River Roost Brewery – White River Junction, VT

What?!?! I love the can art!

And Big Fatty's is, to all intents and purposes, their taproom. The real problem is parking. And the unpredictably sporadic mobile canning line.

 

thx for the info and comments. will def try and stop but it will also depend on timing of when we leave... we're doing an airbnb a little further north from stowe so timing will have to lineup with when we leave and they open (noon). We have a 6+ hour drive home so I wouldn't be surprised if my wife wants to head out early.

I was planning a treehouse stop as that's about halfway home and figure it would be great to pick up some juice and let the kiddo run around and burn some energy outside for a bit.

 

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder as I think their cans are some of the best in the industry. Regardless, they could be blank and I would happily buy the beer they are producing.

As for the tap room, I am sure Mark, the owner/brewer has plans for this but he seem pretty intent to expand at a reasonable space. They just took over much of the current building in the past 6 months or so and seem to have hired many more staff (I never see Mark actually pouring anymore), so they already are growing and the tasting room and regular cans will come in time I am sure.

Can't disagree with either side on the whole WRJ thing, it still doesn't look like much but having grown up there I can tell you this is the most vital the place has felt in a long time.

 

You are the first person I have heard mention anything negative about the can labels @chipawayboy
For science, what cans do you consider well-labeled?

 

I love RR. Been there about 5 or 6 times over the last couple years. Stopped in Friday night and was lucky they had 3 different cans. But the IPA they had on draft was the best...Doubtful Guest. I wasn't crazy about the stout, but hot pepper stouts are never really my thing. WRJ isn't much to look at, but given the location, it's hard to beat as a convenient launching spot to both ski areas and the rest of VT. Food options are pretty damn good.

 

I really enjoyed batch one-I took a gamble and bought a few bottles and was glad I did.

 

The smoked brown was quite moving given the aroma of caramel raged malt, parched brisket, brittle bacon, sharp bitter coffee, and chocolate. The findings of soft vanilla and distant fruit categorizations arose more by means of relaxation/meditation

Palate upfront was more layered chocolate malt, seared bacon, and smoked layers of consciousness that settled with duration and opened to soft serve vanilla/brownie/cherry groupings to further advances of licorice, and elusive spices: clove, anise –

Did pick up a little cardboard/metallic component, but found it to be unimportant given the exquisite composition (for the most part)…granted a compulsive need for anything smoked is innate. Regardless, feel is semi-sweet and sensible

 

Got a 4 pack of Mas Verde Friday and hit up Fatties for lunch — had their special of the day - a pork belly sandwich along w/an Object M31 draft. Draft list at Fatties far better than I expected w/a bunch of HF and other local beers. I know it’s been said before - but this one/two combo is such a great southern option for folks who don’t have the time to get closer to Mecca. No crowds either - mostly local traffic/patrons.

 

They always seem to have the best tap list anywhere outside of Waterbury. I used to make the drive to Worthy Kitchen every month or so but gave that up almost completely. BF's tap list is always better. They have great tap takeovers as well including Hill Farmstead.

 

They debuted an apple brandy barrel aged barleywine on draft a few weeks ago. It was stellar, especially if you enjoy apple brandy aged beers. They said to expect bottles soon once labels get approved. It might be rhythm of the night #3, or its own name.

 

It was great, and it is currently on tap at Big Fatty's. Can't wait for bottles. When I was grabbing the Rhythm of the Night B2 bottles, based on our conversation, it seems like it will have another name. As well as some adjunct stout varieties at some point.

 

Is the current tap list and can availability the standard? I plan on stopping through in October on a Saturday and am just curious if there's usually more options for draft and take home? Also how crowded will it be on a Saturday at or around open?

 

That is a normal amount of beer to be available. They don't always have cans and the bottle releases have been rare (B1 and B2 of Rhythm of the Night and B1 and B2 of Soaked in Sin)
They don't really get crowded. Not a "hang out" place. They offer 4oz samples of the brews on draft for $2. No seating. Very small area around the service counter.

There is usually some of their options on tap at Big Fatty's, which is in the same parking lot. Big Fatty's also has the Crowler Pit, which has a good selection of retail beer in bottles/cans/crowlers.

 

Thanks for the info. I loved the cans someone gave me a while ago and have been wanting to visit them ever since. It's on the way to HF for me but I might not stop by unless something really nice is available. Big Fatty's sounds like a good lunch stop, though.

 

It is really quick to stop in if it is on the way and BF's definitely has one of the best tap lists in the state. You could also probably post an IP ISO and have someone grab cans for a week or two prior to your arrival to increase the variety.

 

If you all had your choice of hitting this place or Brick and Feathers....where would you go?

 

I’d check the beer lists and make a decision based on what you want to try that they have. Both are great, I like river roosts IPAs better but brick and feather does more variety. Also, Turners Falls where brick and feather is located is a real nice little town.