Brewing in New Hampshire
| Company type | Various (nanobreweries, microbreweries, regional, national) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | 1635 (brewing roots) |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Local, regional, national |
| Products | Beer varieties |
Number of employees | 490 (directly employed in brewing-related businesses, 2012) |
New Hampshire Breweries manufacture a wide array of beer varieties distributed on local, regional, and national levels. These establishments vary from small-scale nanobreweries and microbreweries to expansive multinational macrobreweries.
In 2012, there were 21 brewing-related businesses in New Hampshire—including breweries, brewpubs, importers, and company-owned packagers and wholesalers—that directly employed 490 individuals. Additionally, over 5,000 people worked in associated sectors such as wholesale and retail. That same year, 21 brewers held active permits within the state.
The combined business and personal tax contributions from New Hampshire’s brewing sector and its ancillary industries surpassed $264 million, while consumer spending generated an extra $37 million in tax revenue. The Brewers Association reported that New Hampshire ranked tenth nationwide for craft breweries per capita, with 21 operating in 2012.
By way of comparison, at the close of 2013, the United States had a total of 2,822 breweries. Of these, 2,768 were craft breweries comprising 1,237 brewpubs, 1,412 microbreweries, and 119 regional craft breweries. The brewing industry employed approximately 43,000 people across brewing and distribution roles and contributed more than $246 billion to the economy.
History
New Hampshire's brewing roots extend back to 1635 at Strawbery Banke (present-day Portsmouth), where beer was primarily brewed in taverns for about two centuries. The Frank Jones Brewery was the leading producer from 1859 until Prohibition began in 1917. Following Prohibition’s repeal, consolidation within the industry led to a dormant period lasting until the establishment of the Anheuser-Busch regional brewery in 1970. Portsmouth has since reasserted itself as the state’s brewing center, hosting both the second and third largest breweries: Seattle-based Redhook and Smuttynose Brewing Company, which is New Hampshire’s largest and longest-standing local brewery. Although New Hampshire adopted microbrewing later than some neighboring states, it is cultivating a growing craft beer scene supported by efforts such as the official state brewery map that highlights local producers.
Notable
The Portsmouth Brewery holds the distinction of being New Hampshire’s inaugural brewpub and is nationally acclaimed for its Russian imperial stout "Kate the Great," regarded as one of America’s premier and most coveted beers.
Awards
Since 1994, breweries in New Hampshire have secured nineteen medals at the annual Great American Beer Festival, including three gold and nine silver awards spanning various categories.
Breweries
Every brewery listed possesses licenses issued by the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission. As of February 2018, there are 86 breweries operating within New Hampshire.
National Breweries
Two regional branches of national breweries operate in New Hampshire:
- Anheuser-Busch - The Merrimack facility has been recognized as New England’s largest brewery since its opening in 1970. It also features one group of the renowned Budweiser Clydesdales, with stables accessible to visitors during certain seasons.
- Redhook Ale Brewery - Serving as the East Coast operation for this Seattle-based company, Redhook is New Hampshire’s second-largest brewery and has been located in Portsmouth since 1996. It also produces beers for Widmer Brothers and Kona Brewing Company intended for distribution on the East Coast.
Regional Breweries
In New Hampshire, there is one regional brewery with an annual production exceeding 15,000 barrels:
- Smuttynose Brewing Company – established in Portsmouth in 1994 and moved to a new location in Hampton at the end of 2013.
Microbreweries
As of February 2019, New Hampshire was home to 23 microbreweries, each producing less than 15,000 barrels per year.
- Tuckerman Brewing Company – operating out of Conway, this brewery is recognized statewide for its pale ale and was founded in 1998.
Nanobreweries
The state of New Hampshire issues nanobrewery licenses permitting production up to 2,000 barrels annually with a reduced licensing fee. These licenses restrict on-site sales to only free samples, which has encouraged the expansion of small-scale brewing operations.
By February 2019, there were 38 licensed nanobreweries throughout the state.
Brewers Guilds
- The Granite State Brewers Association is headquartered in Hooksett.
- The New Hampshire Brewers Guild provides support and advocacy for brewers across the state.
See also
External links
- Comprehensive State Brewery Directory from BeerAdvocate.com
- Official Brewery Map provided by the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development