative minds who believe we can make the world a better place by providing an atmosphere and a product conducive to creative expression.” Firefly is in the midst of an expansion that will double its production. Among its popular brews on tap are Toadstool Oat Stout-, Moonrise Amber and Penumbra Cream Ale., 860-845-8977, www.fireflybrewing.com

Luck of the Irish
Shebeen Brewing in Wolcott takes its playful name from an Irish Gaelic word meaning “illegal brewhouse. “ Rich Visco the co-founder hails from Derry, Northern Ireland. The mural in the Tasting Room depicts his drinking adventures in Galway. Along with its signature Irish Pale Ale, the brewery creates unusual combinations like their Cannoli Beer and CucumberWasabi along with seasonals such as Pumpkin Scotch and Concord Grape Saison., 203-514-2336. shebeenbrewing.com

From Pabst to Pints

Brad Hittle, a former Pabst marketing executive, and brew master Phil Markowski head the team of Stratford’s award-winning Two Roads Brewery. Founded in 2012, Two Roads is known for its wide range and creative names such as Road 2 Ruin, “a temptingly hoppy ale,” and Unorthodox, a Russian Imperial stout aged in Aquavit barrels. The experimental Road Less Traveled Series includes Philsamic, a sour beer made with aged balsamic vinegar. 203-335-2010. http://tworoadsbrewing.com.

Down on the Farm
Kent Falls Brewing Company, one of the newer operations, is one of the few farm-based breweries. The owners are producing farmhouse ale in Kent by growing their own hops, drawing water from their own well and sourcing local grains and ingredients. They plan to open their tasting room in the spring of 2016. 860-398-9645, kentfallsbrewing.com

For information about lodging, dining and other activities in the area and a free copy of UNWIND, a full-color, 152-page booklet detailing what to do and see, and where to stay, shop and dine throughout Fairfield County and the Litchfield Hills of Western Connecticut, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or visit their web site at www.visitwesternct.com

The Wilton Historical Society is planning a spooktacular event on November 3, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon that will be lead by Wilton Historian, Bob Russell. This will be a most unusual tour of Wilton’s oldest burial ground, the historic Sharp Hill Cemetery.

There will be six re-enactors, that will interpret Wilton’s intrepid early settlers (each buried there) and it will describe their role in Wilton’s history. Some of the historic figures portrayed will include the thrice married Sarah Lockwood Selleck Hickox (1678 – 1765), Matthew Gregory (1680 – 1777) and Hannah Keeler Gregory (1687 – 1767). The history of the cemetery itself will be explored by Wilton history expert and former First Selectman Bob Russell.

The Sharp Hill Cemetery, owned by the Wilton Congregational Church, is the oldest surviving cemetery in Wilton, dating from 1738. That year, John Marvin gave 64 square rods (4/10 of an acre) to the “Presbyterian or Congregational Society of Wilton” as the site of a meeting house for the worship of God, as the Society had outgrown the small building in which they had started 12 years earlier. The cemetery was to surround the new meeting house. Although the church building which was built there only lasted until 1790, the cemetery was used actively until the mid-1800’s and then was gradually replaced by Hillside Cemetery on Ridgefield Road, which had the advantage of more space.

The men and women who are buried in Sharp Hill Cemetery include founders of Wilton, church leaders, and 23 veterans of the Revolution or the French and Indian Wars. Many of the family names found here are still familiar in Wilton today in person or on street signs, including Abbott, Belden, DeForest, Dudley, Fitch, Gaylord, Gilbert, Gregory, Grumman, Hurlbutt, Lambert, Olmstead, Raymond, St. John, and Sturges. There are about 150 legible gravestones, including about 70 from the 18th century, plus another 150 or so stones no longer legible or graves marked only with common fieldstones. Many of the older gravestones have ornate skull carvings and other interesting designs. Because of the fragile nature of many of the stones, gravestone rubbing is definitely discouraged.

