Decision Made on Whether Farm Brewery Can Open in North Branford

NORTH BRANFORD, CT - Zoning officials voted unanimously at their December meeting to allow a farm brewery to open at 418 Forest Road – at DeFrancesco Farms.

The property is currently used as a farm today and will not change with this proposal. The addition will be added to the back of the building.

Alex DeFrancesco has been very active in the movement of planting hops for beer growing in Connecticut.

DeFrancesco said since the state legislature passed legislation allowing the brewing of beer under a manufacturing permit on a farm it has been his intention to do so.

DeFrancesco has worked with Town Planner Carey Duques on making sure his plan would work with town regulations in mind.

Earlier this year, zoners approved the amendment. It went into effect February 16th of 2018 - meaning anyone, including DeFrancesco could apply to operate a farm brewery in North Branford, after that date.

DeFranceso said while he wants to have the beer operation and farm to table dinners at the farm, the family also wants to maintain the farm as an agriculture-based operation.

Photo by Jack Kramer