Fans of New England Brewing Co. (NEBCO) will soon be able to enjoy the brewery’s offerings in its new waterfront taproom, it announced last week.
The Woodbridge, Connecticut-based brewery has acquired Stony Creek Brewing’s facility, which sits 13 miles away on the banks of the Branford River in the Connecticut town of the same name. The sale includes the property, brewery, taproom, event space and kitchen trailer, according to a press release
With the move, NEBCO will shift its main production operations and headquarters to Branford, which will increase its capacity by 50%, the release said.
NEBCO produced 20,700 barrels last year (+2% year-over-year), according to data from the Brewers Association (BA). With the addition of the Branford brewery, NEBCO expects its volume to reach 30,000 barrels.
“This expansion is a long time coming and a significant milestone for us,” NEBCO owner Rob Leonard said in a press release. “The timing aligns perfectly for us to expand our reach in the craft beer community.”
The sale excludes Stony Creek’s intellectual property or business, and the company appears to be closing after 15 years in operation, 10 at the Branford location.
“After many incredible years of brewing and serving our community, we felt it was the right time to step away,” co-founder Ed Crowley said in the release. “We’re grateful to have found a Connecticut-based brewer to take over the reins. We have full confidence in NEBCOs ability to elevate the space and continue its tradition as a vibrant destination for beer lovers.”
Stony Creek has posted the press release announcing the sale to its website and social media, but no other official mention of shutting down. A request for comment was not returned as of press time.
In 2024, Stony Creek’s production volume declined 7%, to 13,172 barrels, according to the BA.
NEBCO had been hunting for a second location for more than five years, director of sales and marketing Jamal Robinson told CT Insider. A move to the former Savin Rock Conference Center in nearby West Haven was abandoned in 2024 after the proposed development drew lawsuits from neighbors.
Unlike the Savin Rock Conference Center, which would have required extensive renovations, NEBCO’s new Branford facility will only need “several weeks” of remodeling, CT Insider reported.
The location will shutter “temporarily,” and NEBCO will make “every effort to honor existing event bookings and ensure a smooth transition for patrons and the community,” according to the press release.
NEBCO’s brewery and taproom in Woodbridge will remain open.
Connecticut is home to 122 breweries, according to the BA. Last year, their combined output reached 428,281 barrels of beer. The state’s craft beer industry generated $792 million in economic impact in 2024, according to the BA.