Top Shelf Brews

No Longer In Business

It’s closed now, and should be updated thusly in the system. Over the past year and a half it went through two managements (mid-2014 to mid-2015) but no one seemed to sadly have the power to keep this tiny operation afoat. It oddly shared a parking lot with a cowboy store (Brumby Saddlery & Cactus City Boots, which was pretty arbitrary), and if I’m not mistaken, a jewelry outlet. Always looked trashy pulling in, no matter how excited I was for their new releases. I was on Susan’s mailing list and would get notified of interesting beers that would be arriving soon by the case and these generally boring promotional sample tastings featuring largish breweries like Sam Adams/Boston Beer, White Birch, Harpoon, and Uinta. Occasionally a good time, but they often didn’t bring anything remarkably special so during those sampling dates at Top Shelf, I would just buy my beer and get leave. I really enjoyed that you could make your own 6pack and, depending on what it was, break up an already shelved 6pack. I found Barrel aged Brooklyn stuff here, Founders, Allagash, Out Haus, Kelsen, Throwback (their Hog Happy Hefeweizen often sold out here quick), and the best part of all, was everything was seriously cheap. I liked dropping in to this place before hitting Portsmouth or Exeter. The sign was basically invisible, so you just had to lookout for the gigantic green cactus off the side of Lafayette right after the golf course.

Nice little shop off Route 1. Very clean and well organized store with mostly warm six-packs, singles and bombers. Very friendly service when prompted. Good selection for New Hampshire. Local brewery section was a nice touch. Prices seemed reasonable. Overall a nice store to stop into but not worth a special trip.

Top Shelf Brews is a great place for me to pick up the mix 6pack or some locals like 603 and Throwback. I’m not sure what some of the low reviewers are expecting and after reading some of their other reviews, I understand the ignorance a little better. The store blows away some of the grubby other local stops and convenience stores in the area. Selection can always be better at any store, but it can vary with availability and season. Very helpful staff, always keeping the facebook page up-to-date, and continually adding photos of new arrivals, tasting day information, and more. I have yet to experience anything less than great at this store and I especially like to support the local breweries, Top Shelf brings it.

went to this place per a recommendation of a friend. was met by Susan ( owner ). she showed me around the place and talked about the " wall of Beer" . Love the mix a 6 pack option. store has a great selection of craft beer for NH. Great to see a place that doesn’t sell BMC!! If you are in the area stop by. Im told tastings are on Thursdays, and usually have local food as an offering. Im sure ill be back!!

Susan gets five stars for customer service. She goes out of her way to make her customers happy. Her store is clean and very well organized. She does the absolute best with NH distribution and has everything that the state can get. She has weekly beer tastings and has a very up-to-date Facebook page that she answers and makes posts on a daily basis. All her latest arrivals are posted on Facebook with good photos. I’ve visited the store several times and will be back for sure. Very good option to find beer on the NH Seacoast. Mix six packs and single bottles are a great selling point for most craft drinkers, I really love that; it is an option here as well. Prices are comparable to any other place in Eastern NH.

I got to say the place was very clean,but was not impressed with the selection,i guess I was looking for more big bottles.They seem to push sixpacks and mix and match.i was greeted by a lady sitting behind a computer.i was the only one in this store,i felt maybe she could have got up and helped me out and answered any questions I may have ,but handeled all buisnes from her seat .I looked around for about ten minuts trying to find something to buy .felt bad for her I did ask her a few questions about some different Beers and figured out she may just be filling in for someone and had no clue about beer.I did end up buying a beer that I just recently had and new it was good and went on my way.She was very nice but never moved from her seat,I don’t think I would go back

To be honest I was expecting more from a dedicated beer store. Mainly singles, very little limited releases. No bombers. The owner seemed to think she knew more about beer than she does. As of my posting 4 of the best reviews have (1) after their names..... I think the owner probably wrote them.

Clean, well-organized, well-lit. Good presentation of nearly the full selection of NH-available beers. Ever-expanding selection of NH brews, as well. Tastings on Thursdays. Almost all beers available as singles. Great job at making the best of NH’s mediocre selection.

So you know, this is my first review on ratebeer. I was back in NH, coming from California and I looked this place up. It’s really hard to find a decent retail craft beer selection in the seacoast, so I found out. The owner Susan was super passionate and knowledgeable and she helped me make several great selections for some local beers. The store is well organized and I will surely stop back the next time I’m in NH. Bravo.

Beautiful store!! The craft beer wall is impressive. I found a good selection for NH! In fact, they had Bolt Cutter which I didn’t even know had come into NH yet. The woman at the counter was inviting, informative and helpful. This is a great find and I will definitely return.