WHETHER YOU'RE looking for a pound of hops or locally brewed beer, a new shop on Main Street has the goods.

Big Al's Brew, at 58 N. Main St., specializes in New Hampshire microbrews. It also sells some home-brew supplies, a selection owner Alyson Trombly hopes to expand.

She said she isn't trying to compete with Barb's Beer Emporium, another specialty beer shop farther up North Main. Her vision, she said, is a "hip place" with brewery T-shirts and other gift items, with a focus on beers brewed in state. The shop carries six-packs of beers like Long Trail and Harpoon but also has shelves full of 22-ounce beers, many of them local.

Trombly is still adjusting the store hours but expects to be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

As for the name: Trombly's friends call her Big Al. "I have moments of regret," she said, "but it seems to work."

MADDIE HANNA