Please register. E-mail: info@wiltonhistorical.org or call 203-762-7257 Suggested donation: $10. For more area event information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

The City of Norwalk Parking Authority’s Maritime Garage Gallery has opened a new exhibit entitled “Flux” that will be on display through January 4, 2016.

The “Flux” exhibit represents art with the theme of states of constant change; flow, melt, unrest, volatility. Exhibiting artists include Mary Anne Border of Ridgefield, Amy Lee of New York City, Brett Masterson of Stamford, Christine Newkirk of Darien, Sandy Gennrich of Stamford, Charmaine Rawsthorne of Norwalk, Scott Springer of Westport and Viorica Ghetu-Vuono of Norwalk.

Curator Sooo-z Mastropietro says the exhibit is all about movement and emotion. “Flux is all around us in the form of science, medicine, physics, chemistry, and even in an emotional sense. The art represented in the show tells us how the artist represents flux – or how flux represents them.”

The Maritime Garage Gallery is located in the Maritime Parking Garage at 11 North Water Street (directly across from the Maritime Aquarium). The Gallery is part of the Parking Authority’s “Art in Parking Places” initiative in collaboration with the Norwalk Arts Commission. The program is an effort to support art in public spaces making Norwalk a more vibrant destination. The Gallery is free and open to the public from 9:00am -5:00pm Monday through Friday. For more information, call 203- 831-9063, or visit www.norwalkpark.org/public-art

For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Hot patootie, bless my soul, you’ll have twice as much fun when you dress up and take part in “The ‘Rocky Horror’ Experience” on Sat., Oct. 24 at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

That’s because a live cast will act out the story of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on a stage in the theater while the campy cult-classic film plays on the giant screen above.

Nowhere else can you see ‘Rocky Horror’ playing on a screen that’s six stories tall, with live characters acting out the film right in front of you too, this promises to be spooktacular!

Audience members are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters, and to bring such appropriate items as rubber gloves, newspapers, umbrellas, flashlights and party horns. “Prop bags” containing rice, toast, newspaper, playing cards and a “Time Warp” dance instruction sheet will be available for $4 at the door. But please: no throwing anything at the Aquarium’s unique screen!

Released in 1975, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a send-up of science-fiction B-movies. Newly engaged innocents Brad and Janet (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon) get a flat tire and seek help in a castle owned by Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a “sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania.” Death, sex, Meat Loaf and mayhem ensue.

Show time is 9 p.m. Please note that, while the movie is being show on the Aquarium’s six-story screen, it is not being shown in the trademarked IMAX® format.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is 98 minutes long and contains brief nudity, sexual content, violence, language, frightening scenes and drug content.

Tickets for “The ‘Rocky Horror’ Experience” are $18 ($15 for Aquarium members). Advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended and available online now at www.maritimeaquarium.org or by calling (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

For more area event information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Go for a hoot of a Halloween at The Connecticut Audubon Society’s Enchanted Forest. This is a nature-themed Halloween celebration. The Enchanted Forest introduces fascinating, entertaining and educational information about nocturnal animals in their natural habitat and is fun for the entire family.

Children are encouraged to wear costumes for this unique and fun – but not scary – event. Participants will experience the Larsen Sanctuary at night while being escorted along the luminary trail by volunteers who light the way with flashlights. The night also features fall-themed craft making, Halloween snacks and a chance to meet some of the Center’s creepy, crawly critters. The Enchanted Forest is held rain or ‘moon’ shine.

Guided walks leave every fifteen minutes beginning at 5:30 p.m.; the last walk leaves at 7:30 p.m. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Ticket prices are: CAS members–$10/child, $2 for adults; nonmembers–$15/child and $2 for adults. To purchase your tickets on-line, visit: www.ctaudubon.org/center-at-fairfield, or call 203-259-6305 ext. 109. Sign-up early to reserve your walk time of choice.

Visit The Connecticut Audubon Society’s website at http://www.ctaudubon.org for a complete list of our fall programs and special events. For more area event information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com