“It’s like having a barbecue out on the deck. Only better.” – my dad
Better food, better beer, and helpful advice.
WHYM Craft Beer Cafe really doesn’t look like much from the road. Semi-hidden behind a motel along Route 1, it’d be just as easy to miss as to spot, but it’d be worth doubling back for if you do miss it.
We arrived 40 minutes before opening, but the staff who greeted us told us to pull up a chair and relax on the deck for a bit. We had been on the road for hours and were more than grateful to saddle up for a break, stretch our legs, and let the pup stretch his, too.
By the time they officially opened, I was ready to eat my hand. It didn’t help (or hurt?) that everything looked amazing. The taps and munchies list included cheese and meat pairings by the ounce, mouthwatering chevres, soft cheeses, cheddars and prosciutto paired with crackers made with the spent grain from Smuttynose, brewed right down the road.
The main menu was just as enticing. Big burgers and sandwiches peppered with local fare and, in many cases, glazed, marinated or battered and frizzled in local beer.
Drew got a gouda and stout mac and cheese with pancetta. I ordered a salad made with seared goat cheese topped with house-made citrus and hops vinaigrette. I split that with my mom, who shared her Smutt burger, a beer braised burger topped with gruyere and fried onions, and my dad got The Northern, grilled chicken with frizzled onions and hopped honey mustard and beer frizzled pickles.
Yeah…
It was all as good as it sounds (except my salad – truly the exception). We weren’t driving so we paired our meals with three local brews. All were noteworthy, but the Deciduous was the clear winner. It’s brand new, just released Friday, from a brewer who once apprenticed at the legendary Hill Farmstead in Vermont. By Tuesday, the day of our visit, WHYM had gone through five kegs. It’s a dry hopped blond, very sessionable at just 3.9% ABV but packs a complex punch of flavour.
Dogs are allowed on the deck, making this stop Charlie-approved.
Our next trip, we’ll be planning to stay. There are motel rooms and cottages on site, as well as a pool, hammock, outdoor grills and lawn games like horse shoes, just like, as my dad said, a backyard barbecue. A barbecue with the next door neighbour who knows what’s up when it comes to beer, food, and sunny day entertainment.
Website: https://whymportsmouth.wordpress.com/
Location:
WHYM Craft Beer Cafe
3548 Lafayette Rd.
Portsmouth, NH
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@GillianWesleyNS
@DrewMooreNS
