Connecticut Reviews Liquor Laws

Connecticut, the state Charter Oak Brewing Company operates in, has a new Governor and he is reviewing our liquor laws.  This was a long awaited event in that our state is surrounded by other states that have all updating their respective laws and the result has hurt sales in Connecticut.  You may recall, Connecticut is often referred to as the Blue Law state because of the tight regulations.  Governor Malloy initially proposed several modifications, but the final docket appears as follows

-State will now allow Sunday alcohol sales 

-Allow liquor stores to stay open on holidays (except Christmas)

-Grant breweries to sell a full case of beer on premise, also, permit beer tastings without having to take a tour  (growlers were always allowed)

-Package stores can now sell snack foods

-Permit an operator to now own up to 3 stores

-Bars/restaurants now able to stay open until 2am on Friday and Saturday.

-Retailers now able to sell up to one item at 10% under actual cost

These may not seem like large revisions, but if you had operated in Connecticut, they are all important.  The state will vote on these issues in late May.

A session with Jim Koch and the Boston Beer Company

We enjoyed a very productive session with Jim Koch and his team at Sam Adams / Boston Beer Company. In a word,  Jim Koch was fantastic.  He spent time with me and certainly understood all the challenges of starting up a business, especially in this difficult economy.  Jim shared many pointers regarding his start as an entrepreneur in 1984, brewing his first Sam Adam’s Lager and going into the market to sell craft beer.  I was also able to meet with Jim’s associates in public relations, branding, packaging, marketing, legal, and accounting and they all took the time to educate me as to how to improve Charter Oak's programs. I have benefited from many meeting in the past, but discussing my challenges and outlining potential solutions with all his managers exceeded all my expectations!

Clearly, the Boston Beer Company is an excellent model to replicate, and we hope to grow the Charter Oak Brewery just as Jim Kick succeeded with Sam Adams.

Charter Oak Brewing Company Anthem

In an era of extreme everything, the Charter Oak Tree quietly stands apart as a patriotic symbol of strength and truth. That’s why we chose Connecticut’s beloved tree to be the symbol of our dedication to brewing the most
honest, freshest and un-hyped beer possible.

Our ales are handcrafted from 100% natural ingredients: select malted barley, choice hops, special yeast, and using only the purest water for a unique and delicious taste. We never use any adjuncts or preservatives.
Each varietal is carefully brewed to be the ideal balance
of flavors for that style beer.

Our beers are entertaining and enriching. For the enjoyment of our beer lovers, on each variety and seasonal ale we have portrayed a different character or part of the historic Charter Oak legend.

We hope you enjoy our beers as much as we enjoyed brewing them.

Charter Oak,  A True Legend!

The Legend and Our Story for our Beers

There is perhaps no greater Connecticut legend than that of the Charter Oak.  This is why we named our brewery after this historic event and our beers after events from the tale.

In 1662, the colony of Connecticut, owned and governed by England, was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II. The “Connecticut Charter” permitted the colony to make some of its own rules and to elect certain officials. Charles’ death in 1685 brought his brother, James II, to the throne. James disapproved of the Royal Charters and demanded their return. The charters interfered with James’s plan to establish the Dominion of New England – a combination of the New England colonies and the colony of New York under the leadership of one royal official.

In 1687, Sir Edmond Andros, the Royal Governor of the New England Dominion, met with leaders of the Connecticut colony in Hartford. Debates continued for hours as the colonists steadfastly refused to give up the Charter. According to legend, all of the candles in the meeting house, Sanford’s Tavern suddenly blew out and, during the confusion, the  1662 Charter disappeared. Captain Joseph Wadsworth was positioned outside the tavern and in the chaos of the darkness rode off to George Wyllys farm where a huge Oak tree stood.  It was hidden in the trunk of a large white oak tree where it was protected from the King and from Andros.  .... known from this day forward as the Charter Oak tree and became Connecticut’s state tree.... not only did the tree become famous, but 325 years later, a craft beer was born.

Despite Connecticut’s resistance, it became part of the Dominion of New England for the next two years. In 1689 James II was overthrown and Andros lost power in the colonies. The Connecticut Charter emerged from hiding and was used to govern Connecticut until 1818, when the Constitution was introduced. In 2011, the Charter Oak Brewing Company was founded, A True Legend!

On August 21, 1856, the Charter Oak, estimated at nearly 1,000 years old and 33 feet circumference, fell down during a violent storm. 

BUT, the brewery lives on to tell the tale....