Gloves are off, cast your vote starting March 30th

/in , , /by

Save the Date: Vote Willibrew for CT Insider Best of Windham County

We’re excited to share that Willibrew has been nominated in the CT Insider Best of Windham County awards!

Mark your calendars and get ready to cast your vote in support of one of the community’s favorite gathering spots. From craft beer brewed on-site to locally inspired food and a welcoming downtown vibe, Willibrew has long been a place where friends meet, stories are shared, and community happens.

Voting will take place here: https://www.ctinsider.com/best/votewindham/#/gallery?group=533191

When voting opens, we’d love your support. Stay tuned for reminders — and thank you for continuing to support local!

We’ve Kicked Off #ProStartWeek at Willie Brew 🍺

/in , , /by

We’re proud to be participating in #ProStartWeek here at Willimantic Brewing Company — and we’re inviting our community to be part of it.

ProStart, through the Connecticut Restaurant Association, helps high school students explore careers in culinary arts and restaurant management. It’s a hands-on program that builds real-world skills, mentorship connections, and pathways into Connecticut’s hospitality industry. As a long-standing brewpub rooted in this community, supporting the next generation of chefs, managers, and hospitality professionals is something we deeply believe in.

How You Can Help

It’s simple:

  • Stop in for a bite and a brew (view menu)

  • Make a donation to the Connecticut Restaurant Association ProStart fundraiser

  • Receive a $10 bounce-back certificate as our thank-you

You’ll enjoy great foodOur Menu and fresh beer crafted onsite — and you’ll also be investing in students who may one day be leading kitchens, managing dining rooms, or even opening their own restaurants right here in Connecticut.

Hospitality is about more than what’s on the plate or in the glass. It’s about mentorship, opportunity, and building a strong future for our industry.

Join us this week, support #ProStartWeek, and help us raise a glass to the next generation of hospitality leaders.

#ProStartWeek #CTRestoAssoc #CTBeer #Brewpub #SupportHospitality

Willimantic Brewing Company, Willimantic | Hospitality Hall of Fame | CRAZIES 2025

/in , , /by

From a dream in 1991 to opening inside a historic downtown post office in 1997, Willimantic Brewing Company has always been about more than just beer — it’s about community.

What started as a desire to master the craft and brew a range of styles became something much bigger: a home in Willimantic. When others asked, “Why here?” the answer was simple — because it’s quirky, cool, and full of heart. And the town answered right back: “You want to do this here? Let’s make it happen.”

Through good times and challenging ones, the staff, guests, and greater Willimantic community have stood behind this brewery. From hand-building floats for the annual Boom Box Parade to building careers and lifelong friendships, this has always been a labor of love.

Being inducted into the Hospitality Hall of Fame at CRAZIES 2025 is an incredible honor — and a testament to the people who made it possible.

As the founder reflects:
“If I knew then what I know now… I’d still do it.”

Here’s to continuing the journey. 🍺

#CRAZIES2025 #HospitalityHallOfFame #Willimantic #SupportLocal #CraftBeer #Community

View Video >

Sweet Endings at Willie Brew

/in , , /by

Deliciousness comes in many forms at Willie Brew — and sometimes, it’s layered in chocolate.

If you’ve never finished your meal with our Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake, consider this your sign. Rich, velvety, and unapologetically indulgent, it’s the kind of dessert that makes you pause mid-conversation just to savor the bite. Layers of deep chocolate cake and silky mousse come together in a way that’s decadent without being overwhelming — the perfect finale to a great meal.

But the sweetness doesn’t stop there.

Our house-made desserts are crafted right here, just like the beer brewed in the tanks behind the bar. From classic comfort favorites to rotating seasonal creations, each dessert is made with the same care and creativity that define everything we do — whether it’s a small-batch IPA or a chef-driven special.

Because here, it’s not just about grabbing dinner — it’s about the full experience. A bite. A brew. And something sweet to finish.

So next time you stop into our historic old post office brewery, save room. Trust us.

Come for the fresh beer brewed onsite.
Stay for the dessert.

#Brewpub #FreshBeerBrewedHere #OldPostOfficeBrewery #WillieBrew

Hometown Threads – WILI Radio Interview with WilliBrew’s David Wollner

/in , /by

14WILI and 95.3FM’s Hometown Threads shines a light on the people and businesses that make our community thrive — and this week’s guest is a familiar face in downtown Willimantic.

Host Keith C. Rice sits down with David Wollner of Willimantic Brewing Company to talk about how it all started — from homebrewing at UConn in the 1980s to building one of the most beloved gathering places in town. It’s a story of passion, perseverance, community support, and a whole lot of great beer.

Grab a bite, a brew… and enjoy the conversation. 🍺

Watch now and hear the story behind Willie Brew.

View Full Interview >

Holiday Shop

/in /by

holiday shop at willibrew

Join us on Small Business Saturday for our 2nd annual Holiday Shop at Willibrew! Relax, enjoy a brew and do some of your holiday shopping!

We’ll have our Willibrew Gear available, glassware, growler of the month club and gift cards, too! PLUS we’ll feature vintage items, custom signs and paintings from Brehant Creations, and we’ll be joined by some of our neighbors!

Look for:

BLISS
CLiCK Willimantic
Grounded Coffee Company
Kerri Art Studio and Gallery
Plumgully Farm
&more!

 

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

Are you a craftsperson who would like to join us? Send an email with details and photos to karen.gilbransen@willibrew.com

WYFB – Craft Beer 101

/in /by

womens year for beer craft beer 101Next up in our Women’s Year for Beer event series we introduce Carey Niekrash a Certified Cicerone® and Craft Brand Manager at Levine Distributing who will lead us in a Craft Beer 101.

We’ll learn about what it means to be a Certified Cicerone, beer styles, glassware, beer origins and more!

Sign up today to kick off your weekend with a bite, a brew, and expanding your beer knowledge,too!

Admission to Craft Beer 101 includes a tasting of 5 beers and a boxed lunch (choose from WBC’s Franklin Farmer wrap, a BLT or turkey wrap). Price: $21.95 (includes tax and gratuity). This event is by reservation only and seating is limited. Don’t delay, call today! 860-423-6777

Holiday Shop at Willibrew

/in /by

holiday shop at Willibrew

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!

Thread City Hop Fest: Oktoberfest

/in /by

hop-fest-octoberfest-1-75x2-25Attention 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!

Party With The Presidents!

/in /by

party with the presidents for fb

 

The Windham Textile & History Museum needs your support! So, we’re having a Party with the Presidents! Join us for this fundraiser as we partner with local historian, Bev York, for a fun and lighthearted evening of beer, food and history!

Space is limited for this informative discussion about our founding fathers and their beers, food and drink recipes and travels to Willimantic!

Enjoy special menu items created for the occasion and colonial-era drink specials! Plus, we’ll be tapping our Colonial Ale and donating a portion of its sales to the museum!

So join us, George and Abe for a Presidential good time!