When I began brewing beer at home in the late 1980's I read a book called “The Complete Joy of Home Brewing" by Charlie Papazian who was known as godfather of home brewing. At the time I did not realize that the hobby I was so passionate about would lead me to enter the world of beer brewing as an occupation.  From 1994-1998 I owned and operated Harbor Lights Brewing in Dana Point, CA. Fast forward  20 years later and my wife, Dianne, and I opened Housatonic River Brewing on Route 7, just north of Bridge Street in a 3,200 square foot building on September 19, 2018. 

​

After searching for the perfect spot for quite a long time we decided that not only would New Milford be a great place to build this business, but we also wanted to create a venue that our community would appreciate and enjoy.  HRB sits on 7 acres along the beautiful Housatonic River. We have a huge parking lot and dedicated motorcycle parking, plenty of indoor seating in our rustic taproom as well as outdoors in the beer garden which includes a 40 x 60 ft pavilion so the unpredictable nature of New England weather is never an issue. 

​

Countless hours have been spent growing, developing and brewing our HRB brand. To date, we have brewed over 150 different beer recipes of which we always have a good number on tap in New Milford at any given time including our signature IPA Gentle on My Mind, the ever popular Willie Make It and the new kid on the block Pirates in Parrots honoring the legendary Jimmy Buffett. We have a style for every taste so come on in and give one or two try.  We are incredibly proud of our quality and our beer has created an amazing following. Our Mug Club has over 300 members and with a lengthy waiting list which makes us feel that we must be doing something right.

 

Over the course of the 7+ years HRB has been open, we have expanded significantly.  One addition was the purchase of an off-site production facility in Danbury which provides all the beer for our taproom as well as for our distribution needs across the state. As time rolled on and circumstances evolved we knew we needed to grow from being just a brewery to provide other options for our patrons to enjoy. One BIG NEWS item is that we added a full kitchen that produces some of the best food around. From our award winning burgers to a wide array of in house smoked meats like wings, brisket, chicken and corned beef to other selections such as tacos, quesadillas, flatbreads, salads, wraps and a wide array of appetizers including the hugely popular made in house Texas Twinkies and the baguette tostinis baked with our homemade spinach artichoke dip. Compliment all that with delicious sides like our famous smoked mac & cheese, made from scratch baked beans, cornbread and coleslaw and let your tastebuds enjoy.  The second BIG NEWS is that we now have a full bar to satisfy all of your beverage needs. From creative specialty cocktails to an extensive bourbon list and everything in between…..we have you covered. 

​

In addition to the new food and beverage offerings, we have seriously ramped up our live music scene attracting bands from all over the country. Both our indoor and outdoor stages have grown in size and improved in functionality. With state of the art sound equipment, a professional in house sound engineer and some of the most appreciative and lively music fans around, it is no wonder bands say HRB is their favorite venue to play.   From Rock to Blues, to Country to Pop to Alternative and everything in between there is a band for everyone to enjoy. Live music happens every Friday and Saturday night from 7-10 pm and Sunday afternoon from 4-7 pm.

  

HRB is also here for you to help celebrate those special occasions and milestones. Whether it is a birthday party, a fundraiser, a holiday celebration or even a wedding we can accommodate a wide range of parties and events.  Just fill out the contact form and Dianne, the events coordinator will be in touch. 

​

Even though we have grown and changed in many ways mostly out of necessity, we still hold true to our roots of being a local establishement you can come hang out and unwind from the pressures of the world…..So if you love the vibe of a down to earth place that has craft beers, sincere people, creative cocktails, amazing food, live music, cornhole, and fire pits you have found a home. 

Cheers to all of our HRB family & friends! 

Dave and Dianne Littlefield 

Named Best Live Music Venue and Best Brewery by CT Magazine
Named Best Brewery in Litchfield County
Named #6 Best Beer Label by USA Today:  Remedy Imperial Stout "For What Ales You"