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Has anyone ever done the "beermaster tour" at the Budweiser plant in Merrimack, NH ?
I know they offer a free one of which I've seen good reviews for but wondering what that beermaster tour consists of and if its worth paying the extra money for.
Well I did not do the beermaster tour- I have done the regular tour a few times. For me it was good enough, nice tour through parts of the factory with explanations of history and how they make the product. Afterwards, you get two free samples of beer and pretzles-there is also soda available. Then a self-guided walk down to the stables to view all the beautiful flowers and landscaping. I was fortunate enough to see the dalmations by the stables before they took them away. They still have a horse or two there I believe but the clydesdales are only there once or twice a year for a specific show-if they still do that.
For the basics, the regular tour is good. I suppose you want more than that? I would imagine the beermaster tour would include more about beer making and perhaps more samples or a private tasting? Do you get to taste with the brewmaster as opposed to being in the "bar area" with everyone else?
haha. On the website it says that the Beermaster tour is a paying tour. It's $25 a person. I am making a special LONG trip my my DH's birthday and just want it to be an extra special experience.
Clydesdale's aren't there all year??? BUMMER!!! That was the only part I MYSELF was looking forward to...I don't drink. haha
"In addition to our complimentary tours, the Beermaster Tour is a unique opportunity to experience a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing of Budweiser. The Beermaster Tour includes a visit to the Brew House, Hop Room, Primary Fermentation Cellar, Lager Cellar, Packaging Facility, Quality Assurance, and Finishing Cellar, including sampling directly from a Finishing Tank. The Budweiser Clydesdale Hamlet is also available to visit. To commemorate your experience, a variety of gifts are provided for each guest."
this is part of what it says on the website about the paying tour. How much of this did YOU do in the regular tour? I'm just trying to see if it's worth the extra money to do a beermaster.
Whats your opinion? As I'm not much of a beer enthusiast...
ALSO after the tour we are going to eat. Two places I've found are La Carreta Mexican Restaurant AND The Gibbett Hill Grill and Barn
Anyone have opinions on these two restaurants in the area?
It sounds to me like you get to see a lot more of the "behind the scenes" work. Does it still include a tour of the regular facilities as well and the regular sampling at the end? Unfortunately I don't know enough beer terminology to describe what we saw...but it sounds like we saw most of that but it was "from a distance" (ie, packaging was from a balcony overhead)...perhaps the brew-master is down on the floor?
A lot of people like La Carreta, I am not impressed. I actually prefer Shorty's for Mexican (go to the one in Nashua a lot); its not "real" Mexican but its soo much more enjoyable and less bland.
Not sure if you like Korean or Sushi but Shira Kiku off broad street in Nashua is pretty awesome and worth a try even if you've never had Korean (I've introduced many to new foods there since discovering it a few months ago).
For steakhouses, I liked Siloh's...very old-school steakhouse, and pretty good too; its up the road in Merrimack.
I also LOVE the red wine braised lamb shank at Georgio's (modern italian-ish) in Merrimack as well.
Good Pizza or Subs is Monument Square Market in Hollis...hands down.
We did not tour the quality assurance or the packaging area-if I remember correctly we viewed them through glass from up above on another level.
We walked through some of the factory-a few rooms and saw the tanks and they explained the process. We were in the area where they clean out the big tanks with the hops.
Is your husband a real beer lover? If so it might be worth it for a nice b-day gift to have the extras plus drinking a sample from the finishing tank could be a nice touch.
So I FINALLY found a review for the Beermaster tour online though it was someone who took it in St Louis, MO.
I guess you get a complimetary hat at the beginning and do walk down inside the rooms. You drink straight from the fresh batch with an engraved glass mug that you get to keep and the lineworkers play a game with the tour group and the winner gets a free tshirt.
Sounds like a fun day.
BTW thanks for the restaurant reccommendations. The steakhouse looks good although we are eating lunch BEFORE the tour and that palce does not open until dinner so we may stick with the mexican palce instead!!
Thanks again! Yes BTW my hubby is a beerman, though not totally obsessed. He likes to see how things are made though..
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thanks for the info
