Whether you’re in the mood for a local brew or want a craft cocktail, these winners have you covered.
Editor’s Picks
Craft Cocktails
Industry East opened on Hanover Street in Manchester just as the pandemic turned the restaurant business upside down. Despite the added challenges, Jeremy Hart and Dan Haggerty created a charming, intimate bar with an intriguing list of both cocktails and dishes, which range from oysters on the half shell to duck confit stuffed popovers. If something like the Lookin’ California (gin, aperol, thyme, orgeat, acid-adjusted grapefruit) or Gentleman’s Choice (mezcal or vodka, orange and carrot shrub, lemon, honey, Thai chili) aren’t to your taste, order the Lemme Get UUHHHH … and they’ll whip up something just for you.
Winery Wonderland
Fans of LaBelle Winery are likely familiar with the flagship vineyard and restaurant in Amherst and the retail shop and tasting room in Portsmouth. Now winemaker/owners Amy LaBelle and her husband Cesar Arboleda have brought new life to the former 45-acre Brookstone Events & Golf site in Derry, turning it into a market, restaurant, winemaking facility, tasting barn and golf course. LaBelle Market features prepared and made-to-order food, from baked goods to entrées, plus grocery items including artisanal cheese, housemade ice cream and pasta, meats, items for the grill and more. If you’re in the mood for a sit-down meal, their newest restaurant, Americus, is adjacent to the market. All of this overlooks the Links at LaBelle Winery, a nine-hole course and Mini Links, 18 holes of fun, family-friendly minigolf. Construction on the tasting barn is expected to be done later this month, and they also plan to include events space and catering services.
Kindred Kombucha
Bri Hehir and Helen Leavitt are kindred spirits — they both love gardening, brewing and … kombucha. The first licensed kombucha brewery in the state, Auspicious Brew offers craft kombucha that is brewed, bottled and housed in one of Dover’s iconic mills. Each batch reflects a specific place and moment in time and is inspired by the short, ever-changing New England seasons. Shop online or stop by the brewery to try one-of-a-kind flavors like Party Punch, Lilac Rain, Into the Jungle or Party Hard, their flagship 5.5% ABV hard kombucha.
Readers’ Poll Winners
Bartender
Becca Paine
Machina Kitchen & ArtBar
Keene
machinaarts.org
Brewery
Brewery Overall Winner
603 Brewery
Londonderry
603brewery.com
Brewery Concord Area
Lithermans Limited Brewery
Concord
lithermans.beer
Brewery Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region
Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille
New London
flyinggoose.com
Brewery Great North Woods Region
Copper Pig Brewery
Lancaster
copperpigbrewery.com
Brewery Lakes Region
Kettlehead Brewing Co.
Tilton
kettleheadbrewing.com
Brewery Manchester Area
Pipe Dream Brewing
Londonderry
pipedreambrewingnh.com
Brewery Monadnock Region
Modestman Brewing
Keene
modestmanbrewing.com
Brewery Nashua Area
Spyglass Brewing Co.
Nashua
spyglassbrewing.com
Brewery Salem Area
Rockingham Brewing Co.
Derry
rockinghambrewing.com
Brewery Seacoast Region
Stoneface Brewing Co.
Newington
stonefacebrewing.com
Brewery White Mountains Region
Woodstock Inn Brewery
North Woodstock
woodstockinnbrewery.com
Brewpub
Woodstock Inn Brewery
North Woodstock
woodstockinnbrewery.com
Wine Shop
WineNot Boutique
Nashua
winenotboutique.com
Beer Store
Bert’s Better Beers
Hooksett
bertsbetterbeers.com
Cocktails
The Copper Door
Bedford and Salem
copperdoor.com
Distillery
Tamworth Distilling & Mercantile
Tamworth
tamworthdistilling.com
Winery or Vineyard
LaBelle Winery
Amherst, Derry and Portsmouth
labellewinerynh.com
Martinis
The Copper Door
Bedford and Salem
copperdoor.com
Restaurant With Best Beer List
New England’s Tap House Grille
Hooksett
taphousenh.com
Restaurant With Best Beer List Multilocation Local
Thirsty Moose Taphouse
Multiple Locations
thirstymoosetaphouse.com
Restaurant With Best Wine List
The Bedford Village Inn
Bedford
bedfordvillageinn.com