“Beer is to Belgium as wine is to France,” according to The Economist, and at Overshores Brewing Company in East Haven, it’s all Belgian beer, all the time. Though Belgian beers come in several sub-styles, they’re known for being light on the hops and big on flavor, which can range from clove to banana to barnyard to sour.

Overshores is unique in that they operate as both Belgian brewery and Belgian beer bar—along with their house-brewed beers, they serve up several other Belgians, including beer nerd favorite Delirium Tremens straight from Brewery Huyghe in Belgium to 668 Neighbor of the Beast from New England Brewery in nearby Woodbridge.

Stepping into Overshores is a bit like stepping into the belly of a ship. The cozy bar is dim, there’s a piano and some kind of electric organ in the corner, and bottles line the walls on a high shelf over a display of local art. House beers range from rich, dark, and potent to light, funky, and refreshing. My favorite is the Belle Fermiere Saison, a floral, tangy farmhouse ale. You’ll find locally crafted soap made with Overshores’ Tripel Brun in the bathrooms, and you can buy some to take home from the bartender.