The Great North Woods Breweries, Wineries and Cideries

The Great North Woods is the part of New Hampshire where the map opens up. Towns are far apart, the roads follow rivers through long stretches of forest, and the lakes near the Canadian border feel a world away from the rest of the state. It is not a region with a brewery on every corner, and that is part of the appeal. When you find a taproom up here, it is usually a genuine local gathering place, the kind of spot where people come in off the trails, out of the woods or off the water. This guide covers breweries in the Great North Woods NH and the surrounding North Country, with honest notes about what the region does and does not have.

As with any small business, hours and offerings change, sometimes on short notice in a rural area, so check each brewery's site or social page before making a long drive.

The region at a glance

The Great North Woods takes in the northern part of Coös County, the northernmost county in New Hampshire and the least populated, with about 31,000 residents at the 2020 census. The county seat is Lancaster. At the top of the state, the Connecticut Lakes sit along the headwaters of the Connecticut River within the town of Pittsburg, reached by the northernmost stretch of U.S. Route 3 on the way to the Canadian border.

That geography shapes how you visit. Distances are real, cell service can be patchy, and services are spread out. A brewery visit up here is usually part of a bigger trip, whether that is a fishing weekend, an ATV or snowmobile trip, or a drive to see the lakes.

Coös Brewing Company, Colebrook

Coös Brewing Company on Bill Bromage Drive in Colebrook is a small brewery that describes its beer as made by hand, "laboriously and thoughtfully." The brewery's own message ties its beer to the outdoors, and that is a good summary of why it fits the region so well. Colebrook is on the road north toward Pittsburg and the Connecticut Lakes, which makes it a natural stop on a trip to the top of the state. New Hampshire Magazine has pointed to Coös Brewing as the go-to local beer for visitors to the Pittsburg area.

The brewery also offers online ordering, which is worth knowing if you want to pick up beer for a camp or cabin.

In The Woods Brewing, Groveton

In The Woods Brewing on State Street in Groveton, in the town of Northumberland, is a brewery, taproom and eatery with a rotating tap list. Alongside its own beer, it offers a full bar, wine and non-alcoholic options, so it works for a mixed group. Groveton lies between Lancaster and Colebrook, which puts it right on the way for anyone driving north.

In The Woods posts its schedule and any closures on its site, and because it is a small operation, checking ahead is especially worthwhile.

Copper Pig Brewery, Lancaster

Technically, Lancaster is the gateway rather than the heart of the Great North Woods, but as the county seat it is where many North Country trips begin. Copper Pig Brewery on Middle Street in Lancaster pours a core lineup that includes Lars 007 DIPA, Little Piggy Porter, Kilkenny Irish Red and Ice Jam Lager, along with pale ale and seasonal rotations and experimental beers. A stop here is a good way to start a northbound trip or wind down on the way home.

What about wineries and cideries?

The title of this guide promises wineries and cideries, and the honest answer is that the Great North Woods has very few. The short growing season and remote location make the region a tough place for vineyards and orchards on a commercial scale. We have not been able to verify a currently operating winery or cidery tasting room in the region for this guide, and we would rather say so than send you on a long drive to a place that may not be open.

If cider is what you are after, plan to pick some up farther south on your way north, or look for local ciders on tap lists. Several breweries around New Hampshire carry guest ciders, and it is always worth asking.

Planning a North Country beer trip

Think in loops, not lists. The distances between towns are long. A realistic day might start in Lancaster, continue north through Groveton, and end in Colebrook, with time for a meal and a walk along the way. Trying to cover too much in one day turns a relaxing trip into a long drive.

Have a designated driver. This is true everywhere, but especially here, where roads are dark at night, wildlife can be on the road, and the next town may be a long way off. Many visitors pick up cans to enjoy back at their cabin or campground instead.

Check hours before you go. Small rural breweries often keep limited hours and may close for holidays, private events or brewing days. A quick check of the brewery's site or social page is the single most useful thing you can do.

Plan for food. Some taprooms serve food and some do not, and restaurant options thin out the farther north you go. Know where you are eating before you leave.

Bring cash and a charger. Card readers usually work, but cell coverage is not guaranteed in the North Country, and a charged phone and offline maps are smart insurance.

Pairing a brewery stop with the outdoors

The best part of a Great North Woods brewery visit is what comes before it. The region draws visitors for fishing, paddling, hiking and, in winter, snowmobiling. The Connecticut Lakes in Pittsburg are a popular base for fishing and boating, and the forests and rivers around Colebrook and Groveton offer plenty of quiet roads and trails. A brewery stop at the end of a day outside is exactly what these taprooms are built for.

In midsummer, long days give you time for a full outing and an early evening visit. In winter, breweries in snowmobile country can be busy on weekends, so plan accordingly.

Respecting a small community

These are small towns, and their breweries are part of daily life for the people who live there. A few courtesies go a long way: be patient if service is slower on a busy night, tip well, and remember that a taproom may double as the local meeting place. Buying a few cans or a growler to go also helps a small business through the quieter seasons.

Frequently asked questions

Are there breweries in the Great North Woods of New Hampshire?

Yes. Coös Brewing Company in Colebrook and In The Woods Brewing in Groveton are both in the region, and Copper Pig Brewery is in Lancaster, the Coös County seat.

Is there a brewery near the Connecticut Lakes?

Coös Brewing Company in Colebrook is the closest brewery in our directory to Pittsburg and the Connecticut Lakes.

Are there wineries in the Great North Woods?

We have not verified a currently operating winery or cidery tasting room in the region. Check back, as we update our guides when new businesses open.

What is the best time to visit North Country breweries?

Summer and early fall offer long days and easy driving. Always check each brewery's hours before you go, since small rural taprooms keep limited schedules.

Sources

• Coös County, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (northernmost, least populated, county seat): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co%C3%B6s_County,_New_Hampshire
• Connecticut Lakes, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_Lakes
• Coös Brewing Company official site: https://www.coosbeer.com
• New Hampshire Magazine, Adventure Towns: Great North Woods: https://www.nhmagazine.com/adventure-towns-great-north-woods/
• In The Woods Brewing official site: https://inthewoodsbrewing.com/
• Copper Pig Brewery official site: https://www.copperpigbrewery.com/