New England Brewing Co. Acquires Waterfront Branford Facility For Expansion

BRANFORD, CT — New England Brewing Co. announced Friday it is acquiring the local Stony Creek Brewery facility for its long-planned expansion.

NEBCO plans to use the property at 5 Indian Neck Ave., near the Branford River, to provide customers with a waterfront experience.

The new facility will also allow NEBCO to grow its production and taproom offerings, according to the company.

The brewery’s Woodbridge location, at 175 Amity Rd., will remain open.

NEBCO plans to use the Branford site for its primary brewing operations and for its main staff headquarters.

Rob Leonard, owner of NEBCO, said the expansion is a “significant milestone” for the company, which he originally launched in 2001.

“The timing aligns perfectly for us to expand our reach in the craft beer community," Leonard said, in an announcement.

Ed Crowley, along with wife Peggy and son Ed Jr., launched the Stony Creek brand in 2010 and opened the Branford facility in 2015.

"After many incredible years of brewing and serving our community, we felt it was the right time to step away,” Ed Crowley said, in the joint announcement with NEBCO. “We’re grateful to have found a Connecticut-based brewer to take over the reins.”

Crowley said the family is confident in NEBCO’s ability to continue making the Branford site a “vibrant destination for beer lovers.”

The sale includes the property at 5 Indian Neck Ave, including the brewery, taproom, event space, and kitchen trailer. It does not include the Stony Creek brand or business operations.

NEBCO leaders said they plan to renovate the Branford space over the coming weeks.

The taproom will be temporarily closed. However, the business said it will make “every effort” to honor existing event bookings.

“We can’t wait to embark on this journey and are excited to welcome everyone to our Branford facility,” Leonard said.

NEBCO is also partnering with local restaurateurs Robert Marcarelli and Jared Schulefand of Pi Restaurant Consulting to launch NEBCO’s new Craft Kitchen by Supreme Seafood.

Its menu will feature New England seafood favorites like lobster rolls, and options such as burgers and wings. NEBCO plans a soft opening with dinner service later this summer, then it will expand the eatery’s hours.

The venue will continue to host its pizza truck and invite visiting food trucks for special events, according to the announcement.

NEBCO brewed more than 20,000 barrels in 2024 at its Woodbridge facility, and it anticipates growing this to 30,000 barrels once it transitions its brewhouse operations to Branford.

NEBCO had previously pursued an expansion to a waterfront site in West Haven, but ultimately decided to find a different location.

The company brews a variety of beers and seasonal varieties, with names ranging from Sea Hag to Fuzzy Baby Ducks.

Read more:
Brewery Developer Pulls Out Of West Haven