Seacoast NH Brewery Trail: Six Stops from Exeter to Newington

New Hampshire's Seacoast is short, about 18 miles of Atlantic shoreline, the shortest ocean coastline of any state, but it packs in a remarkable number of breweries. Between the old port city of Portsmouth, the farm country inland and the historic town of Exeter, you can build a full day around local beer without ever being far from the coast. This Seacoast NH brewery trail covers six taprooms from our directory, in a loop that starts in Portsmouth and ends in Exeter, along with practical advice on planning the day.

One rule comes before everything else: designate a driver, book a ride or split the trail across more than one day. Taster flights make it easy to sample a lot without drinking a lot, but the roads between these stops are real roads.

Stop 1: Liars Bench Beer Co., Portsmouth

Start on Islington Street in Portsmouth's West End. Liars Bench Beer Co. describes itself as a "Franken-brewery" and frankfurter joint, housed in an old plumber's shop. Its quirky setting and food make it a good first stop, and the neighborhood around it is worth a walk before you go.

Stop 2: Great Rhythm Brewing Company, Portsmouth

Great Rhythm Brewing Company is a Portsmouth brewery known for hop-forward IPAs, with bay views from its patio. If you like IPAs, this is a stop to take your time over. In late fall, check whether the patio is open before planning around it.

Stop 3: Stoneface Taproom, Newington

A short drive northwest of Portsmouth brings you to Newington and Stoneface Taproom, a modern Seacoast brewery and kitchen known for its Hopzilla Double IPA. A double IPA is strong beer, so a small pour is the sensible choice on a multi-stop day. The kitchen makes this a natural place to eat.

Stop 4: Smuttynose Beer Garden and Restaurant, Hampton

Head south to Hampton for Smuttynose Beer Garden and Restaurant, a flagship brewery campus with a farm-to-table restaurant, a taproom and even disc golf. The campus setting gives you room to stretch your legs halfway through the trail.

Smuttynose has deep Seacoast roots. It was founded in 1994 in Portsmouth, and its first beer debuted that July. The name comes from Smuttynose Island, one of the Isles of Shoals, a group of small islands and ledges about 6 miles offshore that straddle the Maine and New Hampshire border. In 2010 construction began on the brewery's current home, the historic 17-acre Towle Farm in Hampton, and that brewery has been certified LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council. The company was sold at auction in 2018 to a North Hampton investment firm.

Stop 5: Throwback Brewery, North Hampton

Next door in North Hampton, Throwback Brewery is an award-winning farm brewery that pours its beer alongside a farm-to-plate kitchen. The farm setting is a good change of pace from the city taprooms, and the food is a draw on its own.

Stop 6: Czar's Brewery, Exeter

Finish inland in Exeter at Czar's Brewery, a small nanobrewery making traditional European ales and lagers by hand. After a day of hoppy Seacoast IPAs, European styles make a fitting last stop.

Why end in Exeter

Exeter is one of New Hampshire's oldest towns, and it is worth some time on its own. John Wheelwright, a clergyman exiled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, founded it in 1638. In 1639, 35 freemen signed the Exeter Combination to establish their own government. During the American Revolution, the provincial records were moved from Portsmouth to Exeter in 1775, and Exeter served as New Hampshire's capital for 14 years. Today the town of 16,049 residents (2020 census) is home to Phillips Exeter Academy, and it sits where the Exeter River becomes the tidal Squamscott River. A walk downtown is a good way to end the day.

A quick guide to the styles you will see

If you are new to craft beer, the menus on this trail can look like a foreign language. A few basics help:

• IPA (India pale ale). Hop-forward and often bitter, with citrus, pine or tropical fruit aromas. The Seacoast pours a lot of them.
• Double IPA. A stronger, more intense IPA, usually with higher alcohol. Sip slowly.
• Lager. Fermented cooler and longer, typically crisp and clean. Traditional European lagers are a good palate reset after hoppy beers.
• Ale. A broad family that covers everything from light pale ales to dark brown ales.
• Stout and porter. Dark beers with roasted, coffee or chocolate notes, especially welcome on a cold day.
• Sour. Tart and sometimes fruity, made with particular yeasts or bacteria.

Ask for a recommendation at each stop. Taproom staff can steer you toward the beers the brewery is proudest of, and toward lower-alcohol options if you are pacing yourself.

Getting around

Liars Bench sits in Portsmouth's walkable West End, while Great Rhythm is on West Road, a short drive away. Every other stop on the trail requires driving between towns, so plan transportation before you pour your first taster. Plan for a designated driver who is not drinking, a taxi or rideshare, or a private tour service. Parking is generally available at the out-of-town stops, but downtown Portsmouth parking can be tight, so allow extra time there.

Suggested route and timing

• Late morning: Liars Bench and Great Rhythm in Portsmouth.
• Lunch: Stoneface in Newington.
• Afternoon: Smuttynose in Hampton and Throwback in North Hampton.
• Late afternoon: Czar's in Exeter, then a walk downtown.

Six stops is a lot for one day. If you want a more relaxed pace, choose three or four and save the rest for another trip. A natural split is a Portsmouth and Newington day and a Hampton, North Hampton and Exeter day.

How to do a brewery trail responsibly

• Designate a driver or book a ride. This is non-negotiable.
• Order flights or small pours. Most taprooms offer tasters, which let you try several beers without drinking full pints.
• Eat at every stop that has food. Several stops on this trail have full kitchens.
• Drink water between beers.
• Watch strength. Double IPAs and some European styles can be strong. Check alcohol content on the menu.
• Bring ID. Taprooms check it.

Taking beer home

Many breweries sell cans, bottles or growlers to go. If you buy beer to take home, keep it cool and out of direct sun in the car, and remember that open containers do not belong in a vehicle.

Seasonal notes

Late fall and winter are good times for a brewery trail. Taprooms are warm, seasonal releases often appear, and the summer beach traffic is gone. Outdoor patios and beer gardens may close or reduce hours in cold weather, and hours change through the year, so check each brewery's website or social media before you go.

FAQ

How many breweries are on the Seacoast NH brewery trail?

This guide covers six: Liars Bench and Great Rhythm in Portsmouth, Stoneface in Newington, Smuttynose in Hampton, Throwback in North Hampton and Czar's in Exeter.

Can I do the whole trail in one day?

You can, with a designated driver and small pours, but splitting it across two days is more relaxed.

Do these breweries serve food?

Several do. Liars Bench, Stoneface, Smuttynose and Throwback all have food, according to their directory listings. Check each brewery for current menus.

What is Stoneface known for?

Its Hopzilla Double IPA.

Why visit Exeter?

It was founded in 1638, served as New Hampshire's capital during the Revolution and has a walkable historic downtown.

Sources

• Exeter, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (founding, Exeter Combination, Revolutionary capital, 2020 census, rivers): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exeter,_New_Hampshire
• New Hampshire coastline length: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire
• Brewery details: NHTG directory listings for each brewery and each brewery's official website.
• Smuttynose Brewing Company, Wikipedia (1994 founding, Towle Farm, LEED Gold, 2018 sale): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smuttynose_Brewing_Company
• Isles of Shoals, Wikipedia (about 6 miles offshore, straddling ME/NH): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isles_of_Shoals