The 11 best breweries in New Hampshire
Looking for the best breweries in New Hampshire? The Granite State is home to numerous options, but these 11 are the best of the best.
Breweries differ from traditional bars and restaurants, as the selection of beers offered at a brewery is typically made and sold by that specific business. Visiting an array of breweries in New Hampshire is a fun way to spend your weekends—you’re never going to try the same beer twice, and each has its own unique, inviting atmosphere (and hopefully some good food, too!).
Many of the state’s best breweries are located along the Seacoast, but we’ve done our best to share locations across the state to ensure there’s something for everyone. However, did we miss your favorite brewery? Do you know the best spot in town for local beers? Let us know! We’re always interested in featuring small businesses and shining the spotlight on as many people as we can.
1. Northwoods Brewing Co., Northwood
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays.
Northwoods Brewing Co. sells canned beer and a selection of brews on tap. The menu is broken down by flavor profiles, i.e., “hoppy,” “malt-forward,” “lighter side,” and “fruit forward,” to name a few. If you want to have dinner with your drinks, or if you don’t drink and are looking for somewhere with a great atmosphere and even better food, Northwoods also sells wings, nachos, pretzels, and pizza. You can check out the food menu here.
2. Spyglass Brewing Company, Nashua
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, CLOSED on Mondays, 4 p.m. to p.m. on Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Nashua’s Spyglass Brewing Company is one of the highest-rated breweries in New Hampshire on Reddit, TripAdvisor, and among the friends I spoke with for this piece. Spyglass has a wide range of sours and IPAs. They offer beer on tap, in cans, and in personal kegs, which you can read more about here. Spyglass also has a large food selection, ranging from appetizers to tacos to burgers to desserts. Click here to check that out, along with their daily specials.
For those interested in how the beers here are made, you get a fantastic view of the production floor from the mezzanine. Trivia night is usually held on Wednesdays, but Spyglass would like you to know that dogs aren’t allowed at their locations. Not that I’m saying that you would want your dog to be on your trivia team, but just in case you did…
3. Concord Craft Brewing Co., Concord
Hours: The taproom is open Mondays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Food is served Mondays from 3 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Located on Storrs Street, the Concord Craft Brewing Co. serves traditional beer, food, and non-alcoholic beverages. Draft beer and food menus can be found here. Concord Craft Brewing Co. is highly rated for its IPAs, ales, ciders, sours, and stouts. Upside Dawn Golden is a non-alcoholic beer that is “refreshing, clean, balanced, light-bodied” for the sober people in your party (like me).
In terms of food, you can pair your drink of choice with Irish nachos, a chicken sandwich, burgers, pretzels, or pizza. I’m personally a fan of the chicken Caesar wrap, which is one of my go-to orders at pretty much any restaurant I visit.
4. Throwback Brewery, North Hampton
Hours: Mondays and Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for “beers and bites,” Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Throwback Brewery’s website says they’re “dedicated to crafting delicious, farm-fresh beers and food from local ingredients.” Interested in what exactly “farm-fresh beers” means, and how founders Nicole Carrier and Annettee Lee came up with the idea? Click here. Brews and food are available on-site and for takeout orders, though options may vary depending on whether you’re going or staying.
The menu is broken down similarly to Northwoods’s, with the drink options listed based on flavor profiles, like “crisp & clean beers,” “fruity or spicy beers,” and “hoppy beers.” The food at Throwback is slightly more elevated than that of traditional breweries. You can get a Korean Beef BBQ Bowl, a Chana Masala Veggie Burger, or a Pork Belly Bao Bun. Is your mouth watering too? Here’s the full menu so you can try to narrow down your options before you get there!
5. Stoneface Brewing Co., Newington
Hours: Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Atmosphere is the name of the game at Stoneface Brewing Co. in Newington. This location offers a diverse selection of beers and is highly regarded for its impressive outdoor space and live events. IPAs, seltzers, ales, and more are served at Stoneface, and the website is updated to reflect the most current selections.
Looking for a bite to eat? Stoneface serves smaller plates (wings, salads, pretzels, fries), and larger plates (sandwiches, burgers, falafel), which you can read more about here.
6. Schilling Beer, Littleton
Hours: Mondays through Fridays from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Schilling Beer is a craft brewery serving everything from “Czech-inspired lagers to mixed-fermentation ales,” with a rotating list of what they have on tap. Viewing windows are located in the Store & Tasting Room if you want to get a closer look at the brewing process while you’re there. Traditional pub food is served at Schilling, with options such as pizza, mac & cheese, and bratwursts available to order. You can also take your food and drinks to go!
7. Kettlehead Brewing Company, multiple locations
Hours: Varies by location (Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page to see the hours of operation for Tilton, Meredith, Franklin, and Nashua).
Kettlehead Brewing Company is located in Nashua, Meredith, Franklin, and Tilton. To check out each individual menu, click here. Taplist options at each of the Kettlehead locations include a mix of IPAs, pale ales, ciders, and seltzers. Beer cans are available too if that’s more your speed. Select locations offer food menus featuring pizzas, hot dogs, salads, fries, and nachos. You can access those options through the link provided at the beginning of this paragraph.
8. Kelsen Brewing Company, Londonderry
Hours: Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Kelsen Brewing Company has 12 beers on tap at any given time, including some beloved options like the Day Raider Belgian White, Spacetown Light Lager, Gallowglass Scotch Ale, and the Battle Axe IPA. Read more about those here. When it comes to food, Kelsen’s got you covered there, too. Pork ribs, poutine, and jumbo fried mozzarella are just a few of the appetizer options. Kelsen is also well known for its hand-tossed pizzas. Check out the food menu before you go!
9. Deciduous Brewing Company, Newmarket
Hours: CLOSED Mondays and Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
On the hunt for the best sours in New Hampshire? Look no further than Deciduous Brewing Company in Newmarket. The brewery was established in 2015 and is committed “to brewing the best beer possible.” If sours aren’t your thing, Deciduous has a variety of beverages to choose from, including New Hampshire Lager, House Marg, Wheatlight, and others. Curbside pickup is also available, but remember: It’s illegal to drink and drive, and it’s important to ensure your safety and the safety of others when you’re consuming alcohol either in public or at home.
10. Smuttynose Brewing Co., Hampton
Hours: The brewery is open Mondays through Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, but is open Wednesdays & Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Smuttynose Brewing Co. is perhaps one of the best-known breweries in New England. Even if you haven’t been to the Hampton location, you’ve probably seen cases of Smuttynose available for purchase in your local packie or supermarket. Brewing since 1994, Smuttynose sells ales, IPAs, sours, porters, and more. Appetizers, flatbreads, entrees, and desserts are on offer in Hampton. Click here for restaurant hours and menus.
11. Liars Bench Beer Co., Portsmouth
Hours: Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Fridays & Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Located in Portsmouth, Liars Bench Beer Co. has a great outdoor area and a solid selection of pilsners, lagers, IPAs, ales, and more. It’s billed as “an independently owned brewery, restaurant and biergarten,”so you know the vibe is going to be immaculate. If you get hungry while you’re at Liars Bench, snacks, sandwiches, hot dogs, and trays for two are available. There’s also a kid’s menu if you’re bringing the little ones out with you.
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