Woodstock Inn Brewery - Pig’s Ear Brown Ale

Usually pig’s ears aren’t too tasty unless you’re a dog, but this Pig’s Ear is certainly more than fit for human consumption; in fact, we found it quite compelling. Expect a rich brown color on the pour with red highlights and nice clarity. On the nose we found notes of brown sugar and a mild roasted malt character, a moderate dusting of cocoa, and hop notes that lean toward a spicy, grassy, herbal quality. The English yeast strain contributes to a nice creaminess on the palate without heaviness. Look for notes of toasted bread, light nuttiness, cocoa, a touch of maple, and a moderate brown-sugar-like sweetness to which a mild hop bitterness and light tartness provide a counterpoint. The hops also add a bright citrusy and somewhat spicy tone, and there’s a bit of a fruity undercurrent. This easy-drinking brown ale would pair well with honey glazed ham, baked beans sweetened with molasses, or Granny Smith apples dipped in caramel. Enjoy!

Nestled in the heart of New Hampshire’s impressive White Mountains lies the Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery, one of the state’s most popular country inns.  In addition to two in-house restaurants serving a wide-ranging fare, including their famous “Best Breakfast in the Valley,” this 33-room inn also brews its own beer – a feature that places it at the top of our list of places to consider staying at when traveling to New Hampshire.

The Woodstock Inn had been in the hands of the Clement family, who enjoyed it as their private home, for almost 100 years.  When the last family heir moved away in the early 1960s, the inn stood vacant and unused for about two decades.  Finally, the Rice family bought the property in the early 1980s and set about renovating the traditional New England style building.  During Christmas of 1982, the inn was opened for guests, and it wasn’t long before success came – along with and a need for more space.  To augment their original six guestrooms (each one furnished with a variety of period antiques), the family bought another historic property on the other side of the street and remodeled it in the Victorian style.  Over the years, as the popularity of the Inn continued to grow, additional properties were acquired, and the Inn is now made up of multiple buildings, each offering its own unique charm and character.  Another addition is the authentic train station building that dates back to the mid 1800s which has been converted to a bar and eatery (the Station).

It was in 1995 that the Woodstock Inn Brewery and Brew Pub opened for business, which of course is our favorite aspect of the Inn’s expansion.  The brewery offers thirteen craft brews (eight main beers and five seasonal offerings), in addition to their old fashioned, handcrafted, K&M Root Beer.  The brewpub features a seven-barrel system, and all beers are brewed with pure NH deep-well water and the highest quality malts and freshest hops available.  In March of this year, Woodstock began a major expansion of their brewery and bar with an eye on keeping the design and atmosphere as organic and fun as ever.

We think New Hampshire’s a great place to visit in any season, so for more info on the Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery, take a look at their websites at www.WoodstockInnNH.com and www.WoodstockInnBrewery.com.  Or just call ‘em up at 800-321-3985.