Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

I often go here when hiking or trail running in the NH lakes region. It's cozy.

The bar has a ski lodge theme with animal heads and ski signs mounted on the wall and a sweet view or Mt. Kearsarge from the back window. Lots of wood like a log cabin and most of the taps protrude from a wooden barrel. A fire roaring in the fireplace would be the cherry on top.

I've only ever had the same bartender but he's friendly enough without being intrusive. The lunch crowd appears to be primarily locals and I think I stick out like a sore thumb. That or I just stink from hiking/running.

Most of their beers I've tried are better than BA reviews would have me believe. I was expecting butter bombs and yes, some of their beers are loaded with diacetyl, but others aren't bad or don't have any butter at all. Lagers are a bit messy with plenty of fruity esters when it isn't supposed to be there. They do have 15 different beers of their own though and that's a lot for a brewpub. They'll also let you sample before ordering a full pint so you can steer away from the butter.

The chili is hearty for a vegetarian chili. Burgers are excellent and you can tell they've been on an actual grill and not a flat top. Giant sweet 'tater fries with more 'tater than fry.

FYI 25% of their energy comes from solar.

I'll continue to go here when I'm in the NH lakes region. Easy to get to off 89 and if you're hiking Kearsarge or Ragged you'll pass right by it.

02-25-2012 14:22:13 | More by donkeyrunner

gdkersey

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Based on what some older reviews say and what we experienced last night, I have to think this place has relatively new management and/or they have a new brewmaster. Whatever the case, we really enjoyed our visit to Flying Goose.

The building looks relatively new, and comes across as a modern restaurant. We sat on the bar side of the restaurant, which was full of hunting trophies (read:animals and animal heads) and some other cool pieces around the walls (some showing the brewery).

They had 12 to 15 of their own beers on tap, including a pilsner, Alt, IPA, pale ale, oatmeal stout, barleywine (and a vintage), and a hefeweizen, to name a few. I had the oatmeal stout, which was very good, but also had tastes of the barleywine and pale ale. Clean, flavorful, and well-crafted beers!

We didn't get much food, just a couple soups and a caesar salad, however it was all very good. The service was extremely friendly and our food/beers were served in quick fashion.

Flying Goose is just off I-89, so it's convenient for anyone traveling up to VT or down to Boston. I take that route a few times a year, so I'll be stopping in again.

01-23-2012 22:31:59 | More by gdkersey

Flounder57

Massachusetts

4.14/5  rDev +7.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

We were told to stop in here from friends and family on the way back from VT yesterday and it was listed in the ASN and Yankee Brew News. Also, very easily located 1 mile off of 89 at the corners of 11 and 114.

We sat at the bar to enjoy our flights since we had just eaten lunch down the street at Peter Christians. The bar has about 15 seats and there is some high tops, tables, and tables overlooking the White mountains. The view of the scenery behind us was spectacular. A lot of animal mountings, skis, and vintage signs hanging up all over the place. A couple of flat screens loacted in and around the bar too.

We had a flight of beers each that we could choose from the 15 beers they have on tap that they brew on site. I got the hefe, honey ale, oatmeal stout, Long Brothers IPA, and '09 barleywine. The quality of the beers were decent for some and good for others.

Service was good, but it was slow too. Hopefully they have two bartenders and more servers on during busier times. The selection of beers was good for a brewpub. They had seasonals available and an '09, '10, and '11 barleywine on draft. As for most barleywines, the older, the better as in my case.

The bartender says they do growlers to go and they are working at bottling some of their beers to go in the future too. This will be my new stop off of 89 whenever I go snowboarding up in this area. Very close proximity to Ragged, Sunapee, and Whaleback.

11-27-2011 16:13:03 | More by Flounder57

duchessedubourg

Vermont

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

I used to go to this place whenever I'd drive from Burlington over to Portsmouth & up to Portland. Then the beer quality kinda hit the skids. Two weekends I was headed home from Portland on the highway and had already hit Portsmouth Brewing on the way over, so decided it was time to give it another try. Had some of their beers at the VT Brewer's Fest in July that were great, so was curious if things were different since the new brewer stepped up.

I was not disappointed: 18 house beers on tap, of which I tasted a sampler of 5 - not a dog in the bunch. Smoke on the Horweizen - a lightly-smoked wheat beer. Heidelburg Hefeweizen - a slightly hoppier hefe than usual. Alexandria Alt - my favorite because you can really taste the grain. Blueberry Wheat - thankfully seems to have the wild b-berry extract that doesn't taste like Pop-Tarts - nice dry finish. Pleasant Lake Pils - the one I enjoyed so much at VT Brewers Fest, a nice clean, low-sulfur pils.

