Wyman Tavern Brew Fest 2019 – When Beer Makes History

On August 3, 2019, The Cheshire County Historical Society, played host to their annual brewers festival at the Historical Wyman Tavern located in Keene, NH. What a fantastic location to bring beer lovers together. The Wyman Tavern was built in 1762 and served as a public house (Tavern) for forty years. Wyman Tavern is now known as one of Cheshire County’s most historic buildings. It has played host to many events that have impacted the history of New Hampshire. Some historical events took place while the tavern was still in operation. One example of the historical impact this building has brought fourth took place on, April 15, 1775, when 29 Minutemen gathered at the Tavern to march to Lexington at the outbreak of the American Revolution. In its current state, the Wyman Tavern plays host to educational historical tours and seminars throughout the spring through fall every year. At the festival, we were gathered to share some fresh local ale, and help raise money for this historic tavern.

Historical facts can be found and information about the tavern can be found on their website

https://hsccnh.org/plan-a-visit/historical-society-of-cheshire-county-group-visits/our-buildings/wyman-tavern/

For forty years The Wyman Tavern served the locals fresh ale, and yesterday there were brewers from all over New England serving us some delicious local ale.

If you purchased your tickets in advance you had the option of VIP or early bird general admission rate. {{more}}

If you opted for a VIP ticket, you were granted early admission at noon. You also received a tasting pint glass and some beer swag from the brew fest sponsors, as well as a few other cool treats.

General admission was from 1-5 pm. Your ticket included a small glass and 10 tastings. There was so much to see, sample and explore at this festival. It was a well put together event. You had Luca, from “Luca’s Mediterranean Cafe”, hosting three cooking demos, where if you stopped in to check those out you had the opportunity to try some amazing cooking. I popped over for the chicken curry. YUMMY!!!!

Luca was the MC for the brew fest. He doesn’t need much introduction if you are from the Keene area. It is hard to go anywhere without hearing about Luca. All positive I assure you. He is an incredible man, who does a lot for the community. He was one of the many sponsors for this event. Luca’s goal is to bring people together and together we were brought.

There was a lot of soul at this festival! From the brewmasters with their unique brews.To the chefs in their food trucks. The band keeping the rhythm for us all. The locals with their support. I saw people coming together from all over gathering with old friends while making new ones. When you share a good meal and a great drink, that is when the magic happens.

The amount of creativity that was on display at the festival is mind-blowing. So many choices. I wasn’t able to try everything at the festival but I did my best. I had no idea where to begin my adventure. Naturally, I had to scope the place out first and catch my bearings. There was a world of flavorful beer that I was eager to try. The list of vendors was from all over New England.

I started with our local vendors such as:

Belgian Mare Brewery – Alstead, NH

The Outlaw Brewing Co. – Winchester, NH

Elm City Brewing – Keene, NH

Monadnock Brewing Co. – Langdon, NH

Granite Roots Brewing – Troy, NH

The Brewers of Nye Hill Farm – Roxbury, NH

Branch and Blade Brewing Co. – Keene, NH

Frogg Brewing Co. – Marlborough, NH

Henniker Brewing Co. – Henniker, NH

Then I branched out to other breweries such as:

Woodstock Inn Brewery, Smuttynose Brewing Co., Switchback Brewing Co., and many more.

One of the best parts about going to a brew festival is you have the opportunity to try an array of flavorful handcrafted beers. I make it a point to try new flavors whenever I go to a festival. I want to expand my palate. If I am going to have the opportunity to try something new without worry, this is the time. Brewers typically will bring one of their top sellers and something new on tap. The point for them is to show off their talents. The mission if you choose to accept is to try as many new flavors as possible. At a brew fest, you don’t need to worry about how much the beer costs, and if you don’t like it. There is a new beer waiting for you around the corner. For me, I had your standard ale, pale ale, wheat, stouts, sours and IPA’s. I am not usually a fan of IPA’s, as they tend to be a bit too bitter for my liking. At the fest, I had several IPA’s. Some double and even triple. Everything was great!

The first IPA I had was from “Frogg Brewing Co.” I tried their exclusive BandiT Triple IPA 9.5 ABV 28 IBU. It was a real treat trying this Triple IPA. I had heard a lot of wonderful feedback about Frogg’s IPA’s prior to testing it out for myself. It was worth it. The hops are not overpowering. It was simply put, delightful and now I have a new brew to order when I go and visit them next time.

