NH Beer!

Any shops not too far from I-93 between Boston and Waterville Valley that carry Stoneface?

 

The Drinkery in Derry is about a mile off 93 at exit 4 (heading east on 102). The Drinkery in Londonderry is about two miles off 93 at exit 4 (heading west on 102). I'd call first to make sure they have it in stock :-).

 

Just heard some more rumblings about these guys. Seems to be very much happening. License is active now and heard about them hiring some employees. Looks like they're going to be called Great North Aleworks. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/greatnorthaleworks

 

I'm going to preface this by saying I've been by Kelsen a couple times and Erik is a great guy. The Paradigm is a terrific brown (long story short, I was commissioned to write a "pizza and beer" pairing article for a local mag. Someone has to do the tough jobs. Oh, we paired paradigm with deep dish chorizo and onion). I've liked what I've had from them.

But I can't get over the labels being so terrible. It's the same thing with Clown Shoes. Can't get over the labels. Refuse to buy the beer. Unicorn tears could be bottled in a bourbon barrel barleywine and given the first ever 101 rating on this site and I wouldn't buy it. Terrible, I know.

 

Anything, not just beer, with the words Made in Maine or Made in Vermont is ridiculously expensive ( except Heady).

 

I'll never understand this sentiment. Unless you're framing the bottle, honestly, who cares?

 

Totally get your stance. I don't know. Just something I can't get over. More for you, I guess. I liken it to not seeing a movie because you don't like a particular actor. Petty, maybe, but a detail you can't get passed.

 

Few updates on NH beer I didn't see anyone talking about so I figured I'd bump the thread.

Deciduous is getting temptingly close to opening, per their Facebook page. They recently shared with the Portsmouth Herald that their initial lineup will feature a dry-hopped pale and "a slightly Berliner-inspired sour lineup," as well as a peat-smoked rye porter. Dibs.

Stoneface has started bottling their porter and had a surprise batch of Mozaccalypse that they're selling this week at the brewery. I missed out on the last batch of RIS so I'm super thrilled that they'll have it at ACBF this weekend.

Able Ebenezer in Merrimack is going to celebrate its 1-year anniversary in a couple weeks, with an on-premises party featuring the debut of their new double IPA, one which they claim they've been working on for a long time. I work in Merrimack and really, really want them to be good, but aside from Burn the Ships and their pumpkin Homecoming, most of their beers taste like less interesting versions of the same thing, except their "belgian" Emma Wood which is...not good. I fear their early success and the endless praise from locals who have lived in the shadow of the Bud plant forever may go to their heads (they were voted "Best Brewery in NH" in this year's Hippo review, which is a factual impossibility as long as Newington is still located in New Hampshire). But, again, they are a cool story (all veterans and such, they hand-deliver to all the local establishments, their tasting room is awesome, etc) and with their first double IPA I think they have a chance to actually be taken seriously. Here's rooting for them.

Finally: JW Hills, an awful sports bar in a really cool location in downtown Manchester, finally shut its doors, and I heard a rumor from a friend who lives closer to the Seacoast that the Thirsty Moose may be eyeing it for a new location. This would be awesome. As it stands, the beer bar scene here in the Queen City is honestly a bit lacking. Murphy's has a cool roof deck but the selection takes a quantity-over-quality stance, though they do have cool stuff on tap occasionally. Then there's Strange Brew, which I have a love-hate relationship with, love because a $2.50 pint of UFO Big Squeeze on the patio is summertime bliss, and because nowhere else will I ever have $3 pints of Pumking, but hate the whole "hey, maybe it's part of our happy hour deal tonight, maybe it's not, order it and when the server comes back 20 minutes later you'll find out!" schtick gets old quick. And even beyond happy hour, they're almost always sold out of the two or three best things on their menu. Ahem. Rant over. Anyway, It would be nice to have another good option downtown, rather than a drive out to the suburbs to find a quality spot like NE Tap House or River Road Tavern. I've been really pleased with 815 and their all-NH list...this would be another step in the right direction.

Long story short, there's no real credibility to this rumor at all but I hope it's true.

 

Glad you'll get the RIS at ACBF. I was talking to the brewer/Stoneface team at Row 34 last night and they were very excited about the most recent batch, so I share your excitement in getting to try it this weekend.

 

Heard a strong rumor they were going into Nashua. Not sure if they're doing 2 new spots, but...

 

I love the NH beer scene getting better. Had the Rockingham bacon stout, which I didn't like at all. But I'm excited to give them a go, as well as Able Ebenezer.

And Deciduous. Come on, Dave, let's roll. I can't wait.

 

Hit up Stoneface for my 3rd visit yesterday. The APA might be the class of New England...which is quite a class. Had my first Mozzacalypse this afternoon. Some big DIPAs need that first sip to be savored and considered, others, while equally complex and flavorful, demand the 2nd sip happen immediately. Mozza was the latter. Excellent aroma and taste. Like stone faces other stuff: not ground breaking, just damn good beer.

 

MK by From The Barrel is a must try. The brewery is located right off exit 4 on 93. They make many excellent beers but this one blew me away. I'd say it's one of the top 10 best IPA's I've ever had, and I've had pretty much all of them. They are working on a fresh batch that will be available this weekend. Lots of Citra, Mosaic, and a handful of other hops in it. It's a giant super juicy double ipa. Have at it.

 

Maybe you are not looking for this style, but Smuttynose Old Brown Dog is amazing.

 

Definitely one of my favorite beers from the days I lived in Portsmouth.

Was great to see the Granite State represented strongly at ACBF yesterday - Stoneface, Henniker, 603, Schilling, Throwback, Woodstock, Great Rhythm, Martha's, Moat Mtn, Tuckerman, Smuttynose. #LiveFreeDrinkCraft #GraniteStateOfMind

 

Stoneface IPA kicked pretty early in the first session...which, in a weird way, is really awesome. Glad to see so much enthusiasm for the Granite State in general. The RIS was amazing, as expected.