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Portsmouth is a little city with a huge appetite for quality craft beers. It is the halfway point between two great beer cities, Portland and Boston, which explains why this tiny town seems to have a knack for cultivating world-class brewpubs and taprooms with the best brews anyone can ever try.
With the rising number of coastal hubs and new craft breweries in the locale, you will definitely have a hard time working your way to the best of the best. That is why we have come up with this list to help you save your precious time and find the local favorites that will definitely match your taste.
1. The Portsmouth Brewery
On top of our list is a brewery that stood strong against the test of time. Portsmouth Brewery has been brewing the best craft brews in Portsmouth in the last 31 years, and there is no stopping it as they continue to create a great environment where people can make good memories with the ones they love.
This fantastic brewpub/restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Portsmouth making it an ideal spot to have lunch, dinner, dates, and even late night-outs with friends. It takes pride in the variety of beer options it serves, its wide-ranging food menus, and its easily accessible location that is perfect for any occasion. It has a classic American brewpub interior as well as very welcoming outdoor seating. To ensure its sustainable growth, PB consciously looks for greener brewing solutions that will help reduce its carbon footprint. This is also its way of giving back to the community, which its success highly depends on.
- Crowd Favorite: Torn & Frayed. An easy-drinking American IPA with 6.9% ABV that pours a rich amber color with a thin white head, medium-bodied, packed with citrus aromas and pine notes.
- Highly Recommended: Dirty Blonde
- Hop-py Note: Accepts reservation. Offers a variety of vegan choices. Serves lunch and dinner. Street, garage, and validate parking. Wheelchair accessible. Free WiFi. Heated and covered outdoor seating. Bicycle parking is available. Environmental-friendly containers/packaging. TV. Child-friendly environment.
Hours: Open Sun-Thur 11:30am-11pm, Fri & Sat 11:30am-12am
Address: 56 Market St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Contact: (603)431-1115 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
2. Great Rhythm Brewing Company
Great Rhythm Brewing Company was established in 2012 but is not until 2016 that it had a brewhouse to call its own, located in Portsmouth West End neighborhood. This brewery is driven to brew the best craft brews using only quality ingredients and push forward to a more sustainable way of beer production.
GRBC adapts a coastal lifestyle, and its brewery is about as laid as beer drinking gets. Its taproom has a casual, sleek, warehouse-like interior that has enormous windows that allow you to see the beautiful landscape. It also has a spacious seating area with long tables that are perfect for groups. Aside from its hop-forward ales, you can also enjoy other preferences, from classic lagers to darker stouts. If you’re still unsure of what to order, do not fret, for Great Rythm has a tasting room where you can sample the beers before committing to one.
- Crowd Favorite: Squeeze. A medium-bodied American-style IPA, double dry hopped with distinct flavors of fused tangerine and papaya with a pineapple finish, pours a hazy pale gold color and nice lacing. 5.7% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Resonation Pale Ale
- Hop-py Note: Offers many vegan choices. Bike parking. Great for children. Handicapped accessible. Private lot parking is available. Gender-neutral restrooms. Covered outdoor seating.
Hours: Open Mon & Tue 4pm-8pm, Wed-Sat 12pm-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm
Address: 105 Bartlett St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Contact: (603)430-9640 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
3. Stoneface Brewing
Stoneface Brewery is a community-centered brewery that values the role of the people and the environment in its success in the local beer landscape. As part of its efforts to give back to the community, SB has adapted to sustainable brewing practices and made measures to make sure that its byproducts are recycled and utilized in the best way possible.
Its brewery is located Northwest of Portsmouth, and it is a short nine-minute drive from the heart of the city. It has 12 rotating taps and features a vibrant taproom that has a chic and funky vibe with all of its graffiti. Aside from its beers, SB also offers an extensive and changing food menu that will definitely complement its beer selections.
- Crowd Favorite: IPA. A hop-forward American-style IPA with 7.2% ABV with a balanced and clean malt profile. Packed with Columbus, Citra, Amarillo, and Simcoe hops for a bright citrus aroma and flavor.
- Highly Recommended: Full Clip
- Hop-py Note: Accepts orders for take-out and curbside pick-up. Private lot parking spaces. Offers military discounts. Great for children. Wheelchair accessible. Bicycle parking available
Hours: Open Wed-Sun 11am-8:30pm, Mon & Tue Closed
Address: 436 Shattuck Way, Newington, NH 03801
Contact: (603)427-9801 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
4. Cisco Brewers – Portsmouth
The Cisco Brewers was established in 1984, but it was in 1995 that it opened numerous breweries across the state and took part in the local beer landscape of Portsmouth, NH. It works with its primary goal to bottle up the best craft brews that create the friendly and familiar ambiance that everyone sought after, where conversations freely flow.
