The lobster roll has been a daily special in the past at Odd Fellows Brewing Co.

Although considered a bit of a freshman perhaps, Odd Fellows Brewing Co. has certainly achieved “cool kid” status within the student body that is our diverse selection of restaurants in downtown Nashua. Their seasonally-inspired dishes and craft brews are popular due to their consistently delicious flavors and quality. Established in 2018 as an off-shoot of O’Brien’s Sports Bar, Odd Fellows now encompasses the entire campus, offering one side that specializes in a relaxing atmosphere of sports and lounging, while the other is geared more toward casual dining, beer flights and a very solid spirits selection.

As with many restaurants, and more to come in the following weeks, Odd Fellows is now offering outdoor dining while operating under the requirements outlined by the state for Phase One of reopening our economy. Their staff is doing an amazing job keeping themselves and clientele safe while continuing to serve up some of the most delicious meals and beverages in Southern New Hampshire.

Now that the first leg of orientation is complete, let’s move on to covering some of the amazing courses that can be found at Odd Fellows.

Beer 101: You Deserve This. As with all small breweries, selection and availability fluctuates, but bring your thinking cap, because there will likely be so many choices, you might need to focus. Just a few days before going to press, we saw 13 beers on tap and 12 more waiting in the wings. That’s a lot of beer! From the Double Vision Imperial NEIPA (New England-style India Pale Ale) with an 8.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) and its double whammy of citrusy hops and a hazy bite, to the Damn Skippy Stout (5.7% ABV), which packs less of a punch and more of a lunch with a lip-smacking peanut butter and chocolate combination of pure happiness, there’s a little something for everyone who enjoys a cold beer now and then. The O’Brien’s Red Ale (6% ABV) is a perfectly-crafted Amber that boasts a harmonious balance of malt and hops. The Monadnock Blueberry (5.3% ABV) is a crisp and refreshing wheat beer brewed using fresh blueberry puree. The Rhapsody Sour (5.5% ABV) is indeed sour, but is just as sweet as a first kiss, offering notes of cherry and passion fruit. The Drunk Monk Belgian Ale is a lesson in enjoying one’s self while practicing moderation: an ABV of 10.2% should keep you in check while you thank goodness for a flavor combination of cherries, molasses, and Belgian rock candy. Enjoyed responsibly, every beer on Odd Fellows’ impressive list is a solid study buddy for any item on the food menu.

Advanced Comfort Food: It feeds the soul. Odd Fellows has mastered the art of crafting dishes that not only provide sustenance, but also feed the soul. Comfort rises to a whole new level when the likes of Buffalo Chicken Rangoons (pulled chicken, buffalo sauce, cheese and scallions deep fried in a crispy wonton), Blue Crab Cakes (succulent Blue Crab meat seasoned and deep fried with a golden panko crust), and Beer Pretzels (three huge pretzel sticks made using Odd Fellows Stout and served with mustard sauce) are just a few of the selections from the “Starters” portion of the menu. Angus Chili, Seafood Chowder, and French Onion Soup are perfect as appetizers or paired with a sandwich or salad. Speaking of salads, there are six to choose from- selections include Caesar, Mediterranean, and Grilled Steak Cobb. Four different kinds of quesadillas round out the snacking spread, and include a California-style, featuring grilled chicken and avocado, a Pulled Pork, and a Short Rib. Seven different sandwiches offer an impressive range of protein and accompanying veggies and sauces on equally varied bread options. The Cuban boasts pecan-smoked ham, pulled pork, pickles and provolone cheese on a crispy pressed Focaccia Romano bread, while the Cod Sandwich serves up a golden-fried fillet of cod with celery slaw and house-made tartar sauce on a toasted brioche bun. Wraps (Chicken Bomb, Chicken Caesar, and Chicken Bacon Ranch) are great as a quick lunch during the week, or a light meal between weekend errands. Four different kinds of burgers each rank high in their class with the likes of the Angus (ground ribeye and brisket with applewood smoked bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato and onions), the Dublin (topped with corned beef hash and pub mustard) and the Sriracha Turkey Burger (seasoned and ground fresh, topped with pepper jack cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and a sriracha ranch). All Entree selections are undoubtedly upperclassmen, but our top three picks are the Angus Steak Tips, which are marinated in a house blend and grilled to order, the Mac & Cheese- a house-crafted six cheese blend over cavatappi pasta (think corkscrew-shaped macaroni) and topped with a buttery and crispy Ritz cracker crumble (upgrade by adding pulled pork, buffalo chicken, or bacon!), and the Fish & Chips, featuring a huge day boat (a term used for fish caught and served within two days) cod loin fried with a beer batter made with O’Brien’s Red Ale, served with tartar sauce, fries and New England style coleslaw.

Wait, back up: We need to talk about those fries in An Intro To French Fries: This Is How It’s Done. They are famous. They are daydream-inducing. They are amazing. This writer has, in fact, been known to order a full plate of just fries. House-cut in a fashion that is intriguing and hard to forget in itself, these substantially sized, wide in girth, corkscrew in shape behemoths are perfectly seasoned, crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They are Heaven, and are served with all sandwiches, wraps, and burgers. Or, as mentioned, all alone and piled high on a plate if you ask nicely.

Before May 18, Odd Fellows was offering pick up for food and beer, and delivery of grilling essentials and beer. And they still are for the time being! Grilling essentials include steak tips, marinated chicken and four-packs of burgers, and more. You can also order sides of potato and macaroni salads. When Odd Fellows offers to take care of the prep and leave the serene and therapeutic role of grilling to you, you should probably take them up on it at least once.

Brunch will be starting back up soon, and is expected to be served Saturdays and Sundays. A menu will be finalized and posted on their website and Facebook page in the coming week or so. Daily and weekly specials make a frequent appearance as well.

Many of us have experienced a whirlwind of emotions and setbacks during these seemingly endless months of shutdowns and stay-at-home orders. Things are finally starting to pick back up, it seems- slowly, steadily, and safely, we hope- and although there may not be a solid end result in sight, we do know one thing: seeing a little bit of normalcy return to our lives could go a long way: a chance to sit outside with a few friends, a round of beverages, and a meal has the capacity to ease our minds and make us smile. If we can all find the patience and kindness that we expect from others, Phase One could be very successful. Following simple guidelines and adhering to restaurants’ requests while they smooth out their new processes seems pretty straightforward and easy. Odd Fellows is ready to figure out this “new normal” with the rest of us, so give them a visit soon, and enjoy one of the best spots in Downtown Nashua.

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