🟢 Bloomfield's Secret Beer Won't Last

Happy Tuesday (if there is such a thing)!

It's the first full week of October and the Oktoberfests are “festing” and the pumpkin spice lattes are flowing.

October is one of my favorite times of the year so I’m all for it, but let’s get into this edition.

In today’s edition of The Hartford Pour, we’ll get into:

— Chris M.
Local Whiskey Nerd, Husband, Dad, Entrepreneur (Fun Tip: I’m a homebody, but love to travel. Make it make sense.)

Help me help you… I included a different section of the newsletter this week… but I’m curious if you’d be interested in more? Let me know!

I almost kept this one to myself. Seriously.

Every fall, Back East Brewing in Bloomfield makes a beer called Triple Scoop, and it is hands down my favorite beer they produce. By far.

It’s a 10.4% Citra Triple IPA. Back East calls it “big, bold, dangerously smooth,” and honestly, they’re not wrong. Especially the dangerous part, lol.

Here’s the problem. They only make it for a few weeks a year in the fall, and it sells out insanely fast.

So my rule has always been pretty simple. Don’t tell TOO many people. Fewer people knowing about it means more Triple Scoop for me.

But this is the very first fall that The Hartford Pour has existed. And it just feels wrong to sit on the most delicious secret beer in Connecticut while you’re out there drinking pumpkin everything.

So I guess I have to break my rule. Just this once.

Triple Scoop hits the taproom at Back East (1296 Blue Hills Ave, Bloomfield) this Friday, October 9, on draft and in cans. The taproom opens at noon, and if you want cans, I wouldn’t wait until Saturday.

Just do me one favor. Grab yours… and leave a few for me.

Don’t say I never did anything for you.

Most coffee shops kind of blur together. You order, you wait, you grab it, you leave.

So I didn’t think much of it when I walked into Vernon Coffee Roasters in the Vernon Commons plaza (520 Hartford Tpke, Vernon).

Honestly? This place changed how I look at a “normal” coffee shop.

It started with the baristas. Super nice, and they took the time to make a cool design in my cup… even though I got it to go.

See that? A to-go cup. And they still did that. Mad respect!

I went with the pumpkin spice latte because, well, it’s October. I like a PSL, but it’s usually not the first thing I go for. With the timing of everything, it just felt like I needed to try it here.

To be honest, it was delicious. I was NOT expecting it to be that good.

Then I spent a solid 10 minutes just walking around, taking it all in. Look up and you’ll see that calligraphy-looking Egyptian artwork running along the top of the walls. Pretty amazing, right?

It’s a great spot to get some work done (just keep it quiet), and there are plenty of plugs for your laptop. Or grab a table, meet up with someone, and just hang out.

Next time, I’m trying a couple of the other drinks I’ve been curious about, because I will definitely be back.

Tell them The Hartford Pour sent you.

Tuesday isn’t usually a cocktail-class kind of night, but this week it is (and it’s right in my backyard, too).

TJ’s Burritos in Bloomfield (695 Park Ave) is hosting a Halloween Cocktail Class from 5:30 to 7 PM. A mixologist walks you through some seasonal drinks, and your ticket gets you three cocktails, light apps and a goodie bag.

Yes, the burrito place. Trust me on this one, lol.

Afterwards, head downtown to Max Downtown (185 Asylum St) for Buck-a-Shuck Tuesday. One of you replied (I see you Shaun!) and let me know he was going to hit this place up.

So to anyone wondering, this is apparently a weekly thing at Max’s for the foreseeable future.

And yes, I know I told you about this last week too. Second week in a row, and I’m not even a little sorry about it. $1 oysters in one of the nicest rooms in Hartford is just that good of a deal.

I’m also sticking by what I said last week. Oysters and a rye Manhattan from the whiskey bar are an underrated power couple.

Witches’ brews, then a dozen on the half shell. Not bad for a Tuesday.

I’ve got two very different Wednesdays for you, depending on whether you want to make something or solve something.

If you’re feeling crafty, Coles Road Brewing in Berlin (817 Farmington Ave) has a Modern Calligraphy & Pumpkin Lettering class from 6 to 7:30 PM.

It’s beginner-friendly, you keep the whole starter kit (nibs, ink, pen holder, the works), and you finish by lettering on faux pumpkins.

Grab a Prelude, their crisp Helles lager, before you pick up the pen. Steady hands are NOT guaranteed, lol.

If you’d rather play detective, Elicit Brewing in Manchester (165 Adams St) has True Crime Trivia at 7 PM. Infamous cases, notorious criminals, and a few shocking twists.

Keep a HighLITE Reel, their light lager, close by. Light beer, heavy questions (or just go for some whiskey from their collection).

Pumpkins or perps. Your call.

Thursday is for people who like to make things with their hands. And then eat free pancakes (more on that in a sec).

If sushi is your thing, Crystal Ridge Winery in South Glastonbury (257 Belltown Rd) has The Sushi Class from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. You roll your own on top of a hill with one heck of a view.

Pair it with their Sauvignon Blanc, because crisp white wine and raw fish just make too much sense.

If you’d rather have something to show off on the porch, Alvarium Beer Co. in New Britain (365 John Downey Dr) is hosting a Chunky Pumpkin Making Class with Maple Hill Makers at 6 PM.

Grab a pint of Phresh, their flagship hazy IPA, and make a pumpkin that’ll never rot. Your porch will thank you because rotting pumpkins are an unfortunate side effect of this time of year.

Either way, end the night at The Pancakes & Booze Art Show in The Webster Underground (31 Webster St, Hartford). Doors are at 7, the show starts at 8, and it’s 18+.

It’s an underground art show that started out in LA back in 2009 and has hit 40-plus cities since. Local artists, a bar, and yes, free pancakes.

Do you know of an AWESOME restaurant or bar? Or something not included in this email you’d like to see?

REPLY to this email and let me know!