CTbites Invites Recap: “Celebrate CT” Breweries BarQ Dinner

The funky cow print décor in the upstairs bar loft at Bob LeRose’s BarQ in Stamford was the perfect backdrop for the CTbites Invites celebration of CT’s Own burgeoning beer business.  

Representatives from City Steam in Hartford, Half Full in Stamford and Two Roads in Stratford were on hand to pour and explain the brewing process of over six different craft beers to an enthusiastic sold out crowd.

Tim, the Pitmaster at BarQ , took this opportunity to create a special and very creative dinner menu that BarQ calls “original” CT BBQ.  It was expertly paired with distinctive and unique tasting beers and included wood kissed sweet and sticky wings,  paired with City Steam’s Blonde on Blonde ale, smoky brisket chili cups served in mini cast iron skillets and paired with City Steam’s Naughty Nurse lager. Pulled pork and brisket sliders with touch of chipotle mayo, with Two Roads Ol Factory Pilsner and “Dueling ribs” meaty St. Louis Sticky and Memphis Dry Rub  with Two Roads, Roads to Ruin Double IPA.

While the crowd sampled the varied beers and enjoyed the food, Meghan Zachry of Two Roads , Seth Cerrone of City Steam, and Conor Horrigan of Half Full explained the challenges in creating a good craft beer and invited the attendees to visit their tasting rooms, take a tour and fill up their Growlers and even throw a few darts!

Although the acoustics in the open loft room made it difficult to hear at times,  all of the reps were passionate about their beers, and went table to table to answer specific questions.

As the last course…the highly anticipated Snickerdoodle Bacon Ice Cream sandwich was served, the final beer, a rich dark Chocolate Coffee Brown Ale from Half Full was poured and served.  Our bellies were full and our tastebuds were happy!  After the tough few months we Nutmeggers have all endured, this was an evening where everyone showed their LOVE to CT…and to our entrepreneurial craft breweries and tasty original BBQ!.