Holiday Shop at Willibrew

November 30, 2016/in upcoming events /by admin

Join us for our first ever Holiday Shop at Willibrew! Relax, enjoy a brew and finish up some of your holiday shopping!

We’ll have our Willibrew Gear available (we just got new designs in!), glassware, growler of the month club and gift cards, too! In fact, with gift card purchases of $50 or more we’ll be giving away a free shirt (limited quantities and designs)!

PLUS look for gifts from the Thread City Hop Fest, Romantic Willimantic tees and select items from some of the craftspeople of Willibrew and our downtown neighbors!

Where can you do your holiday shopping AND relax and enjoy a bite and a brew? Willibrew!

Vote for Willibrew!

November 29, 2016/in Vote! /by admin

Craftbeer.com is accepting nominations for the Great American Beer Bar 2017, please take a moment to vote for Willibrew!

With more than 4,100 small and independent craft breweries operating in the country, there are more options than ever to enjoy great beer. Bars specializing in craft beer have become a common site in American cities and beer lists in restaurants and pubs are expanding to keep up with customer demands. – via craftbeer.com

Last year your voting named us the best beer bar in Connecticut! (Thank you!) Please take a moment to vote for us again and if you have an extra minute please help us spread the word!

Thanksgiving Growler Suggestions!

November 22, 2016/in Uncategorized /by admin

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Thanksgiving comes but once a year, and it is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends.
Here are a few suggestions from your friendly local brewer on what best to enjoy as your day progresses.
As your guests arrive and the endless platters of appetizers and amuse-bouche are displayed. A wonderful beer to get the festivities (and your palate) started is our Certified Gold, a mild blonde ale with a beautiful balance between malt & hops. At 4.7% abv. it will start things off right, but keep you from seeing double, unless Aunt Mildred brings her two Schnauzers.
As the day moves along, the turkey’s out of the oven, arguments over football abate, and the family sits down for dinner. There surely will be a myriad of flavors on the table and one might question what can go with all of this food. Well thankfully either a nice malty Fire Engine Red or hoppy Junk Mail IPA should fit the bill. Both beers, depending on individual palates, should be able to accept any flavors you throw at it without losing either the food or the beer in the process.
Finally with bellies full and the thought of more food boggles ones mind, on comes dessert. Some will be enjoying coffee or tea at this time, but you are looking for one final beer to cap off a wonderful day. There is no better way to end a meal than a nice rich, dark, and roasty dark ale, such as our Six Shooter Oyster Stout. A beer to settle the stomach and prepare you for that post meal nap.
Hopefully our suggestions find you in good cheer and a very Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours.

Thread City Hop Fest: Oktoberfest

September 13, 2016/in upcoming events /by admin

Attention Beer Fans! We’re hosting a Thread City Hop Fest: Oktoberfest event on Thursday, October 20th on Main Street, Willimantic and you’re invited!

Put on your lederhosen and raise your glass, the Thread City Hop Fest will host an Oktoberfest on Thursday, October 20th! This first-time beer fest will feature traditional Oktoberfest brews, a selection of the best seasonal beers, and delicious food as well. Enjoy an Autumn evening on Main Street, Willimantic!

Look for Broad Brook Brewing, Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest, Hog River Brewing, Hofbrau Oktoberfest , Spaten Octoberfest, Two Roads Brewing, Willimantic Brewing Company We’ll be adding as we go, so stay tuned!

It’s not an Oktoberfest without food! We’ll be out on the street, along with our neighbors Cafemantic and A Cupcake For Later. Look for our spin on Oktoberfest fare.

Ticket Price: $30 in advance. $40 at the gate (if any remain). Admission includes a commemorative Oktoberfest stein, and 4 half pours.

DD tickets: $5

For more information and to purchase tickets, head this way!

Beer vs Wine Dinner

July 22, 2016/in Uncategorized /by admin

Don’t miss your opportunity to vote at our annual Beer vs. Wine Dinner on Monday, July 25th at 6 pm!

