Bear Hands Brewery delivers the kind of experience that keeps you planning your next visit before you've even left. The space itself is impressive -- open, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed so it never feels cramped, even when it's busy. There's a warm, welcoming vibe that makes it just as easy to hang out with friends as it is to settle in for a quiet pint. The beer selection is genuinely outstanding. Whether you're into crisp lagers, bold IPAs, or something more experimental, there's always something worth trying, and the staff knows their stuff if you want a recommendation. There's always a wide range of styles on tap, and everything feels well‑crafted and intentional. It's the kind of place where trying a flight is almost mandatory because there are too many good options to pick just one. And the food... the pretzels are absolute must‑haves. It is soft, warm, and perfectly salted, and the bites are the ideal pairing for a flight -- simple, delicious, and exactly what you want with good beer. A great atmosphere, fantastic brews, and snacks that hit the spot. Bear Hands Brewery nails it. read more

Bear Hands Brewing Company - Quick tasting - Breweries Near Me - Putnam, Connecticut

I love their beer. Everyone we walk in I'm greeted with a smile as I was today. Alyssa is incredibly friendly and always recommends the best beer. We haven't had their food yet, but their drinks are 10/10. We enjoy sitting at the man bar upstairs, but they downstairs bar is cozy and welcoming, feels like a true speakeasy! read more

Bear Hands Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Putnam, Connecticut

I have been twice- their sours are great! I think I tried a cotton candy beer about a year ago and it was super good! I recently went for appetizers and really enjoyed their pretzel with the beer cheese, as well as their cheesy garlic bread. The downstairs area is great for larger group gatherings. I also tried their shirley temple. I will be back!!! read more

Great new brewery! Went here recently on a date and highly recommend it. I like that it has outdoor seating. Got some flights and it was fun to try different beers. Their dark beers are fantastic, especially the Ermagerd! Great service, great beer, friendly comfortable place. Would recommend and will return. read more

Love how it looks inside and the bar is inviting. The food is overpriced for what you get. I'd only go back for an adult beverage, not the food. read more

Bearhands Brewing is an amazing spot. Their beer is so good and taste exactly how it should. The service is friendly and very insightful on what is on tap. There are different ways you can enjoy their amazing beer, a flight, pony pour, and a regular poor. If you like amazing and delicious beer this is definitely the spot for you. They also serve cocktails and some very interesting looking cocktail flights. It is family friendly, there is a ton of seating upstairs and downstairs. There is a speakeasy downstairs and plenty of room if you are looking for a space to rent for any function. We have yet to try the food, but everyone around us eating seemed to thoroughly enjoy what the were eating. This is one of the best breweries we have found in Connecticut. Go give them a try. read more

My friend and I stopped in for a light meal after a big college reunion event. She had the giant pretzel with beer cheese. It was truly giant and she didn't even finish it. I had pulled pork sliders, two tasty sliders served with potato chips and sliced dill pickles. I added picked to my sliders and it was really tasty. I also tried the oatmeal stout. Stout is my thing, and this did not disappoint. read more

Bear Hands Brewing Company - One of two bear sculptures - Breweries Near Me - Putnam, Connecticut

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Went here on a beer tour with some friends. I had the double IPA which was good. Other had the cider, the Pilsner, and the duster ale. Staff was very helpful and wonderful atmosphere. Would return! read more

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WE LOVE BEAR HANDS. so thankful to have a wonderful, local brewery in town. the inside is so well decorated and furnished, upstairs and down. the beers are AMAZING (especially the strawberry shortcake, MY FAVE). love that they have in house brews as well as other local beers, ciders, sours, etc. on tap. its so convenient that you can walk by and read the list outside the shop as well. extremely friendly service and ownership. i bring literally everyone i know here when they come to visit putnam and everyone is always impressed! cannot give it enough praise. read more

Bear Hands Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Putnam, Connecticut

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Okay if you are out bar hopping in Putnam you have to stop bye this place. Amazing, did I say amazing yes, yes I did. Beers brewed on site. Some of the most flavorful brews that I have had, and not to sound like an alcoholic but I have had a few. Staff was awesome, no wait amazing. Comfortable seating music at right level so you can carry on a conversation. Amazing place for a 1st date 2nd date or every date. Enjoy! read more

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After lunch at 85 Main in Putnam, Ct. we walked next door to Bear Hands Brewing Company to enjoy a crisp drink on a beautiful fall day. We sat up to the bar and chatted with Alyssa. She is awesome, very friendly and fun to talk to. She is very knowledgeable and talked to us about their cool Halloween martini flights they were doing for October. Mr. B. had a glass of Citra-Saurus Double IPA, that he thoroughly enjoyed. How could I resist a glass of Apple Cider Donut hard cider? It was crisp, cool and fall in a glass. Loved every sip. Since we had just had lunch, we didn't have the food, several did and were saying it was quite good. Locals were popping in and everyone was so friendly. Check it out if you are every in the area. read more

