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About Us

When I began brewing beer at home in the late 1980's I read a book by the godfather of home brewing, Charlie Papazian; The Joy of Home Brewing. At the time I did not realize that I would take it so seriously that I would enter the world of beer brewing for real.  From 1994-1998 I owned and operated Harbor Lights Brewing in Dana Point, CA and then, 20 years later opened Housatonic River Brewing right here in New Milford on September 19, 2018.  

My wife, Dianne, and I decided not only would New Milford be a great place to build this business, but also to do something that our community would appreciate.  The planning began and we opened on Route 7, just north of Bridge Street in a 3,200 square foot building. HRB sits on 7 acres that allows our customers to enjoy our many delicious beers both indoors and out. We are located along the beautiful Housatonic River. We have a huge parking lot and plenty of indoor seating in the Taproom, the outdoor Beer Garden, as well as outdoor covered seating, we even have dedicated motorcycle parking.

I’ve spent countless hours growing, developing and brewing our Housatonic River Brewing brand and and last year, with that growth I added a talented and experienced Brew Master, Steve Medd to my team.  Together we have brewed over 150 different beers recipes, of which we always have at least 8 on tap at any given time.  We are incredibly proud of our quality and have created an amazing following.  Our Mug Club has over 300 members and with a lengthy waiting list, we feel that we must be doing something right.  

We brew all our beers on site in our 5 BBL Brewhouse for consumption on site. We also have an off-site production facility for our distribution needs. During the start of Covid-19 restrictions, we shifted gears and decided that ramping up distribution would be the best option for us to not only survive, but to thrive; it turned out to be the right decision. Due to rapid growth we are currently searching for a larger production facility here in CT. Currently we are distributing all over the state of CT and can be found in over 550 package stores, Big Y, and in the New Milford area we have over 50 bars and restaurants that serve HRB beers on tap.  

We have a full-time staff of 6, and 10 part-time employees (More like family) and my wonderful wife Dianne is the Events Coordinator for the many birthday celebrations, holiday parties and even the occasional wedding.  We have live music, everything from Rock to Blues, to Country as music is part of our culture, even when there is not a band.  

 

We now have a 40' x 60' pavilion allowing additional covered seating in the beer garden so folks can enjoy a beer outside, even when New England weather doesn’t cooperate.  Under that pavilion we have also added a music stage.

We are fortunate that the brewery scene in Connecticut is active.  The Connecticut Brewers Guild, representing 120 breweries in CT has developed the Connecticut Beer Trail that has created great interaction for this industry.  With most of the restrictions of the pandemic behind us and the world opening up, Housatonic River Brewing is business as usual.  We have seen a strong resurgence in business and our loyal and new following has been amazing.

We are in the process of adding a full service kitchen.  Look to the home page for updates. The El Taco food truck will be on site Friday through Sunday until the HRB kitchen opens. 

Stop by and try our signature Gentle On My Mind, Willie Make It, or one of our many other selections, we know that we have a style for every taste. 

 

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"

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The Mug Club

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BeerTender Bob

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Brewer Steve

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Hardcore!

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Gentle on the course

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Boys of Crazy Bruce

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Partytown in Torrington

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Manager Ryan

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Sacred Morning

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Fresh Gentle coming off the line

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BeerTender KJ graduated!

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1st run of Remedy

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Yup!

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Full Moon

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After the storm

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Make Music Day 2021

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1st can of Gentle...AHHHH!

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Mommies Board Silly

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Me and Little Honey

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Father Daughter Mug Club

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Fran & Michelle

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Beertender Jen singing with the band

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The Long Winter

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Mike & Erica

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Vanarillo & G Van

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OT in the house!

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DRP

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Freebird Fran

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Merry Christmas 2019

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Fire Pits roaring

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Little Jenga

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BeerTender Katie relaxing with hubby Mike and a little Orb Mellon

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BeerTender Katie getting it done in the HRB 5K

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Henrietta likes Stouts

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Whiskey River

Whiskey River

Yellowstone

HRB in Yellowstone

Sacred

Good Morning!

remedy

The Remedy for what ales ya!

PPP FB

Pajama Party 2019

Tom Turkey

Henrietta

Sacred on line

First run of Sacred Grounds

Whiskey River 1

Whiskey River winter

River Cans

River Cans

Remedy Barrles

Whiskey River in the barrels

Polar Beer Wood Dump

Polar Beer Wood Dump

Lovers Leap Passion Fruit Ale

Lovers Leap Passion Fruit Ale

Mark

HRB in New Hampshire

Eric and Teresa

Eric & Teresa

Gentle Stack

Gentle Stack

Katie

BeerTender Katie laying down some truth!

