Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Breweries, Wineries and Cideries

The Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region is not a big-city beer scene, and that is the appeal. Its breweries, cideries and orchard tasting rooms are spread among lake villages and Connecticut River valley towns, which means a tasting day doubles as a scenic drive. You might sip a pint on a deck above a river, eat dinner at a brewpub in a college town, and pick up cider grown in a hillside orchard, all within the same afternoon. This guide covers the breweries near Lake Sunapee and the Upper Valley that are in our directory, plus practical tips for planning a safe and relaxed tasting trip.

The region at a glance

Lake Sunapee sits in Sullivan and Merrimack counties in western New Hampshire and is the fifth-largest lake located entirely within the state. The town of Sunapee, with 3,342 residents at the 2020 census, includes part of the lake and the village of Georges Mills. New London, a town of 4,400 people, is home to Colby-Sawyer College. To the northwest, the city of Lebanon, with 14,282 residents at the 2020 census, lies in the Connecticut River valley near Hanover, and Enfield sits nearby along Mascoma Lake.

Distances between these places are short, which makes it easy to string together two or three stops in a day. Just plan for a designated driver or a ride.

Breweries

Hoptimystic Brewing, Sunapee Harbor

Hoptimystic Brewing runs a tasting room at 31 River Road in Sunapee Harbor, where customers can sit on a deck above the Sugar River. The brewery says the tasting room shares a building with Prospect Hill Antiques. Sunapee Harbor is the busiest village on the lake in summer, so a stop here pairs naturally with a walk around the harbor.

Hoptimystic also lists locations in Enfield and in Bow, outside this region near Concord.

Hoptimystic Brewing, Enfield

The Enfield brewery and tasting room is on Main Street in Enfield. If you are exploring the northern end of the region, for example on a visit to the Enfield Shaker Museum or Mascoma Lake, it is the more convenient of the two. Hours differ between locations, so check the brewery's website before you go.

The Flying Goose, New London

The Flying Goose is a brewpub and grill on Andover Road in New London that pairs its own beer with a full food menu and music events. It describes itself as the first solar-powered brewery in New Hampshire and highlights sustainability and support for local organizations. Because it serves a full menu, it is the natural place to anchor a tasting day with a proper meal.

Cideries and orchards

Farnum Hill Ciders, Lebanon

Farnum Hill Ciders is based at Poverty Lane Orchards on Poverty Lane in Lebanon. The orchard grows apples and makes cider, and its website offers direct shipping, a list of stores and restaurants that carry its ciders, and updates on seasonal pick-your-own and retail hours. It also promotes Growler Days in the fall. Orchard hours change through the year, and the farm has noted it is keeping retail and pick-your-own minimal in some seasons, so check before driving out.

For visitors who think of cider as a sweet supermarket drink, a visit to an orchard cidery is a good introduction to cider made the way apple-growing regions have long made it.

Patch Orchards, Lebanon

Patch Orchards in Lebanon is a family farm that says it has been worked by the same family for eight generations. Its website lists pick-your-own, a farmstand, maple products and a tasting room. It makes a good stop for travelers who want to combine a farm visit with a tasting, or pick up maple syrup to take home.

Planning a tasting day

A tasting trip in this region is as much about the drive as the drinks. Here is a simple plan:

• Start at the lake. Begin at Sunapee Harbor in the early afternoon, when you can sit outside and look over the water.
• Head north for dinner. Drive to New London for a meal at the Flying Goose.
• Save the orchards for a second day. Lebanon's orchards are worth a separate morning, especially in late summer and fall when apples are in season.
• Add Enfield on an Upper Valley day. Combine the Enfield tasting room with a visit to the Enfield Shaker Museum or a walk by Mascoma Lake.

What to expect at a small tasting room

Small regional breweries and orchard tasting rooms work differently from big-city taprooms. Tap lists rotate often, so the beer you loved last summer may not be pouring this year, and that is part of the fun. Staff are usually happy to explain what is on tap and suggest a flight. Some spaces are compact, so on busy weekends you may wait for a seat or end up sharing a table. Families and dogs may or may not be welcome depending on the location, so ask ahead if that matters for your group.

Responsible tasting

Rural roads around the lake are narrow and winding, and evenings can be dark. Always plan a designated driver, share flights rather than ordering full pours at every stop, and eat along the way. Many tasting rooms offer smaller pours or flights, which let you try more without overdoing it. If you are staying at a lakeside inn or rental, consider choosing breweries within a short drive of where you are sleeping.

Seasonal notes

Summer is the busiest time at Sunapee Harbor, and outdoor seating fills quickly on warm weekends. Late summer and fall are the best seasons for orchards, when apples come in and the foliage along the Connecticut River valley turns. Winter visitors skiing at Mount Sunapee will find that a brewpub dinner is a welcome way to end the day. In every season, hours change, so the single best tip is to check websites the week you travel.

Bring something home

Several of these producers make it easy to take a taste of the region with you. Farnum Hill sells cider by the bottle and ships directly, and Patch Orchards sells maple syrup, sugar and candy online and at its farmstand. Breweries often sell cans or growler fills to go. A cooler in the trunk keeps purchases in good shape on a summer drive.

Making it a weekend

The Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region rewards a slower pace. Pair a tasting day with a morning swim at Mount Sunapee State Park, a visit to Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park in Cornish, or a walk in Hanover. Mixing outdoor time with tasting stops keeps the weekend balanced, and it gives you a better feel for the farms, lakes and villages that make the region's drinks worth seeking out.

FAQ

Are there breweries in Sunapee NH?

Yes. Hoptimystic Brewing has a tasting room in Sunapee Harbor with a deck above the Sugar River.

Is there a brewpub near Lake Sunapee with food?

The Flying Goose in New London is a brewpub and grill with its own beer and a full menu.

Where can I find hard cider near Lake Sunapee?

Farnum Hill Ciders at Poverty Lane Orchards in Lebanon makes cider from its own orchards. Check its website for retail hours and shipping.

What is the best time to visit the orchards?

Late summer and fall, when apples are in season. Always check each farm's current hours before visiting.

Sources

• Lake Sunapee, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Sunapee
• Sunapee, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunapee,_New_Hampshire
• New London, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_London,_New_Hampshire
• Lebanon, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon,_New_Hampshire
• Enfield Shaker Museum, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enfield_Shaker_Museum
• Hoptimystic Brewing, Sunapee and Enfield locations: https://www.hoptimysticbrewing.com/sunapee-nh and https://www.hoptimysticbrewing.com/enfield-nh
• The Flying Goose: https://www.flyinggoose.com/
• Farnum Hill Ciders: https://farnumhillciders.com/
• Patch Orchards: https://patchorchards.com/