Tucked into a strip-mall on Bridge Street, in Groton Outer Light Brewing features a bustling taproom. A mere hour after opening on a Wednesday night every table, seat, and much of the available standing room was occupied. While there is no food served on the premises, folks had brought their own snacks or picnic dinners. And if you’ve failed to plan ahead, a binder located next to the door features delivery menus.

Despite the crowd, I found a beer in my hand and a corner in which to perch only a few minutes after entering. Outer Light offers three year round brews: Lonesome Boatman Ale, Libation Propaganda Coffee Stout (brewed with locally roasted coffee from Ashlawn Farm Coffee, in Old Saybrook), and the ever popular SUBduction IPA, an homage to Groton. All of these beers can be found on draft all over Connecticut…but the tasting room also offers seasonal brews, which are available in scarcer quantities, and not as widely distributed. Almost an entire wall of the tasting room is devoted to windows, allowing customers to marvel at shiny stainless and muted oak barrels of Outer Light’s production space.

Pints start at $6, or if you want to try an assortment, flights of 4 begin at $8. Or, if fermented barley isn’t your style, Outer Light also pours red and white table wine from Jonathan Edwards for $8 a glass. Beer-to-go is available in 32oz Howlers (prices ranging from $6 to $18 for a re-fill) and 64oz Growlers ($10 – $30).

www.outerlightbrewing.com.