NOTCH BREWING
I feel guilty about how often I get to enjoy Notch. My girlfriend Ellie’s parents live in Salem, a quick ten minute walk across town from the brewery and it’s difficult to keep away whenever we’re visiting for the weekend. I first visited because it was so close, going in with zero expectations. It’s now on my short list of favorite breweries I’ve ever been to.
Everything about the Notch is easy to enjoy. From their harbor-side beer garden full of authentic German tables and benches, to their sessionable beer portfolio, there’s an intentionality to facilitating an no-fuss, relaxed drinking experience. While the taproom is spacious, open, and uncomplicated, there’s complexity in the details if you’re paying attention.
Czech-manufactured Lukr side-pull faucets, triple-decocted 10ºP Pale Lagers, off-menu MlÍko pours. There’s a reason why Notch is your brewer’s favorite brewery. Led by owner/brewer Chris Lohring, they’ve quietly created the closest thing to an authentic European drinking experience in the Sates, all while offering something singular and their own. Have I mentioned that The Standard, Notch’s flagship Czech Pilsner, is my favorite lager in the world?
