We’ve hit a wall and we need your help!

We’re hoping to design a new logo for Red Rack Ale.  We’ve seen a lot of awesome concepts but nothing that really stands out for us.

We’re hoping to hear from some longtime customers and Red Rack fans. We’re looking for something simpler and cleaner.

Please email any ideas you have our way.

If we pick your idea and you’re cool with us using it for our new label and packaging, you’ll win a weekend stay for 2 at the brewery. You’ll have a year to book your trip.

Please send your idea no later than February 19, 2017!

Thanks for your help!

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We’ve got some special, Limited Edition releases planned for 2017!

The first one we’re releasing is Greeley Double IPA. This DIPA is named after Greeley Pond located in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The pond is the most scenic areas along The Greeley Ponds Trail.

We’re canning this beer on Friday, January 13th in 160z, 4-pack cans and it will hit stores by the end of the month in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

In addition to the cans, the new beer will also be available on tap at the brewpub.

Greeley is 8% ABV, has 103 IBU’s and is packed with Vic’s Secret, Topaz and Ella hops.

Try it today – a test batch is available on tap now, while supplies last!

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Woodstock IPA features a 2400 lb grain bill,  7% ABV and 92 IBU’s. Added Green Bullet from New Zealand, Galaxy from Australia and a experimental hops called Idaho Seven to the boil.

Super easy drinking beer with mild hop notes. The Blueberry flavor adds taste and the beer has aromatic flavors of lemon. What makes this one great is that the beer has body, unlike many other fruity summer classics!

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Looking for something interesting and spooky to do for Halloween? Boise Rock is hidden away in Franconia Notch and just a quick drive from the Woodstock Inn, Station & Brewery. This interesting yet horrifying story of a man’s survival takes place just off the side of interstate 93 and is open year round. This large boulder was created by glaciers some 3 million years ago, however it was just over 200 years ago that this rock made a name for itself.

One blistering winter night in the early 1800’s, a man from Woodstock, New Hampshire named Thomas Boise was traveling through Franconia Notch with his beloved horse. While traveling through the Notch a treacherous blizzard swept through their path. After putting up a fight to get through the blizzard, Thomas Boise realized that he could no longer travel and was forced to pull over until the storm subsided. Boise had to think quickly on how he could possibly make it out of this storm alive and decided to take shelter under a boulder. As the night went on the blizzard became stronger and stronger. At this point Boise was forced to take extreme survival measures. With the possibility of freezing to death he had no other choice than to do the unimaginable. Thomas Boise was forced to kill his horse. After taking the life of his horse, Boise skinned and wrapped himself in the hide to utilize the horse’s heat and get himself a little warmer. As daylight began to peak over the mountaintops, the storm disappeared and a new day began. That morning, a search party was assembled and sent out to retrieve the body of Mr. Thomas Boise. Surprisingly, the search party was able to locate Boise in the Notch. Thomas was found, ALIVE, hiding under the boulder but stuck inside the horses frozen hide. The men had to cut Boise out of the frozen hide with their knives and axes. From that point on, this now famous boulder was named Boise Rock after the man that took shelter there and survived a horrific storm.

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Woodstock Inn Brewery Reinvests $300,000 in Capital Improvements

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A few years ago we talked to our own Chef Cush about a beer brine for Turkey.  He’s a giant fan of brining turkey “because you can impart whatever flavor you would like while keeping the moisture in the bird.” Using beer, can add flavor and/or floral characteristics plus it’s great as a tenderizing marinade so he walked us through the process and this year we’re sharing it with you!!

Below are the ingredients he suggested based on a 12 pound turkey. You can always adapt it based on the size of your bird.

16 cups of water
16 cups of beer (try a malty one like Pig’s Ear Brown Ale or Autumn Brew Ale)
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups course salt
*optional – you can also add herbs such as Rosemary & Thyme and/or fruit depending on the flavors you want to impart

A few employees who ‘swear by this’ do it a day ahead of time but you can do it in as few as 6 hours beforehand.

