Editor’s Picks
Hot Dogs and Beer
Candia Road Brewing Co. in Manchester keeps it crispy serving up craft beer at their brewery and taproom. Pairing a chicken bacon ranch crisper with a subtle banana wheat ale or a basket of nachos with a pint of sidewalk chalk may be great, but the best combination may be any of their hot dog varieties with an IPA or lager. Can’t get any better than that. www.candiaroadbrewingco.com
Bowling Alley Dive Bar
Who doesn’t love a good dive bar? Throw candlepin bowling into the mix and now we’re talking. Rumors Sports Bar & Bowling in Newmarket delights in the sort of local grime that can’t be bought — you’ve got to earn that kind of character. Cheap pitchers of beer, old-school candlepin bowling (seriously, the bowling alley is straight from the ’80s, without any screens or digitization) and karaoke several nights a week, Rumors is a throwback to simpler times. Let your guard down and go have fun with the locals. www.instagram.com/rumorsnh
Craft Brew Hidden Gem
With over 100 craft breweries in New Hampshire, it’s nearly impossible to single out the best — but Back Hill Beer Co. in Rochester truly feels like a “hidden gem.” Buried deep within the Gonic Mill complex, one must walk through a labyrinth of living New England history to arrive at the warm, welcoming taproom — and, of course, it’s worth it. Brewer and owner Peter LaPlante specializes in hazy New England IPAs but makes a solid range of venerable brews, from fruited sours and brown ales to American stouts and lagers. Back Hill also serves locally-baked soft pretzels from Potter’s House Bakery and Café alongside house-made beer cheese, a hearty snack to accompany the tasty pours. www.backhillbeer.com
Readers’ Poll Winners
New Hampshire Brewer’s IPA
Stoneface Brewing Co.
Newington
www.stonefacebrewing.com
★★★★★★★
New Hampshire Brewer’s Lager
603 Brewery
Londonderry
www.603brewery.com
★★★★★★★
New Hampshire Brewer’s Sour Beer
Pipe Dream Brewing
Londonderry
www.pipedreambrewingnh.com
★★★★★★★
Restaurant With Best Beer List
New England’s Tap House Grille
Hooksett
www.taphousenh.com
Restaurant With Best Beer List Multilocation Local
Thirsty Moose Taphouse
www.thirstymoosetaphouse.com
★★★★★★★
Restaurant With Best Wine List
Vino e Vivo
Exeter
vinoevivo.com
★★★★★★★
Brewery
Overall winner 603 Brewery
Londonderry
www.603brewery.com
Brewery Concord Area
Northwoods Brewing Company
Northwood
www.northwoodsbrewingcompany.com
Brewery Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region
Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille
New London
www.flyinggoose.com
Brewery Great North Woods Region
Copper Pig Brewery
Lancaster
www.copperpigbrewery.com
Brewery Lakes Region
Kettlehead Brewing Co.
Tilton
www.kettleheadbrewing.com
Brewery Manchester Area
Pipe Dream Brewing
Londonderry
www.pipedreambrewingnh.com
Brewery Monadnock Region
Modestman Brewing
Keene
www.modestmanbrewing.com
Brewery Nashua Area
Spyglass Brewing Co.
Nashua
www.spyglassbrewing.com
Brewery Salem Area
Kelsen Brewing Company
Derry
www.kelsenbrewing.com
Brewery Seacoast Region
Throwback Brewery
North Hampton
www.throwbackbrewery.com
Brewery White Mountains Region
Woodstock Inn Brewery
North Woodstock
www.woodstockinnbrewery.com
★★★★★★★
Brewpub
Woodstock Inn Brewery
North Woodstock
www.woodstockinnbrewery.com
★★★★★★★
Sports Bar
Billy’s Sports Bar & Grille
Manchester
www.facebook.com/billys.sportsbar
Sports Bar Multilocation Local
Thirsty Moose Taphouse
www.thirstymoosetaphouse.com
★★★★★★★
Cocktails
The Copper Door
Bedford and Salem
www.copperdoor.com
★★★★★★★
Distillery
Tamworth Distilling & Mercantile
Tamworth
www.tamworthdistilling.com
★★★★★★★
Winery or Vineyard
Zorvino Vineyards
Sandown
www.zorvino.com
Winery or Vineyard Multilocation Local
LaBelle Winery
Amherst and Derry
labellewinerynh.com