Half Full Brewery, Cingari Family ShopRite Collaborate On 2 New Beers

STAMFORD, CT — Two businesses with roots in Stamford have teamed up to bring two new beers to customers in Connecticut.

CT-based supermarket chain Cingari Family ShopRite and Half Full Brewery, which has two locations in Stamford, recently announced the release of Grade Above Golden Ale and Grade Above IPA.

"We’re really excited to introduce these two exceptional beers to our customers. It’s truly a collaboration that was born in the neighborhood, which makes it all the more special," said Cingari Family ShopRite Vice President Tom Cingari Jr. "We’ve always been fans of Half Full Brewery and one day we got to talking about how great it would be to craft a couple of local brews that really reflected the tastes of the area."

After numerous taste tests to get the flavor profiles just right, the beers are now available exclusively at Cingari Family's 12 ShopRite and Grade A Market locations in Stamford, Bristol, Brookfield, Danbury, Derby, Fairfield, Norwalk, Shelton and Southbury.

The Grade Above Golden Ale is brewed with a light malt backbone for a hint of toasty, biscuit flavor and a light blonde hue. It's topped off with a mixture of hops to add a light, tropical fruit aroma.

Half Full founder Conor Horrigan described it as an easy-drinking and approachable brew that suits all beer-drinkers alike. The Alcohol By Volume (ABV) is 5 percent, and it comes in a six-pack of 12 oz. cans.

Grade Above IPA is an India Pale Ale hopped generously to allow a complex range of flavors and aromas, Horrigan said.

The bitterness from the hops balances out the very slight caramel flavor from the malt, then it's topped off with notes of citrus and aromatic pine with floral undertones. The beer has a deep gold color, yet a light and crisp mouthfeel. The ABV is 6 percent, and comes in a four-pack of 16 oz. cans.

The names of the beers come from the Cingari's line of products under the "Grade Above" series. They're in-house products or local collaborations that have an emphasis on quality ingredients and flavor.

"We wanted to make sure our beers were a nod to this series which is why we have the beer names start with 'Grade Above' and then finish with the beer style, so consumers know exactly what they are getting — a beer true to style made with high quality ingredients," Horrigan said.

It's also an ode to Grade A Market as a whole, which was first opened by Cingari's grandfather in 1943 in Stamford on Shippan Avenue. The business expanded through the years, and in 1991 the Cingari stores became members of the Wakefern/ShopRite cooperative.

The artwork on the cans was designed by local artist Chris Sainato. The cans feature the original Grade A Market logo in a clean, modern look.

The match between Cingari and Half Full was natural.

"First, we’re neighboring businesses that serve the same set of customers, work with the same set of local vendors, and enjoy being part of the larger community," Cingari said. "Second, Conor Horrigan and the entire crew at Half Full are passionate about what they do and are just a lot of fun to work with. They got us and we got them, which was key to getting this collab off the ground and making it happen."

Horrigan spoke highly of the Cingari family and what they've stood for.

"The Cingaris are an institution here in Stamford and I've always been so impressed by their involvement in the community — they do sponsorships, serve on local boards, and I coach on teams with different family members," Horrigan said.

"And on a personal level, every Cingari I have ever talked to has been friendly and full of energy. You'll notice that this has been passed down to their employees when you go to their stores -- everyone is friendly, helpful, and professional. So, it was easy to get excited about working with such an incredible family."