First Look: Elicit Brewing Company Opens Second Location in Fairfield

Photos courtesy of Elicit Brewing Company

Elicit Brewing Company’s second location will open to the public on Monday, February 12, and CTbites has the inside scoop. More accurately a brewpub, the brand-new location will encompass a microbrewery, 100-tap taproom and social space, an in-house cocktail-focused speakeasy, and a large, covered back patio with direct access from the Fairfield Metro train station.

The first Elicit Brewery concept was launched in 2019 on the site of an old mill in Manchester, CT as an offshoot of the Eli’s restaurant group, which began with their flagship location in Hamden in 1994, and has expanded throughout the state. The success of the original Elicit led the group to cut the ribbon on this much larger space this Monday.

Walk into the new Fairfield Elicit and you’re immediately met with the shiny new 10-barrel brewhouse, in which the majority of all Elicit beer will be made. The smaller brewhouse in Manchester will still supply certain beers, and around two dozen of the taps behind the 80-foot bar at the new location will be dedicated to house beers, with 60-70 guest taps of Connecticut, U.S., and international beers making up the majority of offerings, alongside wine, seltzers, and a fully stocked bar to make sure there’s a drink for everyone.

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The local head brewer in Fairfield will be Adam Calderone, a Newtown native who came to Elicit after spending over four years as a brewer at Captain Lawrence in Westchester. His tastes, and thus the beer selection at Elicit, are gratifyingly diverse. Yes, of course there will be IPAs, like Helicopter Dad, and hazy Total Juicebag, and more classic and bitter west coast options, but you’ll also see modern rarities, like Spelling Bee Champion red ale, and a dark wheat beer fermented with hefeweizen yeast called I’ll Be A Monkey’s Dunkel. Light kolsch, helles, and (my early favorite hoppy lager, not yet named) share the same pipe with coffee porter, barrel-aged stout, and summery hefeweizen wheat ale.

The 800+ person capacity space has hangouts everywhere. Small and large communal tables to private snugs fill the bright main space and encourage social interaction, with televisions overhead for live sports, and games – from tabletop to pinball and pool – available throughout the immense space.

The in-house speakeasy is plush with deeply cushioned sofas and banquettes and will feature a selection of mixology unique to its own space.

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The food menu at Elicit will be extensive, and available everywhere. The menu is tavern fare, with smash burgers, sliders from chicken to meatball parm, and lots of snacks, including Philly egg rolls, potstickers, Sprouts & Spuds (Brussels sprouts with sweet, purple & gold potatoes with balsamic glaze and parmesan cheese), blistered shishito peppers, and more. Tacos and handheld sandwiches round out the menu, alongside a selection of pizzas.

Ordering at Elicit is a little different. A large “EATS” sign directs guests to an ordering station, and guests can pick up their orders from the kitchen when they’re alerted with a buzzer, and eat wherever they choose, indoors or out on the large patio. The patio is visible from the Fairfield Metro train station, and there is a lighted walkway connecting the two. After-work Fridays should be a major happening out here during the warmer months, and the space is fully enclosed and heated for the winter.

Elicit is a working brewery, and a major addition to the social scene in upper Fairfield County. It represents the first in a statewide expansion for the brand, with more to come. Stay tuned...

111 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield (across from BJ’s)
203.275.8876, elicitbrewing.com