Combine the ingredients in large stock pot or bowl. Stir the sugar and salt until they dissolve. Rinse the turkey, discard excess fat and place in pot with brine, breast side down. If you have a really big bird you’ll have to get creative… maybe get a cooler and clean it out first? If it won’t fit in your fridge hopefully it’s cold enough outside to store overnight on your porch or in a garage.

Anyway, remove your turkey from the brine about an hour before roasting. Pat it dry with paper towels and let stand at room temp.

Then stuff and/or cook per usual and bask in the limelight as all your guests freak out over how tender and juicy your turkey is!

Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Woodstock Inn Brewery!

No time to cook this year? You can always join us for Thanksgiving dinner. Served from 1-7p. Call 800.321.3985 to make reservations and check-out the menu!

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Hey Snow Lovers!  Maddi Diaz here, a Plymouth State University Intern working here at Woodstock Inn Brewery.

For me, skiing and snowboarding are the best parts of going to school in this area… so let The Fun Begin because the 2016-17 season is just days away!

It seems like almost all the employees here at Woodstock are just as ecstatic about the arrival of winter being literally and figuratively RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!!  We’re lucky to be located just minutes away from some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the Northeast.

Here are the anticipated opening dates for some nearby mountains, plus some highlights for this season, their distance from Woodstock and some of our beers you can find on tap at each location. Note: opening dates are as of 11/21/16 11am. Please refer to ski area websites for updated information.

Bretton Woods– Per their snow report, Bretton Woods opened briefly on Sunday, November 13th with a great turn out and received numerous donations to help “Say Goodnight to Hunger.” However, because of mild temps since, snowmaking efforts were on hold. Fingers crossed, they may be able to open tomorrow, November 22nd! Read the full report here or contact the Ski Operations Office at 603-278-3320.

27 miles – 34 minutes from Woodstock; Pig’s Ear on tap!

Cannon– Friday, November 25th weather/conditions permitting. Cannon has a lot of cool things happening this season including a 50% boost in overall snowmaking capacity with a 50% drop in overall snowmaking energy consumption. Read more about it here.

11 miles – 14 minutes from Woodstock; Cannon Ale, Frosty Goggles & Pig’s Ear on tap!

Loon– Wednesday, November 23rd weather/conditions permitting.  Loon is turning 50 years old this season. Cheers to them on their “Golden” Anniversary!

3.5 miles – 8 minutes from Woodstock; Frosty Goggles & Pig’s Ear on tap!

Waterville Valley– Waterville was set to open today but due to current weather conditions the new date is TBA. They’re opening the season the brand new Green Peak plus they’re hosting The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s (USSA) Revolution Tour (the Rev Tour) January 8th-13th 2017.

26 miles – 30 minutes from Woodstock

Thanks for reading my new blog post. Cheers to a snow-filled season and I hope to see you guys on the slopes this season or at the brewery for après-ski!

Oh, one more thing, if you’re looking for a place to stay for this Winter, we offer discounts at all 4 of the mountains listed above if you stay with us…. and have a pretty awesome B&Ski Deal.

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Woodstock Inn Brewery is committed to being a better brewery every day.

We’re excited to announce we’ve taken a great number of strides to make improvements to our brewery and produce the best possible quality beer.

The biggest factor in this evolution is the switch we made from Ringwood yeast to London Ale III. This has vastly improved the beer, elevating it to a more modern flavor profile. The new yeast helps showcase the true intended flavors in all of our beers.

Additionally, we built a state-of-the-art onsite quality control lab. We now have the full capability to test and ensure that the quality of our beer is completely spot on for our customers.

Heading this huge transition is our new brewer, Frank Heidenreich. Frank has extensive knowledge and more than 30 years in the brewing industry and is innovative in his decision making. We’re confident that with his leadership, we’ll be able to exceed demands and expectations in the New England craft beer industry.

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We’ve hit a wall and we need your help!

We’re hoping to design a new logo for Red Rack Ale.  We’ve seen a lot of awesome concepts but nothing that really stands out for us.

