Thirsty Moose Taphouse

Thirsty Moose TaphouseThirsty Moose Taphouse
Thirsty Moose TaphouseThirsty Moose Taphouse
Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

21 Congress St
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801-4004
United States

(603) 427-8645 | map
thirstymoosetaphouse.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.13
Reviews:
17
Ratings:
45
pDev:
8.96%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by smcolw:
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Reviewed by smcolw from Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +5.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.75
To start with, this place is impressive. They have 116 taps with many regional brews, such Most Mountain, Stoneface, Beara, etc,, etc. Many breweries I've only recently become aware of. The beer list is separated by style, so it's easy to find something you'll like or at least want to try.

The service is friendly, ainformal and very aware. When my sandwich came with mushrooms I hadn't ordered, the server whisked it away to make it right.

The place looks like a cross between a dive bar and a faux dive bar. Quiet for a Saturday afternoon.

This will be place that I'm certain to return to.
Jun 20, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of daliandragon
Reviewed by daliandragon from Maryland

3.98/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
So we were starving after hiking in the morning and then walking around town in the heat when we hit the Thirsty Moose around three thirty in the afternoon this past Thursday. The place was utterly deserted, and the staff kind of sat around idle. We still had to wait briefly to be seated. The tap list was extensive, but I was focused on food and took the friendly waiter's advice for the Clown Shoes something IPA, which was solid but unspectacular. Menu was mostly pub food and mostly routine. Allison had a chicken breast and I had the pulled pork sandwich. The sandwich was fine, although I was starving, but the fries were subpar. Both Allison and I left most of them, and I rarely leave fries. It's probably a cool sports bar with their setup, but for my needs on that day, it was only okay.
Jul 08, 2023
 
Rated: 4.1 by tommyboy985 from Massachusetts

Jan 19, 2019
 
Rated: 4.5 by atlbravsrno1 from Maine

Jul 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by smanson56 from New Hampshire

Apr 30, 2016
 
Rated: 4.03 by coombski from Maine

Dec 27, 2015
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Reviewed by johnnnniee from New Hampshire

3.7/5  rDev -10.4%
vibe: 2.75 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.75
I stopped in here with the wife after a comedy show around the corner. It was 10 ish on a Friday night so the place was kind of packed and we were starving. They seated us pretty quickly near the bar. Lots of taps but the beer geek in me struggled to find something new or exotic. Founders Breakfast Stout and Great North IPA did satisfy my thirst. The service was pretty good, and my burger was tasty. Pricing about what I expect from a craft beer bar. I didn't really dig the loud frat party vibe I got from this place. I'd go back if they had something I wanted on tap, but maybe in the afternoon. Maybe I'm just getting old.
Dec 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4.44 by costanzo_mike from Massachusetts

Nov 10, 2015
 
Rated: 4.24 by Gsdmica from New Hampshire

Oct 23, 2015
 
Rated: 3.91 by bostonbeans from Massachusetts

Aug 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.92 by Dactrius from Netherlands Antilles

Jul 08, 2015
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Reviewed by Faxmesomehalibut from New Hampshire

3.66/5  rDev -11.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.75
Very college type bar, tons of taps, nothing crazy or out of the ordinary on most occasions. Servers usually know nothing about beers being served. Nice place to watch a game and grab some bar food.
Jun 04, 2015
 
Rated: 4.1 by CTFalcon from Connecticut

Apr 20, 2015
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Rated by GwenHoughton from New Hampshire

4.61/5  rDev +11.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 5 | food: 4.25
Huge selection of beer on tap
Mar 08, 2015
 
Rated: 5 by Ajburke10 from New Hampshire

Dec 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by dannymo24 from Massachusetts

Dec 01, 2014
Photo of NHbeerguy
Reviewed by NHbeerguy from New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev +9%
Great beer selection for NH. They just opened another location in Dover, NH also and that one has the same great tap list. It is nice to have a large selection of great beers. It is a Bar so on Friday and Saturday it can get packed for sure but they have never made me wait long to get a beer. Both locations have several places to order from. If you are in Portsmouth or Dover hit one of these up you will be happy for sure.
Oct 24, 2014
Photo of Davepoolesque
Rated by Davepoolesque from Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.75
A ton of beers on tap. Centrally located in downtown Portsmouth, this is an excellent place to grab beers and maybe catch some live music downstairs.
Oct 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by mklisz from New Hampshire

