Meet the Brewer: Loaded Question Brewing Company
As part of our Meet the Brewer series, today we are sitting down with Tom Bath from Loaded Question Brewing Company in Portsmouth
With more than 70 craft breweries spread across the state (and new ones opening seemingly every week), it’s no secret that New Hampshire is home to some great beer. To help you get to know some of the Granite State’s favorite sudsy spots, we’re continuing a series of “Meet the Brewer” profiles to introduce you to our top-notch New Hampshire breweries and the men and women behind them.
For our latest profile, meet Tom Bath. Tom is the co-founder and brewmaster of Loaded Questing Brewing Co. in Portsmouth. Loaded Question Brewing operates on the philosophy that “great beer mimics life, and that every beer has its place.” Read on to learn all about the 400 barrel-per-year capacity facility and how Loaded Question is dedicated to making memorable beer and memorable moments.
About the Brewer:
New Hampshire Magazine: What is your title at the brewery?
Tom Bath: I like the term “Celebrity Janitor” – people think brewing is cool but most of the time it is just cleaning.
NHM: How did you get into the brewing business?
TB: I started home brewing in the mid 90’s and loved it. I never thought I would have the opportunity to own a brewery but a couple friends loved my beer and were crazy enough to take the plunge with me.
NHM: Why did you choose to work in New Hampshire? What do you appreciate about the craft beer scene here?
TB: Portsmouth has everything you want in a good brewery location, knowledgeable locals, a cool downtown, and tourists (we are off the beaten path enough that we primary get “beer tourists”) in a beautiful part of the county. What more could we ask for?
NHM: What style(s) of beer are you personally most fond of?
TB: This is the original Loaded Question because everyone wants to know what the brewer is drinking. Personally I don’t have a style of beer. What I’m drinking depends on the weather, the time of year, who I’m hanging with and whether I’m savoring one or having one too many. Every beer has it’s time and place.
NHM: What’s your personal favorite of the beers you make?
TB: As I said before I don’t really have a favorite so I’ll tell you the beers I am most proud of as a brewer. The Tartan, which is a Robust Porter. Hochzeit, our Octoberfest which we release in the fall, and Shimmer which is a modern take on a pale ale – think hoppy with a bit off New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc character.
About Loaded Question Brewing Company:
NHM: What’s your annual production size, in barrels?
TB: We produce around 400 BBL (beer barrels)
NHM: When did you open to the public?
TB: We opened in April 2018.
NHM: What sets you apart from other New Hampshire breweries? What’s unique about your style or mission?
TB: We genuinely appreciate a wide range of styles. As a result most of our customers would tell you that our strength is brewing a broad range of very solid beers. Everything we brew has intention behind it and nothing is made just to “fill a niche”.
NHM: How many beers and what styles do you offer at any given time?
TB: We typically have 11 beers and a local cider on tap. We have brewed over 200 different beers so the lineup changes often. Check our website for our current lineup: https://www.loadedquestionbrewing.com/craftbeerportsmouth
NHM: What’s your most popular beer?
TB: Hah, that’s a Loaded Question. We don’t have a “flagship” beer so hard to nail down the most popular beer. Depending on the weather and what else is on tap one could make a case for Sparkletoes DIPA, Just Lucky NEIPA or our craft American lager; Islington Genuine Draft.
NHM: What’s next for your brewery? Any expansions/changes or upcoming milestones or events to note?
TB: We would really love to add an event space for private parties, trivia, live music, etc. but it is likely a year or so away.
NHM: Where can your beer be purchased?
TB: At our taproom in the West End of Portsmouth as well as on draft at 50 or so restaurants in the NH Seacoast if you catch them at the right time. Our capacity is pretty small so 90% of our beer is sold at the brewery.
909 Islington St., Portsmouth, NH
603-852-1396
