Recent brewery visits (2023)

I've started really noticing lately that if I haven't heard about a brewery being good in this forum, odds are the beer isn't good.

 

It's an excellent point, and my experience is obviously a small sample size.

I feel this way with restaurants too though. And it's seemed to pan out over time.

Silvaticus is a good one to bring up though. They're small, and not near the city. I felt as if they were open for a couple years before really gaining traction on here. People went there and were saying great things about them (those of us who aren't hop heads anyways), so I checked them out and fell in love.

Some of these new breweries I've been to have been open awhile, and I figure, "I'm in the area, let me swing through". And the beers are just...not good. Some are simply not tasty, while others have brewing flaws. To the point where I ask myself, "Holy crap, why didn't they spend some more time perfecting a few styles first".

But then I turn around and see the places are really busy...so I guess "learn as you go" can work if you're making money.

 

From my perspective, if I'm going to a brewery that's making crappy beers, it feels like a waste of time, money, and calories. It's tough to just go to any brewery out of the blue. It's especially tough to go to any new brewery on a whim. The last three new to me breweries I've gone to:

Sacred Profane - this is easy. I've known Brienne for a long time and had her beers over the years. I have had Fava's beers from Oxbow. It's not hard to know that they're going to make a great product (although I would say both beers exceeded my expectations).
Medford Brewing - This is by distance and time the closest brewery to me. I wanted to check them out. I think they're still trying to figure things out as far as taproom experience but the beers were fine.
Winter Hill - Going to this brewery was a long time coming and Saturday was a beautiful day to walk around Camberville (though we started in Medford). Lot of friends have gone to and enjoyed going to this brewery so it was more me not going than you know any apprehension about the actual brewery.

So I have the know people brewery, the local brewery, and the endorsed brewery. That's kind of what it takes to get me to visit in the first place. I do need to be more adventurous about the breweries I go to, but I also don't get to breweries I really like (e.g. Amory's Tomb) as much as I would like either.

 

I like trying convenient breweries when I’m traveling about if I have time, not choosy unless its my main focus of excursion but for just a pop in whatever. I have one evening in Portland OR next month and am fretting over what to hit up with such limited time.

 

Oof, yeah one night is rough.

 

So did anyone make it to Outrider this past weekend? We were out of town but look forward to visiting soon.

 

I'm intrigued because I don't even know what that is!

 

Have made multiple visits to Red Barn in Danville, VT, over the past few weeks. Solid brews (esp. the Whiplash wheat) and great food. The actual facility is beautiful, too. Definitely easy to overlook with Hill Farm not too far away.

 

I’m here now. Beautiful space. Food is solid. Small draught list for now. I enjoyed the hazy ipa, also had the kolsch and stout.

 

We actually swung by this afternoon as well. Loved the stout and the Clear IPA (not a new style, just an AIPA) and the Kolsch was very solid as well. Also, very good food. Highly recommended.

 

Inspired by this thread, I visited Outrider in Amesbury, and crawled onwards to Mill 77 and Silvaticus, both within a short walk. BareWolf in town as well, making Amesbury well worth a visit or two!

 

Ugh, I love this. Plus Rusty Can in Byfield. But Amesbury is an hour for me, tough sell. You guys are killin' me!

 

@mrmattosgood

Happy to see you supporting Back Beat. Top 3 New England brewery for me.

 

We took the pup out to Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, NH today. Great food, solid beer (loved the Pils), and the setting was great. Will def be back in the fall when the leaves are changing.

 

The wife and I had a short but enjoyable visit to River Roost in White River Junction yesterday. They are currently constructing a larger taproom but you can grab pours to enjoy on their temporary deck. It was a little rustic but felt good to sit in the sunshine.

Everything is available in taster and half-pour sizes. Five of the six drafts are IPAs but they also do bottle service with their wild ales and mixed-culture saisons (full bottles only). I loved the Verdoname, mixed-culture barrel aged Mas Verde - not quite tart, lots of good funk and juicy hops. Brought home some bottles to enjoy at home.

Also scooted across the parking lot to Big Fatty's to enjoy HF Marie and Anna on draft and pick up some ribs to bring home. The Anna was super fresh and tasting better than ever.

 

Visited the new Outrider Brewery in Amesbury over the weekend. Impressive new space, brick/industrial feel. Had the Hazy IPA & ESB, both were tasty and had a pleasant fresh grainy taste to them. Food looked good, didn't have anything but will try on next visit.

Amesbury quietly becoming a beer destination - something I wouldn't have guessed 6-7 years ago.

 

Went to a new brewery in downtown Salem, MA on Sunday: Couch Dog Brewing Company. Cool taproom with some outdoor seating. Mainly lighter beers, especially brewed with herbs. I had a chai stout, a wheat beer, an ipa and a pale ale with mugwort. Easily walkable to Notch and East Regiment.