Hi all I will be at a retreat in Epping NH this weekend. The Saturday is fairly booked already, but am wondering if any 'must' stop places are around the area for Friday or Sunday afternoon? Could be a store, bar, or brewery. Driving up from N Boston FYI. Any out of state goodies I need to look for? Thanks as always BA!!
I'd recommend Neighborhood Beer Co. in Epping and Deciduous in Newmarket. Greg and Jane's is a pretty good bottle shop in Epping as well.
Any "must" stops in/near Epping? Not really. Deciduous is somewhat close (newmarket is about a 15-20 min drive) and has some good stuff, especially if you like sours. Neighborhood is in Exeter, not Epping (about a 10 min drive) and makes german style beers which are ok. Agree, Greg and Janes is one of the better bottle shops in the area, but lets be honest, NH bottle shops have nothing on those in Mass. The Holy Grail is a decent Irish restaurant with a pretty good tap list. A better place to stop on your way up would be Smuttynose's new facility in Hampton or Throwback in North Hampton. Both are nice spots with good beer and food.
I always mix up my "E" towns ;-). marc is correct about NH bottle shops. I live in NH and do most of my beer shopping in MA. The difference in distribution is pretty staggering but NH is getting better.
If you want a decent tap list skip the Grail and head down 101 a couple exits and try Tuckaway Tavern. The last couple times I have been there they have had excellent stuff by From the Barrel.
Take a detour on the way up or back through Amesbury and hit the Ale House. I used to live in Exeter and would cross the border to get good beer.
I was at Greg & Jane's last week. I was seriously impressed. Great selection & lots of NH locals you wouldn't find in Boston. Worthy of a visit.
