Windsor Locks Brewery Plans Big Expansion

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — A Windsor Locks brewery is preparing for a major expansion, with Luppoleto Brewing saying it plans to move the bulk of its brewing operations to East Granby this summer.

Luppoleto’s current taproom is at 20 Main St. in Windsor Locks. The brewery says it plans to take over the former Almost Famous Brewing space at 17 Kripes Road in East Granby.

In a statement updated April 6, the company said it plans to begin with a collaborative transition before a full handoff later this year. Luppoleto was founded by Jennifer and James Wright and is based in downtown Windsor Locks.

The company said it had already been looking for a larger space when the East Granby opportunity came up. Because of the site’s close proximity to Windsor Locks, the brewery said it felt compelled to take a closer look.

Luppoleto said it expects to work collaboratively with the Almost Famous team during the transition. The brewery said that process will help it learn the equipment and adjust recipes to the larger brewing system and different water.

Under the current plan, the Almost Famous crew would reopen in mid-April with some of its own beers along with Luppoleto collaboration beers. Luppoleto described that phase as “Almost Luppoleto,” with the space and staff remaining familiar while drink offerings begin shifting toward the future lineup.

The company said it is aiming for a full “passing of the torch” in June, when the East Granby location would become fully operated by Luppoleto. It said official opening dates for both the collaborative reopening and the full takeover still depend on local permits and approvals.

Luppoleto said its Windsor Locks taproom will remain open for now. The brewery said it is also exploring ways to keep the Windsor Locks and East Granby locations distinct while making both clearly part of the same brand.

The company said the East Granby site would allow room for more beer, more bocce, more activities, more music and bigger bands. It also said it is working to add on-site food and may still host food trucks, especially during summer events.

Luppoleto said some familiar faces may remain behind the bar after the transition. The brewery also said it hopes to hire beertenders and is interested in retaining current Almost Famous staff members who want to stay and are a good fit.

For customers, the company said Almost Famous gift cards, coupons and beer passport offers would need to be used before June. After that, Luppoleto said it would not be able to honor them because it purchased the brewing equipment, not the Almost Famous business itself.

The brewery said live music is still part of the plan, though likely less often than at Almost Famous. It also said dogs would be allowed on the patio if leashed and well behaved, but not inside once food service is added.

Luppoleto says its name means hop farm or hopyard in Italian. The company says the name reflects James Wright’s Italian and agricultural heritage, along with the couple’s early decision to plant 60 hop plants years before opening the brewery.