A far-flung farm brewery is seeking zoning approval to operate an outdoor beer garden at the Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre in Wethersfield.
Fox Farm Brewery is nestled deep in the woods of Salem in southeastern Connecticut, but is highly regarded for its European lagers, American ales and traditional farmhouse ales. It is rated a “world-class” brewery by BeerAdvocate.
Fox Farm has a tasting room on its 30-acre property at 62 Music Vale Road, which offers a rotating selection of drafts and to-go bottles and cans that may be purchased in advance.
Fox Farm distributes to stores across Connecticut and limited locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
The seasonal beer garden in Wethersfield would bring the rural brewery’s draft offerings to a suburban setting.
Fox Farm says the Wethersfield concept will be modeled after its beer garden in Salem.
A beer garden is meant to be a serene outdoor space for friends and family to relax and enjoy beer and conversation. As such, Fox Farm doesn’t have TVs or live music. On-site consumption is limited to three pours per-day, per-person.
The beer garden at Heirloom Market would be open from June to October, with hours coinciding with the market on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Food would be served from the kitchen of Heirloom Market.
Fox Farm’s owner, Zachary Adams, has applied for a special permit for seasonal dispensing and selling of beer at Heirloom Market, 263 Main St.
The beer garden would occupy a grassy area behind the market’s main building, in front of the red barn. It would be outfitted with umbrellas and a “tasteful perimeter” with barrel planters and locust split rail fencing, along with seating at tables and benches.
The zoning application says “a calm, quiet and relaxing atmosphere” is “paramount not just for safety, but for the atmosphere and success of a traditional beer garden.”
Beer would be served from a custom-made trailer that would be removed from the premises at the end of the season.
The Planning and Zoning Commission is set to hold a public hearing on the proposal at its meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Fox Farm’s proposed expansion comes at a time when growth in the craft brewery industry is slowing.
From 2011 to 2022, the number of craft breweries in Connecticut increased from 16 to 230, according to data from the Brewers Association. In 2023, the number dropped to 225.
