The Portsmouth Brewery is a large pub-style restaurant located in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. What sets the brewery apart from any other large New England pub-themed establishment is that fact that the restaurant is built around a functioning microbrewery. Towards the rear of the restaurant and behind glass are the large brewing tanks and machinery, and the smaller holding tanks for each variety of beer are located in the basement, with little windows around the restaurant so that guests can peer in and watch their beer make its way through a series of hoses into the taps at the brewery's bar. Unsurprisingly, the brewery offers a wide variety of beer to its guests, and this is one of the main attractions of the restaurant. There are light lagers and dark Irish beers, as well as a selection of fancy beers flavored with things like cloves and orange peel. A few are yeasty and disgusting, but most are excellent, or at least mediocre. About 10 beers are offered at any given time, and the selection changes according to the season. In addition to the beer, the brewery offers the standard New England pub selection of fried fish, steaks, and ample mashed potatoes. In keeping with the brewery theme, many of the dishes are prepared using homemade beer, with selections like beer-braised fish-and-chips and lager chicken. The portions are huge and the food is reasonably priced, with entrees costing between $10 and $20. The atmosphere of the restaurant is always lively, though the tin ceilings make for awful acoustics, and the brewery is often too loud for easy conversation. Despite this drawback, the restaurant is a great destination for the microbrew enthusiast, or anyone seeking a tasty meal at a crowded and comfortable place in the heart of town.