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Stopped in recently on the suggestion of a fellow Yelper. We arrived later on a Sunday afternoon and the place was really crowded, an employee greeted us and suggested we might want to sit downstairs as the place was full. We went downstairs, down a hallway, past the kitchen and were at the downstairs room. We found a couple seats at the bar. Downstairs was pretty busy too, but we were greeted by the server and we selected our beers (Drunken Leprechaun). Our beer was very good and I also tried a sample of a stout they had with chocolate and peanut butter flavors (which was very nice). I would love to come back when it's not as busy so I could sit upstairs. We didn't like sitting downstairs at all, there really wasn't any atmosphere and no view of anything. Upstairs was much more open and they also have outdoor seating when the weather is nice. We'll try again when we can get good seats. read more

Bear Hands Brewing Company - Our beers - Breweries Near Me - Putnam, Connecticut

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Bear Hands is little brewery in downtown Putnam. I love this area of the town, and a local brewery is always appreciated. It was a very warm day when my friend and I stopped by, we decided to sit inside since we wanted to cool off a bit, they also offer outdoor seating. Along with beer they also have spirits, cocktails and wine, as well as a food menu. We got their flight of beers to share, and their "Not Your Kids, Mac & Cheese" to share. Unfortunately I can't say I was impressed with the beers we got. We got a Raspberry cider, and Crashing The Party, this is a very sour sour, like fruit punch mixed with Jolly Rancher candy. I'm not a fan of either of those things. I didn't enjoy this at all, but my friend did. The Raspberry cider was fine, it was light, easy and refreshing. Next was Violet Beauregard's Revenge, this was a rich blueberry, it's like blueberry syrup. Very flavorful, I enjoyed it, but wouldn't run to have it again. It's also got a really fun purple color to it. This one is worth trying. Emerged was my favorite! It's very peanut buttery, with back notes of chocolate. Emerged is peanut butter beer done to perfection. I don't know that I'd normally gravitate towards such beer, but this was a great pick! Lastly, we got Assumed Intelligence, I just got it because I liked the name. This is just a basic light, larger that goes down easy. My favorite beer is a sour, and I didn't find a sour here that l liked. Emerged was the best pick of the bunch. For food we got "Not Your Kids, Mac & Cheese" this is basic Mac and cheese, with white cheddar, topped with toasted crumbled crackers. This is a nice touch to basic Mac and cheese. We asked to add bacon to it. It turns out, this would have been better without bacon, it was extremely, overly salty. Other then the saltines, it was creamy and good sized portion to share for two. We sat at the bar, and received great service. I'd come back here for a glass of Emerged, or a new combo of a flight of beers. read more

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We stopped here by accident. We were actually going to go to a different place to eat and saw this place and de used to here instead. We were very happy with our choice. They have many beers and spirits on hand to try. You can do beer flights or whiskey flights. We opted just to try two beers so no flight this time. My husband tried the S'mores Porter which was really good and I had Show Me Huell Melon. My girls had Shirley Temples. We had the buffalo chicken flatbread and my girls shared the chicken tenders with habanero sauce and a Nashville sauce both are supposed to be spicy that is debatable depending on what you can handle for heat. We enjoyed the sauces. Everything came out hot and tasted good. Establishment is clean and friendly staff. read more

Fantastic little brewery! Tried two flights, 8 beers, and all were delicious! We will be back with friends. read more

Bear Hands Brewing Company - First flight - Breweries Near Me - Putnam, Connecticut

What an awesome place ! We hopped the border form Rhody to check it out. They have a great beer list. I always get a flight and have enjoyed every one I've tried. They have all kinds of beers so there is something for everyone. The staff are wonderful there. They make recommendations and make sure your drinks full and you are happy. They have a small food menu with really good salty pretzels. Get the beer cheese ! So good. If your a beer lover it's definitely a must stop. read more

Had our engagement photos planned for this weekend. Our photographer called them last minute to see if they would accommodate us to use their place and they said yes! Not only did they let us use their bar area, the drinks were phenomenal, the bar tenser Crystal was super sweet and even gave us some tips and areas to use within the space! The place was decked out for Halloween which was so cool. The music was great and from what I hear, you must try the pretzel with the mustard sauce. 100% recommend. read more

Bear Hands Brewing Company - Asked Crystal for a shot of Redemption, and couldn't help but take this epic photo. - Breweries Near Me - Putnam, Connecticut

Food was phenomenal and perfect with our dinner, pulled pork sliders and beer braised brat. The service was excellent and we love the whole vibe. read more

Great staff, great beers and a robust environment. Bear Hands never disappoints. The staff of Alyssa and Danielle always on point taking care of the guests needs!! read more

Bear Hands Brewing Company - Tap area - Breweries Near Me - Putnam, Connecticut

Great day to be outside having great beer! Amazing time at BearHands, welcoming staff, very attentive as well as knowledgeable about their beers. Busy Saturday, every table was filled and yet, we never felt rushed. Started out with their German pils -Sanity Pils, and apparently it's a crowd favorite. Pillow fight is a great beer, very smooth. They had flights so we were able to sample and find our favorites. They fill growlers! Very awesome! Kayla was great. She talked to everyone and immediately felt welcomed. Such a great experience, will definitely be back. read more

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Awesome beers. Wait staff was great. Took pictures of all the dogs and gave out treats. Fun atmosphere. read more

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The best, most consistently good, and most true-to-style beer brewing for an hour in any direction, at least. I've only only had food here once and it was just OK, but it was hot and freshly prepared so I'll give it another chance at some point. read more