This was hands down the best brew tour I’ve ever done – and there’s been a lot!  Smuttynose in located outside of Portsmouth, NH in a town called Hamilton. When we visited in 2009, they were building a tasting room that is now complete.This is what it looks:

Very impressive. On our visit, it was pretty much a warehouse in the woods. We went in a side entrance and were immediately greeted with some taps. Upon arrival we began the tasting portion of our tour. They had several drafts to choose from.

Let’s face it; some tours can be pretty basic. They give you the standard information about the brewing process and you get to see the vats.

Not Smuttynose. They have you wearing hard hats and protective glasses while you are climbing up the vats to get a peek inside.

You are also crawling under the vats and piping trying not to hit your head (helmet) off the tanks – all while getting dripped on.   Some of you might recognize these two old gentleman on their IPA. This is Cy and Paul. I will let them tell you their story!!

Have you been to the newly renovated facility? If so, what was it like? We just got back from a trip to Maine (Brunswick, Freeport and Portland) and I regret not stopping by. Even though it was years ago, I still think about that tour fondly and tell people about it. I hope it didn’t change too much!