Brewery Profile

Bear Hands Brewing Company

In downtown Putnam, a visitor to Bear Hands Brewing Company finds a small craft brewery with a local, family-run identity rather than a large production-focused destination. Its background is tied closely to Justin, the head brewer, who brought about 20 years of homebrewing experience into the business. Kayla manages the business side, giving the place a clear owner-operated character. Before the taproom opened, the brewery’s recipes were poured at Connecticut beer festivals, where the owners were able to test ideas and hear direct feedback from drinkers. That history helps explain the brewery’s role in Putnam’s beer scene: it functions as a community taproom in the downtown area, with the beer and the people behind it at the center of the visit.

Travelers exploring this part of Connecticut often look for breweries that feel connected to their town, where the stop is as much about understanding a local operation as it is about tasting beer. Bear Hands fits that kind of itinerary because its public presence was built gradually, first through festival pours and then through the opening of a permanent space after a three-year planning process. Specific beer styles and tap lists are not established from the available information, so visitors should approach the stop with an open mind and expect to learn what is currently pouring when they arrive. For people interested in the path from homebrewing to a public taproom, the brewery offers a straightforward example of that transition.

Because detailed amenities are not confirmed, the taproom is the place to verify the day’s pours, service format, seating, food options, and any events before settling in. Its downtown Putnam setting makes it easy to treat as part of a broader visit to the area, whether as a single beer stop or one piece of a regional brewery route. Visitors who prefer highly planned outings should check current hours and taproom details directly with the brewery before making the trip. Those who value smaller local breweries will likely find the most useful context by asking about what is available that day and how the beers connect back to the recipes developed before the physical location opened.

Bear Hands Brewing Company originated from a 20-year homebrewing foundation built by Justin, the head brewer. The establishment is a family-run operation in Putnam, Connecticut, with Kayla managing the business aspects. Before opening the physical location, the owners tested their recipes and gained community feedback by pouring their beer at various Connecticut beer festivals. The process of formulating the business plan and opening the taproom spanned three years. Bear Hands Brewing Company is situated in the downtown area of Putnam, serving as a local venue for the community.

Website available

75 Main Street Suite 1, Putnam, CT 06260, USA, Putnam, Connecticut, 06260

Phone: (860) 315 - 9099

Website: https://bearhandsbrewing.com/

Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 12-8pm Fri. & Sat. 12-10pm Sun. 12-8pm