Gov. Ned Lamont will loosen restrictions for craft beer breweries as of May 1, and that has Connecticut’s dozens of breweries hoppy.
The COVID-19 pandemic curfew that has been in place for 12 months will ease to a midnight curfew, minus the food purchase requirement. Alcoholic beverage purchases will be allowed indoors and the mandated table size limits will go away.
For the craft beer brewers, reliant on the social aspects of dispensing their products as well as the taste, reopening comes as spring warms outdoor beer gardens. Patrons need not order a full meal to relish a beer.
Still, COVID-19 poses a risk to the general health and safety of all, not just beer consumers. Craft brewers and their staff are still adjusting to the health and safety rules, and beer aficionados will need to be patient and flexible. The breweries guild noted “as breweries welcome larger groups of consumers back to their taprooms and in their outdoor beer gardens, consumers should still take precaution and follow brewery guidelines.”
Masks will likely still be required when navigating between tables, bar areas and restrooms. Brewery owners and operators will have the decisions in their hands to continue implementing safety and social distancing procedures, and some breweries may still require food purchases indoor and outdoors, while others will ease these rules along with allowing larger gathering sizes.
On Wednesday, May 19th, the elimination of all business restrictions will be lifted, including the food requirement both indoors and outdoors, spacing between tables, event and table size limits, and the curfew. The requirement for wearing a mask indoors will still be in effect.
“These are exciting times for CT craft beer, but breweries may still be moving forward with some or all of these rules, so we once again, encourage consumers to be patient and respectful to each individual brewery’s rules and regulations,” stated the CT Breweries Guild. “We applaud Gov. Lamont and his administration, as well as DECD Commissioner Lehman, and all of the state representatives for their continued support of our craft breweries and recognizing the tireless effort we’ve put in to protect the community and our staff by loosening the state mandates. We are eagerly looking forward to May 1st and 19th and seeing the community as always, support our small businesses and enjoying locally crafted beer.”
The guild offers a CT Beer Trail App on iOS and Google Play.
Founded in 2012, the organization promotes the craft beer industry in Connecticut. Over 120 operational breweries now are open in the state with more on the way.
