Hey everyone, So this is probably the 239th post about taking a trip to Vermont for HT, HF, and Lawson's (through the Warren store), but I could use some advice on a day trip I'm planning. I'm getting married a month from today, and as a gift for my beer-loving groomsmen, all of whom live outside New England, I'd like to get them some of Vermont's finest beers. The plan is to take a day trip from Boston. The only problem is that I can't take extra time off of work, so I'll miss the HT canning days. How sure of a bet is it that HT will be available at opening on a Saturday? I'm thinking Saturday, June 29. Is Friday, July 5 a better bet? I'm hesitant to make a trip then with the 4th of July holiday the day before. Here's my plan. Hit the Warren store at 9:30, get to Alchemist by 10:45, then up to Hill Farmstead, and back down to Boston. Is a Saturday trip likely to be successful?
Your want advice in the NE forum right now with an avatar like that?! Ask a local to pick up some HT couple days in advance for you, then you can cruise up worry free fri/sat for the HF/Lawson mission.
Either weekend is crazy talk, the beginning and end of the 4th of July Holiday. If those are your options, I know that Lawson's will be doing a Farmer's Market in Waitsfiled on the 6th of July. I can't speak for anyone, but there will be a shitload of beer tourists in VT for that entire time. If you are even considering a Friday I would make it 6/28 and do your Warren Store, Alchemist, Lost Nation, Hill Farmstead marathon.
Thanks for the advice! And a fair point on the Blackhawks avatar. I moved to Boston from Chicago in 2007 and am a lifelong Hawks fan. I'm still groggy from last night's 3OT game. Two great teams, I see this series going to distance.
The Bruins beat the Rangers and although you like the team that beats yours to go all the way, but I just can't root for any team from Boston. Go Hawks [in 5 or 6 - who needs tension]. Besides, the Hawk's jerseys are 2nd only to the Rangers. I'm doing a similar trip from Southern NY on 6/21/13 and then heading to my sister-in-laws in NH. Going to Alchemist first this time and planning to get there when it opens. May not be going to Hill Farmstead though. The last time I did the full trip is was on 10/5/12 and went to HF first. No crowds and got growlers filled immediately. When we got to the Alchemist it was early afternoon and I bought one of the last two cases of Heady. Then went to Warren to the recommended Lawson's store and they only had the Maple beer - no IPAs, which I was jonesin for. Hope this helps.
Normally I would aim you towards his website blog, which he needs to update. I will give him a jingle. The 7/6 date is solid.
Yeah that is what I used last year. I wonder if that is how he is doing it now, not announcing so much in advance when he is going to be there so it isn't crazy?
http://www.lawsonsfinest.com/events.php Waitsfield Farmer's Market - June 8, July 6, August 10, September 21, October 12 2013 July 6th will most likely be a shit show seeing how its a holiday weekend... but I heard rumors of Maple Tripple making an appearance :-X
Anyone been to the waitsfield farmer's market for Lawsons? I was wondering what time people recommended someone arrive at it to ensure a decent selection of beer. also any other advice about the market would be great. Thanks.
I got there right when it opened and a line already started but it moved really quick. They have a lot of other good stuff at the market like bread, meats, veggies, pickled stuff, and lady shopping type places.
Protip... ask Sean and Company for a mesh bag... perfect companion for carrying 4 750ml HF growlers in complete VT style
As long as you're there by the time the market opens, you should be fine. I got there an hour early last time, which ended up being kind of unnecessary, but it did let us get on with our day faster. Seconded. The mesh bags are awesome. Depending how many bottles you buy/who you buy from, you might not get one by default, but they've always tossed one in when I've asked. They fit large format bottles/750ml growlers perfectly and look way cooler standing in line than my beat up Trader Joe's bottle bag.
