Hidden Craft Beer Gem: New Hampshire's 'Dam Brewhouse'

Every year when I ski or visit, Waterville Valley in New Hampshire, I stop at this tiny, hole-in-the-wall brewhouse: Dam Brewhouse.

But the good beer is hardly scratching the surface of this quant tasting room.

To be clear, it's a tasting room, which I learned means there is a max. So, you could have up to two pints or 10 four oz tasters.

All of the beer is made on sight, in a small garage out back. Don't blink when driving here. You could miss it. That’s how small it is.

One thing you notice immediately are the people and dogs present. The people, owners Sarah Dreshaj and John Anderson, have done an amazing job. I immediately felt like part of the "Dam" community, which is exactly what the owners were going for.

Dreshaj and Anderson started the Dam Brewhouse five years ago to "get to know our community," said Dreshaj.

The inside looks like a home, with a bar and 10 taps that rotate their beers. What you will notice next are the mugs on the ceiling. They belong to the local mug club members.

I learned from the owner, Dreshaj, that each member bids on the mug they want. Mug #5, for whatever reason, had the highest bid at $250.

Just for the mug...beer not included.

All of the money collected from mug club members goes to first responders in the area, according to Dreshaj.

Another thing that I found to be neat were the crowlers. So here, you can order four packs to go, large growlers, or crowlers.

But be prepared, this is a work for your beer kind of place.

After your crowler is canned, you have to place the label on it yourself.

You must write the beer, the date it was canned, and whatever else (description, things to remember what it is, etc).

Now if you have been hung up on the name, like I was, I got you. They named it the "Dam Brewhouse" because all of the electricity in the place is powered by the dam up the road. Pretty neat.

I cannot say enough good things about this small tasting room. The beers were phenomenal, the place was cute, the people were incredible.

If you find yourself heading up north anywhere near Campton or Waterville Valley, stop in for a pop. You will not regret it.

Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka