Early success for Charter Oak taproom
With an industrial look, communal vibe and 10-tap system pouring beer made only yards away, Charter Oak Brewing has opened its taproom to the public.
The brewery, which was founded in 2011 and has been brewing in its new Danbury location for a few months, will rotate its own beer creations frequently depending on season and demand, said owner Scott Vallely.
“It’s been dynamite. I wouldn’t do anything differently,” Vallely said. “We’ve been open for a few weeks, and Fridays and Saturdays have been great. We’ll start to spread the word more now.”
Charter Oak is open Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m., Fridays from 3 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The taproom is available for special events on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Charter Oak Brewing will hold a grand opening event with local politicians from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 28.
Vallely and his wife, Michelle, have manned the bar area since it opened, but he will hire two parttime employees to help serve the craft brews. Charter Oak also serves wine from Shelter Rock Winery in Danbury.
Food is not served at the taproom, but customers may bring in their own food or order from Vroom Service Now, a Brookfieldbased service that picks up and delivers food from several local restaurants.
Current selections on tap include a brown ale, Kolsch, extra special bitter and several IPAs. This weekend, a cask-fermented beer will also be available, Vallely said. Customers may also have 32-ounce or 64-ounce growlers filled for taking home.
Charter Oak’s beers are in more than 400 establishments throughout Connecticut. Vallely described the business as a “gypsy brewery” before opening the 10,000 squarefoot facility at 39 Shelter Rock Road in Danbury. The brewery includes a five-barrel and a 20barrel brewing system.
Vallely, a New Canaan resident, has been brewing beer for 38 years and is joined at the new location by his wife, brewer Mike Granoth and salesman Justin Vidal of Danbury.
Charter Oak joins a growing brewing scene in the Danbury area that includes Redding Beer Co. in Georgetown, Nod Hill Brewery in Ridgefield and Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery in Bethel. Two more breweries are expected to open this year in New Milford.
Charter Oak Brewing may be reached at 203-616-5268.