Witch Doctors have long been revered for their supernatural healing abilities. In Southington, a small town tucked away in Connecticut, there is a local legend surrounding a particularly powerful Witch Doctor who once resided there. According to local folklore, this Witch Doctor possessed unparalleled magical skills and was known throughout the community for their ability to cure various ailments and offer spiritual guidance. It is said that people would travel from far and wide seeking their help and wisdom. The Witch Doctor of Southington was said to have a deep understanding of ancient herbal remedies and was known to use potent plant extracts in their healing practices. They would often concoct special potions and medicines tailored to each individual's specific needs.
Witchdoctor Brewing Company
Chris and I are officially back on the CT Beer trail, passport apps in hand!! With breweries taking the recommended steps towards reopening, we decided to travel the Beer Trail to Southington and enjoy a socially distanced, outdoor beer at the one and only, Witchdoctor Brewing Company. Opened only a few years ago, Witchdoctor is located in the original Southington Tool Manufacturing building built in 1883. Today it’s a multi-use retail and office space, but all we really care about is that this building is home to a brewery that prides themselves on having a rotating line of beers on tap. From IPA’s to stouts, Witchdoctor is constantly changing up their ingredients and serving the most unique beers.
Shannon: If you like your breweries with a spacious, semi-dark lighting vibe, Witchdoctor is the place for you. They have great beer, a great space, and tons of seating and other things to do. Chris and I have been coming here for a few years now, and I don’t think there’s ever been a time we haven’t enjoyed ourselves. One of my all time favorite beers from them is their 5.4% Strawberry Malt-Shake NEIPA called Bunny Patch. As they say at Witchdoctor, this brew would make the Nesquik bunny proud. The Bunny Patch isn’t your standard milkshake. It’s a smooth, creamy, sweet beer that’ll leave you with just the right malt and strawberry taste.
Chris: When you walk into Witchdoctor you will get the feeling that the brewery loves music as much as beer. They have an indoor stage for their many musicians that they bring in, and the walls are covered in photos of concerts from all sorts of different artists (including one of my favorite bands Rammstein.) Its not just music they have in variety but beer as well; when Shannon and I went they had 19 beers on tap which is an insane number. The huge assortment of beers and styles makes this a place everyone will enjoy.
Other Cool Stuff:
- If you aren’t in a beer mood you can always buy food, wine, Avery’s Soda, hard cider, and some select liquor
- They often have live music or trivia events
- Outdoor seating
- Outdoor games (pre-Covid)
- Beer-to-go service during Covid-19
- Currently open for limited, socially distanced indoor and outdoor seating!
What We Drank:
Shannon: Pexto Porter (Vanilla Porter) 5.8% – 4 out of 5
Shannon: Nutter Your Business (Chocolate Peanut Butter Red Ale) 6.2% – 4.5 out of 5
Chris: I am Frut (Fruit Beer) 5% – 4 out of 5
Chris: Papa Chocolate’s Malt-Shake (Milk Stout) 6% – 3.5 out of 5
Brewing Persuasion: 4 out of 5
Brewer
They would often concoct special potions and medicines tailored to each individual's specific needs. Besides their unparalleled knowledge of medicinal plants, this Witch Doctor was also believed to possess the ability to communicate with spirits and tap into unseen mystical forces. It is said that they would perform elaborate rituals and ceremonies to channel these energies, further enhancing their healing abilities.
Job Posting for Brewer at Witchdoctor Brewing Company
Witchdoctor Brewing Company is looking for a Brewer to join our team at our facility in Southington, CT.