Sep 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Chefdolan from New Hampshire

Jul 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Pwbres from Maine

Jul 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by LilLJStuff from New Hampshire

Jun 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by jfcaa193 from Canada (QC)

May 26, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by TTTBeer from Massachusetts

May 26, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by REVZEB from Illinois

May 23, 2014
Photo of dpgoblejr
Reviewed by dpgoblejr from New Hampshire

4.95/5  rDev +19.9%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.75
Visited the Thirsty Moose Taphouse in Portsmouth NH on Friday May 16 2014. The atmosphere was what I expected at a bar on a Friday night. Crowded wall to wall with people but we did get a couple of seats at the bar in the back. This place has three bars to place an order! Really nice with high quality beers to choose from on tap. The service was amazing! The young bartender, Lauren, was extremely busy but very attentive to us and fun to chat with. The beer selection was out of this world; 116 i think, and I was able to get two six glass sampler trays to try. Enjoyed 12 different beers I've never had before and spent almost 4 hours there enjoying the evening. The bavarian pretzels were awesome too. The prices seemed decent to me and I can't wait to get back down to Portsmouth to hang out at the Thirsty Moose Taphouse!
May 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by JuliusCaesar from New Hampshire

Apr 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by BierBliss from New Hampshire

Apr 04, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Kelp from New Hampshire

Mar 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by ChrisChagnon from Connecticut

Jan 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Rekrule from Massachusetts

Jan 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Plissken from Massachusetts

Nov 10, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by TheRealPour from Illinois

Nov 01, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Beer_Trotter from New Hampshire

Oct 24, 2013
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Reviewed by SunDevilBeer from Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -5.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.75
Stopped in to break up a solo road trip.

Sports-bar type atmosphere, comfortable & casual. Several big screens showing sports...plus in my book.

Service quick & friendly. Server very knowledgeable of list & current beer scene. Beers poured full & fairly. Prices reasonable.

Had the tots with a side of queso - nice dish, satisfied my need for a quick nosh.

Would definitely stop by here again...would compete with Psmouth Brewery IMO.
Aug 26, 2013
Photo of rjp217
Reviewed by rjp217 from Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 3.5
This is your different type of craft beer spot. They have a massive selection of taps, with some difficult to find beers and your basics, most of which is listed on a chalkboard when you walk in. Whats different about it is that it definitely falls in line with a sports bar theme. There are TVs everywhere so you will catch any sort of pro or college game that is on at the moment. I like going here when I'm in that type of mood to catch a game and drink a great beer. Their food is pretty good in my opinion. Nothing will blow you away as you'll find your typical bar foods, burgers, sandwiches, etc.... I recommend their grilled wings, they're high quality. On a busy night, service can be slow like anywhere else but on a casual afternoon, it's a fine place to relax. I find myself coming back here a lot based on the selection and sports. I could see it not appealing to the non sports people but based on their craft beer selection, you should give it a shot. Cool place in my opinion and one of the best drinking spots in Portsmouth.
Aug 01, 2013
Photo of bird18
Reviewed by bird18 from Maine

3.65/5  rDev -11.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
We live in the area so have been here a few times now since they opened this past summer. It took awhile for them to get some of the kinks out as far as service is concerned but have to say the last couple times we have been there we have had no complaints on that score.

as others have said it is a sports pub vibe, lots of TVs. and again as another reviewer noted it is filled with" 20 somethings" on the weekend evenings. Beer list is long, very much like how many different local craft beers they have. They do have a hard time keeping up with what has kicked, especially some of the more unusual beers. We noticed that the prices have gone up and the size of the pour has gone down on many of their beers. I found it strange that a Green Flash IPA and Imperial Green Flash IPA were served in the same size (10 oz) glass at the same price!! some of the sizing and pricing makes no sense.