We’re hoping to hear from some longtime customers and Red Rack fans. We’re looking for something simpler and cleaner.

Please email any ideas you have our way.

If we pick your idea and you’re cool with us using it for our new label and packaging, you’ll win a weekend stay for 2 at the brewery. You’ll have a year to book your trip.

Please send your idea no later than February 19, 2017!

Thanks for your help!

The post We need your help designing our next Red Rack Ale Logo! appeared first on Woodstock Inn Brewery.

We’ve got some special, Limited Edition releases planned for 2017!

The first one we’re releasing is Greeley Double IPA. This DIPA is named after Greeley Pond located in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The pond is the most scenic areas along The Greeley Ponds Trail.

We’re canning this beer on Friday, January 13th in 160z, 4-pack cans and it will hit stores by the end of the month in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

In addition to the cans, the new beer will also be available on tap at the brewpub.

Greeley is 8% ABV, has 103 IBU’s and is packed with Vic’s Secret, Topaz and Ella hops.

Try it today – a test batch is available on tap now, while supplies last!

The post New Beer Release: Limited Edition Greeley Double IPA appeared first on Woodstock Inn Brewery.

Have you ever watched someone at a wine tasting? They stick their nose in the glass, put the glass up to the light, swirl the wine, taste, roll the wine around in their mouth, then proclaim it perfect or not. We’d like to tell you tasting beer – truly tasting beer – is a much shorter, less elaborate process, but it’s not. And that’s not a bad thing: Taking the time to experience and savor a craft brew is quite satisfying – and it will make you appreciate what you’re drinking so much more. As with wine, you can’t take a swig of beer and make an informed decision on it other to say “yea” or “nay,” especially if you’re tasting a fine, hand-crafted beer, carefully brewed, with subtle flavors. In that case, here’s how to taste beer properly (and impress your friends in the process):

Pour

Whether from the tap or from the bottle, the first step is to get that foamy goodness into a glass – a clear glass. When pouring, tilt your glass at a 45-degree angle, and pour the beer, targeting the middle of the downward side. When the glass is half full (or half empty, for you pessimists), bring the glass to a 90-degree angle. Continue to pour, adjusting your speed so that the head (or foam on top) is about the width of two fingers. 

Look

Marvel at the miracle of beer for a second before taking a closer look. Don’t hold the beer up to the light – that will dilute the color. The color you see should range from pale straw to black, depending on the style. Here are some examples of beer styles and their colors:

Pale Straw – German pilsner

Deep Gold – Pale ale

Amber-Brown – Amber ale

Ruby Brown – Porter

Black – Imperial stout

Further, look at whether the beer is opaque, hazy, or see-through, and examine the head’s color – it may range from white to brown – and consistency. Is it foamy or creamy?

Swirl

Yup, just like those wine people, you should give the beer in the glass a little swirl. Not too much, just enough to stimulate the carbonation, enhance the nuances and bring out the aromas. This also tests head retention and makes you look very knowledgeable about beer.

Sniff

Smell is a big part of taste. A common number that’s cited is that up to 95 percent of taste comes from aroma. However, due to a variety of factors, it’s hard to exactly quantify the weight smell has on taste, except to say it’s a big part of it.

So, sniff the beer. It might seem a little silly, but experts recommend taking two sharp, quick sniffs, then a normal sniff. Then one last sniff with your mouth open. Revel in the aroma or the “bouquet” as it’s known.

Taste

Now for the part you’ve all been waiting for: tasting the sweet, sweet nectar of the hops, grains, and other ingredients.  Don’t swig and gulp: sip and let the beer wander around your mouth and dance over your taste buds.

Let the flavors linger so the beer’s signature characteristics can come out to play.

This is where we talk about the “mouthfeel” of the beer. The mouthfeel is the physical and textural sensations perceived by the mouth in relation to food or drink. What’s the consistency like? The carbonation? Is it acidic? Bitter? Sweet?

