USA, NH: Harpoon Brewery targets growth market with first New Hampshire location

Harpoon Brewery, one of New England’s most established craft beer brands, is making its first foray into New Hampshire with the opening of a full-scale brewery and public house in Manchester on June 15. The expansion—Harpoon’s first new location since its Boston Seaport and Windsor, Vermont facilities—signals a strategic push into a mid-sized metro area with strong market potential and growing regional draw, Craft Brewing Business reported on June 5.

Located at 215 Canal Street in the heart of downtown Manchester, Harpoon at Queen City Center will feature a 3.5-BBL experimental brewhouse, a 215-seat indoor taproom and restaurant, an 82-seat outdoor beer garden, and dedicated event space for private functions and live entertainment.

“We’ve long had a strong fan base across the Northeast,” said Charlie Storey, VP of Special Events and Brewery Festivals for Harpoon. “Opening in Manchester allows us to grow our presence in a vibrant, accessible city that’s still underserved by destination craft experiences. This new location fits right into our long-term strategy of building localized, community-forward public houses that also function as R&D and brand engagement hubs.”

The 9,216-square-foot venue reflects a growing trend among regional breweries to expand customer-facing operations in second-tier cities while diversifying revenue streams through food service, events, and small-batch innovation. Harpoon’s new space will serve as both a hospitality anchor and a pilot facility, with 20 draft lines pouring a mix of house-brewed experimental beers, flagship styles like Harpoon IPA and Rec. League, and rotating guest taps.

The on-site kitchen will offer a full menu that leans into contemporary pub fare and local culture—including the “Tender Town Tower,” a shareable stack of chicken tenders that nods to Manchester’s claim as their birthplace.

Harpoon is the lead tenant in Queen City Center, a new 30,000-square-foot mixed-use development just off I-293. The complex aims to become a destination for food, beverage, wellness, retail, and entertainment—all under one roof. Other tenants include City Club Golf, Barre Life, Clyde’s Cupcakes, and Windy Films.

“This isn’t just a taproom—it’s a strategic location that lets us plug into a broader lifestyle ecosystem while controlling the guest experience end-to-end,” said John Maggs, General Manager of the Manchester location. “It also gives us an opportunity to collaborate with creative businesses under the same roof.”

Founded in 1986, Harpoon holds Massachusetts Brewing Permit #001 and is best known for its pioneering work in the American IPA movement. Over the past decade, the brewery has diversified its portfolio with sessionable styles, seasonal releases, and brand extensions like UFO and Clown Shoes (also under the Mass. Bay Brewing Co. umbrella).

The Manchester Public House adds another consumer touchpoint in a region with rising foot traffic and population growth. The move follows a wave of public house expansions across the Northeast, as breweries look to strengthen margins and build local community engagement in ways traditional distribution can’t always reach.

Harpoon at Queen City Center will be open:

Monday–Friday: 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–11 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

10 June, 2025