Best Beer Selection in NH (store)?

Discussion in 'New England' started by XpensiveBieros, Feb 3, 2013.

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  1. XpensiveBieros

    XpensiveBieros Initiate (0) Feb 3, 2013 New Hampshire

    Any opinions out there on whose got the best beer selection for a bottle shop in NH? I frequent Gary's in Portsmouth, NH...but am looking for some alternatives!?!

    Thanks!
     
  2. TheMonkfish

    TheMonkfish Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2012 Chad

    The Beer Store in Nashua is really solid and those guys know their stuff. They'd be my top choice.

    Bert's in Hooksett is decent as well. The Drinkery in Londonderry has a smaller selection but is run by really cool people who will bend over backwards for you.
     
  3. XpensiveBieros

    XpensiveBieros Initiate (0) Feb 3, 2013 New Hampshire

    Thanks for the info!
     
  4. Gosox8787

    Gosox8787 Initiate (0) Jan 24, 2009 New Hampshire

    Top shelf in hampton has a good selection and the staff is WAY friendlier than Gary's.
     
  5. Seanniek91

    Seanniek91 Savant (1,172) Jul 1, 2012 Rhode Island
    Trader

    Top shelfs selection is small though. You can find great things at Garys, but it's a crap shoot. I normally shoot over the border to Mass or Maine though. Every NH store has the same things unfortunately.
     
  6. T-RO

    T-RO Pundit (782) Nov 9, 2012 New Hampshire
    Trader

    In addition to the previously mentioned, there's also Hampton Falls Village Market and even Cigarette city in Seabrook.
     
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  7. XpensiveBieros

    XpensiveBieros Initiate (0) Feb 3, 2013 New Hampshire

    Yeah...the Hampton Falls Village Market is good and the guy there is super nice!
     
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  8. lordofthewiens

    lordofthewiens Grand Pooh-Bah (5,891) Sep 17, 2005 New Mexico
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I also like Village Market.
    Gary's is good, but you have to go back frequently so you don't miss stuff.
     
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  9. Pgarand

    Pgarand Devotee (305) Jan 8, 2009 New Hampshire

    Aside from what's already been mentioned, I was pleasantly suprised when I went into mcKinnon's in Portsmouth to get some meat from the butchery and stumbled across their beer section, which was pretty good.
     
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  10. brikelly

    brikelly Pundit (781) Apr 11, 2010 Massachusetts

    Beer Store in Nashua NH. Hands down.
     
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  11. LambicKing

    LambicKing Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2011 Germany

    Skip NH stores and make the drive to Julio's or Redstone Liquors.
     
  12. XpensiveBieros

    XpensiveBieros Initiate (0) Feb 3, 2013 New Hampshire

    MA or ME?
     
  13. BostonBiosafety

    BostonBiosafety Initiate (0) Aug 31, 2010 New Hampshire

    NH West - Beer Store - Nashua
    NH East - Hampton Falls Village Market (tastings every Friday night)

    ps Cigarette City (Seabrook) has quite a bit of micro brew old stock...be careful with the dates.
     
  14. LambicKing

    LambicKing Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2011 Germany

    . Sorry...MA. I am often in Nashua to visit family, so I make the trek to both pretty frequently.
     
  15. FrankLloydMike

    FrankLloydMike Maven (1,284) Aug 16, 2006 Massachusetts

    I'd recommend Bert's Better Beers. I haven't been to all of the other places mentioned, but I've heard good things about nearly all of them. The Manchester/Nashua area seems to have a pretty good concentration of very good beer stores, with another good showing out on the Seacoast. I'd say start with some of the places mentioned that are convenient to where you live, and check out some of the others when you're in those areas.

    Beer selection in New Hampshire stores isn't nearly as extensive as those in Maine or Mass due to the state's more limited distribution, but many of the beer stores in southern New Hampshire are among the nicest places to buy beer that I've visited anywhere. Stores like Bert's are clean, well-stocked and well-organized, and run and staffed by people enthusiastic and knowledgeable about beer. There are definitely some stores like that in Mass and Maine, but for the most part stores in Mass seem to be liquor stores first with beer an afterthought. So make strategic trips to stores across the border for specific things that aren't available in New Hampshire, but the selection is definitely improving and there's plenty to work with at the better beer stores throughout the state. And I'd say that the distribution is improving in large part due to the recent rise of better beer stores and their customers demanding better selection.
     
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  16. TheMonkfish

    TheMonkfish Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2012 Chad

    One cool thing about The Beer Store (Nashua) and Bert's is that they both offer discounts to active members of the armed forces. Such a great idea.
     
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  17. HevvyMetalHippie

    HevvyMetalHippie Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2010 Massachusetts

    Sometimes they have little surprises there. Last year I found BA Old Rasputin XIV on their shelf, which was a great little treat. Other than that, NH is the slump in the New England craft beer scene, but they're trying real hard. Only getting better I guess. Although the whole Founders Breakfast Stout thing with the baby on the label was stupid.
     
  18. XpensiveBieros

    XpensiveBieros Initiate (0) Feb 3, 2013 New Hampshire

    I totally agree with the Founder's thing...I had to get some in VT! Whatever happen to live free or die?
     
  19. HevvyMetalHippie

    HevvyMetalHippie Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2010 Massachusetts

    It was sold to make Live Free Or Die Hard.
     
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  20. ElGallo

    ElGallo Pooh-Bah (2,233) Sep 26, 2009 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Bert's is a great shop, but probably the most expensive beer shop in the state. I have yet to make it to the Beer Shop in Nashua, Top Shelf in Hampton, or Hampton Falls Village Market. Once upon a time Somersworth Village Market was king, but those days are long gone...
     
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