Register the flavors. Depending on the style of brew, you may taste bananas, caramel, bread, lemon, coffee, pear, or something else. Think about it: What are you tasting?

Finally, exhale, releasing the air in your mouth through your nose, and then swallow. Is there an aftertaste? How long does it linger? Is it something you like? If so, enjoy!

There you have it: Now you know how to taste beer. Once you master the tasting, exploring beer pairings is the next step. For instance Woodstock’s Pig’s Ear brown ale and chocolate are amazing together!

Our newsletter has everything you want to know about the Woodstock Inn & Brewery: Specials, events, new releases and more. Sign up today and don’t miss a thing!

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Meet the creative team behind our new look

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Moody Brew New England IPA

The label reads, “Named after Mr. and Mrs. Moody’s son Daniel, this hazy New England style IPA boasts low bitterness and a tropical fruit aroma. Daniel Moody was born, lived, and brewed this beer.”

Intrigued? Here’s the story.

After a humble start as a homebrew, Moody Brew, our new New England style IPA is making waves as a new favorite for drinkers looking for a vibrant, hazy beer with a tropical fruit nose. The Moody Brew India Pale Ale comes in 16oz four-packs and has an IBU of 42 and 6.7% ABV.

According to one of our brewers, Dan Moody, the beer first started in his kitchen and it’s part of the reason its named after its humble creator. Moody said he took inspiration from his favorite Woodstock limited edition beer, Greely Double IPA.

The end goal is a beer with a great deal of hop taste and aroma without much added bitterness. “We hopped liberally during the end of our boil hour to capture all the wonder contained in hop oils,” Moody said. “Many of our classic ales highlight the bittering component of hops with early boil additions. It’s all a matter of timing.”

After patiently waiting for fermentation and conditioning to complete, the the first 5 gallon batch was kegged off. Moody proceeded to sample it to the brewery team. And…

“It was a hit! From there the batches we’ve produced have snowballed from three in-house 200 gallon batches to our most recent, second 900 gallon batch soon to be released to the marketplace,” he said.

Moody said his namesake beer packs a punch and offers a vibrant new taste experience for beer drinkers.

“I also believe our legendary Pigs Ear Brown Ale and our fresh release of Lost River Light, among others, are delicious beers,” he said. “Beer drinkers all have personal preferences and so no beer is the best!” (Note: Woodstock Inn Brewery beer is the best.)

A relative newcomer to the Woodstock family, Moody joined the crew as a tour guide, homebrewing in his spare time. Now a full time brewer, Moody said he thinks this year will be big for Woodstock Inn Brewery.

“We’ve got a lot going on – tons of new in-house recipes, rebranded public offerings packaged with our monstrous new canning machine and an unstoppable and passionate team of professionals led by the finest,” he said.

“We are just hitting our stride and are more excited than ever to hand craft quality Brew for YOU,” he said.

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So you’ve made your reservations and you’ve booked your ski or snowboard getaway. If you’re not a ski-trip pro, getting ready for the trip can be overwhelming. Cold weather means heavy, bulky items – and plenty of them! If you’re not renting at your destination, you’ve got transporting ski equipment to think about. And do you really need that extra item, or can you get by without it and simplify your packing?

There are some things you’re not likely to forget: Your skis or snowboard, for instance. Or your ski boots (although to be honest, we remember a hiking trip where a certain pre-teen forgot hiking boots, leading to a rather expensive detour to an outdoors shop, but that’s a story for another day).

You’ll probably remember your parka, gloves, goggles, and hat. But here are 14 essential items to pack for a ski or snowboard trip – things that you might not think of – or things you might forget in the heat of the vacation packing frenzy:

Layers

Sure you’ve got that heavy parka that’s rated to -20 F, and you figure you’re all set. What’s better is a lighter jacket covering several layers, including long underwear, turtleneck, sweater etc. Depending on the weather, your body during a day on the slopes can alternate between cold, hot and cold again. If you dress in layers, you can remove layers as needed – and put them back on as needed.

