I’ve been enjoying frequent trips to Keene NH lately, and with each drive I try to visit a new eatery. Today’s lunch was at Elm City Brewing Co, located just off Main Street on West Street.
We enjoyed an 80 degree late September afternoon, so we were able to sit outside on their beautiful shaded patio. Honestly this is the best seat in the house, with such a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere.
Keene’s First Brewery
Elm City Brewing Co opened in 1995, making it Keene’s first brewery and well ahead of the trend! It’s in a lovely historic location, site of the former Faulkner & Colony Woolen Mill built in 1838. The building is wonderfully renovated to showcase its brick and steel interior, and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
You can’t go to a brewery without sampling their beers, so I got a lovely flight which was only $8. You get four 4-oz pours of your choosing. I’m pretty sure I got Keene Kolch, 222 West, Honey Badger and Oktoberfest.
A couple of food items from the menu
I am always so tempted to try the nachos when I see them on the menu. I ordered the Nachos Grande, described as Chips piled high topped with diced onions, peppers, black beans, monterey jack, jalepenos by request, and served with our homemade salsa. (enough for two people).
Unfortunately I did not enjoy these dry nachos. I could not figure out why they were so dry, as they were clearly topped with a generous amount of melted cheese. No amount of the included salsa or sour cream could really save this. I have to say this was not that great for me, and at $19 whopping dollars I wish I had ordered something else. I really need to rethink my impulses when I am tempted to order nachos.
However, my son raved about his burger! It was a daily special that I forget what it was specifically. He devoured the entire burger and also loved the thick seasoned steak fries.
Even though I didn’t love what I ordered, the fact that sitting on that beautiful patio was so enjoyable that I would absolutely go back again. I would just definitely order something different. The beer flight, and my son’s burger and fries were all fantastic so I would happily go back again.
Where to find Elm City Brewing Company
222 West Street, Keene, NH
www.elmcitybrewing.com
MORE FROM KEENE AND THE MONADNOCK REGION
New Hampshire Food Photography
Erika Follansbee is a published Goffstown, NH food photographer whose job is to make food look amazing. She is available for hire to help small restaurants and cafes to create beautiful images of their dishes to use for marketing, websites, and social media. Magazine-quality food images are the best form of advertisement.
Erika is also a wedding photographer. Visit www.erikafollansbee.com for more information.
