Beer Lovers Flock For Samples At Opening Of Black Rock's Aspetuck Brew Lab

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A happy crowd of beer lovers enjoyed samples as Peter Cowles and his wife Tara of Fairfield debuted their Aspetuck Brew Lab, a small brewery and tap room, at a grand opening and a ribbon-cutting Saturday in their location on Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport's Black Rock neighborhood.

Customers sample various brews on opening day at Black Rock's Aspetuck Brew Lab.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Customers get to sample a variety of beers on opening day.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Tara and Peter Cowles at their Aspetuck Brew Lab on opening day.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

A group of friends samples beer on opening day.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Customers taste samples at Aspetuck Brew Lab.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Customers sample various brews on opening day.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

A chalkboard lists the beers on hand.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Peter Cowles behind the counter on opening day.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Skip Pearlman

12/23/2015 5:20 a.m.

Cowles had been making his own beer for nearly two decades, but a recent brewing competition victory spurred him to open his own business.

"It's great to see all the people, and the enthusiasm from everybody," Peter Cowles told Daily Voice as he served up brews at Saturday's busy opening. "To come to Black Rock, open up our business ... everyone's been really supportive. It's really been about the people. Everything has been great today, and everyone is having a great time."

Area beer lovers were enjoying the samples, and Black Rock residents don't mind the proximity of the new brew lab.

"It's cool, I think it's great for the neighborhood," Matthew Snow, of Black Rock, said as he alternately sipped from four different brews in front of him. "We're here to sample the beer, support local businesses in the Black Rock area. We live about five minutes away, so it works to our advantage. And we love craft beers."

The brewery is only open on weekends but will have five to eight beers on tap at any given time, including red and black IPA's and a Belgian-style saison.

For more info: www.aspetuckbrewlab.com.

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