Snow boots

Where there’s skiing or snowboarding, there’s snow. And while you’re not likely to forget your ski boots, do you really want to be clomping around in them when you’re done on the slopes? If the weather’s wet and snowy, you probably won’t want to slog around in wet sneakers. So snow boots, it is. Pack them. You’ll need them.

Neck gaiter

A neck gaiter is a must-have: it keeps your neck warm and you can use it to cover your face when the weather gets really wicked.

Comfy shoes

Once you’re indoors for the day, be sure to have a pair of comfortable shoes to slip on. You can’t overstate the delicious feeling of slipping off your ski boots and slipping into something a bit more comfortable during leisure hours.

Extra glasses (or contacts)

Vision is critical to a successful day on the slopes and if you lose or break your glasses, or a contact falls out, never to be found again, you’ll be happy you brought the extra pair. And while we’re at it, pack your sunglasses. When you take off your goggles, there will be snow glare to contend with.

Lip balm

When it comes to lip balm, more is better. Have one in the car, your parka, your purse – lip balm is a key item for a slope side vacation. If the sun doesn’t get you, the wind will. And there’s nothing worse than having an après ski cocktail with chapped lips.

A beanie or baseball hat

Two words: helmet head. Not a problem while you’re on the slopes, but afterwards you might want to cover up that Edward Scissorhands ‘do with something more suitable for indoors.

Snacks

Skiing and snowboarding require energy and energy requires protein. Slip a couple of granola bars into your pocket before you set out for the day.

Fluids

Hydration isn’t important just during the summer: Humidity is lower at higher altitudes, so you lose more body fluids when you exert yourself. You lose water through respiration at high altitude twice as quickly as you do at sea level. Bring a small water bottle with you, or if you’re planning to be out all day without a break, slip on a hydration pack.

Sunscreen

Just because it’s cold, doesn’t mean you’re not susceptible to the sun’s rays. In fact, while UVB rays are less intense in the winter, UVA rays are as intense in the winter as the summer – and, because they have a longer wavelength, they can penetrate deeper into the skin and cause damage, which can lead to skin cancer. So bring the sunscreen and cover any exposed skin, like your nose and cheeks.

Alarm clock

If you’re staying in a condo or don’t trust a wake-up call from the front desk, don’t forget an old-fashioned, wind-up alarm clock. It works when the power goes out and, unlike your phone, doesn’t require charging. After all, you’re paying to hit those slopes. You don’t want to sleep the day away.

Phone charger

Because you can’t make phone calls with that wind-up alarm clock.

Your ski pass

If you have a season pass, don’t leave home without it.

Ski or snowboard boots

Sure, we said we don’t need to remind you to bring ski boots, but if there’s one piece of ski equipment you don’t want to forget, it’s your boots. Boots are central to your comfort on the slopes and your boots are tailored to your needs. If you forget your skis or poles, you can rent, and things will be fine; if you forget your boots, you can rent, but chances are you won’t have the comfort or performance of your own pair.

Got any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments!

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The definition of après ski is, according to the Oxford Dictionary, “The social activities and entertainment following a day’s skiing,” which makes sense since the origin of the phrase is French and literally means “after skiing.”

The term goes way back to the 1800s, but it was in the 1920s that après ski became more of the tradition we know today. According to Skiing Heritage, when France hosted the Winter Olympics in 1924, “the French came up with ‘après ski’ to describe celebrating with fine food and drink the daily escape from hypothermia on the vaulting terrain above the resort.” It’s in just that spirit that the Woodstock Inn Brewery created Frosty Goggles, our apres ski sh-red pale ale that pairs nicely trailside, with your feet up, boots off.

“The Frosty Goggles red pale ale features a sweet malt body and light red color, but is highlighted by the citrusy herbal notes from Summit hops,” says Adam, one of our brewers. “A little sweet, citrusy, and with a smooth bitterness to balance it out, it’s the perfect beer for unwinding after a day of winter fun.”

