Where brews are born

Local breweries

Beers from Spyglass Brewing Co. Photo by Matt Ingersoll

According to the New Hampshire Brewers Association, the total number of craft breweries in the state has more than doubled since 2015, and the industry’s impact on the state’s economy continues to grow. Here are 10 breweries turning out IPAs, lagers and more in southern New Hampshire.

1. 603 BREWERY

42 Main St., Londonderry, 404-6123, 603brewery.com 603 Brewery was founded by three longtime college friends in 2012, who had met while studying engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. The very first beer they brewed as a company, known as the “Winni Amber Ale,” remains a part of its core lineup nearly a decade later. In 2019, 603 Brewery relocated all of its operation to its current space in Londonderry’s Woodmont Commons development, introducing a beer hall and an outdoor patio, all with a full locally sourced food menu of options like brick oven pizzas, burgers, appetizers and more.

2. ABLE EBENEZER BREWING CO.

31 Columbia Circle, Merrimack, 844-223-2253, ableebenezer.com Able Ebenezer, a veteran-owned and -operated brewery that opened in Merrimack in early 2014, is named after Ebenezer Mudgett, a New Hampshire native who served in the Revolutionary War. Many of its brews are either inspired by or named after historical events or figures. Some of its most popular include an IPA brewed with cherrywood-smoked malt called “Burn the Ships,” and a West Coast-style double IPA called “Victory Nor Defeat.”

3. BACKYARD BREWERY & KITCHEN

1211 S. Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-3545, backyardbrewerynh.com A spacious spot with both an outdoor patio and a large indoor dining room, Backyard Brewery & Kitchen has been offering craft beers like IPAs and European-style lagers and saisons since the summer of 2017, along with a scratch-made menu of foods to match. Offerings include everything from pizzas and burgers to plated entrees like prime rib, baby back ribs and maple salmon.

4. CONCORD CRAFT BREWING

117 Storrs St., Concord, 856-7625, concordcraftbrewing.com Steps away from Main Street in downtown Concord, this brewery is known for offering a variety of styles, like IPAs, sours, stouts and porters. One of its most popular is “Safe Space,” a smooth and citrusy New England IPA.

5. PIPE DREAM BREWING

49 Harvey Road, Londonderry, 404-0751, pipedreambrewingnh.com Pipe Dream is a veteran-owned brewery that opened in 2016, offering many West Coast-inspired brews in all kinds of experimental styles, as well as a food menu of pizzas, sandwiches, loaded nachos, savory bowls and more. In 2019, Pipe Dream also opened an adjoining 1,000-square-foot function room that can be used for small gatherings like birthday parties, anniversary parties, reunions and corporate events.

6. LITHERMANS LIMITED BREWERY

126 Hall St., Unit B, Concord, 219-0784, lithermans.beer Lithermans Limited Brewery was founded in 2016 by Michael Hauptly-Pierce and Stephen Bradbury, two homebrewers who had also played in a hip-hop group. Many of their beers, which include IPAs, sours and stouts, are musicthemed — some have even been paired with local musicians to present special releases. Lithermans Limited also keeps a regular schedule of local food trucks that visit throughout the summer.

7. SPYGLASS BREWING CO.

2 Townsend West, Unit 8, Nashua, 546-2965, spyglassbrewing.com Spyglass Brewing Co. opened in Nashua in October 2018, but co-owner John Wagner has been homebrewing since the 1980s. He and co-founders Joe Kidder, Jonas Johansson and Subramaniam “A.V.” Aiylam were all working engineers at the time of the nanobrewery’s grand opening. Spyglass is known for its hazy IPAs and saisons, many of which feature tropical fruit or citrus flavors.

8. TO SHARE BREWING CO.

720 Union St., Manchester, 836-6947, tosharebrewing.com Husband-and-wife team Aaron and Jenni Share, who are both originally from the Washington, D.C., area, opened this brewery in December 2018. To Share is a spot known for its unassuming residential feel, as well as its New England- and West Coast-style IPAs.

9. KETTLEHEAD BREWING CO.

407 W. Main St., Tilton, 286-8100, kettleheadbrewing.com This Lakes Region craft brewery, which opened in November 2017, offers a menu of scratch-made appetizers, lighter fare and larger entree-sized meals, along with its more than a dozen available beers on tap.

10. HENNIKER BREWING CO.

129 Centervale Road, Henniker, 428-3579, hennikerbrewing.com The longest brewery in operation on this list, Henniker Brewing Co. was founded in 2011 by former New Hampshire State Sen. Dave Currier. Tucked away at the end of Centervale Road just outside of downtown Henniker, the brewery features double IPAs, seasonal sours and other options on tap.