Freak Folk Bier

 

 

Small taproom in Waterbury. Nice modern decor. Several barrels. An eclectic array of beers, from lagers to hazies. Service was great. Nice people. Chatte w/ beertender for a bit. Nice guy. Nice place.

 

 

 

A very small place just right over the bridge in Waterbury. Small in every physical way but mighty on the beer quality, just outstanding overall. There's a cool, intimate seating area outside the front door and next to the bridge. The IPA's were right in line to what I anticipated but what really blew my mind was the Festbier, it was really well done and not a style I expected from here.

Lots of active barrels in the tap room seating area which gives it a cool vibe and a cool industrial cement bar top.

 

 

 

 

Considering that it was closed the first two times I stepped foot in here, (literally--the doors weren't even locked), the third time was most definitely the charm! Seriously, though, if it wasn't open this time, I would have called it quits. Thankfully it was, as my experience was a pretty good one.

It's a fairly small taproom with a lot of hard, grey surfaces the likes of which you don't often find in Vermont, but it's a clean, mellow vibe all its own. The barrels in the back just past a few short top tables help to set a slightly more rustic mood, but the space is definitely closer to modernly sleek in its own way, being on the ground floor of a new building in town.

What caught me off guard was the fact that their lagers and IPAs were far better than I'd ever heard word of, particularly since I solely knew of them for their wild ales. The quality pouring out of the taps, not to mention the side pull, was top notch. That said, there are a very limited number of beers, even though the variety is fairly wide.

Service was attentive while not overbearing, and the kicker during our visit ended up being
a bad mother shucker freshly plopping New Brunswick oysters in front of us. I mean, really, what more can you ask for?

 

 

 

Newish space on Stowe St in Waterbury.
Rather bare, empty space - but focused on essentials.
Lots of tanks and aging barrels.
Limited seating. Some outdoors in the summer.

Really excellent beers. Typically several IPA’s and one stout or Porte on tap. Plus a few bottles available.

But very excellent beer!