Rhythm Cider’s story begins at Windy Ridge Orchard in North Haverhill, NH, during the summer of 2010. A serendipitous moment the year before led to the founding of Seven Birches Winery at this renowned New England apple orchard, nestled high in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Initially, the winery focused on apple wines, which were soon followed by grape and other fruit wines. However, their roots remained firmly planted in New Hampshire’s apple orchard soil as the winery later moved to Lincoln, NH. Owner Mark LaClair began to explore his creativity by fermenting ciders, and in 2020, he launched a new venture called Rhythm Cider.
Amoskeag is excited to be offering Rhythm’s flagship Cider, Blueberry & Strawberry—with more ciders on the way. Rhythm’s production team is now embracing their creative side, experimenting without rules or preconceived notions about what their products should taste or look like. They are dedicated to crafting New England-style ciders made exclusively from apples farmed in New England and other locally sourced ingredients.
Learn more about visiting Rhythm Cider and taking a tour of the cidery here.
www.rhythmcider.com
Follow them on Instagram at www.instagram.com/rhythmcider
or
on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rhythmcider
Amoskeag Welcomes Best Day Brewing
Finally, a full-flavor, full-body, full-aroma craft beer, without the alcohol to slow you down. Best Day, born in Northern California, is a celebration of life’s moments. Crafted for doers everywhere, it’s a testament to the joy of cracking open a great beer, without the booze.
Amoskeag is excited to offer Best Day Kölsch Style, Best Day Hazy IPA, Best Day Electro-Lime Cerca de Cerveza and Best Day Brewing Variety Pack.
For those who rise before the sun, blaze trails, build things, and appreciate what it means to savor life’s special moments, Best Day is dedicated pursuit to make the world’s best-tasting craft beer, without the alcohol. It’s beer for the fun-loving, hard-charging, adventure-seeking thirsty souls for whom good is just not good enough.
Go Brewing Joins the Lineup of Amoskeag Non-Alcoholic offerings.
When you’re out relaxing after a long workday or celebrating (because there’s always something to celebrate), you want to grab drinks with friends—but you don’t want to wake up feeling like garbage. And the two shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. If you’ve tried to cut back but always end up with a drink in hand, you might have wondered if there’s an alternative that lets you enjoy the moment without regretting it the next day. At Go Brewing, they get it. That’s why, since 2022, they’ve been crafting an entire lineup of beers to help people like you enjoy brews that taste great and are better for you. Less alcohol, fewer calories and more productive tomorrows. Amoskeag is proud to offer: New School Berry Sour, Sunshine State Tropical IPA, Sunbeam Pilsner and The Story Double IPA pick some up today!
To read more about go brewing, and to see the latest SKU’s we’re carrying- check out our Portfolio Page.
Coös Brewing Company is the northernmost brewery in New Hampshire, located in the town of Colebrook…and is an exciting new addition to the Amoskeag’s craft portfolio! In August 2021, Coös Brewing moved from its small proof-of-concept garage to a larger production facility in Colebrook. The new brewery and tasting room, situated on the banks of the Connecticut River, feature a bright industrial vibe with plenty of space and seating. They offer cans and bottles to go, draft beer and flights for on-premise consumption, as well as non-alcoholic drinks and a new food menu filled with healthy and delicious options, all of which can be enjoyed on their new patio. Coös Brewing’s beer is best enjoyed outdoors, complementing the natural beauty of the region. Live free & drink good beer!
Medusa Brewing Company is located at 111 Main Street in the charming downtown of Hudson, MA. Visitors can explore a vast and unique draft list and indulge in delicious food from Taco Gato at the Taproom. Live music and events are regularly featured.
Nothing beats cold beer, good company and the great outdoors– Medusa’s outdoor beer garden is the place to be when the weather is nice. Come try a Laser Cat Imperial IPA – it’s big, balanced and loaded with citrus-forward hops.
Further down the road, Medusa operates Wild Hare, a Café/Kitchen/Brewery home to the beer cellar for Medusa Brewing Company, “The Cellar at Wild Hare” features an ever-evolving variety of beers, aged in a range of oak cooperages.
There’s always something fun to discover at Medusa Brewing Company, and there’s no shortage of amazing beers which Amoskeag is excited to be distributing in NH.
