Welcome to Hog River Brewing

Craft beer, community, friends and family. That's what we're all about here at Hartford's living room. We're local CT folks, born and raised, and what we wanted more than anything else was a laid-back place to have a pint and while away the afternoon with our friends. So after quitting the corporate gig and embarking on eight years of professional brewing around the state, it was go-time to bring our vision to life.

Our taproom draws inspiration from our domestic and international travels, where we've enjoyed beers at breweries that were nothing more than an open garage, a picnic table by a river or a viking and fire inspired beer room on the shore of a fjord (ok, that last one was pretty special). What we loved about all these places and others, is that they made us feel at home. And of course the beer was incredible too.

That's why at Hog River Brewing, we want you to feel at home here. There's always a friendly face and someone at the bar (hi Rich!) willing to talk to you about any and everything. Oh, and we're pretty proud of our beer too. 

Taproom

We have seating at our bar, tables and beer rails for 75 and standing room for much more. Our taproom is a lightly fixed-up industrial space, with just enough warmth to make you want to spend a few hours. 

Besides our shiny brewhouse and tanks, we're most proud of the two turn-of-the-century, 20 ft. machine presses tucked (ha!) in the corner of our taproom. These towering monsters tell their own story of the history of Hartford and our Parkville neighborhood. Used to hammer parts for the first pneumatic tires manufactured for automobiles and bicycles in the country, they are the last remaining vestiges from when the building served as Hartford Rubber Works, and later Pope Manufacturing Company.

Offerings

We offer 16oz. pints of any of our house beers, as well as 5 oz. samplers (individual or flights) - an easy and enjoyable way to get a taste of any of our beers. And if you need beer to-go, we sell a rotating selection of 16 oz. 4-packs, 64oz. and 32 oz. growlers (new and refills).

We don't serve food, but we welcome you to bring your own and we can point you in the right direction of local food. Thursday - Saturday, we have some of CT's amazing local food trucks on hand. 

If you really want to make us your second home, consider becoming a Mug Club member. $100 annual membership includes 20oz. pours for the price of 16oz., 15% off merchandise and an annual Mug Club members-only party. Mug Club members can renew their memberships for $75 annually.

We hope you'll stop by for a taste of Hog River Brewing soon! We can't wait to welcome you in. When you're in our living room, you're family.

PS - For updates on beer & food truck schedules, general ramblings and pretty pictures, 
follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, 

Location

1429 Park Street
Hartford, CT 06106

TIP: Use 30 Bartholomew Ave. as your destination address for more accurate directions to our taproom. We are not located in this building, but we are right next to it in the 5-story white building on the corner of Park St. and Bartholomew Ave. Parking is available in lot on opposite side of the street.

Directions >
 

Hours

Mon & Tues - Closed
Wed - 3-8pm
Thurs - 3-10pm
Fri - 3-10pm
Sat. - 12-10pm
Sun. - 2-7pm

Our Beers

Our taproom beer menu features a constantly rotating selection of house beers, poured direct from tank to your pint. Our philosophy is simple - we brew what we love with the hope that you will love it too. We offer a range of styles from classic German beers, such as our house Kölsch-style ale, to our big and bold barrel-aged beers.

Currently on tap

UPDATED AUGUST 20, 2018

Golden Messenger Kölsch

15 IBU, 4.5 SRM, 4.3% ABV

Our Brewer’s favorite style, this classic, cold-fermented German ale is brewed with Cologne malt imported from Germany. Lightly hopped with Hallertau Mittlefruh hops and conditioned for 3 weeks. A clean, crisp and refreshing lighter-style craft beer.

Warehouse Pilsner

16 IBU, 4 SRM, 5.1% ABV

There is nothing quite as refreshing as a classic pilsner. But we wanted to take what can sometimes be a one-dimensional beer and coax out subtle flavors of fruity sweetness and slight bitterness to add depth to the classic clean, grassy flavors. Brewed with floor malted pilsner and debittered Amarillo hops, which lend a pleasant noble hop profile leaving behind flavors of orange and tangerine.

Columbia Cream Ale (with Orange)

17 IBU, 5 SRM, 5.5% ABV

We’ve resurrected a classic style and applied a modern twist. Brewed with American 2-row malt, flaked maize and Citra hops. This beer has fresh juice from over 100 lbs. of hand-squeezed navel oranges. But juicy it’s not. We tweaked and applied restraint to end up with the perfect balance of malt, hop and citrus. You’ll notice a citrus fragrance, full mouth feel and just a mild bitterness to cut the sweetness of the fruit.

Summer Dusk Hefeweizen

7 IBU, 7 SRM, 5.7% ABV

This German wheat beer showcases a flavorful balance of banana and clove that is unique to the yeast this beer is fermented by. We brewed this beer with 60% wheat, so expect a slightly tart, full - bodied beer. Higher carbonation brings pleasant aromas to your nose while your palate is overtaken by malt sweetness and a little acidity to make an easy drinking beer. 

Hartford Pale Ale (HPA)

 30 IBU, 7 SRM, 6% ABV

One malt, a bit of flaked barley and hopped with Mosaic and Wakatu. Pale yellow, lighter body and dynamic floral and tropical fruit profile from these two diverse hops.

