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Compo Hill Brewing Company is manufactured at and operated from its eponymously named address, in an attached garage behind owner and brew-master Jonathan Healey’s home, where he built an all-electric brewing system capable of brewing five to 15 gallons of beer per batch.
Healey, whose “day job” is marketing director at the newly reopened Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y., is a Westport native. He said he began home brewing as a hobby in 2009.
“As a fan of craft beer, I wanted to learn more about the brewing process to understand the beers I grew to love,” he said.
After a couple years he built a brewing system in his garage on Compo Hill Road, which became the inception of Compo Hill Brewing Co.
After only one year of brewing in his shed, Healey’s beers started winning accolades and awards. He is now looking to officially launch the company and distribute his brew.
Healey plans to offer seasonal draughts, including a limited edition, award-winning Saison Vin, a Belgian farmhouse ale infused with Merlot concentrate and aged in Zinfandel wine barrels. Other beers will include Compo Tripel, a traditional Belgian tripel made with Chimay yeast; Compo Kona Porter, a Robust Porter infused with cold-pressed coffee made with Kona coffee beans from Maui; and Compo Storm du Zin, a Russian Imperial Stout re-fermented with Brettanomyces and aged for 18 months in Zinfindel wine barrels. NuptuALE -- a Russian Imperial Stout he created for his own wedding -- will also be among Healey’s offerings.
There is only one hitch: you can't buy Compo Hill Brewing Co. beers. At least, not yet.
“Right now, we’re seeking a commercial space to brew, as well as permits and licensing to sell beer to local restaurants and open a small tasting room,” he said.
In the meantime, Healey is eager to pair up with local chefs to offer free tastings and beer dinners around Westport.
He is determined to quench his thirst for success and is eager for the labels of his home-brewed bottles to boldly state their provenance: "Proudly brewed in Westport, Conn."
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