about-us
Our Story
New England's Tap House Grille opened in January 2013 with a simple but demanding premise: serve everything from scratch, pour the best beer in the state, and treat every guest like a regular. Twelve years later, that premise is still the whole job.
Owners Dan Lagueux and Valerie Vanasse built the Tap House from a shared conviction that Hooksett deserved better — better food, better beer, and a place that genuinely cared about the people who walked through the door. What started as a single restaurant has grown into a family of three interconnected businesses, all rooted in the same community and the same values.
Dan grew up in Quebec, where food is taken seriously at every table and the beer is cold and plentiful. Valerie's roots are equally deep in the traditions of northern New England. Together they built something that reflects both — a pub with a chef's kitchen, a bar with an educator's tap list, and a dining room where you'll find the same families year after year.
Our History
How We Got Here
The Tap House Opens Its Doors
New England's Tap House Grille opens at 1292 Hooksett Road with a scratch kitchen, hand-pressed burgers, truffle poutine, and roughly 50 craft beers on tap organized by style. The Union Leader covers the opening. Locals discover it fast.
NH Magazine Names Us a Poutine Destination
New Hampshire Magazine includes the Tap House in its statewide guide to the best poutine in NH. Dan's truffle poutine — sherry-peppercorn demi-glace, Maine cheese curds, rosemary Parmesan fries, white truffle oil — earns recognition as one of the finest in the state.
The NH Beer Club Launches at the Tap House
New Hampshire Magazine partners with the Tap House to host the monthly NH Beer Club — exclusive pours, NH brewery spotlights, and guided food pairings every third Monday. The partnership signals what the beer program has become: a genuine craft beer destination.
Hip Peas Farm Joins the Family
Dan and Valerie purchase Hip Peas Farm — a 5.5-acre property at 191 West River Road in Hooksett alongside the Merrimack River. Farm-to-table at the Tap House now means a delivery truck, not a marketing phrase.
First Best Burger Win
New Hampshire Magazine names the Tap House Best Burger in the Manchester Area for the first time — beginning a streak that continues to the present day. Hip Peas Farm achieves USDA certified organic status and adopts a no-spray policy.
A Hard Year — and a Community That Showed Up
The pandemic forces the dining room to close. The team pivots to curbside and launches Meals of Thanks — preparing 1,000 fresh meals for hospital workers, police, and EMTs. NH Magazine names the Tap House Best Burger and Best Beer List the same year.
Oscar Barn Opens — the Third Chapter
Oscar Barn Venue opens on the Hip Peas Farm property — a restored 1860 timber-frame barn named for Valerie's grandfather Oscar. A restaurant, a farm, and a wedding venue. One community. Same owners. Same values.
Ice Fest Celebrates Ten Years
The Tap House turns ten and celebrates with Ice Fest — a three-day outdoor winter carnival inspired by the Quebec Winter Carnival of Dan's childhood. Curling, an ice cocktail luge, five bars, live music. It becomes an annual Hooksett tradition.
Evelyn Raw Bar Earns Best of NH Recognition
New Hampshire Magazine's Best of NH 2025 spotlights the Evelyn Raw Bar — fresh daily oysters, chef's crudo, lobster tail, and rotating seasonal seafood. You don't need to drive to the coast for an exceptional raw bar experience in New Hampshire.
What We're Known For
Four Reasons People Drive from Across Southern NH
Every item on this list has earned statewide recognition. Every one is available tonight.
Our Family of Companies
One Community. Three Businesses. Same Family.
Everything Dan and Valerie have built is rooted in Hooksett, NH.
New England's Tap House Grille
The original. A scratch kitchen and craft beer destination at 1292 Hooksett Road. Twelve years of award-winning food, rotating taps, and genuine hospitality — Tuesday through Sunday.
taphousenh.com →Hip Peas Farm
A USDA certified organic, no-spray farm at 191 West River Road in Hooksett — 5.5 acres of produce grown to supply the Tap House kitchen and the Hooksett community beyond. Featured in UNH Cooperative Extension's "Seeing the Big Picture."
hippeasfarm.com →Oscar Barn Venue
A restored 1860 timber-frame barn on the Hip Peas Farm property, named for Valerie's grandfather Oscar. The barn hosts weddings, private events, and Ice Fest — alongside a working organic farm, making it one of the most distinctive event spaces in New Hampshire.
oscarbarnvenue.com →Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is New England's Tap House Grille located?
We're at 1292 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, NH 03106 — approximately 10 minutes north of Manchester off Route 3. Parking is free and plentiful.
Does Tap House Grille have a raw bar?
Yes — the Evelyn Raw Bar is a dedicated seafood station offering daily fresh oysters, chef's crudo, lobster tail, and rotating seasonal seafood. Available year-round and recognized in NH Magazine's Best of NH 2025 awards.
Where can I find the best burger near Manchester, NH?
New England's Tap House Grille in Hooksett has been named Best Burger in the Manchester Area by New Hampshire Magazine multiple consecutive years. Hand-pressed daily from fresh Certified Angus beef on a toasted brioche bun. No frozen patties. No shortcuts.
What makes the Tap House poutine different?
Owner Dan Lagueux grew up in Quebec — and decided to make an upgraded version of the dish. Our truffle poutine features rosemary Parmesan fries, fresh Maine cheese curds, a sherry-peppercorn demi-glace, and a finish of white truffle oil. New Hampshire Magazine has named it among the best poutine in the state.
How many beers does Tap House Grille have on tap?
48 rotating taps — organized by style — with a strong focus on local New Hampshire and New England craft breweries. Named Best Beer List in New Hampshire by NH Magazine, multiple years running.
Is the food at Tap House Grille locally sourced?
Yes. We own Hip Peas Farm — a USDA certified organic, no-spray farm at 191 West River Road in Hooksett. The farm supplies our kitchen with fresh organic produce year-round. When we say farm-to-table, we mean a phone call and a delivery truck.
Who owns New England's Tap House Grille?
New England's Tap House Grille is owned by Dan Lagueux and Valerie Vanasse, who opened the restaurant in January 2013. They also own Hip Peas Farm and Oscar Barn Wedding Venue, both at 191 West River Road in Hooksett, NH.
Come Find Us in Hooksett
1292 Hooksett Road
Hooksett, NH 03106
Tuesday – Sunday
Lunch & Dinner
Awards
