They are a big money family, plus, that's where the Applebee's comparison comes in, inexplicably popular despite being mediocre in every way. Plus, the average person has no idea about any of that. I know because I mention it all the time and no one knows what I'm talking about and we live here! It's always busy there. And non beer snobs love those smoothie things.

As far as sours, depends on what I'm looking for. An easy drinker, the New Park Blenders, something more funky, OEC or Fox Farm (though New Park does make some solid bottled sours too). I still haven't made it to Area2, but from what I've heard I'll be a fan.

CT Valley. I call them the Applebee's of craft breweries. Imo, there are far better sours out there. I hate that they are the only brewery in my town. I pretend they don't exist and consider Paddle Creek my hometown brewery instead (and I'm very close to East Hartford Brewers).

Paddle Creek is highly underrated.

Yas!!!

Our honey is used in one batch of Hopiary every year.

I dunno, last time I went that placed was PACKED. It's always mentioned in any 'best of' threads I see. And well deserved.

I'm always surprised how many people still have never heard of New Park. Whenever I mention it someone is always like, 'where's that?' And I'll be like 😳.

First, all the breweries fill growlers. But my vote closish to the area you are looking for would be Alvarium and New Park.