Mike and Alex Spellman’s journey into commercial brewing is as unique and personal as their beer. The couple both grew up in New Canaan but didn’t connect until after college. In the early days of their relationship, they found they both had a passion for craft beer and enjoyed visiting small breweries during trips to Vermont. It was that shared interest that inspired a friend to gift them an at-home brewing kit as a wedding gift that would one day lead to the founding of Captain Zig Brewing Company.
SOWING THE SEEDS
The couple’s first brewing experiments took place in their garage, the basement or even on the kitchen counter. Early brews included stouts, porters and IPAs, which they kept tweaking to their liking. They began sharing their creations with friends and family at their eldest daughter’s first birthday party. The response was overwhelmingly positive.
When they moved into their Darien home in 2010, they installed a permanent tap system and brewing became a regular affair. The couple would often bottle and hand-label their small-batch creations and give them as gifts. But because the growlers were not vacuum-sealed, there was no way to keep the beer fresh. “We would bring growlers to friends’ houses, but they would have to drink it that day,” Mike explains. They began thinking about canning the beer, so that recipients could enjoy at their leisure.
BIG BREWING LEAP
Their research brought them to Massachusetts, where they found a company that allowed homebrewers to scale up production. The pandemic ultimately disrupted that plan, so they started calling breweries closer to home. Many had large minimums, but Nod Hill in Ridgefield agreed to work with them during their slow season in January. The first brew at Nod Hill resulted in 75 cases and a dozen kegs—a significant jump from their five-gallon home setup. It was time to start thinking commercial.
CAPTAIN ZIG IS BORN
The search for a company name came from an unexpected moment. “ Our youngest daughter came down to breakfast wearing a superhero mask one day and declared, ‘I’m Captain Zig!’” explains Alex. This playful alter-ego captured their family-centric vibe perfectly. Their older daughter’s nickname, “Goosecake,” would eventually become the name of their flagship IPA and their second beer was the Sidekick Pilsner, named after the family dog. The girls even contributed the colorful, light-hearted drawings that adorn the cans.
LOCAL SUPPORT
The initial commercial batches, brewed in early 2023, sold quickly, and production was moved to a larger brewer in New Haven. Captain Zig increased the batch size to 30 barrels (more than 900 gallons), a scale they maintain today.
In addition to the IPA and Pilsner, they have since added a seasonal summer beer. However, they deliberately limit their range, focusing on quality over quantity. “We don’t want to keep pushing it with just adding
more and more,” Mike emphasizes.
Distribution is primarily focused on Fairfield County, with a strong emphasis on local partnerships. The Goose, Hammer & Nails, Leary’s, 314 Beer Garden, Palmers and Rowayton Wine Shop were early and consistent supporters. Local restaurants, like Granola Bar and Rikos in Darien (and the new location on the Norwalk/New Canaan border), have also embraced their brews, often featuring them on tap.
The Spellmans recently hosted a launch party for the Sound Summer IPA at 314 Beer Garden.
GIVING BACK
Captain Zig isn’t just about crafting great beer; the Spellmans are also committed to giving back to the community by donating a part of the proceeds to charities—which their daughters help choose. They also funded a local CPR course for Post 53, partnered with the Darien Toy Box to donate toys to the Yale Pediatric Cancer Center, and contributed to numerous charity golf tournaments and community events. They’re exploring new initiatives, including a fundraiser tied to their Sidekick beer, benefiting animal rescue.“Our brand speaks volumes, and we want to get that out there,” says Alex.
From homebrewing adventures to a burgeoning local brand, Captain Zig embodies the spirit of community, family and a genuine love for well-crafted beer—proving that passion, persistence and a dash of superhero inspiration can create something truly special.