USA, NH: New Hampshire’s craft beer scene expanding rapidly

The beer business is booming in New Hampshire.

More varieties than ever of Granite State suds are on tap with a line of craft brewers planning to join the industry and more than double the number of operations New Hampshire had just two years ago, New Hampshire Union Leader reported on April 16.

"There's running room here in New Hampshire," said Scott Schaier, executive director of the Beer Distributors of New Hampshire. "We've got a nice cluster in the Seacoast area, but they're all doing great. It doesn't appear like there's too many at the party right now."

Schaier said the number of licensed breweries in New Hampshire has grown to 55, with at least 16 more operators in the planning stages or awaiting the permits needed to stop planning and start brewing.

"It's pretty amazing when you consider two years ago we had 30 breweries," said Schaier, who also sits on the board of BrewNH, a nonprofit that promotes the industry and works with the state Department of Travel and Tourism to capitalize on the Granite State's beer boom.

A vast majority of the newcomers are craft brewers, who produce small batches with limited distribution and rely on the quality of the brew to attract customers to the unique tastes and varieties coming from throughout the state.

Schaier said New Hampshire has a growing reputation in the U.S. craft brewing scene with room for more. Craft beer aficionados are willing to travel for a taste of local takes on classic brews and new twists. And when they travel, they stay for a few days, eat at local restaurants and help boost the state's economy.

"Beer tourism is a real thing. It's not just limited to states like Colorado and Oregon," Schaier said.

One of the most recent brewers to start pouring is Lithermans Limited, a two-man operation in a business park on the south side of Concord.

Co-founders Michael Hauptly-Pierce and Steve Bradbury Jr. planned the new business venture for years before selling their first rounds of samples to customers at the grand opening on April 8.

"We had a really successful opening," Bradbury said. "Great crowd, lots of positive feedback about the beers, and we sold more beer than originally anticipated."

So much more, Bradbury and Hauptly-Pierce were brewing twice last week to try and restock their reserves.

Lithermans isn't a pub that offers a selection of food arranged to complement the beer. Instead, it's all about the brews customers can purchase in small quantities to sip, taste and enjoy in the tasting room that fronts the brewing operation in back.

"The whole reason we have a tasting room is because beer's flavor is experiential," Hauptly-Pierce said.

A good ambiance goes a long way, which was part of the planning process for the two longtime friends who turned a mutual fondness for music and brewing into a business.

There is an unmistakable musical theme in the tasting room, decorated with album covers like Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" and the original "Star Wars" soundtrack, complete with the 1977 price tag on the front. The bar stools feature 45 rpm records finished into the seats, offering patrons a chance to sit down on classics such as Elton John's "Rocket Man" and sip suds on top of Don Ho's "Tiny Bubbles."

The music motif is also on display in the names of the brews, such as "Bowwow Yippie Yo IPA" and "Tangled up in Bruges" - pronounced 'brooj' - the name of a city in Belgium they swapped for "blues" in the Bob Dylan classic.

Lithermans started as home brewing before expanding to extra space in a friend's warehouse, then seeking their own space once they got serious about brewing as a business.

Bradbury had been brewing in his home a while and gave Hauptly-Pierce an old home-brewing kit. Hauptly-Pierce said his first batch was "mediocre" but tasted good enough to realize he may be on to something.

Home-brewing expanded from the stovetop to a turkey fryer outside, and the batches continued getting bigger.

"It was just sort of a realization it was something that we could see ourselves doing all the time," Hauptly-Pierce said.

The Lithermans partners know they are joining a competitive market that will get tighter as more New Hampshire brewers come online. Bradbury said it helps that Granite State craft brewers are a helpful bunch willing to share invaluable tips as Lithermans worked through the planning stages.

"It's super collaborative," Bradbury said.

Pipe Dream Brewing in Londonderry is one of the brewers just waiting for approval. Jon Young said he and business partner John Bachelor have the federal approval they need and are scheduled for a state inspection April 27.

"If all goes well, hopefully I'll be able to start brewing," Young said.

Pipe Dream hopes to be open for business by the end of May, possibly earlier.

Young said he got the beer bug while stationed in San Diego with the Marines. With every homebrew batch, Young said he thought more and more about turning his hobby into a profession.
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"It's always a dream to open a brewery, but I never thought it was going to happen," Young said.

Despite the skyrocketing pace of growth, Schaier said he feels New Hampshire still has room for more craft brewers.

One challenge the industry does face in the state is a piece of legislation that passed the New Hampshire House earlier this month and is up for consideration by the Senate.

HB 1540 would ease restrictions on brewers from outside the state and allow them to sell directly to retailers in New Hampshire, where the state liquor commission regulates distribution and sales of all alcoholic beverages.

Supporters of the bill feel it's a great way to streamline regulations and provide a broader selection for New Hampshire customers.

Schaier said he's in favor of reform, but he and other opponents feel HB 1540 would bring too much reform too soon. Schaier said he's hoping state senators agree and will choose to table the bill and allow further discussion.

"There are some process and price issues with bringing small quantity of beer into New Hampshire right now," Schaier said. "It's the same fee to bring in 10 cases of beer or a million cases of beer. I'd like to say that hopefully pragmatism and logical decisions prevail."

17 April, 2016