Oh, so just because you're The Insider, you think you can go on brewery tours whenever you feel like it, huh? You think you're so cool, don't you? What, just because you can sample beer on the job? I could do that, too, if I wanted, but I have something called a REAL JOB.
Yes, we can read your thoughts, faithful readers. And it's okay. We'd hate us, too, if we weren't already us . . . or something like that. But when you're an Insider, you get to do cool things every now and again, all in the name of exemplary journalism. In this case, it was a tour of the new microbrewery in town, Manchester Brewing.
You heard right, Manchester Brewing. In Concord. Owner Kevin Bloom gave us a plausible explanation for that one, so we can still be friends. He incorporated the business in Manchester, hoping to open the brewery there, but the city told him he would have to find space in the Millyard area. That meant high rent, little parking and less than ideal access to his building space (a problem when you're lugging giant bags of grain around).
So, Kevin contacted the folks on the planning board here in Concord and they were more than happy to let him set up shop on Old Turnpike Road, provided he give them free samples. (They were just kidding about that.)
And so, Manchester Brewing was born. Kevin is already producing three types of beer, and one more will make its debut soon.
Kevin was kind enough to show us around and explain the finer points of beer making, which is more technical than the average person might think. Parts of the tour felt a little bit like chemistry class, causing slight zone-out during the note taking, but we were able to follow the bits that didn't involve grain enzymes, and we left with a pretty good sense of what goes on during the beer-making process.
We put together a photo tour for you here, but Kevin can give you a personal tour, if you'd like. Just give him a ring at 617-2409 or e-mail brewer@manchesterbrewing.com. You can also visit manchesterbrewing.com for more information (site is under construction).
Kevin has introduced three new beers to the market, Imperial Blonde ale, The Devil’s Rooster marzen and a locally-inspired Koncord Kombat ale. (The capital “K” is because of the label font, not because Kevin was going for anything cutesy.) And, coming soon” Studly Monk, “Belgian style with knee pads.”
Here’s where you can find Manchester Brewery beer in Concord:
Did you know? Making beer isn’t as simple as setting up shop and going to work. First, there are some federal and local hoops to jump through, not to mention registering with the EPA, FDA and, yes, Homeland Security. That last one is because beer makers work with yeast, an ingredient that evidently is detrimental in the wrong hands (yeah, we don’t know about that one, either). The problem is that when prohibition was repealed, the federal government gave control over alcoholic beverages to each state, but it forgot to remove its own control. As a result, Kevin had to send all of his beer labels off to Washington for approval by the Taxation and Trade Bureau (TTB). Kevin’s first batch of labels all failed – one because it had an American flag, a no-no. (A hammer and sickle was added to the star part, and then it passed.) Kevin says it’s just easier to go along with the changes. You could sue the bureau (others have, and won), but that’s an expensive route. At least, he says, the regulations are better in New Hampshire compared to other states. Nice job being lenient on beer making, “Live Free of Die” state!
