Shane Carley Brewery Name: Hobbs Tavern & Brewing Company Type of Brewery: Brewpub Location: 2415 White Mountain Highway, West Ossipee, NH 03890. This is pretty far north in New Hampshire, bordering on the gorgeous White Mountains. Website: http://www.hobbstavern.com/ Facebook: Hobbs Tavern & Brewing Company Twitter: @HobbsTavernBrew Background: Hobbs Tavern & Brewing Company is a place I wasn’t quite sure I would ever get to. I live in southern New Hampshire, and there just isn’t a ton of reason for me to head a few hours north. This September, however, I was finally able to check something off my list that I had always wanted to do: attend the New Hampshire Highland Games, one of the biggest Scottish festivals in the world. After a long day of eating lamb and potatoes and watching burly men in kilts throw extremely heavy objects around, I made sure to swing by Hobbs on the way back home--and boy am I glad I did. Growlers: Yup. As soon as you walk in the door, you’re greeted with a fridge full of 64 oz growlers ready to be taken home. The Beers: Hobbs has a wide variety of beers, and while there I was able to sample a good handful of them. The tap lists at Hobbs are written on awesome little slate chalkboards, which is a pretty cool touch. I was impressed with the number of different styles that Hobbs seems to have at any given time, and even more importantly, I was blown away by the quality. This is a brewing company tucked away in the mountains of northern New Hampshire, and much to my surprise they might be churning out some of the best beer in the state!
Vibe: Hobbs Tavern & Brewing Company has a cool, rustic, uniquely New Hampshire vibe. The building itself is very interesting, and a lot bigger than I expected. When you think “northern New Hampshire,” you think small towns, tight-knit communities, locally owned businesses, etc. I didn’t realize what an attraction Hobbs has become until we pulled into the parking lot. Everything about this place is cozy. The all-wood motif, from the chairs and tables to the solid wood bar to the fireplace nestled in the corner, gives off the perfect vibe--almost like a ski lodge, with a little extra food and beer. There are even a few armchairs scattered around, for those who want to enjoy a beer or two in comfort. It’s a spacious interior, and the brewing area next door is equally sizable, belying a surprisingly robust brewing capacity. Dogs: No. Hobbs is a full-service restaurant, so the pups will have to stay outside here. Price ($ to $$$$$): $$ / $$$. Shockingly affordable for such a big operation. The beer wasn’t too pricey and even the food is entirely reasonable. There are expensive options on the menu, but if you just want to drop in for a few beers and some bar food, they’ve got you covered without breaking the bank. Food: You bet. This isn’t just a brewery--it’s a whole restaurant operation. The food is mostly straightforward, the sort of homey comfort food that takes the food you know and crave and elevates it just a little bit. I had a delicious pineapple burger that I would be happy to order again. Final Thoughts: As I said before, I was blown away by the beer they serve. The most impressive thing to me is the fact that Hobbs brews such an eclectic array of styles--and manages to do all of them well. Hell, they even took a couple of styles that I don’t usually love and made them not only palatable, but probably the best beers I sampled! I really wish that Hobbs was significantly closer to where I live, because I would definitely be a regular. -- Shane Don't forget to follow us on social media!
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2 Comments
Jane Avery
10/6/2016 08:26:43 pm
I'm not a beer drinker, but this place looks wonderful. SO New Hampshire.
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10/7/2016 08:52:51 am
It really is! Even if you're not a beer drinker, it's a really nice, cozy spot up north, and the food is definitely very good!
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