Where to celebrate International Beer Day

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Don't you just love beer-related holidays?

August 4 is International Beer Day, and what better way to celebrate than to enjoy a cold pint at your local brewery.

According to internationalbeerday.com, "International Beer Day is a global celebration of beer, taking place in pubs, breweries, and backyards all over the world. It's a day for beer lovers everywhere to raise a toast to our brewers and bartenders and rejoice in the greatness of beer."

While there is no official way to celebrate, the site claims that it is celebrated in over 200 cities globally. Each year since 2008 the "holiday" is celebrated on the first Friday of August–chosen for its summer weather and distance from other beer celebrations.

Click through to see some facts about beer as well as where you can drink locally here in Connecticut.



Connecticut is home to about 1.3 breweries per capita, according to the Brewers Association (BA), a nonprofit trade organization made up of brewers. The number of breweries in the state has also been on the rise.

Chris Flynn, the founder of the Facebook Group CT Beer Drinkers talked about the evolution of beer in Connecticut in a January interview.

"We had, in Connecticut, the same old beer choices for many years, and then now there's a trend in the US to support your local store and local restaurant," Flynn said. "Everyone wants to support their local brewery or winery. It seems to have taken off everywhere."

The trend has continued as a few breweries recently opened up right in our backyard. Lock City Brewing Co. just opened in Stamford this July and in 2016 and Brewport and Fairfield Craft Ales opened in 2016 in Bridgeport and Stratford.

Around the country, craft breweries have been on the rise since 2006, according to BA. Between 2010 and 2015, the number of breweries around the country jumped from about 1,813 to 4,269. And local brewers don't see the trend falling anytime soon.

"The market is not even close to being saturated," Michael Bushnell, a Lock City Brewing Co. owner said.

"It's getting huge," Bushnell said of the craft beer scene in Connecticut. "It shows you that breweries are thriving they're still growing, and people want beer. It's a good thing. This industry is amazing...Everyone is always trying to help each each other out. It's a great industry, very fun."

And Connecticut beer drinkers are in luck when it comes to their wallets. A 2017 survey found that the state has some of the lowest beer prices in the country.

According to a data analysis published by Simple Thrifty Living, the average price for a 24-pack of beer in Connecticut is $15.96, which makes the state the fifth least expensive for this beloved beverage purchase. Michigan has the lowest prices, at $14.62, while Pennsylvania offers the greatest dent in the wallet at $21.98. New York came in at $19.25.