Slipped Discs
Norbrook Farm Brewery Observation Tower, Colebrook
September 2024
I came to the Norbrook Farm Brewery in far western Colebrook in the far northern reaches of Connecticut to hike its trails. A big part of the allure here to me is, of course, this observation tower. The owners of the brewery have done an amazing job on its 450 acres of hiking trails, mountain biking trails, and disc golf course. A few years in, and all are well marked, cleared, and mowed. The brewery itself is pretty darn good too.
Put it this way: No one would be venturing up here if it wasn’t worth venturing up here. And there are always people here, so Norbrook is definitely doing something right.
Ironically, the observation tower seems to be the rare thing they sort of skimped on. The taproom is beautiful and well-appointed. Everything else in the woods is well maintained. This wooden tower, though, doesn’t have a long life ahead of it I’m afraid.
The tower is perched at the top end of a sweeping field near the summit of the rather large hill that dominates the property. When I arrived an attractive couple was just beginning their climb to the top. It was immediately clear that the woman was not very comfortable doing so, and I began a text conversation with my wife… because she would also not be comfortable climbing this thing.
The woman in question slowly descended on all fours and I smugly smiled as I took to the structure myself. It is very steep, but going up posed no issues. The last climb to the observation decks requires a hand-over-hand ascent, but everything felt secure.
The view across Phelps Pond to the hills of Colebrook is quite nice. This isn’t anywhere near a 360- or even 180-degree view but it’s still very cool and very pretty. A disc golf leg is located just down in front of the tower, so you can watch people “slip discs” if you’d like.
After enjoying the view and the solitude for a while, I descended the ladder portion and then faced the downward steps. Okay, yeah… steep. And the width of the steps is… not wide. Moreover, which it was perfectly solid in September 2024, the pressure treated lumber used here can only last so long on an exposed hillside. Wear and tear was definitely beginning to show and I noticed a couple steps and part of a railing had already been replaced.
Also, I couldn’t help but thinking that this is located less than a mile walk from a brewery. In other words, inebriated people certainly find their way here and, well, I would not want to descent this thing after too many beers.
All of this – the steep climb, the height, the impermanence of the thing, the brewery – all of this adds to what makes this tower so fun! There’s a large pine next to the tower with rungs built up to it for climbing. Another impossibly dangerous thing while drunk. Please don’t be stupid and misstep here and slip a disc or something.
After my climb, I continued to hike the trails around the brewery’s property and had a grand old time. You should do the same.
CTMQ’s Observation Towers
Norbrook Farm Brewery Trails
CTMQ’s Visits to Norbrook Farm Brewery
Norbrook Farm Brewery
Bob Melusky says
October 1, 2024 at 9:23 amYour description brought me back to Chichén Itzá. Going up is not so bad, but that was almost 30 years ago before my balance started deteriorating. The steps are shallow- fine for toes and the ball of your foot. Looking down from the top, you could not see the step landings because the the steep and and depth of the step. Add condensation on smoooooth limestone and the result is frequent panic attacks up top.
If you looked out, you were done. They told you to only look down at your feet. My wife crab-walked down with her feet place sideways and we were both OK. Rangers had to go up and assist the person in panic.
I think they are now closed to the public.