First and foremost Scott and I would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year - or as they say in the brewing world "Beers & Cheers" to everyone!
I can't believe we are 10 months old already! It seems like just yesterday we were pleading with Planning and Zoning for the opportunity to open the doors - but here we are anyway thanks to you, our customers and thank you for your suggestions, patience and friendship!
There has been so much to learn and plenty more to go not a day that goes by that I don't learn something new about this industry. For instance, did you know that 15% of Americans order takeout for a Super Bowl gathering? Of those who order out, 50% order chicken wings! And, only 1 in 20 people watch the big game at a restaurant or bar (once you read our Super Sunday specials you'll see where I'm going with this - I guess you can take the boy out of the corporate world but you can't take the corporate world out of the boy).
For those of you who have been receiving our newsletter from the start you might notice a little change in style and substance in this edition that's because Scott and I have quickly learned the definition of the word "delegate". With that said, we have transferred the responsibility of the newsletter to Mike Lecours. Mike will formally introduce himself at the end of this newsletter.
Also, I apologize in advance for this very lengthy newsletter but it has been a while and things are constantly happening around here - from celebrity brewers, to national awards, to award winning entertainment we have it all!!!
I hope you enjoy this newsletter and more importantly, I hope to see you in the pub soon! Please remember to always "Think Outside the Bottle".
Also, if you enjoy the pub PLEASE VOTE FOR US for "Best Brewpub" at Hartford Advocate
Cheers, Steve
Some of our specials:
Sunday - 1/2 lb. Black Angus Brewmaster Burger with our Brew House Fries and a pint of our handcrafted beer - just $9.99 all day.
Tuesday - $ .30 wings and $3.00 Pints from 3:00-10:00 p.m. Dart league night darts are also open to the public.
Wine Wednesdays - 2 dinners, salad, home baked bread, dessert and a bottle of Estrella wine (white or red) for only $34.99!!!
Upcoming Events:
Sports
Come to The Cambridge House to watch all the big sporting events on satellite t.v.!!! Below are a few of the big events and some of the specials available during the games.
Super Bowl Sunday (Feb 5th) With an in-house special, as well as a take-out special, The Cambridge House is your place for the Super Bowl!!! Stop by anytime after 4:00 p.m. for $3 pints and price appetizers.
Watching the game at home? If so, then we have a special for you for just $45.00!: -20 Cambridge House Wings -20 Jalapeno Poppers (with Wasabi Cucumber Sauce) -1 Full Growler of beer - you can add an extra growler for just $10.00. This take-out special must be picked up on Saturday (Those Blue laws won't let us sell alcohol on Sundays). Please call now to reserve this take-out special.
UCONN games Come watch the Men and Women play at The Cambridge House! Anyone who comes in during the week to watch the games wearing UCONN gear, such as a T-shirt or hat, will receive pints for $3!
March Madness Basketball be assured that in typical Cambridge House fashion, we will add the flair to March Madness.
Live Music
Live music is happening all the time here!!! Some of the music includes:
Dave Costa Dave was The Hartford Advocate's winner for the best solo artist. If you have not seen him yet, we highly recommend that you stop by to check him out. Extremely talented and always a good time!!!
The Weight - our very own house band comprised of Chef Jim on drums and Brewer Dave on guitar and vocals. Some artists talents are endless.......
Open Mic Night - Starting February 2nd at 8:00 p.m. Dave Costa will be hosting Open Mic nights every Thursday. Come check out the local music scene & if you fancy yourself a musician, stop by on a Thursday night to check it out.
Valentine's Day - February 14th Romance your special someone by taking them to The Cambridge House. We will have a special menu including such items as Shrimp Scampi, Chicken Cordon Bleu and Blackened Chicken Caesar. Two complimentary Champagne cocktails are included per couple. Please call for your reservations early.
The Cambridge House Beer Dinner - February 22nd - A five course "Game" dinner pairing five different Cambridge House beers (some will be cask editions of our current beer selections). Brewmaster Steve and Chef Jim will discuss the pairings and come up with a menu that is sure to please you beer lovers. This event will start with a hour beer & cheese social. The price is $60 per person (incl's tax and gratuity). Please call for reservations.
