🟢 Wallingford Gets a Special Bourbon Night

End of Week Check-In, Hartford!

This weekend I’ll be getting together with some friends to do Premium Whiskey Night.

Pretty much, no whiskey will be under $100. We will be able to answer the question, “Is really expensive whiskey actually worth it?”

I should have a write up on it next week, so be sure to stay tuned for next Tuesday or Thursday (hadn’t decided which issue it will be in).

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

— Chris M.
Local Whiskey Nerd, Husband, Dad, Entrepreneur (Fun Tip: iPhone > Android)

Missed Tuesday's question? It's still open, and I'd love to know what's on your list for the house next year.

(New place no one is talking about)

The one thing I love most about writing for The Hartford Pour is having an excuse to try a new spot and share it with you!

The drink that you see in the picture above is called the Cookie Butter Breve. (not really sure how to pronounce “breve”, lol)

But regardless, it was delicious. Usually when I go to Starbucks and get an iced drink, I'm always disappointed because there's so much ice and very little liquid, and I'm done in like three sips.

You don't have to worry about that with 7Brew.

The other cool thing about them is the experience because it's strictly drive-thru, and the baristas or the “Gen Z” workers that I saw there walk up to the car as you're waiting in line so that you can order much faster.

They aren't really known for their food, but they do offer Seinfeld-like muffin tops. They come cooled because they must be refrigerated, but they taste pretty good nonetheless.

After Tuesday's Conti's news, I've had single barrel picks on the brain. So here's some good news for the barrel-pick crowd.

The 5th Annual CT Bourbon & Whiskey Fest is this Saturday, Nov 14, from 6:30 to 9 PM. For one night, a room full of Connecticut retailers, distillers and distributors set up tables and pour.

And not just the stuff on the shelf, either. The Wallingford Rotary says to expect single barrel picks too.

The Rotary Club of Wallingford runs it with the Connecticut Bourbon & Whiskey Enthusiasts, a local Facebook group full of people who can talk mash bills way longer than anyone at the table wants to listen.

AKA…. My people.

This year's sponsor is Good Bottle Auctions, which is a monthly online auction for rare whiskey, bourbon and scotch. They're based at 8 Metals Dr in Plantsville, so there's a little Hartford County in this one after all.

Usually prices on auctions get plum stupid, so don’t make any bids unless you know the value of what you are bidding on.

This year it's at the Polish National Alliance (171 N Plains Industrial Rd, Wallingford), which the Rotary says came with better parking and plenty of outdoor space.

Nice quality of life improvement.

As of today, I have yet to find any lineups for who will be there. To give you an idea, the 2024 fest poured New Riff and Nulu single barrels, plus Connecticut distillers like Litchfield Distillery, SoNo 1420, Nineteen70Something and Bloomfield's own Waypoint Spirits.

General admission is $75 and gets you the tastings, glassware, a buffet dinner and water. Designated drivers pay $30 for dinner and water.

Just a quick tip: the ticket site (Zeffy) asks for an optional tip at checkout. Type $0 in the Custom box if you'd rather skip it.

The sponsor is also promising a decanter giveaway and swag bags.

All proceeds go to the Wallingford Rotary Club's charitable causes, so you're basically drinking bourbon for charity. I've done worse things on a Saturday.

Going? Hit reply and tell me what you're hoping someone pours.

Friday the 13th, and the scariest thing on the agenda is your holiday gift list.

Start at Crystal Ridge Winery (257 Belltown Rd, South Glastonbury). Their Holiday Maker's Market runs 4 to 8:30 PM. Shop local makers with a glass of Old Gate 2019, their red blend with cocoa and cherry. Gift shopping goes a lot faster when there's wine involved. That's not science, that's just me.

Then it's 20 minutes to Connecticut Valley Brewing (765 Sullivan Ave, South Windsor). Wavelength plays live from 6 to 9 PM, mixing country, classic rock and 2000s hits. Grab a Mackinaw Peach Sour. It's tart and juicy, and there's no curse to it.

Lucky you.

You have two options tonight. One involves a cake you didn't pay for.

Option one: Back East Brewing (1296 Blue Hills Ave, Bloomfield) has Tino & Malone playing 6 to 9 PM. Order an Ice Cream Man IPA, which once ranked on Draft Magazine's Top 50 IPAs list. Easy, cozy, done.

Option two: Crash a wedding. Legally. Tony n' Tina's Wedding at the Farmington Polo Club (152–162 Town Farm Rd) starts at 6:30 PM, with a 2 PM show on Sunday. It's not a real couple. Actors play the bride, groom and their very loud Italian-American family, and you're a reception guest.

Expect drama at the head table and someone's uncle on the dance floor. Tickets are $100, and food is ordered off their menu.

No gift registry required.

Whiskey people: the 5th Annual CT Bourbon & Whiskey Fest pours 6:30 to 9 PM at the Polish National Alliance in Wallingford. The full rundown is up top in today's edition.

Here's a workout I can get behind: the beer comes with it.

Problem Solved Brewing (2 North Rd, Suite 4, East Windsor) hosts Stretch & Sip Yoga from 10 to 11 AM. It's $30 and includes a 16 oz pour afterward. Their holiday vendor market opens to everyone at noon and runs until 4, with proceeds supporting the Safe Passage Hot Chocolate Run.

Then head 20 minutes down the road to Elicit Brewing (165 Adams St, Manchester) for the Brews & Bells Holiday Market, which starts at noon. There are local artisans and a free hot cocoa station. Grownups, there's also their Marriage Counseling double IPA at 8.5%, which is exactly what it sounds like.

Downward dog, upward pint.

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!