One of the most popular and easiest things to purchase for people during the Holiday's is always alcohol. It's the perfect gift to give to clients, family members, friends and to always bring to a party as a way of saying, "Thanks for having us!" This New Year's, why not try something new. Did you know that Connecticut, New York, Maine and Massachusetts all have makers of beers, wines and spirits?
So, this is what I have done to get all of you to have a better idea of what's available that's made locally and from our neighboring states. I have talked to several owners or employees of liquor stores from Greenwich to Trumbull and created a little list for you. After asking several liquor stores whether or not they carry local alcohol, (which many do not....shame, shame), I chose 2 liquor stores to list, along with the alcohol they carry.
I'm not trying to discourage anyone from going to their normal liquor store to pick up their alcohol by having this list. I'm just giving you some different ideas of what's available and if you see something you're interested in trying, call your liquor store and ask them if they carry that item or what they have available that's produced locally. You'll be doing two good things by buying local alcohol; you'll be supporting small local liquor stores as well as the local makers of the alcohol. Why buy that usual wine from Italy, when you can have wine from local vineyards that you can actually visit.
Let's begin with the list! Here are 2 liquor stores in each town, starting from Greenwich up to Trumbull. Again, if your town is not on here, no worries, just go to the liquor store you usually would shop at and ask for what they carry locally. If they don't carry anything, then this may be a good push for them to start doing so.
GREENWICH:
1. Connecticut Economy Liquor - 1071 King Street, Greenwich. 203-531-8135
Carries:
- Bully Hill Wine from the Finger Lakes Region of NY
- Captain Lawrence Beer from Pleasantville, NY
2. Horseneck Liquor - 25 East Putnam Ave, Greenwich. 203-869-8944. (www.horseneck.com)
Carries:
- GW Beer from Connecticut
- Charter Oak Beer from Connecticut
- Westford Hills Distillery from Ashford, CT (they make brandy and also have it in raspberry)
- Onyx "Moonshine" from Manchester, CT
STAMFORD:
1. Vic's Liquor Store - 951 High Ridge Road, Stamford. 203-322-1093
Carries:
- Ballet of Angels (*Best Selling CT Wine*), White Wine
- Charter Oak Brown Ale Beer from CT
2. Franklin Liquor Store - 99 North Street, Stamford. 203-323-1356
Carries:
- Thomas Hooker Beer
- Micro-brews from CT & NY
- Elm City from New Haven, CT
- Blue Point from NY
- SBC Beer
DARIEN:
1. Glen Liquors - 390 Heights Road, Darien. 203-655-1031
Carries:
- Hooker's Beer from CT
- Long Island Wine's
- Riesling from the Finger Lakes Region of NY
- Triple 8 Vodka from Nantucket
- Craft Beers from MA
2. Wineport of Darien - 25 Old King's Highway North #40, Darien. 203-655-2726
Carries:
- Sharpe Hill Vineyard from CT (semi-sweet wine)
- Riesling from the Finger Lakes Region of NY
- Eau De Vie - Flavored Brandy from Ashford, CT
- Charter Oaks Beer from New Canaan, CT
- Ten Penney Ale from Hartford, CT
- Magic Hat from South Burlington, VT
- Cold River Vodka from Maine
- Triple 8 Vodka and Gin from Nantucket
NORWALK:
1. Cranbury Wines & Liquors - 24 Chestnut Hill Road, Norwalk. 203-846-8394. (cranburywines.com)
Carries:
- Jone's Winery from Shelton, CT
- Sharpe Hill Vineyards from CT
- Brooklyn Beers from NY
- Brooklyn Black Chocolate Staut from NY
- Berkshire Brewing from Upstate, NY
- Allagash Beer from Portland, Maine
- Dog Fish Head from Delaware
2. Bevmax Liquors - 149 Westport Avenue, Norwalk. 203-847-2779. (bevmax.com)
Carries:
- Thomas Hooker Ale's & Lager's from Bloomfield, CT
- Beaver's Beer
- City Steam Beer
- Southport Brewing Pale Ale (SBC) from CT
- Nomad Stout Beer
WESTPORT:
1. Liquor Locker of Westport - 411 Post Road East. 203-227-5094. (liquorlockerofwestport.com)
Carries:
- CT Vodka's
- CT Wine's
- Beaver Beer
- North Fork Wines from Long Island, NY
- Hopkin's Wine (Ice Wine) from CT
2. Bottles Fine Wines & Spirits - 1753 Post Road East, Westport. 203-259-3939
Carries:
- CT Beer's
- NY Wine's
- Spirits from CT
- Check out their LOCAL Section!
FAIRFIELD:
1. Harry's Wine & Liquor Shop - 2094 Post Road, Fairfield. 203-259-4692. (harryswine.com)
Carries:
- CT Wine's
- Micro Brew Beer's from CT
- A Large Selection of Local Brands
- Brooklyn Lager from NY
- CT based Vodka's and Spirits
- Riesling from the Finger Lakes Region of NY
2. Black Rock Wine & Spirits - 2480 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield. 203-374-0040. (ctwineauthority.com)
Carries:
- Variety of Spirits & Beer's from CT
- Sweet Wine's from CT
- They make a push to carry Local and from the tri-state area
TRUMBULL:
1. Bottom Line Wine & Spirits - 70 Quality Street, Trumbull. 203-445-7800
Carries:
- Hopkins Vineyards from CT
- Stonington Seaport - white chardonnay from CT
- Di Grazia Vineyards from Brookfield, CT (whites, blush, autumn spice & blueberry wine)
- Sharpe Hill Vineyards from CT
2. TJ's Discount Wine & Liquors - 100 Hawley Lane, Suite 21A, Trumbull. 203-377-6499
Carries:
- Jone's Winery from Shelton, CT
- Di Grazia Wine from Bloomfield, CT
- Stonington Wine from CT
- Duck Walk Winery from NY State
- Pindar Winery from Long Island
- Onyx "Moonshine" Liquor
- Brooklyn Lager from NY
- Thomas Hooker Beer from CT
- Dog Fish Head from CT
- Southport Brewing Company (SBC) from CT
- Blue Point from Long Island, NY
So here's your list of some different types of alcohol that liquor stores are carrying that are "local." I hope you will give it a try this New Year's and for future events and Holiday's. We have so many different Wine's, Beer's and Spirits made in Connecticut as well as our neighboring State's, so let's support those hard working small businesses!
Have a wonderful New Year's and please be safe from BuyLocallyCT.com. Don't be silly and drive after drinking, it's not worth it. Have fun and celebrate with close friends and family, because that's what it's all about.
If you "Keep It Local" and would like me to write about it, please contact me, Carissa at buylocallyct@gmail.com or go to our website - www.BuyLocallyCT.com. Please "Like" us on FB to stay updated on new businesses and products that join our site, all made locally as well as updated blog posts! FB - http://www.facebook.com/pages/BuyLocallyCTcom/209572939072930. Thank you for supporting our cause on going local!
