Tag: connecticut

Fat Orange Cat Brewing Co in East Hampton, CT

Where my feline friends at? While I admit I’m team-dog all the way even I can get behind the cat themed brewery that I’m going to share with you today: Fat Orange Cat Brewing Co in East Hampton, CT. FOC, for short, is perfect for animal lovers of all types (goats included) who like to drink some great craft beer.

FOC is located in East Hampton, CT-if you feel like you’re pulling into someone’s back yard you’re in the right place! Parking is ample and you just follow the crowds inside the open garage where the beer is flowing!

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Behind our glasses was the bar which was inside the garage. The garage doors were open but covered with those industrial plastic strips to keep the temperature very comfortable inside despite it being in the 50s the day we visited! We spent our time wandering in and out- there were fire pits and heat lamps outside so either location was comfortable.

$7 gets you your tasting glass to take home plus four pours.

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The wooden tokens we got with our glasses were what we used to cash in for new beer pours each time we finished our glass. I love this format because it’s just like getting a flight without having to worry about finishing the beers before they get warm!

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You’re welcome to bring in a picture of your own fat cat (or dog) and tack it to the wall!
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If you’re not in the mood to drink four tastings you can always take your tokens home and use them on a future visit.

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As you can see there are lots of cat themed beers to choose from. We generally tried to pick different beers so we could each try each other’s. My friend Aubree and I both really liked the Jalapeno Jack cream ale- it tasted like a jalapeno popper!

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One of my favorite parts about FOC was admiring all their label artwork while we drank. We visited in fall so they had festively decorated pumpkins on the counter.

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As promised- the goats! FOC had chickens and goats outside that we watched while we drank. What more could you ask for?!

Fat Orange Cat Brewing is open weekends April-December. Check their website here for exact hours. This is a ten minute drive from Arrigoni Winery (which you can read my review of here) so they make for an easy day trip! FOC is cat, dog and child friendly so it’s a great place for the whole family!

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Stay adventurous!

 

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Arrigoni Winery in Portland, CT

With the holiday season gearing up I definitely fell off the blogging wagon a bit. I usually keep all my blog ideas saved as scheduled drafts and I make sure I write them up before the schedule posting time but I felt so unmotivated that I procrastinated writing one and accidentally posted a title with no post body! Whoops! Before you go looking- yes- I deleted the post and tweet out of complete embarrassment.

I’m feeling back on track today so I’m going to write about my hands-down favorite Connecticut winery: Arrigoni Winery in Portland, CT!

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Every good winery needs to have a giant shrimp statue outside!

Not only do I really love Arrigoni’s wine but it holds a lot of sentimental value as the first Connecticut vineyard that I visited. I’ve also visited here the most and made a lot of fun memories that set it apart from the rest. Arrigoni is open year round so I’ve been in the spring as the trees start to bloom, the summer for yoga by the vines, and for fall which is complete with a fire on the back patio! They have a Christmas shop which makes them a perfect destination to sip wine and shop this holiday season!

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My favorites are the Orchard Valley and the Sugar House (bottom left corner.)

 

To be fair the one thing I don’t love about Arrigoni and that’s their tasting set up. Arrigoni uses a set tasting list so as a repeat offender I’ve tried those five wines many times! However, I like that they allow you to add on additional pours off the extensive wine list for $1/each. Often everyone in my party will pick one more to try and then we all share a sip which makes for a cheap way to try a bunch of new wines!

During summer months Arrigoni has wine slushies available in Mango Madness, Blackberry Sangria or a swirl of both flavors (my favorite!) During the fall and winter Arrigoni Winery serves mulled wines available in an apple or red flavor.

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I thought their slushies were good but HOLY MOLY THIS MULLED WINE IS AMAZING!

My most recent visit was my first one trying the mulled wine and it was amazing. Lucky for me Arrigoni is willing to share their secret by offering the mulling mix for sale!

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Arrigoni’s spacious grounds- during the summer they offer monthly yoga classes on the grass complete with a tasting on your yoga mat afterwards!

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If I’ve interested your enough to try Arrigoni Winery out make sure to check Groupon before you go. They offer a Groupon for first time visitors for a tasting for two or four people with a cheese plate. Exact hours and special event info can be found on their website here.

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Stay adventurous!

Hartford Baking Co. in West Hartford, CT

Today I bring you another local coffee place that serves up coffee and so much more deliciousness! Hartford Baking Co. was another Yelp fueled discovery that I found in West Hartford, CT. They have two locations though I like to visit their New Park Ave shop because the parking is easier than the other location on Farmington Ave.

