“Live an odd life” reads the motto displayed on the wall giving any visitor to this location just a hint of the personality the brewery, beer, and guys behind the bar have, and believe me they’re all about the fun.
I happened upon this brewery one fine sunny day while exploring roads and towns I don’t usually get to visit. My daily business doesn't take me to this part of New Hampshire, although sometimes I wish it did. I was checking out some new vehicles from a new (to me) dealership and was inspired to check out the surrounding area. So glad I did.
Suncook, New Hampshire, (at least the part of town where Oddball Brewery is situated) is a nice little historical place that embodies the sleepy small town vibe. The brewery is located near the Suncook River, which feeds into the Merrimack River (if you read my previous blog on Spicket River Brewing and The Tap Brewing companies you know how these three breweries are connected by way of the Merrimack River) and is home to some mill buildings that have been preserved and almost look brand new!
In contrast to the massive mill building is a small brick structure that's up the road from the brick mill building, that houses a small brewery and a whole lot of irreverent fun.
Something Special at the Brewery in Suncook
Although the Oddball Brewing Co. we know today got its start in 2021 with the current owners and brewers Joe Friolet and Chris Glenn, the story of Oddball actually got its start in 2016 with two respiratory therapists Bill Walden and Mark Ferguson. These two homebrewers wanted to take their craft to the next level and started Oddball Brewing.
Unfortunately the Pandemic hit and the two founders felt they had to put their passion project/company up for sale, and that's when Joe and Chris took over and made Oddball Brewing what drinkers recognize today.
The brewery is situated at 6 Glass St, Suncook NH and you better make sure you're paying attention and keeping your eyes open or else you'd drive right by and miss it, doing you and them a disservice. From the outside it looks like someone's residence if it weren't for the olive green window and entry way siding and the unassuming black and white brewery sign above the entrance. But wait till you get inside.
The small-looking exterior gives way to a good-sized tasting room that is definitely a lot bigger on the inside with ample room for their guests, beer taps, merchandise and on-site food courtesy of their popcorn machine. Of course if you want something a bit more substantial there are a few restaurants just around the corner from the brewery that would satisfy anyone's appetites (Famous Village Pizza, Jaques Pastry Shop, and Mei's Chinese Cuisine to name a few).
Offbeat IPA's and Other Flavors
The first thing I noticed about the tap list were the absolutely fun named beverages. Those familiar with the scribblings of J.K. Rowling may recognize the title of the stout on hand named "Yer a Hairy Wizard", which, come to think of it, was a line spoken in the famous boy wizard films just as it's presented here. I'm sure of it!
Other fun beers served carry names such as "3 on the Tree" (an IPA which was very much welcomed on that hot day) and another beer (a milkshake IPA) I swear was made from actual orange creamsicles with the title "Zero to Thixty" which was crafted this year. Yes you do have to order this while speaking with a lisp. No way around it.
Even though I didn't see any cooked foods at the brewery, the website has a menu for pub fare like nachos, pretzels, and even tacos (definitely something worth trying next visit). They do provide free popcorn courtesy of their trusty popcorn machine, much like you would find at a movie theater and with the same quality. The salty little snacks provide something to cleanse the palate while waiting for the next pour to enter your throat.
My favorite beer of the day was definitely "3 on the Tree" and is a New England style IPA with a robust flavor profile throughout (though not too overpowering that it would leave an aftertaste). Asking others what they were drinking, the favorite for the day was the beer "Glass Beach", a pale ale that apparently was an "easy drinker". Whatever your taste preference, you will definitely find something to your liking here.
Emptied Glasses and Parting Thoughts
One of my favorite TV shows growing up was Cheers, and in that iconic theme song is the lyric:
Sometimes You Wanna Go
Where Everybody Knows Your Name
And They're Always Glad You Came
Oddball Brewing Company certainly embodies those exact lyrics to a T.
While I was visiting the brewery, a local TV personality came in and was looking to buy kegs for an event he was hosting. During the course of conversation, another patron asked the TV personality if he knew of another personality at the same local television station and that drew a smile from the bartenders as well as a few of the other visitors. They all knew this person, Kyle, and everyone started sharing stories of how they knew him and the endearing quality they knew of him. "It ended with the statement "Everybody knows Kyle!"
Do I know Kyle? Of course I do! We took online courses together with Granite State College and we more than likely attended the same graduation commencement ceremony at Delta Dental Stadium (Home of the NH Fisher Cats baseball team). After all, everybody knows Kyle! So next time you're near Suncook NH, look up Oddball Brewery and pay them a visit. You might be the next "Kyle" that everyone knows and is glad they came...for a beer.