Duties:
- Operate brewing equipment and follow recipes to produce high-quality wort
- Monitor fermentation process, take measurements and make necessary adjustments to maintain product quality and consistency
- Cellar tasks including, but not limited to: dry hopping and transferring of beer
- Clean and maintain brewing equipment and work areas including but not limited to: brewhouse, tanks, kegs and ingredient storage areas
- Assist with packaging and labeling of finished products
- Conduct quality control checks to ensure product meets quality and safety standards
- Maintain accurate records of brewing activities and inventory levels
- Collaborate with team members to develop and improve recipes and processes
Qualifications:
- Knowledge and experience with brewing processes, ingredients, and equipment
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow recipes accurately
- Ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve brewing issues
- Understanding of safety regulations and best practices
- Good communication skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.00 - $23.00 per hour
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
- Brewing: 1 year (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Southington, CT 06489 (Required)
Work Location: In person
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A mini-beer trail through Southington
Mike Brennan (center) tends bar at Kinsmen Brewing, which he and brother-in-law Greg Caucci recently opened in Southington. Will Siss Republican-American Greg Caucci and Mike Brennan of Kinsmen Brewing stand atop their brewhouse in their newly opened Southington brewery. Will Siss Republican-American Josh Norris, left, and Daryl Adamaitis of Witchdoctor Brewing in Southington. Will Siss Republican-American
Beer enthusiasts will soon have two more reasons to keep pace along the walking trail in Southington, where Kinsmen Brewing has recently opened its doors, and Witchdoctor Brewing hopes to open by the end of the month.
When Kinsmens Greg Caucci and his brother-in-law Mike Brennan, both 40, were tossing around ideas for a joint venture two and half years ago, they landed on their shared passion for homebrewing. Caucci, of Plainville, brought his years as a financial planner to the mix, while Brennan – a commercial photographer from Pennsylvania who is married to Greg’s sister – added an artistic element.
“We started this as a small project, but when we ran the numbers and found the space, we wanted to make it more of a showcase,” Caucci said of the seven-barrel brewery in the former Clark Brothers Bolt Factory, founded in 1854, in the Plantsville section of town.
The brewery features a long 4,500-square-foot tasting room with a peaked ceiling, a few narrow tables made of reclaimed doors, and a bar fashioned from 200-year-old Douglas fir from Old Saybrook. On the Saturday afternoon and Thursday evening I visited, dozens of folks filled with space, along with a few of their well-behaved dogs.
Some of the space remains under construction, including drinking and office areas, and until their dishwasher comes in, its 12-ounce plastic cups for Kinsmen patrons. However, the 10 serving tanks and two 15-barrel fermenters are up and running in the brewhouse positioned behind the bar.
“It was love at first sight,” Brennan said of the location. “The exposed beams and brick sold us right away.”
Another factor was the buildings location: directly off the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. The owners recently added a gate that allows walkers to step right off the trail and into the tasting room.
Caucci and Brennan brought another member into the fold before they opened: their head brewer, Bob Bartholomew. He worked for more than two years as a brewer at Banded Horn Brewery in Maine before joining the Kinsmen team.
It’s Bartholomew’s recipes that create the brewery’s opening line-up. The 21.3 American India Pale Ale (named for the mile marker on the trail) is tropically fragrant with a pleasant grapefruit touch, while the Bowl Cut Double IPA (named for the unfortunate hairstyle favored by Caucci in his youth) is soupy and nearly sour with an overpowering mango flavor from the Mosaic hop. For balance, they offer the mild Clark Bros. American Porter with biscuit notes as well as Roast, an American Coffee Stout with intense aroma thanks to Columbian coffee provided by Cold Brew Coffee Co. of Cheshire.
The owners said plans are afoot to bring in Sauced, a catering company, that will have a permanent kitchen just outside of the tasting room for pizzas, grinders and salad.
Now open Thursday through Sunday, Kinsmen is planning to expand to have Wednesday evening hours.
“Were overwhelmed with support of the brewery,” Brennan said. “We announced 18 hours before we opened and had 35 people on line. Nothing but social media word-of-mouth.”
Call the Doctor
About three miles north, or a 50-minute walk along the Heritage Trail, you’ll get to Center Street’s Factory Square, the complex that houses the under-construction home of Witchdoctor Brewing.
Owner and brewer Josh Norris, 34, gave me a quick tour of the 5,500-square-foot space, which needs to undergo final inspections before it can open to the public. The tasting room had lots of natural light pouring through large windows, a variety of rustic-looking tables that give it a café-style look, and a small stage where acoustic acts who play their own music can perform.
Norris, an Ohio native with mechanical engineering experience, started the business with his wife Allison and head brewer Daryl Adamaitis, 30, who has brewed at City Steam in Hartford.
