Sip This

Coffee by day, beer at night, goodness all the time

1 Stamford restaurants and beer drinkers have embraced the “hoptimistic” Half Full Brewery, whose Inaugural Ale (light bodied pale ale) and The Bright (faintly hoppy) are on tap around town at places like Harlan Social, Tigín and Coalhouse Pizza. But if you really want to be in on the scene, check out Half Full’s every-other-Friday Open House, which is drawing all-age crowds to the tasting room and brewery for beer and games. 43 Homestead Ave., 203-309-2821; halfullbrewery.com

2 The barista at Lorca Café, owner Leyla Dam, operates a gleaming La Marzocca espresso machine and creates art in the foam, but java junkies wouldn’t be jumping for Lorca’s coffee if it also weren’t for the beans. The single-origin brews are created with L.A.-based Handsome Coffee Roasters (that’s Handsome cofounder Chris Owens in the photo), which imports and roasts beans from plantations in Central and South America. Lorca also prepares pour-overs and a daily special in bulk for those who need their joe to go. 125 Bedford St., 203-504-2847; lorcastamford.com