A Hidden Gem for Craft Beer Lovers in Keene
KEENE - There are a couple reasons to slow down when you head through the town of Keene. One is the police car that’s usually parked across the street from the Black Rooster maple shed encouraging folks to stick to the speed limit. The other is so you don’t miss the Craft Beer Center, which is tucked behind the Stewart’s on Route 9N and hidden from the road.
Thrilled to find this beer here.
The beer store is part of East Branch Organics, a nursery opened by Tom Coffin and Heather Leisher Coffin, The oasis behind the gas station is also home to their wine and spirits store.
Beyond the ability to shop for perennials and shrubs along with your pilsner, what sets both tiny-but-might stores apart is the curation.
On one visit, I was thrilled to find Afterimage by Grimm Artisanal Ales, a beer I had been searching for since trying it at a Brooklyn restaurant.
With assistance from the knowledgeable person at the register, I was able to find it among the many other offerings from the Brooklyn-based Grimm. More recently, the store was featuring beers from the stories Alchemist in Vermont, including the elusive Heady Topper.
Though most of the selection is brewed within a few hundred miles of the Adirondacks, and much of it from your favorite AKK breweries, you’ll also find beers from around the country, including from Edmund’s Oast in Charleston, South Carolina, and from around the world.
Not ready to commit to a 4-pack? There are coolers filled with icy cold singles, making it easy to try something new without a big investment. The store also stocks cider, hard seltzers, THC beverages, and non-alcoholic options.
A cooler of single makes for easy sampling.
While there’s always someone manning the counter at the beer center, the wine shop, which also includes unusual offerings and local wines and spirits, is usually locked. Simply ask whoever is working the beer shop or even someone working the garden, to open it up for you.
During warmer months, you can often find a wine and beer tasting being held outside, sometimes featuring guest brewers or vintners. And they often host the Cousins Maine Lobster truck. When they do, you’ll find me there pairing a buttery Connecticut-style roll with a crisp, cold brew.
Good to know:
Open seven days a week in spring and summer. In winter, the store is closed Mondays and Tuesdays in winter.
The store no longer fills growlers.
You can go to the East Branch Organics website to see current inventory and upcoming events as well as to order online.
10861 Route 9N Keene, NY 12942
June 2026
It’s true!