Yankee Brew News Archive

Old Nutfield Doles Out Its Second Beer

Originally Published: 06/96

By: Tom Ayres

Old Nutfield Brewing Company released its second beer, Nutfield Old Man Ale, in January, just in time to cause a minor sensation on the New Hampshire Presidential Primary trail.

It seems 72-year-old Kansas Senator Bob Dole, his quest for the White House dogged by the "age issue," paid a campaign visit to the Derry microbrewery, where he was photographed as he sampled the micro's newest brew. Sparring good-naturedly with the candidate, whose biting humor is legendary among the press corps, several members of the media wondered aloud if the beer was named in honor of the candidate.

It's not. Instead, Old Man Ale's moniker was inspired by the Granite State's fabled natural formation, the Old Man of the Mountain, near Franconia. The smooth, refreshing golden ale joins Auburn Ale on Nutfield's product roster.

Old Nutfield introduced Old Man Ale to New Hampshire beer drinkers on January 11, when participating taverns and restaurants throughout the state simultaneously tapped the first kegs in an event dubbed Simultap II. Rockers from WGIR-FM added to the evening's with a live broadcast from Old Nutfield's brewery on Route 28 in Derry. Six-packs of the beer subsequently hit shelves in New Hampshire in February. Massachusetts distribution was expected to follow suit shortly thereafter on Route 28 in Derry. Six-packs of the beer subsequently hit shelves in New Hampshire in February. Massachusetts distribution was expected to follow suit shortly thereafter.