Suds & Cycling: Beer Tours for Bicyclists in Connecticut

Area breweries are hoping people will soon follow the ale trail.

The budget brouhaha nearly squelched notice that the state passed SB 464. Under the bill, the Connecticut Department of Transportation will now allow signs that specifically point to where Connecticut beer is made or sold. Connecticut-made beer manufacturers or sellers will pay for the design and production of CT Beer Trail signs. 

To celebrate the event, 54 bicyclists and beer enthusiasts participated in the first official bike tour along the CT Beer Trail last weekend.

The 20.1-mile “Bikes & Beers” ride followed the Hop River rails-to-trails route. But Fairfield County residents need not fret—it won’t be the last of such rides. More trips are planned, said Matt Lolli, manager for Pedal Power in Vernon.

“Fairfield County is a little outside of our market but we wouldn’t discount a ride,” Lolli said. "We could meet at a brewery, do a loop, and then meet back."

Though this ride started at the historic Willimantic Brewing Co, there are actually 10 active beer producers on the CT Beer Trail. The Southport Brewing Company with locations in , , Milford, and Branford could be ideal locations for cyclists to meet, ride, and then eat.

“We’d have to do a little bit of legwork but it’s not a bad idea,” said Marc Capasso, manager for SBC’s Stamford location. “We’d have to put a little thought into it, see how it would work, but we’d definitely entertain the idea.”

Capasso said he would need to talk with area bike shops and Stamford officials to figure out a safe and sensible route.

Now while last week’s ride in Vernon was neither a hop nor a skip away from Fairfield County—area riders might consider that the town abuts a Rail Trail route where cars and buses don’t zoom past.

“It’s a rail trail, you really can’t get lost on it and you don’t have to worry about contending with cars,” Lolli said.

Of course bikes and beer could make for a slightly odd pairing from a safety standpoint. Some states, such as California, Colorado and New Jersey have laws making cycling under the influence illegal, Connecticut doesn’t.

Still its important cyclists remember a few things, said Jason Stockman secretary for the Connecticut Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board.

“People need to follow the same rules as a drivers,” Stockman said. “If you’ve exceeded the Blood Alcohol Content don’t ride under those circumstances.”

Also riders must remember to hydrate, Stockman said.

“It’s all the more important to bring water with you, especially if you’re drinking alcohol,” he said.