By Kat Boushee

What could be better than spending a Saturday drinking beer? Perhaps spending a Saturday drinking beer at a brewery while getting a guided tour and having it cost only $5. The Thomas Hooker Brewery in Bloomfield, CT, located just 13.2 miles from CCSU, is a great weekend destination for those interested in expanding their knowledge of the intricacies of brewing, or simply just trying some great local beers.

On Saturdays your $5 gets you a tour of the brewery and a sample of the beers brewed. If you particularly enjoy a certain beer, you can purchase a “growler” for just $10 more. “Growlers” are 64 ounces of glass bottle perfection filled to order directly from the tap.

Fridays are a great day to head to the brewery as well, because on the first and third Friday of the month, $10 will get you a tour, beer samples and a pint glass to take home.  The beer samples come from the beer tasting bar, which usually has about four different options on tap.

At the Thomas Hooker Brewery you will not only have a great time sampling beers and learning about the brewing process, but you can feel good about what you are doing: the brewery donates a portion of the tour proceeds to The Village for Families and Children.

Notable beers to check out include their seasonal Watermelon Ale, which has a hint of watermelon taste to it, as well as their Blonde Ale, a light favorite among both the casual drinker and those with a sophisticated palate.

The Thomas Hooker Brewery is open for tours and sampling on the first and third Friday of every month, as well as every Saturday from 12-5.