New England Brewing Co. will release its first 12-pack of canned beer in time for Thanksgiving, after years of customer requests that the company couldn’t accommodate due to the limitations of its former Woodbridge facility’s canning line.
The long-awaited packaging upgrade became possible after NEBCO relocated production to a larger Branford facility that it acquired in July, giving it the ability to produce 12 packs.
“With the move to our new facility, we have been able to ramp up our production with the additional space,” said Rob Leonard, owner of NEBCO. “Our customers have been requesting these 12-pack cans for some time now.”
NEBCO acquired the former Stony Creek Brewery facility at 5 Indian Neck Ave., for $6.1 million. In addition to the brewhouse, it offers a taproom with views of the Branford River and amenities, including a kitchen, along with dining and event space.
The initial 12-pack release will feature two flagship IPAs: Sea Hag, priced at $18.99, and Fuzzy Baby Ducks, priced at $19.99. NEBCO Lager will join the lineup in 2026 at $18.99.
NEBCO, established in 2001, is the state’s third-largest craft brewery. It produced about 21,000 barrels in 2023. The Branford facility, which now serves as the company’s main production center, has increased its capacity to 30,000 barrels annually.
NEBCO maintains a taproom at its previous location, 175 Amity Road in Woodbridge.
The 12-packs will join NEBCO’s existing four-packs and six-packs of 12-ounce cans when they hit stores — and the brewery — in mid-November.