I couldn’t help but take notice of the Froggers that were throughout the festival. I could see Frogg shirts all over the place. Stephanie, Mike, and Alex have done a remarkable job with their brewing operation. This October they will be celebrating their one year anniversary. I stood by their stand in awe over the local support they have from the local beer lovers to the other local brewers coming over to say hello. Even at a busy festival, these guys are all about making you feel like you are at home hanging with family and friends. That is what I love about the brewing community the most! The togetherness.

This is not a cut-throat world. When one brewery does well they all do well. They all have their own following. I saw swag from all sorts of local breweries being rocked yesterday. It was an amazing feeling. Although these people were wearing their favorite brewer’s swag they were adventuring to the other brewers making new brew friends.

I had the chance to try Branch and Blade Brewing Company‘s newest addition to their series “Gangsta Frappe”.

This flavorful, fruity brew knows what’s happening! This was another one of those brews I would normally not want to try. I know I love their sour brew and it was very hard for me not to go right for the sour. I am glad I tried this one. You can grab yourself a glass at their brewery while supplies last. One of the things I love about Trevor and Jesse is the personal touch they put into their brews. Each can of “Branch and Blade” is going to have custom artwork.

They have a local artist Kristen Carrol. She has done amazing work for these guys. This is just another great example of how personal touches and creativity come together in making you a beer experience.

“Street Savory” was there kicking things up a notch too. They recently took their operation from the street and into “Branch and Blades” kitchen.

I just had to get my hands on their Pork belly burnt ends. YUM!!!!

Once my tummy was filled with something other than beer, it was time to get some dessert! Who better to provide that than Rick and Sarah from “The Outlaw Brewing Company”. I had to have their Peanut Butter Blonde Stout. Yes, BLONDE STOUT. This is a Brewfest where creativity shines. Rick wanted to create a peanut butter stout that wasn’t going to be overpowering and heavy. Many people stay away from stouts out of fear of the heavy dark beer. Rick has found a way to make a light, refreshing stout, that will make you forget what you are drinking. Now for me, I love stouts. I have had my fair share of them and they normally fill me right up and I can’t go on any further. Not with this one. You need to go and visit “The Outlaw” and try this brew. If you like peanut butter you are going to love this.

I love it when my foodie side can be mixed with my brew lover side. Peanut butter blonde stout for dessert was just what I needed.

While I was there I was mesmerized by their tap system. They certainly brought their brand with them. They created a portable tap system that made me feel like I was chilling in their Winchester, NH brewery. Sarah and Rick, chatting it up, educating those who wanted to learn more about the brewing world. I almost forgot I was at a brew fest.

What else is good for dessert, peaches! Every outlaw needs a steady steed. I moseyed on over to “Belgian Mare Brewery” from Alstead, NH and tried their wood-fired Peachblow saison. I had never tried this local brewery, prior to the festival. I am glad I did. What is unique to Belgian Mare Brewery, is the way they hold true to how beer was originally made and processed. Historically, when beer was first invented, we didn’t have all these fancy boiler systems. You had to use a good ole-fashion open flame. These guys are not using artificial flame flavors for their brews. Nope! This working farm makes all of their brews over an open flame the same way the world’s original brewers use to do. I have not found another brewery nearby that brews in such a fashion. I am so glad I tried their beer. Their tasting room has limited hours of operation and they are not open year-round, but you can find their brews in local shops around Keene. It is worth trying. The flavors will capture your attention. The craftsmanship will capture your soul.

There were three local breweries at this festival that not only brew their own delights, but they also operate their own working farms. “Granite Roots Brewing” runs a berry farm up the street from them. They use their own berries and fruits to create their ales. They have a large beer garden at their brewery, where you can just sit and relax while you sip on your brews. Worth checking out for sure.

These brewers are putting a whole new meaning on “farm to table.” Another local working farm brewing operation I had to check out was the “Brewers of Nye Hill Farm” from Roxbury, NH. I brought in by their lovely display of wildflowers. Their display was warm and inviting. I had heard about these guys but never experienced their brews. Their taproom is only open to the public on Sundays because they are a small working farm with a lot on their plate. Small or not, there was a lot of buzz going around about this brewery at the festival. I was hearing people talk about them everywhere I went. I knew I had to get my hands on their brew.

Can I just tell you… AMAZING!!!!!!!!

A must try on your list needs to be the “States Men” Ginger Lime Ale.