Frosty Goggle is 5% ABV and 40 IBU. It’s a cross between a pale ale and red ale and pairs well with Mexican food, sliders, chili, soups and chowders – all just right after a satisfying day on the slopes. As author and avid skier Ernest Hemingway once said, “I would not have thought of eating a meal without drinking a beer.” Who are we to argue with that?

Frosty Goggle is available in bars and stores throughout New England in cans and on tap.

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If you’re a skier, the White Mountains are heavenly in the winter time. With incredible spots to ski and snowboard, like Loon, Cannon, Waterville and Bretton Woods, the mountains may be the biggest draw but there’s plenty more to do if you’re not interested in hitting the slopes. For those who think racing down a mountain or huffing through the woods on cross country skis seems like torture, we’ve put together a list of enjoyable activities you can find less than an hour from the Woodstock Inn Brewery in North Woodstock, New Hampshire.

If you are a skier or snowboarder and you stay with us you’ll have access to discount* lift tickets for Loon ($89 midweek & weekend) Cannon ($38 midweek & $51 weekend) Bretton Woods ($58 midweek & $68 weekend) and Waterville ($38 midweek & $63 weekend)
*Rates are subject to change.

Alpine Adventures

Alpine Adventures opened the Zipline Canopy Touring 2006 drew families with Tree Top Canopy Tour. Just a few years ago, Alpine expanded again with their first Treehouse, a magnificent work of art offering a welcome rest stop for many tours. If you’re looking for an unique outdoor tour, Alpine offers 6 wheel Pinzgauers, Swiss Army transport vehicles, to take guests to the top of their Zipline Tours high up Barron Mountain. The vehicles are also used for Off-Road Adventures or a lift to start the newly expanded Backcountry Snowshoe Tours.

New offerings at Alpine include the Thrillsville Aerial Challenge Course and the BigAirBag jump, located at Alpine on Main Street in Lincoln.

Courtesy Photo (FranconiaNotch.org)

Snowcoach Tours

Driven by 4 tracks rather than wheels, the 12-passenger Mt. Washington SnowCoach transports guests up to treeline on Mt. Washington, at approximately 4,200 feet, into a sub-arctic world for a truly unforgettable adventure.  Tours are always conducted “weather permitting” and advance reservations are recommended.

The tours, which last approximately 1.5 hours, stop at the treeline of Mount Washington and once it arrives, passengers have time to get out and take photos and videos of the views or to experience the weather. The SnowCoach is never more than just seconds away. Passengers do not need to leave the warmth and comfort of the SnowCoach and can enjoy the scenery from inside the vehicle as well.

Courtesy Photo via (NorthConway.com)

Muddy Paw Sled Dog Tours

If you love dogs and the outdoors, why not visit the Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel. You can visit the sled dogs, or take a tour of the area via sled. The Kennel also offers an introductory dog sledding adventure open to those ages 2+, which includes a meet and greet with the sled dogs and their musher(s).

Once the doggies and sled are prepared, guests will then embark on a 5 mile/45 minute ride. Muddy Paw offers a number of other tours including a longer tour and a crash course in the art of mushing.

Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center

If you’re looking for some low key time outdoors, you can head to the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center for several activities including cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snow tubing. Strap on some snowshoes and experience the solitude and adventure of winter at Great Glen Trails or hit the tubing hill for some family fun.

For those looking for ski lessons, Great Glen Trails offers several learn to ski programs for kids and adults and features an introduction to the equipment, practice on the snow to slide around and work on balance and diagonal striding

Courtesy Photo (Ice Castles Facebook)

Ice Castles

The Ice Castles have drawn art and nature lovers for more than seven years. Created by Brent Christensen, the installation includes a giant ice fortress set across almost an acre of space.

The Ice Casltes include more than 25 million pounds of ice and takes more than 4,000 hours to be crafted each year. Christensen crafted the first icy version in the front yard of his home to bring happiness and joy to his children. After moving from sunny California to snowy Utah, Christensen did what any father of six stir-crazy kids with cabin fever would do. He built an ice cave in his yard to get his kids out of the house. His stroke of genius worked and the installation has grown to include five different locations nationwide.

