Brewery Tours on Tap

Inspired by the success of its first local winery tour, AARP New Hampshire invites members to its inaugural local craft beer day on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Tours, tastings and other freebies will be on tap at Milly’s Tavern, 500 Commercial St., in Manchester and at White Birch Brewing, 1339 Hooksett Road, in Hooksett.

Brewing in New Hampshire is believed to be nearly as old (almost 400 years) as European settlement, and for two centuries, most beer was brewed and served in taverns, much like today’s brew pubs. Historians say English settlers feared that fresh water would make them sick, so they drank beer or beverages such as tea, wine or hard cider.

AARP Day at White Birch (whitebirchbrewing.com) will include half-hour talks on how to match beers with cheeses. Milly’s (millystavern.com) will offer members free crackers and cheese. Check out both websites for special seasonal brews and get the latest on this and other events at aarp.org/manchester.

Milly’s Tavern activities will last from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with tours and tastings at 11:30, 12:30, 2 and 3. White Birch Brewing tours and tastings will occur from noon to 4 p.m., with half-hour sessions on pairing beers and cheeses at 1 and 3. —Joe Magruder