Cooking

New Hampshire loves its classic diners. Porcelain-enameled and stainless steel facades dot the highways and collective memories of the state. They are the unofficial town halls where news great and small is discussed over a steaming cup of coffee. New Hampshire has lost many diners over the last five decades, but there are still plenty of vintage or retro-inspired eateries that serve up homey meals and local stories. Visit Roger's Redliner in Portsmouth and dig into a plate of hash browns, or stop in at the Red Arrow in Manchester and reminisce over the loss of the local Rainbow Vet's Diner. Diner historian Larry Cultrera brings more than thirty-three years of research and his own flavor of storytelling to this classic slice of Granite State cuisine.

Granted the influential position as a half-shire town in the mid-1790s, Hopkinton enjoyed a period of social and political prominence in the state, even nearly becoming New Hampshire's state capital a decade later. While the state's political hub found its home in nearby Concord, Hopkinton flourished into a town rich in industry, abundant in natural beauty, and brimming with character. Comprised of three unique villages--Contoocook, Hopkinton, and West Hopkinton--the town presents three distinctively different versions of quintessential New England life. The Contoocook River's strength was harnessed to power mills producing leather, box-making machinery, and silk. When the railroad arrived in 1850, commerce expanded and visitors arrived to enjoy the peaceful settings. Hopkinton Village became a favorite stop for wealthy travelers who enjoyed the Beech Hill Country Club and accommodations such as the nearby Perkins Inn. Through vintage images culled from the Hopkinton Historical Society and private collections, Hopkinton and Contoocook chronicles the evolution of these communities, challenged by natural disasters and the inevitable effects of time, and showcases their steadfast ability to maintain their allure, historical ambience, and timeless charm.

Brewing in New Hampshire explores the fascinating history of the state's beer and ale brewing industry from Colonial days, when it was home and tavern based, to today's modern breweries. The book's many unusual and rare illustrations document the state's earliest brewers, including its most famous brewer, Frank Jones. Many lesser-known breweries that operated here are also covered, including the state's only brewery to be owned and operated by a woman before the modern era. The book concludes with a look at the craft-brewing business in New Hampshire and is a must for anyone interested in local history or for those who simply enjoy a good New Hampshire beer and wonder how it all began.

Located within the boundaries of the towns of Allenstown and Pembroke, Suncook, first granted as a township in 1728, has developed a rich history all its own. Railroad transportation was instrumental to the establishment and growth of three large textile mills. The first railroad system, the Concord and Portsmouth line, began in 1852. A second line, the Suncook Valley Railroad, followed in 1869. Drawn by advertisements in Canadian newspapers, French Canadian workers began migrating from Quebec in large numbers. By the late 1800s, Suncook had become known as "le Petit Canada." The power of the Suncook and Merrimack Rivers, scenic beauty in the area, and the connectivity brought through transportation helped transform a small industrial village into a vibrant and lasting community.

In 1859, the legendary Frank Jones Brewery was founded in Portsmouth, paving the way for the booming craft beer scene of today. The surge of budding breweries is bringing exciting styles and flavors to thirsty local palates and neighborhood bars from the White Mountains to the seacoast. Join beer scholars and adventurers Brian Aldrich and Michael Meredith as they explore all of the tastes New Hampshire beer has to offer. They've scoured the taps at Martha's Exchange, peeked around the brew house at Smuttynose and gotten personal with the brewers behind Flying Goose and Moat Mountain. Discover, pint for pint, the craft and trade of the state's unique breweries, from the up-and-comers like Earth Eagle and Schilling to old stalwarts like Elm City and Portsmouth Brewery.