I Am Brut IPA

20 IBU, 3 SRM, 6.3% ABV

Will the NEIPA go away? No, it's here to stay. But brewers have been trying to find an answer to the popular beer style. Enter Brut IPA. Developed in California in 2017, this clear, extremely dry, bubbly and hop-flavor forward IPA is the newest trend in craft beer. Extremely pale, no bitterness and packed with flavor. Brewed with Pilsner malt and flaked maize then hopped with El Dorado and Ekuanot and Mosaic lupulin powder.  

Local 35 IPA

32 IBU, 4 SRM, 6.2% ABV

A hazy IPA brewed with Golden Promise malt and flaked barley. A heavy dose of Citra and Amarillo hops added at the end of the boil for a fragrant aroma of citrus, tropical fruit, apricot and peach.

Little Buddy Dry-Hopped Sour

10 IBU, 5 SRM, 5.0% ABV

This little sour beer is packed full of orange and tangerine note to make the perfect summer session sour. Showcasing the perfect balance of hop aroma and sourness from our house lacto culture.. Brewed with 5 malts and finished with Azacca and El Dorado hops.

Tropic-Ale (kettle sour)

5 IBU, 5 SRM, 6.0% ABV

The next rendition in our fruited kettle sour series is brewed with Golden Promise and wheat malts. Gently hopped with Czech Saaz and fruited with the perfect blend of mango and passionfruit. Slightly sweet, tart and perfectly drinkable for the sun-filled summer days.

Black Earth Pilsner

22 IBU, 40 SRM, 5.9% ABV

A classic German black Pilsner-style beer.  Schwarzbier (translation: black beer) is a nice alternative for when you’re looking for a lighter beer, but want the depth of flavor of a darker beer. A blend of Pilsner, Munich and Carafa malts lend a slight roast with chocolate undertones. 

Knob Creek Barrel Aged Golden Ale

35 IBU, 5 SRM, 10% ABV

Brewed in collaboration with our neighbors, Hartford Restaurant Group. We filled a freshly dumped Knob Creek whiskey barrel with Full of Soul, our Golden Rye Ale. This one-time only specialty beer boasts 35% rye malt and is generously hopped with Idaho 7 and El Dorado for mild notes of tropical fruit. The barrel aging lends flavors of warm vanilla and caramel. Blended for a smooth, clean finish. Find it on tap at all nine Wood-n-Tap locations..  

AVAILABLE IN CANS:

Golden Messenger Kölsch

Summer Dusk Hefeweizen

I Am Brut IPA

Little Buddy Dry-Hopped Sour

Events & Food Trucks

There's always something going on at the brewery. We welcome folks to hold hangouts, happy hours, parties and more at the brewery. Whether you're looking for a casual get-together during open hours, or are looking to book the space for a private event, we can accommodate you. Email events@hogriverbrewing.com for more information.

Food Truck & Events Schedule

What is a craft beer taproom without a food truck? We can't get enough of the creativity and deliciousness pouring out of the CT food truck scene, and we love bringing it to the brewery to share with you. Check out who's joining us this month:

Thursday 8/23: Twang Thursday! Live music in the taproom with Ian Fitzgerald starting at 7pm. Fuego Picante Mexican food truck parked outside. Never a cover!

Friday 8/24: The Family Brick-Oven Pizza Truck

Saturday 8/25: Parkville Block Party! Food trucks including Mercado and Chief Brody's Banh Mi and fun events around the neighborhood!

Sunday 8/26: Mystic Cheese Co. will be here selling cheese plates filled with their incredible artisinal and locally made cheeses.

Twang Thursdays

Experience live music in the taproom every Thursday

7-9 PM | No Cover | Food Truck onsite

Featuring Americana/Roots Rock/Folk artists from Hartford, the Northeast and across the country

WISE OLD MOON

Thursday, June 7th

Hartford's own Wise Old Moon, led by singer-songwriter Connor Zane Millican, pays homage to the long-standing tradition of roots and Americana music. Wise Old Moon’s music breathes new life into a blend of genres with a high-octane live energy and a distinctive brand of songwriting inspired by Millican’s experiences coming of age on the road. Since 2013 Wise Old Moon has evolved to its current line-up of Ian Meadows,,on electric guitar, drummer Stephen Cusano, and bass player Greg Lake. Pre-sales are currently available for the band’s five-song EP called ‘Factory Town’ due in Spring of 2018.

