West Hartford Man Leads State 'Beer Tour' For Cancer Research

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Thanks to the work of one local resident, Connecticut’s craft beer lovers have a chance to enjoy their favorite brews while supporting a life-saving cause.

The 2025 "CT Beer Tour for a Cancer-Free Future" is returning this February, featuring 11 breweries over five weekends, including two in West Hartford.

Organized by West Hartford resident Greg Hammond, this year’s tour builds on the success of the 2024 event, which helped raise over $119,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

Hammond was the 2024 LLS Greater Connecticut Visionary of the Year and his tour has become a celebration of community, craft beer, and the fight against blood cancers.

“When we launched this event last year, I never imagined the overwhelming response
we’d receive,” Hammond said.

“The breweries, the patrons, and the entire community came together in an incredible way. I’m thrilled to bring the Beer Tour back in 2025 and to continue making a difference in the lives of families impacted by blood cancer.”

The 2025 tour includes a mix of returning favorites and new breweries.

Participating breweries include Back East Brewing Co. (Bloomfield), Coastline Brewing Co. (Westbrook), Concentric Brewing Co. (Portland), Elicit Brewing Co.(Manchester and Fairfield locations), Luppoleto Brewing Co. (Windsor Locks), New Park Brewing (West Hartford), Problem Solved Brewing Co. (East Windsor), Powder Hollow Brewery (Enfield), Rule of 3 Brewing (East Hampton), The New Cambridge Project (Bristol), and WeHa Brewing & Roasting Co. (West
Hartford).

Elicit Brewing Co. is offering an extra way to contribute, allowing patrons at both its
Manchester and Fairfield locations to round up their bills throughout February to benefit
LLS.

Each participating brewery will host a special night, donating a portion of sales to LLS.

Event attendees will also have the opportunity to make direct donations,
enter raffles, and learn more about the work of LLS in fighting blood cancers.

“This tour is a win-win for everyone,” Hammond said. “Craft beer enthusiasts can
visit some of the best breweries in Connecticut, breweries benefit from increased traffic,
and together, we raise crucial funds for blood cancer research and support services.”

“Community is at the heart of what we do,” added Maddie Hayes, tap room manager at
Back East Brewing in Bloomfield. “When we can combine our love of craft beer with
supporting a cause like LLS, it’s a no-brainer for us.”

The tour kicks off Friday, Jan. 31, and runs through March 1, with events every Friday
and Saturday.

A complete schedule of dates, times, and locations can be found on the tour website at this link

“This event shows what’s possible when a community comes together,” Hammond said. “Every pint poured and every dollar raised brings us closer to a Cancer-Free Future.”

For those who can’t attend but still want to support the cause, donations can be made to
benefit LLS at https://bit.ly/2025BeerTourDonation.

For information on the tour, including a schedule of events and donation information, click on this link.