New Cottrell Brewing beer is born

Pawcatuck (WTNH) - A beer is born. This is the very first batch of Cottrell Brewing's newest creation.

Brewmaster and owner Charlie Buffum says it is about time.

"The bottles are coming on here and they're getting caught buy this parasol and filled with beer," Buffum said.

He's excited to have it happening in this state.

"It's been a long time coming so it really feels exciting to be putting out another product right here in Connecticut," Buffum said.

So after 12 years, Cottrell, long-known for its Old Yankee Ale, now brews Mystic Bridge IPA right here in the Pawcatuck section of Stonington.

"It's got a very crisp hop characteristic," Chris Kepple, of Cottrell, Brewing said.

So how did Buffum come up with the name?

He was actually drinking an Old Yankee Ale at John's Cafe when he heard the whistle of the drawbridge. Instead of worrying about the traffic with the bridge going up he had the new name for his new brew.

And one of his workers who also happens to be an artist designed the label.

"I tried to do kind of like an antique scene but at the same time you can see elements of modern Mystic in it," Clemens Poole, of Cottrell Brewing, said.

So why an India Pale Ale?

"IPA seems to be the style that's in demand right now," Kepple said.

At a time when some businesses are cutting back this one is shipping out a brand new product.

"Oil prices came down a little bit and the price of hops came down just slightly so it gave us enough wiggle room to make a new brew," Kepple said.

He's hoping for cheers not jeers when people review this new brew.

"It starts off with a pleasant little bitter and evens out with a nice fruit finish," Kepple said.