Nod Hill Brewery in Ridgefield set to launch first cans

David Kaye of Nod Hill Brewery stands behind cans of Geobunny IPA and Super Mantis Double IPA, the brewery's first can releases, in Ridgefield, Conn., on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. David Kaye of Nod Hill Brewery stands behind cans of Geobunny IPA and Super Mantis Double IPA, the brewery's first can releases, in Ridgefield, Conn., on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Photo: Chris Bosak / Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Chris Bosak / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 90 Caption Close Nod Hill Brewery in Ridgefield set to launch first cans 1 / 90 Back to Gallery

RIDGEFIELD - Starting Tuesday, beer enthusiasts can bring home the flavors of Nod Hill Brewery in cans.

The brewery, which opened along Route 7 in Ridgefield in late October, has offered growler fills since day one, but Tuesday will mark the launch of its first cans. For now, the cans will be available only at the brewery, which is located at 137 Ethan Allen Highway.

“We’re excited to offer our beer in a new format that people will really enjoy, especially during this festive time of year,” co-owner David Kaye said. “We’re planning on doing these special can releases on a semi-regular basis going forward.”

The inaugural cans will feature the Geobunny and Super Mantis brews. Geobunny is a single IPA brewed with citra and eureka hops. Super Mantis is a double IPA with citra and galaxy hops. Both will be offered in 16-ounce cans. The daily customer limit for purchases is four 4-packs.

Nod Hill Brewery is typically open Thursdays through Sundays, but will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday to celebrate the launch of the cans. A limited number of Super Mantis glasses will be given away Tuesday.

The craft beer was canned on Monday afternoon by Ninth Planet Beverage Solutions, a northern New Jersey-based company that brought its mobile canning system to Nod Hill Brewery. Josh Schaffner, COO of Ninth Plantet, estimated 6,100 cans would be filled.

“We’re psyched. It’s pretty cool,” Kaye said.

The Super Mantis label is red and dark blue and features a green praying mantis whose antennae are raised to form a beer glass. The Geobunny label is red and black with a new-age purple bunny face. Atlanta-based Brian Steely, who has designed concert posters for bands, did the label artwork.

Geobunny and Super Mantis have been the most popular beers at Nod Hill Brewery since it opened. The brewery and tap house features 10 beer varieties on tap.

Nod Hill Brewery, owned by the father-son team of Robert and David Kaye and named after the hill that rises behind the brewery in Ridgefield, plans to offer cans of different brews monthly. David Kaye said the brewery may eventually provide some cases to local liquor shops, depending on how the in-house sales go.

The brewery is part of a suddenly burgeoning brewery scene in the area. Redding Beer Co. opened this fall in Georgetown, Charter Oak is slated to open in early 2018 in Danbury, and Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery, is scheduled to open soon in Bethel. Breweries are also likely to open soon in New Milford.

cbosak@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3338