St. Patrick's Day March 17th - Falling on a Friday this year, The Cambridge House will mark our first annual St. Patty's Day by releasing a true Irish Ale Irish Red. To accompany this Irish Brew will be some great Irish music and of course Corned Beef and Cabbage!!! So please stop by the pub in the evening to see a special band with an Irish flair.
Wine Dinner coming soon in March....... Our Chefs will create some special "off menu" items to be paired with our new Reserved Wine List. Details will follow shortly.
If there is an event that you would like to see us do, whatever it may be, send an email to michaell@cbhbrew.com
Rewards Programs
Mug Club membership PARTY and renewal coming soon this event will definitely exceed your expectations!
Pub Club We are currently ironing out the details, but will soon be offering a new program entitled the "Pub Club". It will reward you, our loyal patrons, for your business.
VIP Membership - so you like The Cambridge House? Want to hear more from us.... Maybe get a coupon or two? Then it makes sense to log onto our website and become a VIP member. Free to join, you can't go wrong. Click here to join. <>
New Beers
Facing much colder days for the next few months, it only makes sense to brew beers that can warm you up. Brew master, Steve Schmidt's remedy: A Belgium Winter Ale (Picozzi's Fat Ass Ale see below for more details), A dark Baltic Porter called the Porter's Porter , and a Double ESB . With short days, and freezing weather, remember that The Cambridge House is the place to be to have a beer that will warm you up.
Picozzi's Fat Ass Ale this Winter Belgium Ale was released in the middle of December. This ale is particularly special because it was made with the help of Picozzi (and DJ Rhino) from 106.9 WCCC! Every 106th pint sold will receive a free prize pack from WCCC and proceeds will benefit Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang. This beer has been so successful, that we quickly sold out (it takes longer to brew a batch than it does to sell it!). Luckily the beer is back on tap as of Friday, January 27th. Come down and check out this new beer it's a great winter ale!!!
There is a saying: "Good things will happen to those who wait." Well that saying applies to all who helped to get The Cambridge House to where it is today. With our amazing Brew Master, Steve Schmidt & Brewer, Dave Weikel, The Cambridge House is now on the map after winning three gold medals:
One Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival for our Kolsch -and- Two more Gold Medals at the Great International Beer Festival for our Kolsch & our IPA!!!
The next time you have a pint at The Cambridge House, please raise your glass and toast Steve and Dave, for if it weren't for them none of this would be possible.
Yankee Brew News
Maybe it was because we have won a few awards, or maybe because we offer some unique pub fare food (beer-infused cuisine), or maybe because we have our act together and we haven't been around for a year. Whatever the reason, The Yankee Brew News, a Northeast brewing publication, wrote an article about us that made the front page of the newspaper. If you haven't read it yet, you can read it here <>
We thank the Yankee Brew News for all of their support and for the invaluable service they provide by educating the public about great brews throughout New England!!!
If you come to the Cambridge House for lunch, you will probably find some young guy, sitting in the corner of the pub, wearing a tie and working on a laptop. That young bloke is me the new marketing guy for the Cambridge House, but I'm not new to this brewpub. Years ago, when the Cambridge House didn't even have a roof, I became the first ever Cambridge House intern. I still remember the exact location of where the owner, Steve, told me I was on board. That location is now the giant walk-in refrigerator that holds all the beer that comes out of the taps. As a junior in college, this unpaid internship taught me how to take a business idea and turn it into a reality. I sat in on numerous meetings and even rolled up my sleeves to do some dirty work.
Now that I have joined The Cambridge House staff full time, reality is setting in I am growing up. But I have a pretty sweet deal. I have an office that is to die for. I have tons of windows, some looking onto a little brook and others onto the brewery. At 3000 square feet, my office is very spacious and I keep the door open for people to visit. I almost always have visitors in my office (especially in the evenings). But what makes my office so great is that I have a full bar and a bartender actually IN my office. The only problem is that the owners still think that my office should be called the pub. I will see if I can change their minds.
The next time you come to The Cambridge House for lunch, swing by my wonderful office and say hello. I look forward to meeting you!!!
Cheers (and last but not least, please vote for us as the "Best Brewpub" at Hartford Advocate
