Brewery Finds

The beertender puts on a top hat then shakes the cane and gives the old "jazz hands" before finishing your pour.

 

I was in Kittery Me last weekend for the Mott the Lesser release at Tributary. We stopped at 3 other breweries on the way back (to the detriment of my liver...) All in Portsmouth - Great Rhythm, Liar's Bench and Loaded Question. All really solid brewers there. Didn't explore the entire list, but what I tried from each was very good.

 

I’m loving stellwagon’s IPA’s, and I’ve been impressed by their dancing gose series too.

Two places I’ve enjoyed while traveling to/from Portland and charlton are Earth Eagle in Portsmouth and Cold Harbor in Westborough.

Earth Eagle has got a solid restaurant attached to their brewery, and for some reason I love cleansing my hopped I’ll palate with gruit. Cold Harbor’s taproom is tiny, but they do some good work with ipa’s that are taproom only.

 

I started reading this thinking, "Oh wow, same trip as the other guy in the other thread."

Then I realized you were the other guy in the other thread.

 

I stopped by Riverwalk in Newburyport today because I have always loved their english bitter Uncle Bob’s. Their other stuff is fine, but I really really love that beer. 4.5%, great body, just a good sessionable underappeciated style.

Then I was informed by Steve, the owner, they were shelving it because it doesn’t sell.

Terrible news. I get that these places are businesses, but damn I don’t want all the non-hazy ipas to disappear.

 

Awesome. Honkers and now this.

Fucking New England IPAs.

 

That sucks, the Bitter was my favorite beer there. I don't dislike the rest of their lineup, but don't really find any of their other beers memorable. I'll still visit the taproom on occasion, the back patio is a nice place to have a few pints and play cornhole.

 

The wife and I stopped by Northampton Brewery and Progession Brewing in Northampton last week.

Northampton was fine (both the food and the beer) but nothing really stood out. Just a point of information, if you order the "pretzel bits" you are getting pieces of pizza dough. They taste good, they just aren't pretzels.

Progession had several excellent IPAs mainly (but not exclusively) revolving around Citra and Mosaic hops. Clearly a well funded operation, the taproom was very nicely laid out.

 

I love that roof deck at Northampton. Gotta get back there this summer!

 

What's the deal with River Styx? I've heard some great things and the wife and I may be in the area this weekend. Would love to finally try them. Cans look to be sporadic? Same for crowlers?

 

Depends what you’re into. I’ve had probably 5-6 hoppy offerings and 3-4 stouts. They were good not great. Tap room is nice but don’t plan on any neighborhood to walk around before or after.

Worth a try if in the area.