Shunock River Brewery and Village Cafe

Located in North Stonington, CT, the Shunock River Brewery and Village Cafe is a family and friend owned business that offers amazing brews and pizza. The brewery is a must-visit for any beer lover traveling through Southern New England.

Whether you are traveling to Foxwoods Resort Casino or driving down Route 2 to get to the beaches, chances are you have driven through the small town of North Stonington, Connecticut.

Find your happy place

This small town of approximately 5,000 people is known as an area that has more livestock than people. Although it might appear that North Stonington is a pass through town, it is home to the popular Shunock River Brewery and Village Cafe.

If you have the time to stray off of Route 2, I highly recommend visiting the village center of North Stonington for a beer and pizza. Just a quarter of a mile off of Route 2, the village center has a lot to offer with a small town vibe.

outdoor seating available just outside the building.

Beer Lovers

Located in the center of North Stonington village, Shunock River Brewery is a great brewery to stop for some local beers. Whether you drink ales or IPAs, this brewery and cafe will definitely have something on tap for you!

I definitely recommend grabbing your tap from the bar end and staying awhile (rather than grabbing a seat at a table) if you want some small town service. The frequent bartender there is extremely friendly and always makes every visit memorable.

One of my favorite beers brewed by Shunock River Brewery would be their Maple Sap Amber Ale. To any native New Englander, it is no secret that we love our maple products year round! The Maple Sap Amber Ale hits the spot year round whether you are coming in on a hot summer day or looking to stay warm on a cold New England winter day.

Shunock River Brewery also dabbles in other beers, like sours! My wife is a huge sour beer fan and took a growler to go of the Lemon Sour! The growlers also make a great center piece to any beer location in your house (it is one of our favorite growlers from the Connecticut beer trail)!

tap list, cider list, and food menu at shunock river brewery.

To locals of the area (or frequent fliers to the casino), the brewery also offers a mug club! For only $75 a year, you can get your own mug and save $1 off your beer throughout the year. I wish the brewery in my town offered a mug club (although I drink enough beer that it is probably best for the business)!

Pizza Lovers

The beauty of Shunock River Brewery and Village Cafe is that it also boasts a great cafe if you are looking to meet up with a friend to grab a fantastic slice of pizza. Personally, I like to grab a pizza with my first round and then always take a pizza home.

As a fellow Southern New Englander, it is tough to beat wood fired pizza. The wood fired pizza at Shunock River Brewery will not disappoint. And, in this inflation-crazy era, their 13″ pies are still reasonably priced! Their food will not disappoint!

I’m also a big fan of Krust Pizza in Middletown, Connecticut, which makes delicious thin crust wood fired gourmet pizza.

two pizzas with tap beer on table. — One of the unique pizzas offered here is their Soupy Pizza. Soupy is very much a Rhode Island thing, but it North Stonington isn’t far from the Rhode Island border.

If you are feeling ‘dangerous’, the Shunock River Brewery and Village Cafe offers wood fired quesadillas. The village cafe is the first place where I have ever seen a wood fired quesadilla on the menu! A great place to try something different from the status quo.

Stray off of the Beaten Path

For whatever reason that you are in North Stonington (or passing through), be sure to visit the brewery and cafe in the village. Stop in with friends to the brewery and cafe for a quaint experience with some great people at this local business. You will be greeted with great service, great food, and great views.

Don’t forget to go like them on Facebook to keep these small businesses going in these uncertain times!

shunock river behind the brewery. — Be sure to enjoy the views of the Shunock River that’s right behind the brewery

Looking for more things to do nearby?

Taste test some local beer at the best breweries in Connecticut! There’s plenty of great beer to taste throughout Connecticut.
Grab a bite to eat at Johnny Rockets Foxwoods. The casino is in the town over from North Stonington!
The border of Rhode Island is close by so you may want to take a day trip to Newport RI and see some incredible mansions. Simply hop onto Interstate 95-North from Route 2.