It was a Sunday so I sat at the bar while the game was on, and my seatmates were all very cordial and not loud, even though the game was a big one. I ordered the BBQ beef brisket plate because I recalled the great porter BBQ sauce they used to have, which seems to still be on board. The food was yummy, the price very reasonable, and the barman who served me very nice to this solo female traveler.

I wanted to post this review to advise people to give this place some love, because they seem to have emerged from their previous doldrums, and the beer is right tasty these days!

09-30-2010 18:26:50 | More by duchessedubourg

tmitch75

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

I actually had business in Concord and had a few spare hours so I flew up here for a quick mid-afternoon bite. It was pretty slow, but it was also about 3pm on a Wednesday so I wasn't surprised.

From the entrance, there is a dining room to the left (that almost looks unrelated to the brewpub) and a bar area to the right. I went straight for the bar. Nice seating area looking out at a nice mountain vista, but I was surprised to see no visible brewing equipment. Maybe it was in the dining area but I don't know.

Atmosphere was pretty cool and relaxed. Had time for two beers, Alexandria Alt and Ragged Mountain Red. Both were decent but nothing to write home about. I didn't take notes, but the Red seemed better than a "D".

I had the Ginger Steak Nuggets from the appetizer menu, steak tips marinated in ginger and baked with cheese on top. It was very juicy and quite tasty. I'm going to have to try that at home, it seemed pretty simple and really hit the spot.

Service was good, I never had to wait for attention but they weren't in my face. They also seemed to know the product. My only complaint was that the table was a tad sticky when I sat down but it wasn't too bad.

Overall a pretty good place if you're ever in the area. I'm glad I had the chance to check it out.

Visited 12/16/09.

12-22-2009 04:14:14 | More by tmitch75

NEhophead

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -8.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3 | $$$

Stopped in for lunch and a few brews on our way back from a long weekend in Vermont.

Located about 1 mile off of Rte 89 (exit 11, I believe), Flying Goose has a nice backdrop of the mountains behind the restaurant from the road. The establishment itself appears to be divided into a dining room (off to the left) and a brewpub (to the right). The seating for the brewpub section is pretty cluttered due to the large wrap around bar. The vibe of the place is definitely a 'local hangout', and I question whether the crowd really heads to the Goose for the brews. Twelve brews on tap including a barleywine, oatmeal stout, pale, IPA, strong ale, alt, etc. A pretty healthy selection; however, most seemed on the lighter side. Both the barleywine and the oatmeal stout were adequate, but not offerings that I would likely re-order. The waitress was pleasant and prompt. Food was pretty standard for a brewpub with entress boasting a barbeque bias. In addition to a vast selection of average-tasting housebrews, the one thing that really stands out to me about this brewpub is the pricey food menu. Seriously, the food is not as good as the menu prices indicate. A very out of the way brewpub that is not worth the trip unless you live within 10 minutes.

04-13-2009 00:51:22 | More by NEhophead

Brad007

Vermont

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Stopped here on way to Boston to see Strangefolk.

They have a nice selection of beer. I regret that I couldn't review more than 2.Growlers are also offered at $15 each including deposit the selection is quite diverse..

Food is excellent. I had their buffalo burger and just how often do you see buffalo burgers?

Service was very reasonable. They weren't busy and the orders didn't take long to arrive.

Atmosphere was ok.A bit bland but otherwise tolerable.

Not a bad place to stop at if you're in the area.

03-21-2009 17:34:28 | More by Brad007

tcbl1007

New Hampshire

3.33/5  rDev -13.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I'm definately not a regular, but I like to swing by various brewpubs during my trips from New Hampshire's Seacoast region to Burlington, VT. I've made it to the Flying Goose three times in the past year and a half, each time hoping my experience would be better than the last, but alas, it just isn't so.

First of all, the staff is very friendly, albeit a bit slow. I think it's more because they are understaffed than anything. The bartender had a full house on two of my visits, and he was pouring for the bar and for the dining room. And I never saw more than two or three waiters/waitresses for a fairly full restaurant/bar.

The one really bright spot, I think, is the food. I've had the BBQ pulled pork, and a hamburger on two of my visits, and both were absolutely delicious, as well as reasonable priced. The third time we just had appetizers, and they weren't phenomenal, but they were pretty good.

Now even though they have a very large selection of beer, it's almost the same story with everyone - they are all very thin. Most of their beers have a fairly low ABV, but the Long Brothers Strong Ale, and the Robert Strong Brown Ale, were very tasty, but they too were also very thin. The only beer I give a thumbs-up to is the Isle of Pines Barleywine. It has a nice taste, and it is the only beer they have that has a decent texture.

Overall, if you're not picky about a truly complex and meaty beer, and you like good food, then the Flying Goose is worth the trip. If your priority is tasty beers with nice texture, then don't bother making the trip.