BTW – we’re offering a special while the Ice Castles are open this season.

Courtesy Photo (Littleton Chamber of Commerce)

Shopping in Littleton

Less than 30 minutes away from Lincoln and Loon, Littleton offers an unique set of small, locally owned shops and restaurants. From Lahouts to the Jax Jr. Cinema, Littleton may be small but its charm shines through.

At Chutters candy shop you can find sweet treats, homemade fudge, and the world’s longest candy counter along beautiful Main Street of Littleton. A local and visitor favorite, the Little Village Toy and Book Shop offers classic and modern toys and games, and carry a wide array of books for adults and children. The shop recently won the Parenting New Hampshire Magazine 2017 award for the North of Concord Favorite Children’s Local Book Store. Another shop to visit is Pentimento, a fun gift shop with candles, bath and beauty products, cards, and jewelry.

Courtesy Photo (Seven Birches Winery)

Wine

Looking for a different experience away from the bars and apres-ski lounges, head to the Seven Birches Winery to sample wines created right here in the White Mountains! Red, white, and fruit varieties for every taste are available. If you don’t know which one to buy, make sure to stay for a tasting.

Next week, the Winery is opening an all-new, expansion tasting room called the “Atrium Tasting Room” located at the Lincoln Village Shops in the center of town.

The post Six Things to Do (That Aren’t Skiing) When Visiting the Woodstock Inn Brewery appeared first on Woodstock Inn Brewery.

If you’re a hiker visiting the White Mountains, you’re in luck. Not only do we have dozens of peaks and trails in the area to explore but we’ve also got the Woodstock beer to celebrate with once you’ve finished. While the weather is markedly older this time of year, some hikers prefer trekking in the winter because of the change in scenery and the overwhelming urge to escape the house. Plus, hot drinks and food just seem to taste better after a cold hike.
Winter hiking is noticeably easier on the body as the soft surface of snow provides more cushion. It’s like running on a soft dirt trail versus running on hard concrete.

If you’re up in Lincoln, visiting the Woodstock Inn and Brewery, grabbing a beer or some food, we’ve put together a list of five beautiful hikes in the area you can tackle if you’re looking to explore the great outdoors.

Boulder Loop Trail
Kancamagus Highway (Conway), NH
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation: 1750′

A great hike for families or beginners, this trail, officially called “The Boulder Loop Interpretive Trail” provides excellent views for relatively little effort. The loop hike also features lots of large, interesting boulders along the trail and several ledges that offer great views of the many surrounding mountains.

Mount Pemigewasset Trail
Lincoln, NH
Distance: 3.6 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet

This climb to the summit of Mount Pemigewasset — a 2,500-foot peak at the southern end of Franconia Notch and the location of the famed Indian Head profile — is a good one for children because it’s never very steep.
According to the AMC, the hike is full of great views of surrounding mountains can be had from the broad, flat rocks of the summit. The small, scattered trees that grow around the summit have been sculpted by the wind to form “flag” trees.

Diana’s Bath
Conway, NH
Distance: 1.2 mile round-trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal

A popular spot to visit with the family in the summertime, Diana’s Baths features a short, level, universally-accessible walk along the Moat Mountain Trail which ends at a former mill site. Nearby you can explore the many pools, cascades or the ruins on the old mill.

Welch and Dickey Mountains
Thornton, NH
Distance: 4 mile round-trip
Elevation Gain: 1,751 feet

Located just south of Lincoln near Waterville Valley, Welch and Dickey Mountains offer great views and lovely wildflowers in the later spring and early summer months. The trail is challenging with bits of steep sections, but it is both family and dog-friendly taking between three and four hours to complete. The views from the top are fantastic and well worth the few rock scrambles to the summit.
In the winter, the trails can get hard packed with ice, so traction is a must. Pack accordingly.

