Welcome to the picturesque Lakes Region of New Hampshire, where rolling hills, glistening lakes, and charming small towns create the perfect backdrop for indulging in the finer things in life.

Amidst the area’s natural beauty, you’ll discover a thriving collection of wineries and breweries – from award-winning vineyards to innovative breweries crafting unique and experimental beers. Here, we sip our way through the region, uncovering the hidden gems that make it a must-visit destination for wine and beer lovers alike.

1. Sap House Meadery

This New Hampshire gem doesn’t specialize in wine or beer – its specialty is mead. This light, smooth, and sweet alcoholic drink is made by fermenting honey and can be dressed up with berries, fruit, herbs, or spices. Sap House Meadery describes its mead as “more wine or spirit-like” rather than resembling beer, and they make their own in a range of options like fig, vanilla and cardamom, sugar maple, smoked rhubarb and fir tips, and traditional. They’ve also added a second location in downtown North Conway, featuring a full restaurant and bar, a bottle shop, tasting rooms, and a street-side patio with a spacious roof deck.

2. Twin Barns Brewing Co. Beer Garden

In the warmer months, Twin Barns Brewing Co. transforms its Meredith location’s outdoor space into a lively beer garden for guests to lounge, sip, socialize, and play. The area is outfitted with Adirondack chairs and picnic tables – making it the perfect spot to enjoy a bite to eat from the Silo food truck, paired with a locally crafted beer. Challenge your friends to classic games like cornhole and giant Jenga, or find a sunny spot to set up camp for a few hours while you work your way through Twin Barn’s extensive selection of brews, from IPAs to lagers to stouts. Check out the beer garden’s upcoming events online.

3. Seven Birches Winery 

Nestled in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Seven Birches Winery is a true oasis for wine lovers seeking an immersive experience. Situated on the picturesque RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain, this establishment takes a modern approach to winemaking. The team’s passion is evident in every bottle, from crisp whites to bold reds and tantalizing fruit wines. Step inside the charming tasting room, open daily for wine and cider tastings, and let knowledgeable and friendly staff guide you through a memorable tasting experience. The team also owns Rhythm Cider, an award-winning cidery boasting ciders made from whole fruits, and Rhythm Tap & Grille, an upscale restaurant and bar located next to the winery.

4. Hermit Woods Winery

Voted the No. 4 Best Tasting Room in America by USA Today’s readers poll in 2021, Hermit Woods Winery in downtown Meredith is a must-visit Lakes Region destination for wine connoisseurs and farm-to-table foodies alike. The boutique winery specializes in dry-style wine crafted from unconventional fruits as well as mead and cider. Pop in for a guided wine tasting, available daily, and sample your choice of six 1-ounce pours at the tasting bar for just $20. The kitchen serves mouthwatering dishes like creamy pesto chicken, a classic BLT, and meat-and-cheese boards. Tours and tastings are offered on Saturdays at 12 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. by appointment. Purchase your tickets here.

5. woodstock inn brewery

For more than a quarter-century, Woodstock Inn Brewing in North Woodstock has been brewing distinctly New Hampshire craft beers. That takes the form of signature beers like the 4000 Footer IPA (dubbed the official beer of hiking), the Lost River Light (a crushable light ale perfect for lakeside sipping), and the Old Man Oatmeal Stout (smooth and dark with hints of chocolate and roasted malt). Also on offer: seasonal brews, limited-release beers, and non-alcoholic drink options. Plan to drop by on a weekend to tour the space, learn about the evolution of the brewery, and take home a new pint glass for just $10.

6. Dam Brewhouse

The tasting room at Dam Brewhouse opened in April 2021 and has been a consistent community staple, featuring more than double the space for the beer garden and even more seating at the bar and throughout the building. The brewhouse specializes in crafting unique, flavorful beers and is constantly updating its selection. Owners Sarah Dreshaj and John Anderson were inspired by the pre-prohibition-era “public houses” where the community gathered, so they created their own space for people to come and build connections with old and new friends. Stop in for a pint, a cozy atmosphere, and authentic conversations.

7. Tamworth Distilling

Scratch-made spirits, locally forged ingredients, and innovative sips. You’ll find all that and more at Tamworth Distilling, a cutting-edge distillery in historic Tamworth. Nicknamed the “Willy Wonka of craft spirits” by Food & Wine, Tamworth Distilling sells truly unique sips like Apiary Gin, created to celebrate the area’s honey and flora, and the Graverobber Unholy Rye, a flavored whiskey made with pure maple syrup. Every spirit reflects a connection to the rural New Hampshire setting — behind the distillery, you’ll find a thriving garden with seasonal herbs, fruits, and botanicals. Visit the tasting bar for a curated flight or well-balanced cocktail, and keep an eye on the events page for upcoming pop-ups.

8. Front Four Cellars

Located in downtown Wolfeboro – America’s oldest summer resort town — Front Four Cellars is committed to producing premium wines from high-quality Virginia grapes. In addition to carefully crafted wines, the winery serves up a sense of community and provides a welcoming space for people to bond over their new favorite pour. Stop by the tasting room to sample a flight or glass and choose from a selection of bites to savor (including charcuterie boards, flatbreads, and cheesecakes). Tasting room reservations are required for groups of seven or more, while smaller groups are seated on a first-come, first-served basis.

9. Hobbs Brewing Company

Craving a pint in a relaxed setting? Add one of Hobbs Brewing Company’s locations to your beer bucket list. The countryside brewpub in West Ossipee is housed in a renovated 1885 Victorian farmhouse and offers an extensive menu of tavern favorites. The brewery’s full-service tap room in Ossipee hosts daily food trucks, Friday night markets, and live music. Whichever spot you visit, expect award-winning beer and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Browse the events calendar to stay in the know about upcoming happenings — from comedy nights in The Hayloft space to artisan markets and sip and paint nights.

This is just a taste of what’s in store around the Lakes Region! Discover more local breweries, distilleries, wineries, and meaderies for standout sips.