The Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille feels like home. Nestled in Crockett’s Corner in New London, New Hampshire, with panoramic views of Mount Kearsarge, their comfort food is next level, and their brews have earned local fame.

Known for their beer-battered chicken tenders, nachos, and grass-fed burgers, the Flying Goose’s chef can also kick it up a notch with seared salmon, chicken Milanese, and handmade gnocchi. “We want to be able to offer a variety so that everyone in the family can find something they enjoy,” says General Manager Brianna Mills.

The farm-to-table focus is a challenge well worth it to the Mills family. The COVID-19 pandemic and the rising cost of goods have made things more difficult, but they opt to partner with local farms and feature local fare on their menu as much as possible. This summer, the Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille also featured fresh produce from the McDonald Farm in Vermont, run by Brianna’s uncle and cousin.

Owner Tom Mills, Brianna’s father, first opened the Four Corners Grille, located at the intersection of Routes 11 and 114, in 1993. A few years later, just as microbreweries were gaining popularity, he added the Flying Goose Brew Pub, a nod to nearby Lake Sunapee, which takes the shape of a flying goose. In 2011, the pub became the state’s first solar-powered brewery.

Since renamed to incorporate both businesses, the Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille combines Tom’s decades of restaurant expertise with the magical creations of brewmaster Rik Marley. Affectionately dubbed the “Mad Scientist in the Basement,” Rik has grown their brewery twofold and won awards for his brews. Customers can purchase growlers of the handcrafted brews at the pub and also four-packs of cans in-house or at stores around the state.

Rik has helped the business grow and adapt to the changing demands of the microbrew industry. During the pandemic, the pub shifted from mostly draft offerings to take-out beer, which is still a popular option today. Rik offers 8 to 12 different varieties of four-packs of cans to take home. They include their most popular Long Brothers American IPA, sours, porters, New Hampshire IPAs, and Russian Imperial stouts.

Without traveling too far from home, guests can also catch their Concert Series that runs September through April. By teaming up with a talented local artist and booking agent, the pub’s guest list includes Pousette-Dart, Tom Rush, Lucy Kaplansky, and Willy Porter.

“Our Concert Series has been a fun addition to our offerings at the Goose,” says Brianna. “Although it isn’t your typical live music in a pub, we sell tickets and adjust the room to include a stage. Guests who attend are able to join us for dinner before the artist takes the stage. It’s a great way to get our name out there to folks who may not have traveled to dine with us for any other reason. Perhaps they come and enjoy the musician they love and discover a new restaurant to frequent.”

With guests’ palates satisfied and their ears happy, their eyes can feast on views year-round. “In spring, everything blooms and is lush and green,” says Brianna. “In the summer, you can see our hop vines growing. In the fall, the leaves turn with breathtaking color, and even in the winter months, there’s the beautiful, snow-capped mountain.”

When Tom moved to the area in the 1970s, he learned the industry by managing a local restaurant. In 1980, he opened the Millstone in New London—and eventually a second location in Concord—and ran it for more than 30 years. Tom and his wife Vicky’s three children, Brett, Jordan, and Brianna, grew up in the restaurant learning the hard work firsthand, and all help him manage the day-to-day operations today, making it a true family business.

“Our identity has largely been defined by the staff who work for us,” says Brianna. “We have been very fortunate to meet wonderful people through the years that feel like family. Without their commitment to our family and business, we simply wouldn’t be able to succeed. It’s safe to say our goal is to make the Goose feel like home, for our customers, for our staff, and for our family.” I

40 Andover Road

New London, NH

(603) 526-6899

Monday–Saturday 11:30am–9pm

Sunday 11:30am–8pm