If a thirsty historian examined only the last century’s worth of data, she or he might logically conclude that the explosion of craft brewing was a predictable eventuality spawned by beer aficionados who’d grown weary of the same ol’ water-flavored products offered by Budweiser, Coors and Miller.

In realty, beer was around LONG before Adolph Coors and those Anheuser-Busch fellas got into the lager business. The first barley beer was likely brewed by Sumerians 5,000 years ago in response to peasants’ complaints that daily “Happy Hours” weren’t really that happy if all there was to drink was just river water. In turn, so that the barley beer wasn’t just river water with a kick, they added flavors.

Later, in the monasteries of Europe, monks composed a Gregorian chant drinking game called “99 Bottles of Beer On the Wall” and realized that, without some flavor variety, the activity would become boring.

Across the known world, then, craft brewing was born!

Only in the 2000s did it seem a certain complacency amongst younger beer drinkers set in – and ambitious brewers began expanding significantly beyond the parameters of Lager-ness.

Well, what goes around, comes around. In the new century, visionary and dedicated craft brewers – and fans thereof – have proliferated in delicious ways. Our area is no exception.

We asked readers if they’d chime in with a few of their favorite beers from local craft breweries. Their responses ranged from economically phrased assertions of conviction to philosophical and poetic – and often ranged beyond southeastern Connecticut/western Rhody.

If anything, the submissions generally reflect the beer enthusiasts’ happy willingness to travel for hops ‘n’ barley appeasement – and to enjoy a wide variety of styles from pilsners and lagers to stouts, sours, IPAs, seasonals, and on and on. In that context, we’ve decided to include a few references to brews not precisely in the “neighborhood” because Beer Heads WILL appreciate the tips and make the effort to try new recipes.

Here is a reflective sampling of the responses we got, and thanks to all who wrote in! Here’s to you! (Answers have been edited for space and clarity.)

I think I shall never hear

A poem lovely as a beer.

But, Come all friends, sit down and listen

As the “Dock Time” lager splashes glisten.

It has always struck me as extremely curious

That people stick to liquors near injurious.

And not digest the tasty and luxurious

The artful Amber “Dock Time” beer.

amber waves of grain wafting to the nose,

Cause, to an order of beer the aroma must be clear.

From Stony Creek, Ct. It is crafted, delivered and sold,

Among the best, World Beer Gold Cup 2016 it must be told.

No overpowering ale but 4.8% it does contain,

Certainly enough to brighten your day and cheer sustain.

So in order to differentiate,

Get some “Dock Time” Amen. it’s Grrreat!

(P.S. Kudos to Longfellow, Caverly, Kilmer, and Tony the Tiger)

– Michael J. Gaffey, Old Lyme

“My favorite beer is actually a toss-up between the one I most recently had and the one I'm going to have next! I like the variety, so having a single favorite would be counterproductive. That said, since recently developing a taste for bitter (IPA) and sour, I've unfortunately ignored the other lighter (both flavor and color) possibilities -- only occasionally trying a porter or stout.

For some specifics, though, the Nettles Farmhouse Ale Fox Farm Brewery in Salem is very good. I’m very fond of that brewery … Another beer I like is Kraken Baltic Porter from Thimble Islands in Branford. That's a combination of liking the brew and (the can design).

“And I'm happy to have recently discovered Myrcene Ale Company in Old Saybrook. I want to try their Lemon Sunshine, which is actually a sour IPA.”

– Jack Ostroff, Old Lyme

“Niantic Public House Brewery has been an excellent addition to Niantic. Their East Lyme Libation (Dunkelweizen) and Conplan 8888 Hull Melon Pilsner Czech are real fine brews!

“Outer Light in Groton has some real fine brews, too, including Lonesome Boatman Amber & Cloud Break Double IPA. I also like Willimantic Brewing Company and Beer'd. All of these are compliments to the microbrew industry.”

– Dean Kraska, Niantic

“I'm a big fan of the Fox Farm’s Ashland Coffee Stout in Salem; Rise from Whaler's Brewing in South Kingstown, and Beer'd's Dogs and Boats (powerful stuff!) in Stonington and Groton.”

– Rich Walton, Niantic

“My favorite beer is a pilsner named “Effed Up On Pilz” made by These Guys Brewing in Norwich. It reminds me of a cross between a Czech pilsner and German pilsner. Clean, crisp and delicious. I love this beer. And if you get to visit the brewery, check out their “Effed Up On Pilz” T-shirt designs. I have three of them.”

– Earl Colella, Groton

“I have enjoyed the explosion of the craft brewery industry over the past 10 years or so here in Connecticut and followed the offerings of Hartford’s Hanging Hills brewery since their inception in 2016. Sadly, they closed their production facility during COVID, but the beer is still contract-brewed out of another brewery in the New Haven area. Given the recent heat wave, their Hanging Hills Pils pilsner is a great choice. The dry-hopped American Pilsner has a deep straw color with a slight haze; a refreshing, bright, crackery taste; and a crisp finish albeit with a mix of citrus and malt flavors.

“Recently, I had the Beer’d Kittens and Canoes American Pale Ale. Mid 5% on the alcohol scale but very refreshing considering – again -- I had it during the recent wave of heat and humidity. Very citrusy – think grapefruit – and a clean finish.

“You might think I only like these types of beers but not – like me being an omnivore when it comes to food, there are very few craft beers I don’t like. I haven’t tried many sours, but I range from pale ales to stouts and everything in between usually paired with food.”

– Mark Warren, Old Saybrook

“Fugu by Tox Brewing company in New London. It’s their flagship IPA and it’s just crisp and refreshing with the right amount of citrus taste without being over-hoppy.”

– Greg Heimann, Groton