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Walking in I was immediately tempted by their baked good case!

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They also sell bread loaves, rolls, fresh made sandwiches and DO YOU SEE THOSE GIANT PRETZELS?!

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HOLY YUM!

My favorite thing they make (that I’ve tried so far) is the banana chocolate chip muffin.

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I came in close to closing time so I gobbled this down in my car.

One thing I really like about HBC is that they don’t do the typical pumpkin spice for fall- instead they offer a delicious autumn spice latte which I tried on my first visit.

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The autumn spice latte has a cinnamon/spiced type of flavor. It’s really good!

HBC has a good amount of tables so I can usually find a seat if I want to sit and work on my blog while I sip.

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Love to grab a seat in this cozy corner!

I’ve been to Hartford Baking Co. a couple times now. It’s definitely in my coffee shop rotation. They’re open daily 7:30a-3:00p (at both locations, I believe!) Let me know what you think if you’ve checked them out!

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Stay adventurous!

 

Rosedale Farms & Vineyard in Simsbury, CT

It’s Friday so let’s crack open some wine! Well- you can crack open some wine and I’ll tell you about another great Connecticut Vineyard worth your visit. Today I’m taking you to Rosedale Farms & Vineyard in Simsbury, CT. This is a great place to visit after you leaving nearby Lost Acres Vineyard.

I heard that Rosedale wasn’t much more than a little farm stand but as I was pulling up I realized I shouldn’t believe everything I hear! Yes, they sell produce like a farm stand but they also feature local baked goods and wine. First stop was inside where I purchased a glass of white wine in the form of a redeemable milk cap.

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There are options for tastings as well.

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Next I left the red barn and headed under the tent where they serve the wine. Our taster was nice enough to let us try a white and a red! I settled on the Summer Bouquet 2016 to sip while we sat in the shade and enjoyed the beautiful grounds.

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Before heading out we went back in to pick up a take home bottle of the Summer Red (now sold out!)

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If you want to check Rosedale Farms out tomorrow and Sunday (November 3rd and 4th) are your last chance for the season!

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Stay adventurous, friends!

Throwback Thursday: Connecticut Lights and Sights

Today I’m throwing it back to a MUST-DO Connecticut adventure: Cross Sound Ferry’s Lights and Sights cruise! In July, my family and I took the two hour cruise out of New London on the Cecelia Ann. I had no clue that Connecticut had so many lighthouses with such colorful stories!

We boarded just prior to 10am. I don’t know how many seats were sold (in relation to what would be considered full) but there was a good crowd yet plenty of seats. We opted to start our cruise with outdoor seats and later moved indoors to get out of the wind for the sail back to the dock. There were plenty of windows so we still had good views while inside.

New London Harbor Light
New London Ledge Light

The cruise takes you to 15 different sights including lighthouses, historic forts, castles and more!

North Dumpling Light is currently owned by the inventor of the Segway!
On our way to Morgan Point Light while standing on the top deck.
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At each sight the captain made a full 360 degree turn so you didn’t have to leave your seat for a great view.

Race Rock Light
Little Gull Light

Tickets are $30 for adult fares and sailings continue until October 31st so you have a couple more chances to squeeze in a cruise before the end of the season. Otherwise, Cross Sound Ferry Lighthouse cruises sail from the end of May to the end of October. Visit their website here for more details!

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Stay adventurous, friends!

Roger’s Orchard in Southington, CT

Remember the busy weekend plans I wrote about in last week’s five things Friday Things Friday? Yeah- life had other plans. A cold side-lined me from most of the things I had on the agenda but I still made it out to pick some apples between Tylenol doses and cups of tea for a short adventure.

Roger’s Orchard first started planting in 1809. There second location, known as Sunnymount, opened in 1965 and is where we arrived on Saturday to rows and rows of apple trees ready to be picked.

Along with plenty of apple varieties for every palette to pick from Roger’s offers pumpkins so we grabbed a couple small ones for the garden.

With our apples and pumpkins safely packed into the car we headed into the country store. Inside you’ll find a large variety of fruits and vegetables for those of us less inclined to want to pick!

There were also pies, donuts, cider, and other homemade goods. I indulged in an apple donut and some homemade cider to round out the visit.

According to their website, Roger’s Orchard will have pick-your-own apples available until late October so you still have time to visit for yourself!

Stay adventurous, friends!