Food is typical pubfare, you can build your own "sammie" and the burgers are quite good, chicken tenders were terrible, just the frozen breaded crap with the sauce of your choice on the side. Pizza was decent. Stick with standard fare and you will be fine. All in All very happy to have a beer bar in downtown Portsmouth with such a good variety.
Jan 27, 2013
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Reviewed by vonnegut21 from New York

4.04/5  rDev -2.2%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25
Stopped here while in town on business on the recommendation of some co-workers. This place definitely builds its reputation on having a huge taplist. I wasn't necessarily expecting a lot since many places with huge taplists have generic selections and stale beer, but I was pleasantly surprised by the Thirsty Moose.

There's a sports bar/BBQ place vibe going on which is fine with me, but it pales to the more vibrant atmosphere that Portsmouth Brewery offers. What impressed me most was that even though the tap list was huge, there were a lot of great local and craft options. East Coast IPAs, West Coast IPAs, local stuff from Throwback, Smuttynose and Redhook. There were at least a dozen beers that I would have willingly ordered, which is very rare for me. The biggest issue is that the beer menu doesn't list prices or pour sizes, so you're shooting in the dark. However, the three or four beers I received were in average to generous pour sizes and were all fairly priced. I'd definitely stop in again next time I'm in town.
Jan 23, 2013
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Reviewed by lordofthewiens from New Mexico

3.88/5  rDev -6.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
My wife and I stopped in here on a Sunday evening before we went to The Movie Hall to see a movie. As mentioned previously, this used to be Muddy River, then something (briefly) else, now Thirsty Moose. They haven't done any interior improvements other than adding a back bar. The ambiance/vibe when it was a BBQ place wasn't that inviting, and not much has changed. It's still dark, noisy, and cave-like.
We sat at the front bar, which was fairly quiet (except for the loudmouth next to me), and watched some football. Extensive beer list. I would like to know the prices and the size of the pours, but that's a guessing game. If you go to the back bar, you can find out what's kicked. Out front you're on your own. Anyway, it's a nice enough beer selection. There's a lot of beers on the tap list that wouldn't appeal to the beer geek, but I think there's a good number of choices.
The bartender was attentive enough. I had to ask for the check, however.
This could be a great addition to the Portsmouth beer scene.
Jan 12, 2013
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Reviewed by ElGallo from New Hampshire

3.61/5  rDev -12.6%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Finally got around to visiting this place last weekend for a quick after-dinner drink with the wife. If you're a beer lover who would prefer a quiet setting to sample some drafts and chat with the bartender, then go here for lunch or in the early afternoon. After 8:00 pm this place is THE hangout for the twentysomethings of Portsmouth, so be prepared for a noisy crowd and a bit of immaturity (oh how I miss those days...). There is a somewhat helpful chalkboard just inside the entrance that lists their taps by style. I liked this, but as others have said, just because it's on the board doesn't mean it's on tap.

We squeezed in near the back bar, and with an NFL playoff game on, it was packed and took close to ten minutes to get a bartender's attention. One positive I will point out: this seems like a great bar for watching a game - tons of HDTVs around and two huge overhead screens in the back. Very impressive. I got an Oskar Blues Ten Fidy ($8 for a 10 oz pour) and the wife got a $12 chocolate martini, which she liked. Service was friendly and quick once we were able to track down the bartender. Only stayed for one drink, didn't get food, and didn't go downstairs (which has another bar and live music).

I'm a bit snobby about my beer purchases these days, but there were at least 10 drafts that I saw that appealed to me. Still, lots of macros, and keg turnover has got to be an issue. Overall this place impressed me more than I thought it would (even with the large, young crowd). Still, for a bar that touts its 116 taps (should have stopped at 100, but I digress), their ability to track/share what's on tap is weak if not pathetic. Their website and Facebook page list nothing other than "we're working on it," and near the back bar is another chalkboard that has headings of "What's New" and "On the way Out," but there are no beers listed. Cheezy. This is the 21st century, and technology and social media are easy marketing and information solutions for bars. Management should have done a little more research of other successful beer bars before delving into an unnessary number of taps.
Jan 09, 2013
Thirsty Moose Taphouse in Portsmouth, NH
Place rating: 4.13 out of 5 with 45 ratings