Less

Sometimes Less is More

Last Round

Last Round

Jeff Kimbell

HRB Cruising

HRB SF

HRB in San Francisco

Good Day

Yup!

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Connecticut Magazine Pose

catering3

Catering Spread

Bags

Grain Bag Recycling

CMHOF

HRB at Country Music Hall of Fame

Cheers Hoagie

Cheers Hoagie!

Lakeside Corn Hole

Lakeside Corn Hole

Paul Shot
Peaches

Fresh peaches for our Peach Blonde Ale

Dave Littlefield

Dave - Founder/Brewer/Chief Bottle Washer

Fall mums doing well
New Beer Alert_ _Wedded Bliss_ a golden

Wedded Bliss

Our beer-tenders #ctbeer #ctbeertrail

Beertenders Katie & Christine

Fireworks over the brewery were awesome!

Fireworks over the brewery were awesome!

Beautiful night in the garden!
Bury'd in the Dirt hitting the HRB stage

Bury'd in the Dirt

Team HRB representing in the beer mile!!

Team HRB representing in the beer mile!!

Hala Kahiki - A golden ale infused with
John Perry and the Traveling Danbury's c

John Perry giving his all!

Bella's killin it on the beer garden sta
Full house and Riva kickin' it on the HR
Enjoying a rare day off from brewing.

Enjoying a rare day off from brewing.

It's September and that means one thing.

Oktoberfest Time

Holley McCreary crushing the HRB stage u

Holley McCreary crushing it on the HRB stage!

the girls

The DA Girls!

New Beer Alert_ _Garden Sippa_ a smooth

Tammy & Bunny

Famous Among the Barns - Today from 3-6p
lp me welcome our newest beer-tPleas

BeerTender Bob

Just in time for Turkey day..

Smilin' Tom James!

HRB_ROAD SIGNAGE 2
Johnny P doing his mason thing!

Johnny P doing his mason thing!

Future Bathrooms

Future Bathrooms

Future Brewing Area

Future Brewing Area

Bar is coming along nicely

Bar is coming along nicely

Couple visitors behind the brewery today

Couple visitors behind the brewery today

Motorcycle parking, check!

Motorcycle parking, check!

Tom Olejniczak rockin' the house
Decorations coming along nicely!
Happy Birthday to bartender Jen
Your shade awaits!

Your shade awaits!

Your Cornhole awaits! Open 12-6pm today.

Your Cornhole awaits!

Orb Mellon just hit the stage..

Orb Mellon just hit the stage..pickin' cajun style.

It's back!! The long awaited return of _

Beer-Tender Christine

5 minutes to showtime! Northern Bred Cou
All star jam!

All Star Jam!

_Shadow of Stout_ is back! Come and enjo

Shadow of Stout back on tap!

Halloween Costume Winners

Halloween Costume Winners

Definitely costume contest co tenders!!.
Game on!!
A big thanks to Channel 12 for visiting
Happy Halloween!!
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Christine & Katie stand ready to satisfy

Both Naughty!

Paul Shot
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WFSB Channel 3

mugs copy
Cider Donut

Beer-Tender Tammy

Brewing Area
Fresh Cranberries

Cranberry time!

CK

Beer-Tenders Katie & Colin

Bar is Open

Beertender Jen

DRP copy 2

Dirt Road Pickers

Beautiful day in the beer garden

Beautiful day in the beer garden

Beer Garden is open!
Nice night in the beer garden! #ctbeer #
New Beer Alert_ _Fire on the River_ - Ma
Don't fear Corn Holers, our covered pati

Don't fear Cornholers, our covered patio to the rescue!

What a night!! #ctbeer #ctbeertrail
Great time had by all  last night!

Great time had by all last night!

Your Cornhole awaits! Open 12-6pm today.

Locked and loaded!

Beautiful night for HRB Cornhole league!

Beautiful night for HRB Cornhole league!

Cornhole heaven!!

Cornhole heaven!

Fire pits are cranking! #ctbeer #ctbeert

Fire pits are cranking!

Fire pits are cranking..
Doesn't get better than this!

Co-Owner Dianne and Beertender Tammy

Monster Jenga!!
It's a beautiful fall day in the beer ga
Winter cornhole hardcores!!

Winter cornhole hardcores!!

Out Back
Lakeside Corn Hole
Nice Day
Fall CH

Fall in the beer garden

Fireside

Fireside drinking

Corn Hole 2
Beauty
Chalk Art

Beer garden art

Pond

Our pond

Beer Garden
Beer Garden
Fall
The Field

Behind brewery

Wedding Reception

Our first wedding!

Back
Patio

Hangin' on the side patio

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