5 unique breweries, wineries, and distilleries
If you're looking for fun things to do in the Mount Washington Valley, consider a trip to one of several local breweries, wineries and distilleries that have popped up in the area in recent years. In addition to crafting often unique beverages, most provide a variety of events and activities to educate, inform and entertain their guests — from tours and workshops to live music and festivals that provide family fun.
Here are five Mount Washington Valley options for you to explore.
1. Ledge Brewing Company in Intervale
More than just a brewery, Ledge has become a jumping-off place and apres adventure gathering spot for climbers, hikers, skiers and mountain bikers, as well as a venue for community-minded events.
Opened in 2020, the brewery has a family-friendly beer garden and tasting room with live music and food trucks in warmer seasons, as well as occasional movie nights and open mic events. Ledge also has space indoors for live music and community events, and recently added its own taco bar.
15 Town Hall Road, Intervale, (603) 307-1070
2. Tuckerman Brewing Company in Conway
Founded in 1998, in Tuckerman Brewing Company is one of the older microbreweries in the valley, tucked away on Hobbs Street in Conway Village. The company produces a variety of beers and, since 2021, hard ciders.
Tuckerman's outdoor beer garden has live music almost every Saturday and Sunday from the start of summer through October, as well as weekly corn hole tournaments, trivia nights, karaoke and occasional stand-up comedy nights.
66 Hobbs Street, Conway, (603) 447-5400
3. Alpine Garden Winery in Intervale
Alpine Garden also has a summer music program with local performers on their outdoor patio on most Saturday and Monday afternoons in September and October, weather permitting. In addition, they have a tasting room with indoor and outdoor seating and a knowledgeable staff to help you learn more about their wines and ciders.
Opened in 2021, Alpine Garden is trying to do something special in creating true New Hampshire vintage wines and ciders from locally grown fruit using natural processes. The winery is located in a beautiful wooded area on Route 302 on the edge of Bartlett Village. In mid-September, the winery debuted its latest creations at a wine release party. While cider is available year-round, the still-small winery currently produces small batches of wines that are sure to sell out quickly.
1257 U.S. Route 302, Bartlett, (603) 374-5076
4. Tamworth Distillery in Tamworth Village
Opened in 2014, Tamworth Distillery has tours, tastings, workshops and community events at the distillery and the nearby Tamworth Lyceum. If you are interested in craft spirits, you can learn more about what goes into making them as well as creative ideas for cocktails. The Lyceum is a cafe with food and beverages and store for distillery-related products and has hosted events from intimate concerts to paint-and-sip workshops.
The distillery sources its grains, water and botanicals locally and produces whiskey, rye, gin, cordials, apple jack and such unique creations as Crab Trapper Whiskey — made from green crabs, which are invasive to New England — and wearable gin — er, drinkable perfume? — the fragrance is reportedly woodsy and is a first in the market according to the distillery's owners.
15 Cleveland Hill Road, Tamworth, (603) 323-7196
5. Cathedral Ledge Distillery in North Conway
The newer Cathedral Ledge Distillery, which opened in 2020 on Route 16 just north of North Conway Village, is growing its selection of hand-crafted organic spirits as well as options to learn more about the process and the products (flavored vodkas, aquavit, bourbon, whisky and maple liqueur) and extras to add to your visit. The distillery this summer added cocktails to its tasting room as well as hosting food trucks. You can schedule afternoon tours and tastings online at the website.
3340 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, (603) 730-5696
