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No trip to the big city is complete without us trying a new libation destination. On this particular day it was Batson River Brewery and Distillery.

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I’d heard wonderful things about this place so it didn’t surprise me to see it was packed ten minutes after opening.

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They take their Christmas decorations seriously here and as I was looking around my husband grabbed the last two seats at the bar.

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Cocktails were holiday themed, so I started with the Where Are You Christmas.

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The only thing wrong with it?

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The small glass. I could happily have downed a pitcher’s worth.

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I read they consider the decor ‘upscale hunting lodge’ but to me it had a more upscale urban, industrial vibe with exposed pipes and metal vents.

The ceilings were high and the music loud. The menu? Brunch on Saturday… which we weren’t expecting and didn’t want.

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I opted for the Caesar salad, which was dry as a bone and utterly unremarkable, but I washed it down with a quite lovely Yule Tai that countered my disappointment.

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Husband had the smoked tomato soup which he said was tasty if not plentiful.

Their beer?

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Nice doggie glass withstanding, nothing to rave about.

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A very large Santa was on the second floor and we watched a few tipsy patrons climb up to have their picture taken with him.

Talking with our neighbor at the bar, we discovered there are actually four Batson Rivers scattered in southern Maine, each one with their own personality, menu and cocktails.

Intrigued, and with nothing planned for dinner… we decided to drive to Biddeford and check out another one.

To be continued ….