You could be forgiven for not knowing that the North Country of New Hampshire has gained considerable expertise in brewing over the last ten years. There are now seven craft breweries within 30 miles of the Bray Hill House that make the area appealing to beer aficionados and diners alike. It started about twelve years ago when the Schilling Beer Company formed in the historic grist mill on the banks of the Ammanousic River in Littleton.
Since then, six more breweries have been established in Bethlehem, Franconia, Gorham, Groveton, Lancaster and Littleton spurred on by a surge in tourism. There is a clear echo of the late 19th century when Bethlehem, Jefferson, Carrol and Whitefield all had train service to their grand hotels. Now in addition to thriving hotels, short term vacation rentals serve the demand.
At the end of 2026, breweries in the North Country of New Hampshire include the following
Copper Pig Brewery (Lancaster): Established in 2018, located 15 minutes away, featuring diverse styles like lagers, IPAs, Irish reds, and fruited sours.
Rek-Lis Brewing Company (Bethlehem): Established in 2017, located 20 minutes away, featuring a wide variety ranging from classic American lagers to hazy New England IPAs and fruited sours.
Schilling Beer Company (Littleton): Established in 2013, located 25 minutes away, deeply specialized in European-style lagers, traditional Czech and German pilsners, Vienna lagers, and wild ales.
Wildbloom Beer (Littleton): Established in 2020, located 25 minutes away, focusing on low-ABV "purposeful beers" like saisons, Belgians, and lagers utilizing 99% locally grown ingredients.
In the Woods Brewing (Groveton): Established in 2025, located 30 minutes away, featuring traditional, approachable homebrew-inspired recipes like lagers, honey ales, porters, and altbiers.
Big Day Brewing (Gorham): Established in 2023, located 35 minutes away, serving a balanced craft mix of hazy New England IPAs, German hefeweizens, and stouts.
Iron Furnace Brewing (Franconia): Established in 2017, located 35 minutes away, specializing in hop-forward ales, bold tropical New England IPAs, and seasonal imperial stouts.
The size and scope of each craft brewery are different. Some are considered nano breweries, taproom breweries, and microbreweries with distribution networks. All have the same noble goal of serving fresh brewed craft beer and tasty morsels to thirsty and hungry locals and travelers alike! All have outdoor seating areas and music and entertainment is regularly scheduled. Well behaved dogs are allowed to sit with you on the patio, in the bear garden and sometimes in the tap room.
At these establishments, brewing fresh beer is a passion, and their passion makes the North Country communities more welcoming and enjoyable to visitors. So, come to the North Country for natural beauty, fresh mountain air, outdoor activities, boutique shopping, and craft brewed beer!
This post originally appeared on brayhillhouse.com.