03-19-2008 16:17:35 | More by tcbl1007

mshallah

New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev +8.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Although not quite a regular, I know this little brewpub well from my many visits to the region. Walk into the main entrance and your choices are left or right. Left is the main dining room for the restaurant which features wooden tables and chairs arranged in front of large windows. Mount Kearsarge is a striking view in the distance and the brewers hop crop can be seen in the foreground. Menu is the type that tries to please everyone with items such as BBQ(ribs,chicken,pulled pork), steaks, chicken, seafood, pastas, soups, large dinner salads and changing daily specials. Desserts are also a treat. Through the main entrance and to the right brings you to the bar area with it's flat screens for the Sox and lots of stuff hanging from the rafters including a few flying geese. The beer menu is large and takes up both sides of a card placed on the tables.Some of my favorites include the Isle of Pine Barley Wine which is hoppy and warming, the Perley Town IPA which is lipsmackin with hops, the Long Brother's Strong Ale- a beer unique in it's overall strength and the Hominy Pot ESB with it's balance of hoppy, sweet and fruity flavors and aromas. Most of the beers are available in growlers to go. The barley wine unfortunately is not. The bar has the same menu as the dining room and includes an indoor porch-type room with more views of the mountain. A must try for beer and food lovers alike.

09-14-2007 15:50:36 | More by mshallah

slander

New York

3.78/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Hopscotchin' back and forth across the state line, we're now in New Hampshire again. Not surprisingly, we find it's later than we thought; somehow, the day got drinked away. I'm experiencing a certain dimming of the day and it's still light out. I'd almost prefer to just push on without stopping so soon again. Almost, but not quite. A fact finding mission involves going about finding the facts after all, and I'm always more curious about the places I know less nothing about...

Long wood building in open country New Hampshire. Dining room to the left, but the bar to the right makes might. This end holds a 10 seat, high "J" shaped split log topped bar with a copper rail, in a ski chalet style room. 6 goose head tap handles running out of a center barrel on the arched bar back unit, and then 3 more to each side on copper towers, all above a curved catch basin. 2 shelves of booze and a shelf of glassware below. On the bar, another pair of towers of 3 each goose head tap handles with small nameplates on chains around their necks round this out to, I don't know, I think like 18 taps. I haven't seen this many house taps in a brewpub since Great Dane. Above the bar back tap barrel sits a wood plank balancing a pair of TV's, glassware dangling there, and 3 crossbeams holding ceramic mug club mugs. A large mounted deer head and a whole lot of ornamental everything else tucked up high on the crossbeams, bordering shelves and sills. A buzz saw blade, skis, a bowling ball, typewriter, lanterns, wash basins, snow shoes, a bike pump, an old camera, a watering can, trophies, a sled, crates, books, a tractor seat, cigar boxes, a giant shoe, a flag, pictures, beer trays, a moose head and more; to say nothing of the geese suspended from the ceiling. The walls peach, yellow and blue, spots on beams above, and basketed plants over all the windows. 3 bar tables sit adjacent to the bar, nice large old soda tins on the near wall. A room off the bar holds 4 booths & 4 tables, a single flatscreen, brewery prints on the far wall & World Beer awards on the rear wall. Nearly a dozen tables in the sunken room to the rear with great views of the mountains off in the distance somewhere.

16 taps in all, but only 12 come on the sampler and I had some help. The Wiegelman's Wildflower Honey Ale was sweet, with a hint of honey; the Split Rock Golden Ale was light, sweet; the Potter Place Porter was chocolatey & nicely roasty; the Crockett's Corner Oatmeal Stout was hearty & oaty, quite nice; the Hominy Pot ESB had a nice maltiness, came in at 6.3%; the Hedgehog Brown Ale was light, but had a decent maltiness to it; the Harvest Wheat was filtered, not a lot to it, same thing with the Perley Town IPA; the Weetamoo Raspberry Wheat was not cloyingly nasty like raspberry beers often are, but I liked the Blueberry Wheat better just the same, lightly fruity & sweet. Also tried the Long Brothers Strong Ale, Mt Sunapee Ale, Flying Goose Pale Ale, Ragged Mountain Red Ale, Loon Island Lighthouse Ale, and the Gak, which was some sort of an American/German hybrid. The bartender was good about letting us try the beers we were missing on the sampler. I enjoyed the Porter & Oatmeal Stout the most, and the ESB didn't suck. Otherwise, the beers were not too distinct and the range so great, but they sure do make a lot of 'em.

Okay, it's that time, gotta get out and going, as we're only midway to the end of wherever else this day is going to take us. All in all, it's an interesting little brewpub in rural New Hampsha'. Silly goose!!

08-31-2007 03:05:39 | More by slander