North East Beer Vacation Ideas

Destination Waterbury VT. Multiple great beer bars, obviously featuring HF/Lawsons and HT at The Pig. HF is 45 minutes away, you can get Lawsons bottles 30 minutes away too. Great lodging a block away from the bars so it's safe, good food too. My 1st time in Blackback Pub there were 4 guys in the bar, all BA guys from all over and beer me fitz who was from Chicago on a beer quest. You can hit breweries in Harrisburg Pa on the way in, and depending on how much driving you want to do,New England Brewing on the way out.

 

Ah even better more time to travel. Would be beautiful during leaf season as well, and Maine Brewing is drivable from Waterbury as well.

 

Maine Brewing is drivable from Waterbury, when we were there in May guys were doing day drives. Jack Abbey I believe. New England Brewing maybe 3 hours. Waterbury is kinda remote though you will have to love driving bit and settling into the local bars at night, I do it 2X a year.

 

I'd really love to tell you to come to NH for a beer-cation, but I can't. I would recommend using NH as a home-base for all the day-trips you'd be doing. Location is central to VT/ME/MA. Plentry of nice places to stay, and I prefer the seacoast obviously. Depending on your timeframe, you may consider staying in the White Mountains among the other leaf peepers.

 

No release specials but its always worthwhile to visit Jacks Abby, Trillium, Mystic, Idle Hands and Night shift breweries in Boston and burbs. Such great nanos.

 

I agree completely. I was thinking the other day that there aren’t any outstanding breweries in my part of the state, but the location is really great for day trips to a lot of great breweries. Here are a few “out and back” day trips you could do (and would be even cooler during foliage season.)


VT - Hill Farmstead, Alchemist, bottle shops in Montpelier (Lawson’s) or a side trip to the Warren Store

ME - Marshall Wharf (or pick up cans while further south in the state,) Oxbow, Allagash, Rising Tide. If you are big into Belgians you could plan a night near Ebenezer's (which is off the beaten path.)

NH/Portsmouth area – Throwback, Earth Eagle, Blue Lobster

MA – Jack’s Abby, Trillium

 

Over the past two years my wife and I have been on brewery trips in PA (Twice), CT, VT, NH and ME (Second one starting on Friday). The IS part of me makes a spreadsheet for each trip that maps out the breweries in driving order and the distance between to maximize each trip. If anyone is interested just message me and I'll send a copy.

 

I'd say Portland, ME... But I'm biased. Here's a detailed post on the area:
http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/visiting-portland-me-some-ideas-2013-edition.101680/

Maybe fly southwest (if you book by july 25) to Manchester NH, then rent a car?
http://www.southwest.com/html/promo...MBER=109085beaaa80ac89858b283a64f7c75d7e5bb12

 

This would be good if you only wanted to visit breweries only, and some beautiful drives they will be in Oct. But to be up there and not settle into Waterbury at night which by my count has 3 superb beer bars featuring the best that's available in the area, and a wine bar that has oyster night. The food is great as well and at least 3 eating places mixed into the bar area. You can drink anything you care for and walk 3 minutes back to your room without any hassle of a DUI or being unsafe. Given they're flying they are bringing home memories not a trunk full of beer, so finding a home base for a few days needs to have everything right there.

 

Currently planning a short trip with my fiancee to Portland and this thread has been great. I haven't been there since I was a teenager so I'm pretty psyched for exploring/eating/drinking there.

 

Lawson's will be doing their last outdoor farmers market in Waitsfield on Oct.12.

 

Vermont

 

Just like anywhere else in New England, it depends on what part of the state we're talking about. In addition to Burlington/Waterbury, Portland and Boston (more spread out and less beer-centric, but still a contender), I think Portsmouth is a solid option, at least for part of the trip. Between the old guard (Smuttynose, Portsmouth Brewery) and the new guys (Throwback, Earth Eagle, Blue Lobster), there's no shortage of great breweries right in and around Portsmouth. Then, there are some very good bars (including just across the river in Maine) and excellent restaurants, as well as plenty of daytime activities. And it's well positioned for day or overnight trips to Portland and Boston. You could even divide a trip between Portsmouth and Vermont if you don't mind covering more ground. In the fall, the drive across New Hampshire and Vermont would be particularly beautiful. Don't sell New Hampshire too short--the Seacoast area at least is a burgeoning beer hot spot and a worthy destination.

 

if you are doing Boston, Lord Hobo and CBC are a great 1-2 punch. (far better than visiting Trillium, where this is really no there there)

Jack's Abbey is not any great location, but at least they have generous tastings and great prices

 

I'd say fly to Burlington, rent. Car, go to montreal and hit DDC,Benelux, vices versa, had south, hit hf, then Burlington, hit farm grill, zero gravity, then to Waterbury, for all of the good stuff around there. You could easily switch any of the three destinations

 

If you want to maximize the number of breweries, hitting Boston/Portsmouth/Portland is a great way to do it. Start in Boston with Trillium, Mystic, Night Shift, Idle Hands, Jacks Abby, Wormtown (all surrounding Boston) Head up to Portsmouth/Hampton for Blue Lobster (former Hill Farmstead brewer), Throwback, Earth Eagle & Portsmouth/Smuttynose. I believe Granite State Growler tours hits all these and no driving for you! Portland is another hour north with tons of brewery & beer bar options and the beer bus is supposed to be solid.

 

Central Maine is a great location! Many breweries in driving distance! Bangor area has a couple of great ones as well as the Bar Harbor area!