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 - 3-9pm
Fri - 3-9pm
Sat. - 12-9pm
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

WEEK OF MAY 21, 2018   **See what's available in CANS listed below tap list**

Golden Messenger Kölsch                                    

15 IBU, 8 SRM, 4.8% ABV

Our award-winning Kolsch-style ale based on the classic, cold-fermented German ale. Authentically brewed with Cologne and Pilsner malts imported from Germany. Lightly hopped with Hallertau Mittlefruh hops and conditioned for 3 weeks.

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.

Gobblefunk - Boysenberry Kettle Sour (on tap and in cans Friday 5/25)

10 IBU, 5.5% ABV

Named for Roald Dahl's made-up language, our first kettle sour is a love letter to sunny, summer days. Brewed with pilsner and wheat malts and fermented with Lactobacilis Brevis and Saison yeast. The final product boasts 252 pounds of boysenberry puree for a puckery, fruit punch finish. 

Hartford Pale Ale (on tap Friday 5/25)

30 IBU, 7 SRM, 5.9% 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.

Piknick Basket IPA

13 IBU, 8 SRM, 6.5% ABV

Henry, one of our beloved bartenders, came up with this name. Henry can't spell all that well. Piknick Basket IPA is brewed for those easy days that call for a tasty brew and a nice spread. Brewed with 2-row, Oats, Rye and Wheat. Hopped aggressively with Mosaic and then dry hopped with Mosaic and Idaho 7 for that citrus kiss on ya lips!

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.

Full of Soul IPA

16 IBU, 8 SRM, 7.9% ABV

Brewed with our favorite ingredient, Rye malt. This fruit forward Golden Rye IPA boasts 30% rye along with Vienna malt to showcase the unique flavor profile rye lends to beer. Fruity with a dry and warm finish gives way to a flavorful hop profile from late kettle additions of Idaho 7 and a 2 lb./barrel El Dorado dry hop. A portion of this beer is aging in Knob Creek whiskey barrels to be released at select Wood n Tap locations at a later date.

Behind the Rocks Smoked Red Ale

16 IBU, 14.5 SRM, 6.3% ABV

Based on a traditional German Rauchbier with the smoke dialed way back. Red in color, hints of caramel, biscuit and a slight smokiness from the addition of beechwood smoked malt. Hopped with Hallertau Mittlefruh for a clean noble hop profile

AVAILABLE IN CANS (only for sale in our taproom):

Golden Messenger Kölsch   

Warehouse Pilsner

Gobblefunk (starting Friday 5/25)

Local 35 IPA

Piknick Basket IPA

Full of Soul IPA

BART Black IPA

Flight of Crow Imperial Stout

Barrel-Aged Lord's Hill Russian Imperial Stout

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:

Thurs 5/24: Twang Thursday returns! Join us for Rock-Rollin' Folked up Americana live music in the taproom every Thursday night 7-9pm. Pat Stone and the Dirty Boots joins us 5/24 and Craftbird Food Truck will be on hand!

Fri 5/25: Fuego Picante Mexican food truck

Sat 5/26: The Meat Truck

Thur 5/31: Twang Thursday featuring live music from local faves Old Royals,  7-9pm. Never a cover! Plus Chief Brody's Banh Mi food truck on site!  

Fri 6/1: Art show featuring works by Joey Batts. Free to the public. Mercado food truck onsite.

Sat 6/2: Fuego Picante food truck

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 and the Northeast

pat stone & the dirty boots

Thursday, May 24th

"If American Folk Music Had A Rock n' Roll Soul...And A Punk-Rock Heart"

The sound of Pat Stone & The Dirty Boots is one that is constantly evolving depending on the context of the performance. This quartet is capable of being a traditional all-acoustic band complete with glimmering mandolin, woody upright bass, tasteful percussion, and dynamic vocals complete with rich harmonies. On the flip side of the coin, the band is a rock n' roll four piece featuring dual electric guitars, bold drum fills, aggressive, catchy vocal lines and a contagious energy.

old royals

Thursday, May 31st

Old Royals are a rock and roll band. We write our songs with quiet little acoustics, then play them loudly with distorted electrics and hearty drums. Everyone in the band partakes in their own musical musings and brings them all together like a spicy pot of jambalaya. We enjoy the glories (and despair) of recording all of our own music, but its worth it because we do what we want. All band members are down for delicious beer, good honest music, and raging basement jam sessions. Old Royals look forward to raging every venue like its our very own basement. 

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.

More dates to be announced soon!

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 >