Sugar Loaf Mountain
Bethlethem, NH
Distance: 3.3 mile out and back
Elevation Gain: 1,040 feet

Not to be confused with the large ski resort in western Maine, Sugarloaf offers great views of the White Mountains. The 3.3-mile trail splits as you get near the summit, so you have the option to hike to the top of one peak or both.
From the top on a clear day, you can see Mount Washington and the Cog Railway and makes for a great hike for young families or novice hikers looking for great views.

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More than just a road sign, Exit 32 has become a symbol for the laid back lifestyle found in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. To that end, we’re happy to introduce the newest Woodstock beer, Exit 32, a Galaxy-hopped, fruity pale ale, which we’ve released in partnership with our friends Jack Pollner and Andrew Reberio founders of the apparel brand Exit 32.

Exit 32 got started in 2009 when Rebeiro and Pollner wanted to show their pride in Lincoln. The pair started with some simple stickers and eventually began to design apparel and other items with the iconic sign logo. Pollner said the Lincoln area stands out as a melting pot nestled in the White Mountains, making it a unique destination for adventurers in New England.

“It’s an old mill town that has managed to maintain some sense of community after the mill closed and it evolved into a booming outdoor mecca,” Pollner said. “There is something to do no matter what time of the year you happen to be here. The area has become home to a community of like minded individuals who may not all recreate the same way, but they “get” each other, and exist with a common purpose.”

Scott Rice, owner of Woodstock Inn Brewery said, “I’ve lived in this area since (HOW MANY YEARS?) and beyond the attractions at Exit 32, the opportunities for outdoor adventure are abundant year round.  There’s a special vibe here and that’s why we were gung ho about creating an Exit 32 beer.”

Pollner’s common purpose matched up with Woodstock’s last year when he started kicking around the idea of collaborating on a beer.

“We’d always kicked around the idea of doing an “Exit 32 beer.” We talked with the folks at Woodstock Inn Brewery and got serious about it last summer. After tasting the Pale Ale we decided it was something we would be proud to put our name on. Woodstock felt the same and the rest is history.”

According to Pollner, Exit 32 has become one of his favorite beers.

“It’s nice and hoppy without crushing your palette like a lot of other beers out there today,” The beer is juicy without being too fruity, crisp and refreshing. It’s something that is equally at home at the top of a mountain (pack out those cans!) or in the bar after a great pow day.”

Exit 32 is only available at the source at Exit 32, for now. It’s on tap and in 6pk cans at the brewery.

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Almost 60 years ago, one of the most famous UFO cases to ever be documented occurred just down the road from the Woodstock Inn and Brewery in New Hampshire. The incident, known as the “Hill Abduction” or “Zeta Reticuli Incident” has since spawned a best-selling 1966 book, a TV movie and now, a new beer.

According to legend, Portsmouth residents Betty and Barney Hill were heading home from Montreal on Rt. 93, heading home when they saw strange lights in the area of Franconia Notch. After passing the signal tower on top of Cannon Mountain and the Old Man of the Mountain, the Hills reported the the object got closer, eventually hovering above their 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air.

According to the couple, the UFO produced a series of rhythmic beeping or buzzing sounds, causing the car to vibrate and a tingling sensation to pass through the Hills’ bodies. That’s when the Hills lost track of time. According to Hills, they were abducted by the odd inhabitants of the UFO they’d encountered, leaving them hazy, confused and terrified.

Woodstock’s second new beer to be released this spring will be called Lost Time; a double-dry Galaxy hopped, New England Style Pale Ale. Much like the Hills’ story, the hazy, juicy, bright and tropical New England-style pale ale is “otherworldly.” Lost Time has a 6% ABV and an IBU of 40.

Lost Time will be available at the Brewery as well as stores throughout New England this spring.

Whether you’re one of the locals or just passing through, Woodstock Inn Brewery is always alive and kicking with food, beer, brewery tours, and entertainment! Come discover why so many “Come To Play, Plan To Stay.”

Can’t find the beer? Click here!

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