New beer garden in Derby aims to become a destination

Ricky D. Evans, who owns Ricky D's Rib Shack, brings hot wings to T.H.C. (The Hops Company) owner Umberto Morale, right, at his new business in Derby, Conn. on Wednesday Dec. 16, 2015. At left is Lori Zupardi and at right is Umberto's wife Lisa. Opened for a few weeks now, T.H.C. is located in what was formerly the Grassy Hill Lodge. Zupardi's Apizza, out of West Haven, and Ricky D's Rib Shack, out of New Haven, are set inside T.H.C. to provide the food to patrons. less Ricky D. Evans, who owns Ricky D's Rib Shack, brings hot wings to T.H.C. (The Hops Company) owner Umberto Morale, right, at his new business in Derby, Conn. on Wednesday Dec. 16, 2015. At left is Lori Zupardi ... more Photo: Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close New beer garden in Derby aims to become a destination 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

With 36 fresh batch brews, quality food from vendors like Zuppardi’s Apizza and a life-size version of the game Jenga, The Hops Company is offering something completely new on tap in the valley.

The Hops Company, or THC, located at the Derby site that previously housed the landmark Grassy Hill Lodge, opened its doors in November and has quickly become a popular space for beer lovers as well as enthusiasts of good old-fashioned board games and family fun.

The space was reinvented by husband and wife duo Umberto and Lisa Morale, of Trumbull, who shared a dream of opening a beer garden like ones they have enjoyed in Brooklyn, New York.

“This has been such a strong concept in our minds and has been in the making for several years,” Umberto Morale said. “I trademarked the name The Hops Company in 2012.”

Morale and his wife opened the beer garden at a time when the popularity of craft beer has exploded in Connecticut, with countless local breweries opening shop across the state in recent years.

Inspired by some of the beer gardens found in Brooklyn, Morale said he wanted to open a space that was friendly to all, including families.

Finding the right locale the biggest challenge they faced.

“We must have seen 100 locations from Port Chester to New Haven. It was hard to fit the right location to our mold, but when we saw this place, we knew it was it,” he said.

The property sits on nearly five acres just beyond the intersection of Grassy Hill Road and Route 34.

Its close proximity to the Route 34 corridor makes it an easy draw for more than a dozen local towns.

But, perhaps more significant is the venue’s long standing ties to the community that it has served as a wedding catering facility since the 1940s.

The Derby site originally housed Robert Rapp Caterers, which changed hands in 1960 to become Grassy Hill Lodge.

“When you have a historical piece of property like this, it means a lot to the community,” Morale said. “It’s a tradition. It’s a landmark. Everyone has memories here.”

Now, its corrugated-metal-wrapped 40 foot bar, chicken wire accents and two newly installed garage doors that open to a covered outdoor patio work to create a rustic, yet contemporary, atmosphere.

To be sure, the wagon-style chandeliers and antique clock collection remain, paying tribute to the facility’s history.

THC offers 36 ever-changing beers on tap with many local craft brews like Stratford’s own Two Roads Road to Ruin Double IPA, Oxford-based Black Hog Granola Brown and Branford’s Thimble Island Dark Pumpkin Porter.

In addition to beer, THC offers a selection of signature cocktails like the “Icy Apple Martini,” wines and ciders on tap.

“Here, the beer lover is in Candy Land but we also have options if their wife may want a cocktail,” he said.

Morale sees the THC concept as a high-end food court experience, where orders are placed at a counter and patrons may seat themselves in front of the fireplace, at a table or outside on the covered patio without the formality of table service.

THC has partnered with Ricky D’s Rib Shak and the West Haven-based Zuppardi’s Apizza to offer a variety of food options from a beef brisket sandwich to a Buffalo Chicken pizza.

Jim Ormrod, a fourth-generation Zuppardi and manager of Zupp’s Truck and its new location at THC, said the West Haven-based pizza joint was happy to join forces in the new venture.

“This just seemed like a can’t-miss opportunity,” Ormrod said. “The concept is incredible and behind the scenes, it’s a real family operation, which is how we operate at Zuppardi’s.”

Morale said plans are in the works to renovate the property’s more than four acres of outdoor land to include a concession stand, bar and playscape as well space for bocce and corn hole.

“We want this to be a space for families to come. Today, you have to spend so much money to be together. Here, you can have a beer and a pizza and spend the afternoon,” Morale said.

For Liz Gydus, of Shelton, THC was the perfect venue to host a 40th birthday celebration.

“We had a great get-together of friends for my husband’s birthday,” she said. “It was a fun atmosphere with great food and great people. The games were a fun touch.”