I am visiting family in the Woodstock, VT area on Labor day weekend and since all Heady and Lawson's will be gone by the time I get to VT on Friday night, I figured I would try to go the other direction into NH on Saturday morning in search of brew. What are some good places to try? I am planning on going to Bert's because the wife wants to go shopping at the mall of NH, but am curious of the availability of Stoneface, From the Barrell and Maine beer there. Is it a good place to go for these, or should I try elsewhere? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Bert's is probably your best bet. There are a couple options in Derry not too far down 93 as well, namely Lazy Dog and Drinkery. Calling to check on availability is always wise.
Waynes Market, N Woodstock Chase Street Market, Plymouth Bob's Shurfine, Ashland Golden Pond or Squam Market, Holderness Case N Keg, Meredith Smoke N Barley, Tilton And I just bet the Littleton Co-op had Stoneface Don't get off I93 before Tilton ... just keep going 'til you get to the Lakes region
If you just want to drink a HT or Lawsons, you have many options, restaurants in Waterbury, Montpelier, etc. will have cans of HT to drink in house. SofS and Super Session 2 on tap as well. The Lebanon/Hanover Co-Op has Stoneface APA and IPA at all times (as well as a good craft selection overall, Lebanon more). The RIS and others are only available at the brewery. If you are in Woodstock, VT don't miss the Worth Kitchen. Great food and great beer menu. They have four from Hill Farmstead and 2 from Lawson's on tap currently. Also Woodstock Hops and Barley is next door to worthy kitchen, they have a pretty good supply of craft beers and growler fills. You should be able to find the normal shelf Maine Beer Co. options easily, just got a Mo, Peeper, and Beer II on Monday in Hanover. Depending on how far into NH you go, Smuttynose is worth a stop as well as Earth Eagle, but if you got all the way to Portsmouth you may as well head to ME and hit the Portland and Freeport options (Bissell Bros, Foundation, Austin St., Allagash, Maine Beer Co.)
I haven't been by Bert's for awhile, but the selection is consistently comprehensive for the state. If you're going to be swinging by the Mall of NH (or just dropping off/picking up there), then Bert's isn't more than 10-15 minutes away on I-93. You could also swing down to some of the beer stores in Derry/Londonderry, including stopping by From the Barrel depending on their hours. If you've got time to kill while your wife is at the mall, there are some good bars worth checking out for some drafts: Cask & Vine in Derry always has a killer beer list, and the Strange Brew is a great spot in downtown Manchester, among others.
As someone mentioned above, Woodstock has some great beer places its self. Worthy Kitchen is a must and Woodstock Hops and Barely is super close and the guy that runs it is a pretty cool dude. As for New Hampshire, best beer store I've seen is Brewtopia in Keene, awesome knowledgeable guys there and a pretty good selection for New Hampshire.
Have to second Hops and Barley right in Woodstock, VT and of course Worthy Kitchen too. From the Barrel isn't but 2 exits south of the Mall of NH and also Kelsons and Rockingham Breweries are at the same exit.