Witchdoctor has been on the beer scene for years as Norris has featured his work at beer festivals around the state. Norris said he plans to start with a four-tap line and a lineup that includes a rye pale ale, an oatmeal amber, a kölsch and a Belgian saison.
“We’ve been looking for about a year and a half, and it was the best site,” Norris said of the location, which formerly served as a toolmaking factory.
Witchdoctor plans to have food trucks available to pair with their beers twice a week, and plans to have prepackaged foods from Paul Gregory’s, a nearby restaurant.
Why take the risk and go pro? “I was getting good at brewing,” Norris said. “My brother has been a bar manager for 20 years, and my sister is involved with wineries in Virginia. They were telling me how great my beer was and better than anything they had there, and that I should open a brewery. I always had that entrepreneurial spirit.”
Other Connecticut breweries that opened recently include Counterweight Brewing (23 Raccio Park Road, Hamden) and New Park Brewing Company (485 New Park Ave., West Hartford). With very little fanfare, Breakaway Brew Haus opened this month at 5 Steele Crossing Road in Bolton, according to a Facebook post.
Southington could see a third brewery if Stargazer Brewing finds a suitable location, according to reports.
Overshores Brewing, which I wrote about in my last column, is celebrating its third anniversary from noon to 4 p.m. on April 29 at their brewery (250 Bradley St., East Haven).
Until next time, sip well.
Kinsmen Brewing Company
409 Canal Street, Plantsville
Witchdoctor Brewing Company
168 Center St., Southington
Menu for Witchdoctor Brewing Company in Southington, CT
Witchdoctor Brewing Company in Southington, CT, is a American restaurant with an overall average rating of 4.6 stars. Check out what other diners have said about Witchdoctor Brewing Company. Don’t wait until it’s too late or too busy. Call ahead and book your table on (860) 356-3042.
Other attributes include: beer.
For a similar meal experience, check out Paul Gregory's and GameCraft Arcade as an alternative.
Got a favorite dish here? Let us know, and leave a review!
Would you recommend this restaurant?- Recommend
- Do not recommend
The people of Southington regarded the Witch Doctor with great reverence and respect, considering them a lifeline in times of illness or spiritual distress. They were not only sought after for their healing powers but also for their ability to provide guidance and insight into life's challenges. Over time, the reputation of the Witch Doctor of Southington spread far beyond the town's borders. Travelers passing through would often make a stop to seek their aid, and word of their remarkable abilities reached neighboring communities. While the Witch Doctor of Southington is believed to have lived several centuries ago, their legacy continues to live on in the hearts and minds of the town's residents. Today, Southington remains steeped in folklore and mysticism, with the legend of the famous Witch Doctor continuing to intrigue locals and visitors alike. In conclusion, the Witch Doctor of Southington was a figure of great mystical power, revered for their healing abilities and spiritual guidance. Their legend has left an indelible mark on the town's history, making Southington a place of fascination for those seeking the mysteries of the supernatural..
Reviews for "The Healing Art of Witch Doctors: Empowering Individuals in Southington"
1. Jessica M. - 1 star:
I had the worst experience at Witch Doctor Southington. The staff was incredibly rude and unprofessional. They had no patience or knowledge when it came to answering my questions about their products. Plus, their prices were extremely overpriced for what they were offering. I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for quality and friendly service.
2. Steve R. - 2 stars:
Witch Doctor Southington was a disappointment for me. Even though there was a decent selection of products, the quality was subpar. I purchased a healing crystal bracelet and within a week, it fell apart. When I tried to reach out to the store for a refund or replacement, they were unresponsive and I was left with a useless item. Their customer service definitely needs improvement.
3. Samantha H. - 1 star:
I visited Witch Doctor Southington with high hopes, but unfortunately, they did not meet my expectations. The store was dirty and cluttered, making it difficult to navigate through the aisles. The staff seemed disinterested and were not helpful when it came to finding the specific items I was looking for. The overall atmosphere of the store was unpleasant, and I will not be returning.
4. Michael T. - 2 stars:
Witch Doctor Southington had an interesting concept, but it fell short for me. The products they offer are eclectic, but the quality is questionable. I purchased a batch of herbs for tea, and they were stale and tasteless. Moreover, the prices were outrageous for the inferior quality they provided. I would recommend exploring other options before settling for this store.