CB taproom has a classy restaurant vibe. It takes pride in being the host for local events during the summer and boasts the freshest craft beer served with its 18 rotating taps. As abundant sa its beers, CB also serves some of the best food you’ll have in the place, which revolves mainly around Mexican cuisines that will surely top off your experience.
- Crowd Favorite: Whale’s Tale Pale Ale. A balanced English–style pale ale with 5.6% ABV that pours a rich honey color. Packed with East Kent Golding hops and Marris Otter malt with an earthy, fruity, and herbal aroma.
- Highly Recommended: Grey Lady Wheat Ale
- Hop-py Note: Dog-friendly. Offers military discount. Private lot parking spaces. Offers catering services. Accepts takeout orders. Provides a variety of vegan options. Great for children. Wheelchair accessible. Bicycle parking is available.
Hours: Open Thur-Sat 12pm-9pm, Sun 11am-5pm, Mon-Wed Closed
Address: 35 Corporate Dr, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Contact: (603)380-7575 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
5. Earth Eagle Brewings
Earth Eagle Brewing is famous not only for locals but for avid travelers as well. It was in 2012 that EEB opened its first taproom, and since then, it has been considered Portsmouth’s hidden gem for its authentic American brewery experience and for having a dedicated shop for homebrew supplies.
EEB is located not far from the market square, and its taproom is pretty unsuspecting. It has a cabin-like exterior with a very interesting interior packed with aesthetic vibes. It features a very simple beer garden where you can enjoy its all-time favorites and munch on the best pub grubs it serves.
- Crowd Favorite: New England Gangsta’. A West coast style American IPA generously hopped with Pacific Northwest hops, packed with sweet and juicy hop scent and tropical citrus flavor with 6.5% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Shepherd’s Crook
- Hop-py Note: Accepts delivery and takeout orders. Serves lunch and dinner. Free WiFi. Gender-neutral bathrooms. Garage and street parking spaces are available. Offers many vegan options. Serves lunch and dinner. Outdoor seating. Full bar. Bicycle parking.
Hours: Open Tue-Thur 12pm-9pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-10pm, Sun 12pm-6pm, Mon Closed
Address: 175 High St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Contact: (603)502-2244 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
6. Tributary Brewing Company
Tributary Brewing Company has been up and running for the last two decades, and since then, it has been one of the locale’s renowned brewing legends. For Tod, the founder, it is more than just a famous brewery – it is a fulfillment of his long-held dream and a place to call his own.
TBC is a 2.3-mile ride from the heart of Portsmouth and has a minimalist motif from its facade to its interior. It features Biergarten-style pub tables, a very calming outdoor patio space, and a variety of beer selections fresh from the tap. On top of being a great hang-out place, TBC also makes conscious efforts to be more sustainable while still maintaining the excellent-tasting brews it serves.
- Crowd Favorite: Pale Ale. A refreshing American pale ale with 5.2% ABV, dry-hopped with Citra, CTZ, and Warrior hops for an incredible hop character with citrus, bready aromas, and a smooth bitter finish.
- Highly Recommended: Mott the Lesser
- Hop-py Note: Accepts orders for takeout or curbside pickup. Dog-friendly. Private lot parking space. Gender-neutral bathrooms. Bike parking.
Hours: Open Wed-Sat 12pm-7pm, Sun 12pm-6pm, Mon & Tue Closed
Address: 10 Shapleigh Rd, Kittery, ME 03904
Contact: (207)703-0093 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
7. Loaded Question Brewing
Loaded Question Brewing is one of the smallest breweries you will find in Portsmouth, but it surely is feisty when it comes to serving the best craft beers in town. On top of serving high-quality beers, LBQ will leave you coming back for more with its mouth-watering pub grubs that will top off your whole experience.
Its pub is located along Islington street, and it features a cozy taproom with great outdoor seating and generous 12 rotating taps. The meals it serves are as rich as its beers ranging from a filling sandwich to a light bowl of chips and salsa. You can also have other local eateries nearby that will surely give you an unforgettable experience with Loaded Question Brewing.
- Crowd Favorite: Sparkletoes. A complex Vermont-style Double IPA with 7.4% ABV, hopped with Amarillo, Mosaic, Simcoe, and Citra hop, with a dank and citrus-fruity flavor.
- Highly Recommended: Orange Peel Incident
- Hop-py Note: Dogs are allowed. Private lot parking. Accepts orders for delivery and curbside pickup. Wheelchair accessible. Heated outdoor seating. Gender-neutral restrooms. Bicycle parking is available.
Hours: Open Mon-Fri 1pm-9pm, Sat 12pm-9pm, Sun 1pm-8pm
Address: 909 Islington St Suite #12, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Contact: (603)852-1396 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