Join us for this on-going debate over which pairs better with food. Enjoy four courses, each paired with a beer and a wine – then you decide which paired better for each course.

At the end we’ll tally the results and decide the winner – Beer or Wine.

Tickets are $75.00 and by advanced sale only.

Check out the menu here.

25 Years of the Main Street Cafe!

March 14, 2016/in Uncategorized /by admin

Celebrating 25 Years of the Main Street Café in 25 Days

April 2016 marks the 25th anniversary of the Willimantic Brewing Company/Main Street Café. The original Main Street Café began operations as a small deli in the old Capitol Theatre building on Main Street in Willimantic, CT. After 3 years we were bursting at the seams and made the move to 877 Main Street, another historic building. There we expanded to a full service restaurant and featured American craft-brewed beers and an extensive menu. One more move was in the cards for us, and we made yet another trek down Main Street to our current home in our granite and limestone 1909 U.S. Post Office Building.

Thursday, April 7 – We kick off our anniversary fun on National Beer Day! We’ll drink to that. We will feature a rotating selection of beers from breweries that are older than us!

Saturday, April 9 – Silver Anniversary Party in the Pub – A 25^th anniversary is also known as a silver anniversary. We’re having a Silver Anniversary Party in the Pub to celebrate our 25^th anniversary! Coincidence? We don’t think so. Dance to the music that was popular the decade we opened – the ‘90’s! Prizes for best silver-themed wardrobe, commemorative giveaways, and food and drink specials, too! The fun begins at 10 p.m.

Saturday, April 16 – Deli Days at Willibrew – Enjoy delicious specials from our original Main Street Cafe deli menu! Plus, we’re bringing back an original Main Street Café event – Games People Play! We’ll bring the board games, you bring your friends for some friendly competition. Last but certainly not least – Bruce John will perform in the pub from 2 – 4.

Monday, April 18 – Spring Beer Dinner – SOLD OUT! Featuring breweries from 25 years ago!

Tuesday, April 19^th – Friday, April 22 – Bummed that you didn’t snag tickets to the Spring Beer Dinner? There, there friend we’ll be featuring items from the Beer Dinner as a Daily Special all week! Cheers!

Thursday, April 21 – Thread City Hop Fest ticket winners announced. (See below!)

Saturday, April 30 – Rhythm Stew returns to Willibrew! Bringing their brand of Rhythm and Blues, Funk, Rock and the Blues. You’ll be on your feet dancing the night away! The music starts at 9 p.m.

Sunday, May 1 – the 3^rd annual Thread City Hop Fest! Happening right down the road at Jillson Square. Check out the Craft Beer Fest, Live Music and Vendors, then come visit Willibrew!

Also –

Blast-from-the-past menu items throughout the month!

Win a Hop Fest ticket! We’ll be giving away 25 tickets to the Thread City Hop Fest! Winning is easy! When you’re filling out your Comment Card, write down that you’d like to win, let your server know and wait for the drawing on Thursday April 21^st.

CTNow Best of Hartford Readers’ Poll – Vote for Willibrew!

February 19, 2016/in Uncategorized /by admin

The CTNow Best of Hartford Readers’ Poll is back!

In the past you’ve really shown your Willibrew love. (Thank you! We love you, too! To say that we were overwhelmed by your love last year would pretty much be an understatement. ) Please take a moment to vote for Willibrew! In fact, while you’re voting, how about showing some Willimantic love too? Vote for Willibrew AND your other favorite downtown businesses!

Connecticut Magazine’s Experts’ Picks

January 5, 2016/in Uncategorized /by admin

The results of Connecticut Magazine’s 2016 Best Restaurants: Experts’s Picks are in!

“This group of veteran restaurant critics, food writers and contemporary bloggers have weighed in on the best our state has to offer in a variety of categories.”

We are honored to have been selected as a Craft Beer Haven! Congratulations to our fellow honorees – Local, Eli Cannon’s Tap Room, The Engine Room, Coalhouse Pizza, Prime 16, MiKro, Stanziato’s, and Cask Republic.

Archive for year: 2016