"I'm a former certified beer judge and homebrewer and have tasted, at last count, over 3300 beers worldwide. We're from Durham, NH and have been following the craft beer scene since the 80's and loving the breweries in NH and Maine since 1995. We went to this place before it was sawbelly; they were one of the rare brewpubs focusing on German style beers. That's a good thing, because as much as I love Belgians or NEIPA, well, in my book there's nothing that can beat a great German or Czech pils, or lager, or a continental Dark, a fest or oKtoberfest, Kolsch or the holy grail, IMHO, an Altbier. This is a neat place. Great seating options, live music (which I detest; i don't go to brewpubs to shout at my companions, but in all fairness the two performers I saw on both visits here were both very very good, so I guess I coulda sat inside, but just something to know The food is somewhere between good and very very good, depending on what you get. Great service; friendly, maybe a touch slow. Overall, we're in the 4-4.5 star range. Problem? Well, the beers are absolutely....eh. None of them are really true to type meaning none of the 9 that i've tasted tastes exactly like what it should be. And worse, none of them are particularly standouts. They are drinkable, that is for sure. None are spoiled or have off tastes. But they lack smoothness, proper aroma, mouthfeel, finish. I figured maybe it was me, but I've gone back a second time and tried an entire new flight. Lagers can't come close to Jack's Abby. IPA's aren't close to Stoneface, Liar's Bench, Great Rhythm, Deciduous, take your choice. Would I still go? yeeeah....maybe, for the venue. But the beers do not compete with the offerings from the nearby environs of Mass, NH, and ME."
