Breweries
Culinary travel is big in New England because of the marvelous, centuries-old traditions of farming, cooking... and beer brewing! Brewery operators in New England are proud of their beers and lagers, and eager to show their hospitality to guests on a vacation or getaway in New England. (The same could be said, by the way, of the wide varieties of vineyards and wineries in all parts of New England.) Here is a list of the best brewery tours and brewers who welcome beer lovers to their unique workplaces.
7 listings
North Woodstock, NH
Woodstock Inn Brewery
135 Main Street 603-745-3951A welcoming brewery with hearty meals and beers that are distinctly New Hampshire
If you’re in or planning a visit to New Hampshire, why not grab a beer that represents all we love about the state. At the Woodstock Inn Brewery, they’ve been producing distinctly New Hampshire beer for more than 25 years, from the 4000 Footer IPA, the official beer of hiking, to Lost River Light, for those lazy days at the swimming hole. (Check the website for the current tap list.) Voted the White Mountains’ favorite restaurant for eight years, the warm, inviting Main Bar at the inn and brewery is the place to enjoy live music, livelier conversation, great brews and hearty breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Warm weather means sipping and dining on the seasonal Dam Bar’s patio, where well-behaved dogs are welcome.
ME
Maine -- Allagash Brewing Company
Portland visitors who love beer should know about the Allagash Brewing Company. Founded in 1995 as a one-man shop, Allagash brews traditional and experimental Belgian beers. The beers are bottle-conditioned, meaning that a fresh dose of yeast is added just before bottling, allowing a new round of fermentation that enhances the traditional Belgian taste. Tours are offered year-round. Consult the tour calendar and plan ahead; Saturdays are busy. Tours are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Bloomfield, CT
Connecticut -- Thomas Hooker Brewing Co.
16 Tobey Road 860-461-0425Thomas Hooker Brewing Co. is Connecticut's local brewery with a national reputation. Hooker offers eleven unique beers (7 ales and 4 lagers) and has won several accolades over the years.
Hooker is open for tours, tastings and group events (please call). Happy Hour is 3-5pm weekdays so feel free to stop by!
Bar Harbor, ME
Maine -- Atlantic Brewing Co.
15 Knox Road 207-288-2337Maine has a fine heritage of microbreweries of various styles. Atlantic Brewing Co. has been brewing Bar Harbor Real Ale and Bar Harbor Blueberry Ale for over a decade, and find loyal followers throughout Maine and the micro brewing world. The new facility was built on the site of an old farm a few miles from downtown Bar Harbor. It was designed to create a more visitor-friendly environment similar to country wineries and breweries found throughout Europe.
Free tours of the brew house are offered daily at 2, 3, and 4 p.m. from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. Free tastings of beers and sodas also can be done in the gift shop. No reservation is necessary for tours0.
HYANNIS, MA
Massachusetts -- Cape Cod Beer
1336 Phinney’s LaneCape Cod Beer started out in April of 2004, brewing at the old Hyport Brewing Company on Main Street in Hyannis. Now, the brewery, on Phinney’s Lane, is a 15 bbl direct fired brew house with 9-by-30 bbl and 3-by-15 bbl fermenters. The company brews about 10 to 12 times a week during the high season, and about half that during the off season and distribute beer from Plymouth to Provincetown. Year-round beers are Cape Cod Red, Cape Cod IPA, and Cape Cod Beach Blonde Ale. Several seasonal beers celebrate summer, fall, and winter.
Guided tours are offered Tuesdays and 11 a.m. and Saturdays, at 1 p.m. Visitors may take self-guided tours during regular retail hours, Monday-Friday, noon-6 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Westminster, MA
Massachusetts – Wachusett Beer
175 State Road EastWachusett Brewery’s three co-founders developed an appreciation for beer while attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Armed with a can-do attitude, the three cast off from their careers in engineering and biology to found the Wachusett Brewing Co. in 1993. The three founders designed and built most of the equipment; did the brewing and filling, selling and delivering.
Brewery tours are offered Wednesday and Thursday, noon-4 p.m. (last tour at 3); Friday and Saturday, noon-5 p.m. (last tour at 4). Brewery store hours are Wednesday and Saturday, noon-5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, noon-6 p.m. The company also hosts tastings, pint nights, and special events.
Newport, RI
Rhode Island - Newport Storm Beer
Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling - 293 J.T. Connell Highway 401-849-5232It isn’t surprising to hear that four guys from college came up with an idea to start a brewery. In July 1999 the brewery’s first beer, Hurricane Amber Ale, was released. Since then, the brewery has continued to slowly build itself and its reputation. In 2006 the Newport Distilling Company opened, making Thomas Tew Rum. In 2010 the brewery and distillery built a new facility in the north Newport, including a Visitors Center and tour deck.
The visitors center is open for tours and tastings daily except Tuesdays from noon to 5 p.m. During opening hours, visitors may enjoy a tasting of Newport Storm beer and Thomas Tew rum. Self-guided tours during all open hours; guided tours leave once daily at 3 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. No reservations are necessary for groups of less than ten people. The visitors center has a gift shop with glassware, apparel, and Storm and Tew gear.
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