Byline: Jeff Rogers

Sometimes you just need to strike out into new territory. Most of all when life seems gray, the sky is cloudy and chilly and raining. Often these ventures will not pay off — it’s good to be prepared for that going in. But occasionally you’ll discover something delightful and wonderful. (“Every once-in-a-while even a blind squirrel finds a nut.”) And on those occasions, you will swear the clouds parted and the sun came out.

I’ve had 603 Brewing’s Winni Amber many times and it’s always been a favorite. But I had never visited their brewery until last week – and I’m so glad I finally made it. As you can see from the included images, our arrival coincided with one of the most glorious sunsets in quite a while. I could’ve stood there, mesmerized, for much longer. Prioritization has always been a challenge for me! But my wife was not so easily hypnotized, so we entered the brewery. Teamwork!

Another sunny Saturday in November with a clear calendar calls for a good old-fashioned coddiwomple. Wait now, say what? On their website Canterbury Aleworks defines coddiwomple like so: “Wandering intently, going no where in particular.” So already I have misused the word, for on this past glorious Saturday I was going somewhere quite specific — to Canterbury Aleworks to try several of their beers, including one which they call Coddiwomple. (Spoiler alert – it was pretty good!)

This time, Henniker Brewing Company, a scant 26 miles from Manchester. I always forget how close it actually is. Maybe it’s the dramatic difference between downtown Manchester, largest city in New England north of Boston, compared with downtown Henniker, which could easily be Stars Hollow. (Is my inner Gilmore Girl showing?) Or maybe it’s the gradually changing countryside, which goes from city to suburbs to widely spaced homes to farmland to wooded stony hillsides. In any case, the transformation provided by those 26 miles is always enjoyable.

An update on Woodstacker Beer Company now that they’re settling into the neighborhood.

Franklin enjoys a dramatic location at the junction of two rivers. In one section the Winnipesaukee River descends at a rate of 77 feet per mile, steep enough to draw mill builders in the past and white-water kayakers today.

When people discuss this column with me, recommendations always enter the mix. Which is great, many minds together are better than mine alone. I’m always happy to hear suggestions. That’s how I discovered Vulgar Brewing.

Back in early January I wrote that Nashua’s Spyglass Brewing was preparing brand new and much larger space near exit 1. Today I can report that the beer gods have smiled upon us: their new space is now fully up and running, brewing is happening, and the bar and kitchen are open to serve the public.

This time of year many Manchester residents load up the minivan and head north for a little summer getaway. And as a wise man once said, what’s saison for the goose is saison for the gander, so this week your intrepid beer surveyor did the same. Thus, this episode of Brewery Scene comes to you special delivery from North Conway.