OEC Brewing Company holds the crown as the coolest, most interesting place we have made a voyage to in recent time. A place where brewers are pushing the limits of the liquids they are creating, turning out some of the best sour beer in the country.
Benjamin Neidhart opened OEC a little over a year ago. His aim was to bring old brewing techniques to the states and offer consumers something new and different, while reviving some lost brewing culture. What we saw here was really special. Benjamin has created a great place to make beer and we are pumped to share these photos with you.
We met Tony in the late morning for a walk of the ground. Our first stop was their onsite vineyard. Here they grow grapes for their beers and barrel aging.
The even have some green houses on the property where they grow more fruit and some spices. This one had a variety of citrus fruits growing.
Fresh peaches.
Not only are they growing their own fruit but they are also raising their own bees for honey.
A quick pop into the B. United section of the building. You can check out the post from our visit here.
They do a lot of barrel aging here at OEC. They are even experimenting with putting casks underground. Inoculating them with wild yeast from fallen branches and leaves.
Their brew house was gorgeous. A Schulz 12 hectoliter system.
All beer is chilled in the cool ship before it heads to primary fermentation.
A very interesting wort chiller.
Open fermentation to get all that wild yeast.
This is a first for us. Concrete fermentation tank.
Some of you are probably wondering what OEC stands for. It stands for Ordinem Ecentrici Coctores. Translation, Order of the Eccentric Boilers. At one point or another, the term boiling was used to describe vigorous fermentation.
A recent addition to the facility that will hold more tanks and ultimately increase their production.
After an extensive tour it was time to sample some beer. One of our favorites was Malefactus, an imperial stout aged in wine barrels. It had just the right amount of oxidization and funk.
Every beer here is poured to the perfect temperature.
The tasting room has a lot to offer. Feel free to bring some food and get a few board games going. There is even outside seating so you can take in the fresh Connecticut air.
Don’t forget to grab a few bottles on your way out.
That about wraps up our journey here. If you are looking to get ahold of some OEC. Your best bet is pay them a visit. Its a one of a kind experience you won’t get anywhere else. Thanks to Tony for showing us around, the place is amazing and we cannot wait to return.