Super Doppler

Thursday, June 21

All born and raised in Norfolk, VA, Super Doppler began their journey as a loose collective of high school friends with a common interest in late nights and loud music. 4 years and 500+ shows later after forming, the band released 'Moonlight Anthems', their debut record under the "Super Doppler" moniker. The band is back at it again with the announcement of their "Super Secret Singles Club", a monthly digital singles club. Bridging melodic psychedelic pop with country-funk grooves, twangy dueling guitars, and a proclivity for layered vocal harmonies, Super Doppler has come to embrace a spirited, genre-agnostic ethos. 

five in the chamber

Thursday, June 28th

Five in the Chamber is a New Haven, CT based bluegrass band that drives hard and carries a big pick. They respect the tradition. They respect the trailblazers. And they respect the renegade outlaws. Their final product is an eclectic balance of American roots music which both reinterprets and redefines the bluegrass songbook. Formed in 2011, the band has spent the last several years building a catalog of music that showcases the group’s strong vocals, musicianship, and passion for genre busting.  The band released their debut album in the Fall of 2013 entitled Live in the Chamber to rave reviews and has recently released a self titled EP.

goodnight blue moon

Thursday, July 19th

Blending rich vocal harmonies with lush orchestrations, Goodnight Blue Moon has created a sound that is steeped in tradition, yet entirely current.  GNBM is known for their energetic, honest, and dynamic live performances, offering a refreshing take on Americana roots music. Awarded Best Roots Act in the 2016 New England Music Awards, and Best Folk/Traditional Act in the 2013 Connecticut Music Awards, Goodnight Blue Moon has cemented their place as one of New England's premier groups. They have shared the stage with indie-folk heavyweights Hurray for the Riff Raff, Spirit Family Reunion, Wild Child, Joe Fletcher and the Wrong Reasons, and Mother Falcon among others.

dharmasoul

Thursday, July 26th

Drums, guitar, and vocals are the backbone and energy behind the new album LIGHTNING KID, the debut record of New Jersey based power-duo Dharmasoul. With Jonah Tolchin on guitar, Kevin Clifford on drums, and the two singing both lead and backup vocals, this duo brings their songwriting and production chops to their new band Dharmasoul. Audiences who’ve heard the two in concert look around to see who else is playing up on stage due to the fullness of the sound and the sheer energy of these musicians as they pour every bit of creativity and originality into their compositions, improvisatory performance, and expert musicianship. 

singer-songwriter showcase

Thursday, August 2nd

Singer-songwriter showcasing three of Twang Thursday's originals - Connor Zane Millican, JIIM and Rusty Williams.

river run

Thursday, August 16th

Not your average family folk band. With soaring sister harmony and original song writing. River Run creates a uniquely Americana experience.

ian fitzgerald

Thursday, August 23rd

Hailed as "the songwriter's songwriter" by the Newport Folk Festival, Ian Fitzgerald has been criss-crossing the country over the past several years singing what he's written for audiences of all stripes. Those songs come from the five albums of original material he has released, including his latest effort You Won't Even Know I'm Gone. The result has been a growing recognition of Ian's work and songwriting ability, including a full touring schedule that has seen him perform in 39 states over the past two years; performances at the Newport Folk Festival in 2015 and 2016; and shows opened for Iris DeMent, Joan Shelley, Twisted Pine, Willy Mason, Darlingside, The Ballroom Thieves, and many more. 

WISE OLD MOON

Thursday, August 30th

Wise Old Moon returns to the taproom to cap off the 2018 summer season of Twang Thursday. Led by singer-songwriter Connor Zane Millican, pays homage to the long-standing tradition of roots and Americana music. Wise Old Moon’s music breathes new life into a blend of genres with a high-octane live energy and a distinctive brand of songwriting inspired by Millican’s experiences coming of age on the road. Since 2013 Wise Old Moon has evolved to its current line-up of Ian Meadows,,on electric guitar, drummer Stephen Cusano, and bass player Greg Lake. The band's latest offering is a five-song EP called ‘Factory Town.'

If you are an Americana/Roots Rock/Folk artist and are interested in playing at our Twang Thursdays series, please send your bio and links to music/performances to Connor Millican at wiseoldmoon@gmail.com.

Our Story

We're Ben and Joy Braddock, crazy kids (now with a kid of our own!) that a long time ago fell in love with each other and fell in love with craft beer. Fast forward 15 years and we're almost one year into owning our beloved craft brewery & taproom in the heart of the Parkville neighborhood in Hartford, CT. 

We jumped the corporate ship, deciding life is too short to not pursue our dreams and spend our days doing what we love. Over 10 years ago, Ben quit his day job when his cubicle walls started closing in on him. It was a “now or never” kinda moment. He swallowed his pride and got his start in the industry cleaning kegs. As a brewer in both a production and brewpub setting, he learned the ins and outs and discovered his own brewing style. 

More recently, Joy quit her corporate gig to focus 100% on building a taproom experience that invites community, family and friends to not only enjoy our craft beer but also enjoy the space through other experiences like live music, pop-up maker fairs,  beer dinners and barre classes. She is excited to bring the community an ever-evolving lineup of unique events that bring people together.

Together, we invite you to come join us for a beer. You'll most likely find one of our faces behind the bar. Come say hello!

#HogRiverBrewing

contact us

We would love to hear from you! 

For general questions and comments, or for donation requests, please email us at: info@hogriverbrewing.com

To inquire about renting our taproom space for any type of party or event, email us at: events@hogriverbrewing.com

Location

1429 Park Street
Hartford, CT 06106

860-206-2119

*PLEASE NOTE: Our entrance is on Bartholomew Ave. (not on Park Street).

Directions >