Aspetuck Brew Lab

By EastCoastBrewReviewer -

The Stats 

Location: Bridgeport/Black Rock, CT

History: To Aspetuck Brew Lab, "good beer is elementary." Believing in only the freshest, most flavorful, local beer of the best quality, ABL claims it is the first brewery in Bridgeport since 1940. They take a scientific approach to their brewing process while respecting the heritage and styles of the classics.

Food Service: No (BYOF)

Website: aspetuckbrewlab.com

The Scenario

We visited ABL on a Sunday afternoon just after it opened up for the day. From the outside it looks like a warehouse style brewery and not much to look at. It really blends in with the rest of the surrounding bars, restaurants, and shops. On the inside, we noticed a bar that fits about 15 or so guests as well as some seating surrounding the bar. There was a younger couple and one bartender who tended to us promptly. Each tasting is $2 and with a selection of 8 beers means you can try them all for $16. ABL also offers pints and half pints for purchase.

The Ratings

Experimental #16 G-Fruit Pale Ale
D: 3/5 - The grapefruit flavor is evident with a bitter taste
K: 2.5/5 - I'm not a huge fan of grapefruit and you can definitely taste the grapefruit in this one. The after taste is bitter as well. 

Saison (Belgian Farmhouse Ale)...but actually the Pierce (Wet Hope Brown Ale)
D: 1/5 - Definitely has a chocolate taste that I thought was odd. Makes sense now that we know it wasn't the saison. 
K: 2.5/5 - Not at all what I would expect from a saison. Very dark with dark malt and a slight coffee taste. Oops..turns out the bartender gave me the wrong thing, yikes. 

 Saison (Belgian Farmhouse Ale)
K: 4/5 - Now that's better. Definitely a refreshing, typical saison. 

 The Kumame w/ Apricot
D: 4/5 - Delicious apricot flavored beer. 
K: 4/5 - Very good saison with a strong and sweet apricot flavor. 

Final Thoughts

D: 3/5 - This place is simple with some interesting beers. I enjoyed the apricot saison and would stop by for another pint. I liked the choice of a taste, 1/2 pint, and a full pint. Often, I am trepidatious about getting a full pint of a new beer but the 1/2 pint seemed like a good in between size. The experimental theme of the brewery is cool and they've created some delicious beers. 

 K: 3.5/5 - Definitely an interesting place. I can appreciate the laboratory theme and the wide selection of beers to sample. The beer was pretty good and the options for tasting were great. The bartender did pour me the wrong beer but upon further investigation, she only works when they need her to, and she was unfamiliar with some of the taps. Nothing stands out to me per se about this place so I think a 3.5 rating is fair. Just a good, no frills brewery for the area.
Tasting Room
Outside entrance


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