Boston & Burlington Trip advise

Trillium closes at 7:30, so you would have to go straight from the airport to Trillium if you want to get cans on Thursday. Any time that they are open (11-7:30 except Sundays), you can pop in and get cans within 5 minutes unless you happen to go at open the day of a rare special release.

If you're looking for a beer store near Lulu's, then Marty's Big Buys is probably a good bet. If you are looking near Trillium Fort Point, then hit Fort Point Market and Craft Beer Cellar for some good selections. edit-I just checked and Craft Beer Cellar in Fort Point actually has Plan Bee in stock right now.

 

Trillium closes at 7:30 p.m. Unless there is a specific beer that you want, pick any day that's convenient to get to the brewery (Fort Point is closer and has the same cans as Canton, but it to-go only). Personally, I'd go to Fort Point, since you can pop next door to Fort Point Market and get Allagash, Plan Bee, Maine Beer, and tons of other great stuff.

 

Going to Alchemist twice seems superfluous. Why not skip the Friday afternoon Stowe trip and stop instead in Waterbury or Montpelier? You could go to Three Penny or Reservoir or Pro Pig or (blanking on the other spot in Waterbury) for great food and excellent tap lists, including probably Alchemist stuff. If you're going to Stowe Saturday for the full allotment anyway, why not skip Fridays trip? These places are more convenient.

 

River Roost.

 

Traffic to Stowe from Boston can sometimes take forever on a Friday afternoon, for whatever reason. Definitely might be worth your while to go to the MA breweries you want to visit, then take your time getting to Burlington.

Farmhouse may already have Sip on tap. I don't think it's difficult to find.

 

Very good point. Last time we went to Stowe (end of August) it took 5 hours from Boston...

 

^^^ if possible, find your way to Waterbury and stop at Blackback Pub. You definitely won’t be disappointed.

 

Looks like a fun time and nice itinerary.

I would stop at River Roost in White River Junction, mentioned above.
In the same parking lot there is Big Fatty's which will have a great tap list. They also have a crowler/bottle shop attached. Small but good selection. Have had Sip of Sunshine most of the times I stop in and tons of other great local options (Foley Bros., Frost, Hermit Thrush if you like sours, etc.). Upper Pass cans or on tap should be checked out too (First Drop, Cloud Drop).

Coop in White River also gets SoS and usually sells by the case.

Should be no need to go to Alchemist twice unless a specific beer you want is released on that specific day. They have had a lot of options available with high limits especially if you are coming before ski season tourists get in high gear.

As others have suggested, stop in Waterbury on way to Burlington instead of Stowe and hit Blackback, Pro Pig, etc. Also a great Craft Beer Cellar in Waterbury.

Another option would be to stop in Montpelier on way and hit Three Penny Taproom. The Hunger Mountain Coop in town gets Lawson and Heady as well as a small but good quality all around selection. Three Penny is as good as any pub/taproom in the state.

Maine Beer and Allagash should be at many stores (and on tap). More limited stuff tends to sell out faster and is dependent on the distro release schedules. Check dates on the MBC stuff, they tend to hang around other than Lunch for the most part.

For the more rare Allagash stuff (Coolships) you may want to post an IP trade. I'm sure lots of people in the area would have and would swap some of the stuff you grab at Trillium/HF/Etc.

I always suggest von Trapp in Stowe as well. Beautiful spot and great traditional lagers (if that is what your into) still worth a stop and a boot if your not!

 

In VT Things may be a little busier than normal given it is the weekend before. thanksgiving. I would only stop at the alchemist once, prob on sat on the way to HF. You won’t find any Lawson’s bottles but Sip and supper session are relatively easy to find in Burlington, I’d consider hitting healthy living market. Pretty sure they still put out sip and Heady at 5 on fridays, they also have a smaller but very nice selection including some allagash bottles. Other places worth checking out/ cans to look for: Burlington beer company, frost, fiddlehead

 

@jhavs good call on Von Trapp. Great space, amazing views, and excellent beer. Get the pretzels and the spaetzle

 

Agree with scrapping the second trip to alcamist. Instead consider going down route 7 and stopping at otter creek in middle bury, foley brothers in Brandon and the Hoppin Moose in Rutland. Otter creek is a little commercial but the others are fun places.

 

Foley Bros is proper. Fun atmosphere in a circa 1700s barn (make sure to wear warm clothes though as it's drafty). Last time I was there they were doing mutton stew in a cast iron pot over an open fire. Can't get more VT than that. Otter Creek has outstanding food. If you go this route you could stop at Fiddlehead in Shelburne and Frost in Hinesburg. Both should have cans if you're lucky.

 

If going to Stowe, hit the Craft Beer Cellar in Waterbury. Right across the street from Pro pig and Blackback. Black back had 4 HF on draft Columbus day weekend. SoS is everywhere in Boston, try the craft beer cellar acrosss the street form the Boston location. Hit or miss though, 2 drops per month or so. You do know Nerax is in Salem this weekend? Worth a trip.

 

Hit up the Beverage Warehouse in Winooski (5 min from downtown Burlington) for all sorts of miscellaneous Vermont goodies. They get regular Lawson's deliveries as well as plenty of other great stuff like Upper Pass, Foley, 14th Star, Frost, etc. Also, Mule Bar in Winooski is a great place to stop by for some beers and apps.

 

This plan sounds a little crazy to me but as long as you make it to Hill Farmstead you did it right.

 

I would see if you could incorporate some Fiddlehead in Shelburne into your trip....

 

I love Vermont’s beer scene, but this is the correct take. Once you try HF, you’ll wonder why you didn’t just park your ass at Farmhouse or Three Penny or Blackback for 24 hours drinking Hill beers.

Make sure you try all the styles, too!

 

I can't imagine dedicating time, money and space to Sip of Sunshine or Maine Beer if you are already going to Trillium, Hill Farmstead, Foam and Alchemist. You can walk out of Trillium or HF with thousands of ounces of amazing beer.

If you are going to Five Horses Boston location check out SRV close by. They have Trillium on draft often.