Beers on Window Sills Goes to BAD SONS Beer

If you’ve been keeping up, you know that Derby CT’s BAD SONS Beer Co. had themselves a can release this past Thursday. Although I wasn’t able to make it for the actual release, I brought Beers on Window Sills there on Friday. Let me tell you, I came away very impressed. I ended up with some beers, some swag, and a new brewery I will regularly visit.

First of all, I need to send a warm Window Sill shoutout to Dan DiSorbo—one of the partners who own BAD SONS. I sent an email to the brewery asking for an image I could use for promoting their release with our last post and, not only did Dan provide me with some beautiful label mockups, but he ended up gifting me a 4-pack so that I could review it for you guys. Not only that, he also gave me a can of Doobage, another IPA that had been canned fresh that morning. He couldn’t have been nicer, and I really appreciated the warm welcome.

My wife, Jeannie, and I arrived at BAD SONS a little after 1PM on Friday, and saddled up to the bar to order a couple of flights. There were 8 beers on the menu, and flights were 4 glasses each, so you know we had to try it all! Jeannie went with the Candy Castle (yep, it was on tap as well), the Noogie (a pale ale), the Light Rider (a lager) and the Conn Ale (an East Coast pale ale). Meanwhile, I went with the Lupefied (a DIPA), the Ghosted (a white IPA), the Flight Risk (a session IPA) and the aforementioned Doobage. The only beer we didn’t get was the Hoodlum (a nitro stout), but I ended up getting a taste of that anyway.

A flight of beers at BAD SONS Beer Co.
This is the part where I spun my flight around, and then spent 10 minutes trying to remember the original configuration. At least all the beers were good! (credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Window Sills)

I liked everything I tasted. Specifically, the Lupefied was my favorite, followed by the Candy Castle. Jeannie, who isn’t a big IPA lover like me, was less impressed with the selection of brews, but she really enjoyed the Light Rider and the Lupefied, too. One thing we both enjoyed was that it was obvious that freshness is a top priority at the brewery. Every beer tasted brand new, and everything was sparkling clean.

What I loved the most about this place, though, was the way the owners tapped into the community itself for design inspiration. If you don’t know much about “The Valley,” it’s an area of CT known for once being the heart of manufacturing in a state with deep industrial roots. This is something that BAD SONS has really embraced.

Ten-ton press behind the bar at BAD SONS Beer Co.
Industry is at the heart of BAD SONS, and this ten-ton-press says it all. (credit: Martin Stezano/Beers on Window Sills)

Every one of their owners (Dan DiSorbo, Mark and Bill DaSilva, John Walsh and Mike Student) is from the area. In fact–and you know this if you read our last post–the name of the brewery is actually an acronym for the different towns and cities that make up the Valley: Beacon Falls, Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Oxford, Naugatuck and Shelton.

The brewery itself is built within the bones of an old factory. According to CTbites, the building was originally used to fill the glass milk bottles that were made next door for Kellogg’s. After that, it was operated by Manger Die Casting—evidence of which can be observed by the beautifully restored ten-ton press that now adorns the area behind the bar. Down to the detail of the lighting, industry is the driving force behind the ambiance at BAD SONS. This place really felt like it represented the Valley in every nook and cranny.

Overall, I’m a big fan of this place. It has an amazing look, very good beer and super cool ownership. The beer is crisp, the place is clean and the grounds are beautiful, too. I can’t wait to go back.

It turns out that BAD SONS really do make good beer.

Check out some photos from my visit:
 

bad-sons-beer-co-entrance
Ah yes. We have arrived! (Credit: Martin Stezano / Beers on Window Sills)
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Check out BAD SONS on the Window Sill, too!