Surfside Iced Tea and Vodka is a delightful and innovative beverage that combines the classic charm of iced tea with the spirited kick of premium vodka. Surfside is proudly made with Stateside Vodka that is distilled 7 times, giving it a smooth finish and making Surfside dangerously good, crushable even. With only 100 calories per can and no bubbles, you can drink them all day, every day.
This refreshing year-round libation presents a harmonious blend of black tea’s robust notes, subtly sweetened to perfection, and the smooth, clean taste of high-quality vodka. The infusion of tea imparts a nuanced depth to the drink, offering a unique twist on traditional cocktails. Surfside Iced Tea and Vodka is not only a testament to the artistry of mixology but also an embodiment of leisure and relaxation, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a refreshing escape in a bottle. It’s a welcome refreshment after a long day or after fun on the slopes or while watching the big game on TV with friends. Surfside comes in these flavors: Surfside Iced Tea + Vodka, Surfside Lemonade + Vodka, Surfside Iced Tea & Lemonade + Vodka and Surfside Tea Starter Pack. With only 100 calories per can and no bubbles, you can drink them all day, every day. Sunshine in a can! And after these long dark days of winter, who couldn’t use a little sunshine?
Words: Kelly Kirkpatrick, Marketing Coordinator – Amoskeag Beverages
The first batch of Long Trail Ale® rolled off the line in 1989. At the time, the craft brewing industry in America was on the rise and Vermont was better known for its maple syrup than beer. When Long Trail Ale® hit the taps at local watering holes, it blazed the trail for Vermont’s craft brewing industry.
Long Trail Brewing Co. is located along the Ottauquechee River in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont, between Killington Ski Mountain and Woodstock. Now that the snow has started to fly, Long Trail transforms its outdoor seating along the river into the “Sugar Shed” seating, where you can enjoy a private shed on the patio with full table service. They have live music on Thursdays and Sundays and love welcoming people from all over! Long Trail is family and dog friendly and has an excellent atmosphere for après ski, pit stops on snowmobiles or just Vermont exploring! They are also collaborating with the Ski The East team again this year and will host an après party or two with them.
Did you know Long Trail is one of the OGs of après ski? They know that toasting after a day on the slopes is a universal part of ski culture — it doesn’t matter where in the world you are. So, if you haven’t enjoyed a Long Trail Ale or Double Bag in a while, be sure to pick some up at your favorite local retailer.
Visit: longtrail.com for more info.
Photos from Longtrail Brewing and Mike Lianza, Marketing Director – Amoskeag Beverages
Words: Kelly Kirkpatrick, Editor of the Heady Times
Located in Albion, Maine, Freedom’s Edge Cider has a mission is to make ciders the traditional way, using real cider apples, and without excessive sweetening. They want everyone, not just a few cider snobs, to be able to taste cider the way it was meant to be made…the way it used to be made during the 200 years when cider was the most popular fermented beverage in America.
Incidentally, Freedom’s Edge is one of the ONLY draft cidermakers in the US that uses bittersweet apples in their ciders. The varietals used are not well known (outside of the cidermaking community): Dabinett, Ellis Bitter, Major, Ashton Bitter and Yarlington Mill are a few of their favorites. None of their larger competitors use bittersweet apples in their blends…because these apples cost more than traditional dessert apples and are more difficult to procure.
Original Blend is a classic, and still their best seller! A balanced, semi-dry cider made from a blend of local dessert apples along with traditional English bittersweets. Easy drinking, with good body and a clean finish. If you want a variety, pick up their Cider Cocktail Variety Pack, which includes: Raspberry Lime Rickey, Cranberry Cosmo, Peach Bellini and Blueberry Daiquiri.
Try a cider from Freedom’s Edge, and taste the most enjoyable beverage possible and allow the flavor of the apples to be the star of the show!
All Natural Ingredients | PERFECTLY BALANCED | Naturally Gluten Free
For more info: freedomsedgecider.com
Words: Kelly Kirkpatrick, Editor – Heady Times Magazine
Photos: Courtesy of Freedom’s Edge Cider
The Brand that Started the American Cider Revolution.
With fall right around the corner, many turn their thoughts to apple picking, pumpkin carving and leaf crunching. With those iconic fall activities, there are also some fall delicacies, like pumpkin spice lattes, apple cider donuts and, of course, apple hard cider!
