Trip to Manchester, NH

Discussion in 'New England' started by BeRanger, Feb 15, 2013.

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  1. BeRanger

    BeRanger Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2011 Michigan

    I'm heading to Manchester for work for two weeks starting Sunday evening. I'll be in Boston the following weekend and planning to make a trip up to HF before heading back over to Boston that first weekend I'm in town.

    Curious if anyone had another other recommendations, more so probably along the way from Manchester to HF and then back to Boston. Also not opposed to bringing with me some Michigan goodies if anyone wants to meet up along the way for a trade. Check the cellar, most notably Kuhnhenn/Darkhorse/Bells/Founders goodies.

    Not sure how the distribution is out there but among other things always interested in BCBCS, Cherry Rye, BA Bigfoot, Coolships etc.

    Send a BM if you're around during the week and want to meet up for a brew.
     
  2. dunix

    dunix Initiate (0) Jan 26, 2011 Vermont

    From Manchester <-> HF, it depends on how you go, 93 to 91 or 93 to 89 to 91.

    For 93 to 91, you'll pass by White Birch and Woodstock breweries. Not a lot of great places for beer that you'll pass. Concord has a good bottle shop, but I don't remember the name off the top of my head. Littleton's Co-op usually has a good selection of random beer. St Johnsbury is a wasteland (imo), but Trout River is not far.

    For 93 to 89 to 91, you'll pass White Birch, Flying Goose Brew Pub, 7 Barrel (all 3 in NH), and Jasper Murdock's Ale House (in VT) Breweries. King Arthur flour in Norwich (not far from Jasper Murdock), is a cool place to visit. Once you get past Norwich on 91, that whole area of VT/NH is really rural, and nothing is out there. In Bradford VT there is a brewpub called The Perfect Pear (brewery side is Vermont Beer Company), which was closed but I believe they reopened.

    It would be a large detour, but you could hit Waterbury. Probably be 45 mins out of the way though.
     
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  3. FrankLloydMike

    FrankLloydMike Maven (1,284) Aug 16, 2006 Massachusetts

    I'd recommend taking I-93 up to I-91, and I-91 down to I-89 to I-93 back, or vice versa. It'll give you a change of scenery (both routes are pretty scenic, though I think I-93 is more dramatic as you pass through Franconia Notch) and take you past a few different brewpubs.

    Woodstock Inn Brewery has a great patio, which won't do you any good now, but they have decent to solid beer and good bar food not far off I-93 in NH. I haven't been to to the Flying Goose since I was maybe 15, so I've never had a beer at the brewpub, but I've enjoyed their beers at the beer fests I've been to. Their beer reviews on BA aren't great, but they've had a new brewer for the past year or so, and from what I've tasted and heard, he's made big improvements. Both of those spots would probably make for a good break midway-ish on the drive. If you're not looking for beer stops specifically, Littleton and Hanover (both in NH and near the VT border) are nice places to stop, stretch and get coffee.

    I'd recommend a stop by White Birch, but that's really in Manchester for all intents and purposes, as opposed to a stop along the way up north. You might also want to check out Candia Road Brewing Company/Nepenthe Ales while you're in Manchester--they're off on the east side of town, and only available in bombers I believe, but they make a nice stout and some nice IPAs/pale ales. If you haven't been, you might also want to check out the Portsmouth/Seacoast area--plenty of great beer out that way, and an easy drive from Manchester. As far as places in Manchester, I'd recommend the Cask & Vine (Derry), Strange Brew, Murphy's, Firefly, River Road (Bedford), Republic (more for the top-notch food), as well as Milly's (Manchester) and Martha's Exchange (Nashua) for brewpubs.
     
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  4. TheMonkfish

    TheMonkfish Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2012 Chad

    I totally agree with this - driving through Franconia Notch is stunning. We did the same drive this summer - 93/91 up and 89/91/93 down. If you make the Waterbury trip for Heady you might as well stop off at Hunger Mountain Coop to see if they have any Lawson's available (or swing by the store in Warren.)

    Candia Road is very close to White Birch so you could hit them both up. Candia Road is basically a homebrew shop with some fermenters, but the head brewer there is an awesome guy, and you can buy all of their beer at the family owned convenience store next door.

    Also as Frank recommended, Cask and Vine in Derry is a new place and they've been getting hold of some really great beers of late, and they go through them fast.

    Personal note - I live so close but still have yet to get up to Hill Farmstead - it's kind of ridiculous.

    Safe trip OP!

    By the way, on the way down to Boston check out Redstone Liquors in Stoneham/Woburn MA - right where 93/95 meet - their beer selection is really solid and they seem to have crazy fresh Jack's Abbey available much of the time (actually I just checked, their FB shows them selling fresh Hoponious Union bottled 2-3 days ago.)
     
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  5. BeRanger

    BeRanger Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2011 Michigan


    Redstone is definitely a great place. I found that gem thanks to SilentJay (before he got banned for posting a tweet). I actually tried getting ahold of the owner, I believe his name was Kamaal on my last trip up there to bring him some Michigan goodies but never heard back from him.

    Anyway, thanks for the info guys. Packing my suitcases full of bubble wrap for my HF bottle muling as we speak :slight_smile:
     
  6. MugOfGoodness

    MugOfGoodness Initiate (0) Dec 12, 2006 New Hampshire

    Did you land in NH? I live about 30 minutes east - happy to meet up for a beer or give you any pointers. The Seacoast (Portsmouth, NH) scene is pretty fun and I would definitely budget a evening in that direction (check out Portsmouth Brewery, Thirsty Moose, and then some of the local small breweries will pour growlers on Thursday/Friday - Throwback, Blue Lobster, Earth Eagle) and the larger breweries (Redhook, Smuttynose) also have tours - I would call for availability on those.

    Gary's Beverage in Portsmouth is a great little package store and has a lot of local beer - as does Top Shelf Liquors which is across the street from Blue Lobster on Rte 1 in Hampton (about 10 minutes south of Portsmouth) but if you take Rte 101 east and aim for Blue Lobster first, then you can head north on Rte 1 and hit Throwback, Smuttynose and hit downtown Portsmouth.

    Across the river from Portsmouth is Kittery, ME - and it has two really special bars - When Pigs Fly and Black Birch - both with amazing taps - as well as a beer stores (Carl's Meat Market) that will allow you to pick up some Maine beer not distributed in NH (i.e. Rising Tide, Marshall Wharf, etc).
     
  7. jtdolla911

    jtdolla911 Initiate (0) Nov 18, 2011 Massachusetts

    Kamaal is on Facebook all the time, and is very good about returning emails, maybe you just caught him on a bad day or what not. I would definitely look into that again, as he has a good cellar and may even want to trade with you. Other than that, there's a lot of good stuff in Boston and Cambridge, depending on how long you're in town for.
     
  8. BeRanger

    BeRanger Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2011 Michigan

    Two weeks. In Manchester now, Boston after HF on Saturday. Only brought two BB4Ds with me since I was rushed. Probably just give them to Shaun. Should have brought Eisbock :slight_frown:
     
  9. BeRanger

    BeRanger Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2011 Michigan

    Another question would be if there is a good spot to be on Friday night. Figured to cut down on having so much driving on Saturday, I'd get closer to HF on Friday night and stay somewhere local. Any suggestions?

    Also since HF is out of glasses, I'm looking for one, I guess as long as it isn't chipped or worn I don't really care if its use. A dishwasher makes it new. I have a Kuhnhenns tulip with me to trade and even cash or BB4D.

    Thanks
     
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