Branford Home To One Of America's Best New Breweries, New List Says

BRANFORD, CT — Caius Farm Brewery in Branford is among the best new breweries in the country. USA Today 10 Best put the spot at No. 5 in the country.

"The head brewer here, Caius Mergy, turned a derelict working farm into a farmhouse brewery, which resembles a Roman meeting hall and boasts a beer garden and a private hop yard to boot," USA Today wrote.

Mergy is a graduate of two prestigious brewing programs which "shines through his tap selections," according to USA Today, including a Franconian-style Rotbier lager, a New Zealand-style IPA, and an 8.6% Imperial IPA.

The Caius Farm property was a working farm from the early 20th century until the early 2000s but fell into a state of disrepair, according to the brewery's website. Mergy spotted the property driving through Branford in the summer of 2020 and wanted to revitalize it by establishing a farmhouse brewery.

Following pandemic-related delays, the brewery opened in spring 2022.

Another Northeastern spot, Hot Plate Brewing Co. in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, made No. 3 on the list.

The top two were RAK Brewing Co in Frederick, Maryland, and Frazier Creek Brewing & Distillery Co. in Stuart, Florida.

The list is devoted to breweries founded in the last three years. A panel of beer experts nominated top picks, then readers selected the winners.

Check out the full list by clicking here.