Thoughts on this whirlwind tour

So I've never been but being from Springfield I'm intrigued, and BA just named them one of the top 50 new breweries in 2017... Vanished Valley in Ludlow. Looks like they're open on Wednesday too. If you go you have to post a review :-).

 

Sounds like a blast. My only suggestions would be the following:

1) Definitely check out Von Trapp if you're in the area and already inclined to do so. Gorgeous space and if anything they've only gotten better since you left.

2) It's your call if you do this instead of NEBCO (I don't know much about them myself) but I would say you are cheating yourself if you drive out to Treehouse without working in a stop at Jack's Abby/Springdale which is more or less on the way. Fantastic spaces and you more or less get two different brewery experiences for the price of one.

Best of luck for a great trip!

 

Great tour. Find a way to get River Roost in — it’s like HF circa 2010-11...although you can usually get at least 2 on tap a Blackback. You gotta eat too — Armby Abbey, HotW (reservations), Worthy Burger would be on my must stop list for MA and 89 routes. Portland is a whole nother story beer bar/food wise. Godspeed!

 

I'll second @meefmoff and say that Jack's Abby and Springdale are superior to NEBCO-- and JA has food. This is coming from someone who lives around the corner from NEBCO. Plus, even from Charlton, it'll add a good two hours of driving onto your itinerary. If you'd like, shoot me a PM when you're going to Tree House. If I'm available that day, I'd be happy to grab whatever you want from NEBCO and meet you at the 'House.

 

I'll strongly recommend JAs/Springdale as well. Just not sure when you're going to be going by there. They're closed on Mondays. As @jtodeasa mentioned they have food and IMO it is pretty fantastic. They may even have some BA Framminghammers available. This years coffee was exceptional IMO.

 

Thoughts?

Can I come too?

 

I’m here to say you don’t necessarily need to to go to TH or Trillium ...

Suarez, Hill, Allagash, Oxbow.

Okay I’ll go hide before the yelling begins.

 

Approve 100%. But what if OP wants some NEIPA while he's in town?

 

Just pick a few, go, and enjoy. Trying to do it all is a recipe for zero actual fun. Doesn't even matter, pick what you feel is most interesting.

 

For the past few months, Blackback Pub in Waterbury has had River Roost on tap pretty much all the time. They tend to get new kegs most Fridays. So that's your best bet if you won't be near the brewery during open hours. (Also, get the Pub Nachos). I still love HF and Alchemist, and there's a lot of great beer coming out of Foam, Upper Pass, Burlington Beer Co, etc, but for hoppy beers, River Roost is the best in Vermont right now IMO.

 

If you are in Ludlow on Wednesday go to Vanished Valley. I think B&F and HW are in the other direction near Northampton. If you go to Suarez, Sloop is 5 minutes away with cans and growlers and has hop heavy brews. The fresh juice bomb is very good.

 

Ah, sorry I missed that aspect of the driving routes.

Well, if you do find yourself anywhere remotely near JA/Springdale I'd just say to keep it mind as something very much worth doing. And I'd second Sweatshirt's comment to try and resist the urge to cram too much in.

Have a blast.

 

Agreed. This is more than sounds like “fun”. I’d suggest Treehouse and Suarez both on Thursday as long as you think you can really be to Treehouse at open. That should leave you time to get to Suatez. You might have to cal, an audible there given it’s a 2hour drive. That said pulling that part off ... This leaves you with all of Friday and Saturday for VT. I love NEBCO but I would not trek down there. It’s totally out of your way.

Also, Monday 5/28 being Memorial Day ... I’d make sure places are open.

 

Eh, if HF’s hop-forward stuff isn’t enough a satisfy someone then I don’t know what to tell anyone anymore.

I agree with @Sweatshirt as usual. Have a solid plan, but don’t be so concerned with trying to do it all. You can spend time at four breweries, grab a couple pints at local food spots, and be really satisfied beer-wise in New England.

 

Forgot about the Wednesday open, Thursday closed thing. Throws a wrench in the “relaxed” side of things if Suarez is a must for OP.

 

If you do end up going to NEBCO, Counter Weight deserves a stop. (run by former co-owner/head brewer at NEBCO) It's in Hamden, about 15 min North of NEBCO.

While in Ludlow, Vanished Valley for sure. If your work sched doesnt allow a visit to the brewery itself, the Europa Black rock Grill is on the same property and almost always has several VV beers on tap

rec stop at Sloop while visiting Suarez seconded