Woodstock Inn Brewery - Loon Golden Ale

You'd have to be a loon if you don't like this beer! Sorry, we had to work in at least one "loon" zinger—it's not often we get an excuse to use the word. According to the brewery, this is a Canadian-style golden ale. It's an extremely easy to drink brew, with a spritzy, creamy nose and herbal, tangy hop notes. The flavor presents notes of freshly cracked pale malt grains, a breaddy backbone, and a creamy full-bodied mouthfeel with the perfect dosing of bitter, zesty hops to balance out the malty core, leaving a sustained bitter hop character on the tongue. This is the perfect compliment to a cob salad, grilled chicken Caesar salads or sliced green apples (seriously, give the apples a try!)

You deserve a vacation. Yes, you! For us beer loving folk, there are few places as rewarding as the home of our 2nd round of featured domestic brews. The Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery is nestled in the heart of the majestic White Mountains of New Hampshire and is one of the state's most visited country inns. Not only do they provide classic, quaint accommodations, but they also brew their own beer. If you've been considering a place to get away from it all, you should be hearing "DING DING DING! I think we have a winner!" Whether it's skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling in the winter, or hiking, swimming or picnicking in the spring, summer or fall—this is a fantastic vacation getaway spot. Oh yes, then there's the fact that you can enjoy fine microbrews—crafted right on site—during your entire stay! For nearly 100 years, the Woodstock Inn was the private home of the Clement family (after whom the Inn's main dining room is named). Around the early 1960's, the last family heir relocated, and the property sat empty for about 20 years. Then in the early 1980's the Rice family purchased and renovated the unique, New England style building and during Christmas of 1982, opened to guests. Success came quickly, as did an increased need for space. In order to expand from their original six guestroom capacity (each furnished with period antiques), a second historic home across the street was purchased and renovated in the Victorian style. Growth continued, and two additional properties were bought—the Inn now sprawls across multiple buildings, each with its own very distinct character and charm, with a total of 33 guestrooms, some outfitted with Jacuzzi tubs and gas fireplaces. There's also an authentic, circa mid-1800's train station building which now houses a bar and additional dining rooms. In 1993, the Porter's room was added and two years later the Woodstock Inn Brewery and Brew Pub opened its doors (not surprisingly, this is our favorite component of their expansion efforts). The brewery offers twelve handcrafted brews—four main brews and eight specialty & seasonal ales, each made with pristine NH deep-well water, the freshest hops and highest quality imported grains available, all brewed using their traditional, seven-barrel brewing system. For more information about the Woodstock Inn & Brewery, check out their website at www.WoodstockInnNH.com, and be sure to check out the details regarding their popular Brewski and Brewer's weekend packages—New Hampshire is a GREAT place to visit, in any season! You can also ring them at: 800-321-3985.