Recent brewery visits (2024)

They've really got it all - outstanding tap room/space w/the old mill/exposed brick interior -- very good suite of continental lagers -- and nicely located just off the main drag in Amesbury. Not sure if it's recent - but the last few times I've gone in they have had at least two lukr pulls going w/Czech style pale/dark beers pouring. One nuance w/Silvaticus that I think sets them apart from most other tiny micros - their brew house sits inside the tasting room totally exposed for viewing -- and it's absolutely spit shined spotless -- to the point where it looks like a piece of art. You won't see a single thing out of place -- or loads of buckets/rags/dirty gear of any kind. This is the sign of a meticulous brewer/owner and it clearly translates to the quality of their beer.

 

I've said it before on here, top three New England brewery for me. Although competition is getting tougher...

They also don't decoct, which is impressive given how damn good their lagers are.

And finally, there's three other breweries within walking distance. A nice little downtown overall. Also, Rusty Can is a short drive away.

 

The lagers are insane. Just really, really good stuff. Their light AAL, I forget the name, is, for me, the best of its kind.

Yes, the brewhouse looks like a showroom piece. It’s amazing. It looks brand-spanking new.

And funny enough, about decoction: Suarez doesn’t decoct either.

 

Unfortunately I only get up there once or twice a year. It's JUST a bit too far from the city for my liking. And there's so much around me here that I can't justify it.

It does make those trips all the more special. I still need to also get up to Schilling again, I've only been once. I think I may have went 8 times in two days when I was up there.

 

I've been to Silvaticus twice now. We've been trying to do like this Amesbury walking beer tour (there are four of them all within walking distance), but I almost only want to do Silvaticus. I've had Mill 77, but not the others, and it wasn't very good.

Last time I was at Silvaticus I had the Tripel and it was incredible, so it's not just the lagers that I like there.

 

Their Hefeweizen is solid as well.

I've liked the beers I've had at Barewolf and Outrider too. Outrider has a nice little back deck where the river is. And Barewolf has a ton of indoor space.

 

Stopped by Henniker Brewing in Henniker NH yesterday for the last day of their four day Oktoberfest. Haven't been here in a long time but it's a short drive my my father-in-law's place. They had a dozen options on tap at the main bar and a cash-only bar in the beer garden including a gravity keg of their Oktoberfest. I've always enjoyed their porter and their maple brown ale was also tasting great, but the Oktoberfest Marzen was a best of the three I tried - amber, bready, clean with some spicy hops. Great vibe with lots of dogs, a good cover band, and lots of parking. The food truck looked amazing with all kinds of homemade sausages, but I'd just stuffed myself on pizza. Unfortunately we arrived to late to enjoy the competitions: stein holding, pretzel toss, yodeling, barrel racing.

 

I stopped by the brand new Post and Beam Brewing South taproom located right across from the Sullivan Square MBTA stop in Charlestown. This is an outpost of the original location in Peterborough NH. It's a small spot with six beers on draft and some outdoor seating. The Irish Stout was tasting good and I was glad to see a fresh hop IPA with hops from Four Star Farms. They also serve wine. Nice to see a spot so close to the subway and also very close to the new shops and restaurants in Hood Park.

The most unique aspect of the taproom is the attached small "food court" called Foundation Kitchen. There are a few food vendors: Ritas Fresh Pasta, Render Coffee, and Washoku Renaissance, a reservation-only omakase Japanese counter restaurant.

 

I didn't end up hitting up Sacred Profane this weekend (we ended up at Monte's Fine Foods and the pizza was phenomenal). However, I did get Breakfast by Maine Beer Company this weekend. I gotta admit. I had Dinner right after it and preferred Dinner. Still great though. Maine Beer is the exact style IPA I'm into right now. If only we could get Peeper in little white cans as part of a twelve pack....

 

I got the chance to visit three new-to-me breweries over the holiday break on my way back from Hill Farmstead.

Wildbloom Brewery (Littleton NH) - A 2nd floor taproom with tons of space (almost too much space). Super friendly service. I loved the focus on Belgian styles on their tap list (two saisons, grisette, triple, Belgian Christmas ale). The saison with nasturtium was light and fun. They have food popups weekly.

Whirligig Brewing (St Johnsbury VT) - Quirky spot with a beer list that features a number of sour ales. The small taproom looks like a gathering spot for board gamers. The West Coast IPA had a fantastic piney/tropical nose, but the food was the star during our visit. They smoke their own meat and feature it in sandwiches and rice bowls. Friendly service. Great spot to unwind after some fun sledding and snow hiking.

Concord Craft Brewing (Concord NH) - Good crowd on a Sunday afternoon with sports on the TVs. The Pond Hockey Pilsner tasted great - crisp with a grassy bitterness. I only had time for one beer but very much appreciated the menu that listed the most recently brewed beer batches right on the front and the barkeeps who highlighted the freshest taps. I wish more brewpubs would do that! Definitely will visit here again.