East Coast Beer Trip

Lots of great recs here. A buddy and I just returned from a similar run to Vermont. We stopped by New England Brewing Co. in Woodbridge, CT along the way -- they have recently relocated to a new address behind the local car dealership, so you may need to ask for directions. Gandhi-Bot and Fuzzy Baby Ducks definitely worth the diversion. We also stopped at Eli Cannon's in Middletown, CT on the way back. In Waterbury, I would highly recommend Prohibition Pig, The Reservoir, and Blackback Pub, all within yards of one another (and if you have time, the Ben & Jerry's factory store up on Route 100 is worth a quick stop for incredible ice cream). Craft Beer shop near Prohibition Pig is an excellent shop. And the treks to HF and Warren Store (for Lawson's) are musts. Before or after you go to the Warren Store (in Warren), you must go to Mad Taco in Waitsfield for lunch -- great food and awesome tap list. If you make it up to the Burlington area, Winooski Beverage has best selection of retail beer, and The Farmhouse is a great gastropub. Enjoy the trip. You'll have a blast! P.S. If you are able to score any of The Alchemist's newly-canned brew, called "Focal Banger", please let me know and I will make it worth your while (trade and/or cash considerations) to bring me back as much as you can carry!!!

 

If you're travelling north on I-95 through southern-ish NY stop at HALF TIME in Mamaroneck NY just one minute off I-95 "WORLDS LARGEST SELECTION OF BEER"

www.halftimebeverage.com

139 Hoyt Ave.
Mamaroneck NY

 

Definitely hit up the North in Endicott, NY. Newer brewery, small, but usually at least a couple awesome beers on tap

 

Maine Brewing is also drivable from Waterbury, our last trip in there was a group heading that way for the day.

My first trip to Vt sitting in BlackBack Pub, were two BA's from Eastern NC there hiking, BeerMeFitz was on a similar run from Chicago, Franklinn from Waterbury, and the guy who runs the taco business is also a BA and Marine Corps brother, and me. 5 guys 1 gal all BA's sitting around sipping on great beers. They were even selling Cantillion by the bottle $30.

Such a tricky drive, I'd stay away from the GW Bridge at all costs, but that's the route which links you to Rt 19 I believe for NEBCO. I go up I 81 thru Pa and take I87 into Watertown to see my son,then onto Waterbury vis GPS, about 5-6 hrs away.

I'd start out going thru Atlanta into NC, then take 85/95 to DC and take routes thru MD into Pa and the Hershey area off the PA Turnpike then onto NY. If you wanted to hit North Jersey breweries you can still I 95 and take the Jersey Tpke or Garden State Parkway, but it's a haul. Then link to 287 to get to VT. Just don't go near the GW Bridge unless you like sitting in 15 mile backups.

 

Pizza boy is where it's at!

 

Woah, woah, woah. Dont miss Hardywood in Richmond (might as well do Mekong while youre there too).

Also, maybe Sixpoint and Torst in NYC.

 

Hunger Mt. typically gets their Lawson's in on Fridays. It greatly helps to get there before noon.

 

You should not have any trouble finding Focal Banger (or Petit Mutant, El Jefe, or other Alchemist releases for that matter) on draft. They are all fairly readily available at the 3 pubs in Waterbury. Finding them in cans may be a little more difficult, since they only canned limited amounts of Focal Banger and Petit Mutant just last week), but you should definitely seek out and try the Focal Banger. Some (including me) think the Focal Banger is even better than Heady Topper, so it is all the rage up there now. In any event, have a great time. Happy hunting and cheers!

 

I know a few have mentioned it but I haven't seen anyone give the full details...TREEHOUSE is a must. I have been to just about every brewery in New England - my top two are Hills Farmstead and Treehouse. Treehouse is only open Thursday nights and Saturday all day. They typically save any special beers (Julius, Green, Sap, Curiosity One) for "Saturday Only" and they update their offerings on their website both on Monday's and Fridays. If you hit it right - Saturday morning is the best time to go. They open at 11 but if you get there around 10-10:15 you should be in and out by 11:30. The location is convienent if you plan on going to Boston at all. Side note - if you do go to Boston, be sure to hit up Deep Ellum and/or Sunset Tap and Grille - unbelieveable tap lists.

 

I'd hit up New England Brewing in CT and Trillium in Boston...

 

They may focus on Saisons, but they do a whole lot more: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28383/

Currently they are the best brewery in PA, and there is zero chance of getting their beer in GA. Other than them, I'd only hit up bars/bottle shops in Philly, where you will also encounter a ton of beers that are not available in GA. I could not justify a detour out to Hershey (Troegs), it's a least a two hours out.

EDIT: as someone previously mentioned, I-95 and the GWB. Enjoy!

 

Proclamation in Kingstown, RI
Longtrail in Woodstock, VT is worth the side trip

 

I would like to point out how horribly out of date/code much of Marketplace's inventory is. I love the variety but always have to stop myself before buying their 8+ month outdated Firestone Walkers. Again, their inventory is impressive (saw a BrewDog Sink the Bismarck last time I was in), but make for damn sure you check the dates on everything.

 

Make a coastal trip on your way home from VT. Hit Tributary (Tod Mott's new brewery) if it's open, then stop in to Portsmouth and Smuttynose in NH, then swing by Trillium in Boston and maybe Cape Cod Beer. Then hop on 195/95 to swing through RI and CT to hit some spots there like NEBCO.