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Name: Notch Brewing
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Location: Salem, MA. More than witches.
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History: Notch Brewing has been crafting their low ABV offerings since 2010, but only recently opened their brick and mortar location in Salem last year. Notch is the first brewery to focus exclusively on Session Beers (before they started trending), and they put out some great beers that won't hamper your Skee-Ball game. Which is good, because they offer said game in their taproom.
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Recommended Brews: If you want to try one of everything and still feel ready to take on the evening, this is your place. Left of the Dial is a great Session IPA that you've probably heard of or had before, and the Infinite Jest is a nice hoppy take on a typically lackluster (in my opinion) summer wheat style. The Session Pils Czech-style Pale Lager as my favorite of the bunch --- and as one of the most enjoyable Pilsners I've had in a very long time. While a lot of pilsners are dismissed because of their lack of any distinctive punch (pilsners are, by and large, extremely subtle), the Session Pils has a really nice, bready malt character that adds a little cracker sweetness to complement the mild bitterness. By chance, I was in line to join the exclusive Notch mug club while I was there. I anticipate filling this mug up with Session Pils the next time I visit. Probably the time after that, too.
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While you're in the area: Salem is rife with history (see also, more than witches), museums, and great food. Yes, there's the dark chapter in Salem's history that you can explore in formats that are historical and entertaining. The Salem Witch Museum is the former, while the Witch Dungeon Museum provides a bit of the latter. During the month of October, tourists and folks in need of a good scare flock to Salem. Locals temporarily relocate.
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Additional museums and non-witch attractions abound in Salem, including the esteemed Peabody Essex Museum, the House of the Seven Gables, made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel of the same name, and the Salem Maritime National Historic Park. There's also Salem Willows Park, if you want boardwalk-style entertainment (think arcade games, ice cream, and more Skee-Ball).
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As for restaurants and watering holes, I could write an entire guide on that topic just for Salem (and by Jove, I think I'll do just that). Until such time, here are a few can't go wrong recommendations: Ugly Mug Diner, Scratch Kitchen, Howling Wolf Taqueria, and Gulu Gulu Cafe.
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Learn more here: http://www.notchbrewing.com/
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