What’s Brewing at Rek-lis Brewing Company

By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper

It started 25-plus years ago when Ian Dowling discovered he loved to brew beer. He was so good at it, he ran a brewery in Vermont for a few years. “He just loves to make beer,” says his wife, Marlaina. The couple own Rek-Lis Brewing Company, and beer is just part of their story.

Some years ago, the couple decided to sell beer out of a brew shed in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, simply because they wanted to share their love of beer with others. “We did it for a year, and then we grew too big for the shed,” recalls Marlaina.

“In our former 12x12 space, we wanted to see if people would come. We were brewing beer weekly. We put a sign out and found we were very busy every Saturday, with cars lined up and down the street,” says Marlaina.

On Main Street in Bethlehem, Ian and Marlaina were offered a good location for an expanded brewery. From October 2017 to April of 2018 they redid the building, opening to the public in April 2018. “This is our five-year anniversary,” Marlaina adds.

The restaurant and brewery they created are, as Marlaina calls it, “Bethlehem chic with a touch of the outdoors. We love the outdoors, and it is reflected in the business. The décor is reclaimed wood and a lot of local art.”

Rek-Lis seats 180 people year-round, and in the summer that number expands to 250 people. The bar seats 50 people and with outside summer seating, it swells to 100 customers.

A top menu favorite is the fried chicken sandwich, and the most popular beers are Clouded Judgement and Pretentious Hopper. The restaurant serves entrees, handhelds, snacks, bowls, and salads, and of course, an extensive list of in-house brewed beers. As well as hand-crafted beer, Rek-Lis offers a full bar, cocktails, and wine. Serving dinner and Sunday brunch, Rek-Lis also features live music.

For those who want the tasty beers from Rek-Lis, a variety of the beverages can be found at various locations, from the north country to the Massachusetts border. (Visit www.reklisbrewing.com for a list of locations.)

The new Rek-Lis Pint House is a tasting room located in the back of the restaurant’s parking lot. Visitors are invited to stop by when visiting the brewery.

The list of beers is long, and includes Now That’s What I Call Munich, Jeffe, Fiona, Don’t Call Me Honey, The Stallion, and Trail Call, to name just a few.

Ian Dowling’s love of brewing good beer is appreciated by the many customers who come to Rek-Lis Brewing Company to have a beer and a good dinner or Sunday brunch.

Located at 2085 Main Street in Bethlehem, Rek-Lis is open year-round. Call 603-991-2357 or visit www.reklisbrewing. com.