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Bridgeport's Crafty Monk Offers Lineup Of Beers To Fit Any Taste

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- With the industry growing to the point where a Wall Street Journal study shows that Americans drink more craft beer than Budweiser, Bridgeport residents can now get a real taste of America’s hundreds of craft beers much closer to home.

The Crafty Monk will hold its soft opening Wednesday at 3001 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport.

The Crafty Monk will hold its soft opening Wednesday at 3001 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio

Patrick Hogan, a Milford resident and an Irish immigrant, was the original owner of The Field on Fairfield Avenue, is the current owner of Kelly’s Gastropub in New Haven and on Wednesday, Jan. 7, will open the doors to his newest endeavor, The Crafty Monk.

“We’ve always felt at home here,” Hogan said of the location, where he and his wife once owned The Field and will now be running The Crafty Monk. “We had an attachment to it.”

After buying back the property from the most recent owners of The Field, Hogan and his wife decided “the place needed a new identity, a new lease on life.”

The Crafty Monk will feature 40 beers on tap, 30 of which will be rotating craft beers, Hogan said. And, if that isn’t enough, Hogan expects to have any where from another 60 to 90 craft brews available in bottles and cans.

“You have to be a step above your competition, all while being a good neighbor,” Hogan said, smiling, with his thick Irish accent. “It’s exciting that the craft beer industry has gone from strength to strength.”

For those who are just getting into craft brews, Hogan says not to worry.Not only is the selection at The Crafty Monk large enough to have something for everyone’s beer taste, Hogan also assures guests that they’ll have classic beers to choose from as well.

“There are a lot of craft places that shun the Guinness drinker and the average light beer drinker,” he said. “We’ve kept them in mind and will have your more common beers as well.”

As far as food is concerned, Fairfield Avenue will be getting its second gastropub in Bridgeport. Hogan is preparing a menu of burgers, steaks, seafood and pasta dishes.

“The best way to describe [the menu] is contemporary American food, with a European fling,” he said.

Doors to The Crafty Monk will be open beginning Wednesday at 5 p.m., a soft opening that Hogan said he’s awaiting with anticipation.

“We’re delighted to be back in Black Rock, it has really become our home away from home,” Hogan said. “Hopefully this time we’ll be home to stay.”

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