Most of us think of cider and apples in the autumn since that’s when apples are abundant and ready to eat right off the tree. But cider is more than just a fall beverage. Hard cider is just as refreshing in the heat of the summer as it is after a day of laps on the ski slopes. Folks looking for a fun-filled activity can check out The Woodchuck Cidery, located at 1321 Exchange Street, just off scenic Route 7 in Middlebury, Vermont. The Cider House and Tap Room welcome visitors Wednesday through Sunday with self-guided tours, tastings, Woodchuck® gear and 20 amazing ciders on tap. 
It all started along the Black River in a two-car garage, when a winemaker named Greg Failing began experimenting with apples. Woodchuck Amber was the result and it would go on to reinvent a centuries-old beverage, which had vanished from the American conscience in the wake of Prohibition. The first bottles were filled on a 1940s soda filler. It only took 10-ounces, so the last two ounces of every bottle were topped off by hand with a turkey baster. The filler constantly broke down and parts were hard to come by. It took that resilient Vermont spirit to carry on, and carry on they did!
So, if you’re looking to do a little road tripping and a place to swap stories with family and friends (and pups!) over a pint, stop by Woodchuck Cidery. Try Woodchuck’s 802® Barrel Aged which is aged in WhistlePig Rye Whiskey barrels and is crisp with notes of American oak and rye whiskey or grab a Woodchuck Brunch Box Variety Pack that includes four offerings inspired by your favorite brunch cocktails, Bubbly Pearsecco, Mimosa, Bellini and Paloma.
For more information visit www.vtciderco.com
Words: Kelly Kirkpatrick, editor, Heady Times Magazine
Photos: Mike Lianza, Marketing Director, Amoskeag Beverages
Saco River Brewing is celebrating its 7th anniversary after first opening in July of 2016 in a former sheet metal fabrication shop in downtown Fryeburg, Maine. Mason Irish, Founder & Head Brewer, was a seasoned arborist at the time with a passion for homebrewing. Irish was looking to make a change when the opportunity arose to start a brewery in Fryeburg and he jumped at the chance…the rest is history.
In the beginning, all the beer produced was on a 1-barrel system and sold only in Saco River Brewing’s taproom and a few local restaurants. When demand grew, Saco River Brewing upgraded to a 7-barrel brewhouse and looked into distribution.
For several years, Saco River Brewing grew its in-state distribution and scaled up again with a 15-barrel brewery and an addition to the existing property in order to hold more fermentation capacity and its own canning line. Most recently, Amoskeag and Saco River Brewing decided to team up with Amoskeag acquiring the rights to sell their products in the state of New Hampshire. “We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Amoskeag to further our distribution in New Hampshire,” says Irish.
When asked about Saco River Brewing’s style, Irish stated, “Saco River’s brewing style is based on our fantastic water. Water is the main ingredient in beer and Fryeburg has some of the finest quality water in the world. We can brew any style with such soft, clean water by adjusting it to our needs. We have typically been heavy on the IPAs, but we brew a wide breadth of beer styles to appease a large variety of tastes. Saco River Brewing always uses the highest quality ingredients from around the world and within Maine.”
If you visit the brewery, Lazy River, a soft, juicy IPA, Hornets’ Nest, a double IPA and Clearwater, an easy-drinking pale ale are three beers that are always in the rotation, as well as various seasonals and limited releases.
During the summer months, Saco River Brewing is open 7 days per week and has lots going on. Food trucks, music, axe throwing and even mobile escape rooms grace their outdoor beer garden and pole barn. The best way to keep updated with events and what’s on tap is to follow Saco River Brewing’s social media, Instagram @sacoriverbrewing, Twitter @sacoriverbrew and on Facebook, they update a schedule every week for a complete breakdown of what’s happening and their current beer lineup.
Irish and his crew work hard every day brewing only high-quality, flavorful beers and are thrilled to share them, so swing by Saco River Brewing for a fresh pint or two or pick up a 4-pack at your local store.
www.sacoriverbrewing.com 10 Jockey Cap Lane Rt. 302 Fryeburg, ME * (207) 256-3028
Words: Kelly Kirkpatrick, Editor, The Heady Times
Photos: Mike Lianza, Marketing Director, Amoskeag Beverages