Favorite Vermont Brewery

Went there for the first time a few weeks ago. Two beers and a large pretzel were $19 and change
before tip. I forgot what it's like to be treated like a tourist.

 

Well considering I have an extra dollar. I will say it.

1. HF
2. Lawsons- DS was super good.
3. Alchemist (Only for Topper)
4. Rock Art
5. Harpoon

I think thats all Ive had from the state actually.

Cheers!

 

Someone really needs to set up a brewery/brewpub in the coolest building in Burlington.




And I forgot about his upcoming tasting. I've had a cold since Friday, and I probably couldn't taste Mr. Clean at this point.

 

The Von Trapp cheese actually has no connection to the brewery. It is run as a cow dairy/farmstead operation in Waitsfield by young Sebastian Von Trapp and his brother, at the farm that belonged to their grandmother, Erica Von Trapp. Their cheese "Oma" is named for her, and means "Grandma." Erica was married to one of the children The Captain had with Maria - I believe Werner? (Don't have my notes here.) Fun fact - all of the spent grain from Lawson's Finest goes to the Von Trapp Farmstead to be fed to their cows!

 

RW Hunts was my go to club in college for live music, local and national acts, and just all-around socializing. I heard it was being developed into a business incubator or something.

I can thank Burlington Beer Co. Joe Lemnah's tasting last night for missing out on the earthquake effects - pretty crowded with beer folks and noisy - lots of interesting stuff to taste.

 

Yeah, but the former brewer at Catamount Paul Sayler is now the head brewer of Zero Gravity Brewing at American Flatbread in Burlington. Destiny Saxon does all the brewing there for him, but does that count as a local small brewery? They make a lot of fine brews there. I cannot play favorites, but I like them a lot.

 

Hill Farmstead. No dollar given though.

 

I certainly prefer Otter Creek/Wolavers over others like Magic Hat or Harpoon... and maybe equally to Long Trail.

 

Black River
Pleasant Valley
Thristy Bull

lol. doubt any of you whippersnappers are going to beat that obscurity. ;-)


But seriously, nothing beats the old alchemist brewpub for me - even the new alchemist cannery.

Always have a soft spot for Otter Creek due to drinking a boatload of their beer in the 00's. The whole lineup is tough to find (and fresh) in my immediate area now, otherwise I would probably drink more. Ofest lager (despite the ale label) is probably one of the better US made Ofests I've had.

 

Oh, cool! Didn't know that

 

I love that building. Every time I drive by it, I dream about someone opening a brewery there.

 

Obviously Magic hat since it's 4 hours from anything, tastes amazing and isn't distributed at all.
Wait did I do that wrong?

 

HF, Lawsons, Alchemist

In that order.

 

Trapp Family Lodge Brewery

 

I'll give you a dollar if we meet up later in the year for that beer exchange...

Surprised to see so much Rock Art. I've had about 6-7 beers by them and every one has been mediocre to a drain pour. After HF, it's the Alchemist (could potentially be top at some point, but hard to do when they brew one beer, even if it is friggin fantastic).

 

i'd say my list looks just like that. including #4

 

Really, votes for Rock Art? Hmpf. I wish people specified why. I'm curious. They're not bad -well, their logo is horrible. They're not great either. Is it an accessibility thing? Also, the state has Hill Farmstead and Alchemist (sort of). (Never had Lawson's).

 

Jack's Abby really scratches that itch for me. Other states should be jealous, I say!

 

HF, Lawsons, and Otter Creek/Wolavers (Stovepipe, Alpine Black IPA and Alta Gracia Porter specifically).

Heady is one of my favorite beers but since those three breweries all produce multiple beers that I enjoy, I'll leave the Alchemist out of the top 3.

 

Jack's Abby is the second best brewery in MA. (After CBC) I'd still like to see more fresh lagers though!