Hill Farmstead (2019)

I’ll be attending FoFA and was curious what the retail will be like. In the past was there big lines? Get there early?

Also, at festival like other half etc... they are completely oversold and you can spend 45 minutes in a single beer line. Is it similar? Easy to try most things? Do some thing later kick early?

Super pumped , just curious about those things.

 

The bottle shop will be open 10-2 that day, presumably to get people stocked and out of the way before everything starts. I went two years ago, went into the festival, had a beer, and then shot over to the bottle shop, in and out with my stuff to throw in the car, then back into FoFA.

I would expect lines for beers like Being and Time, Clover, etc. But I had just as much fun visiting the other, less crowded options and breweries. Just depends what you’re looking for, really.

 

Does anyone know when they typically release the list for the beers that will be served at the festival? I know they have mentioned the brewers and a few bottle pours, but haven't seen anything else yet.

 

This isn't an Other Half fest... It's more intimate with less hazebros, but lines for the most coveted beers will start very quickly and grow fast (you have to keep an eye out in the tent for beers kicking and being replaced. But last year was pretty chill, and even when the lines that grew, they would quickly dwindle and you could get a second glass. I will say Vera Mae always has a problem pouring and will take time out of the day unfortunately if they have that one up. There will be bottle pours this year of big vintages, which isn't normal so that will be a big line, time consumer for sure! I'd say try to just enjoy the fest overall, with the beer in your glass and be less worried about ticks. Oh and hope for good weather!

 

I saw a brief list some people got with a list of the guest pours with some tbd from Lost Abbey but they'll either put a list up days before or we'll just be surprised when you get the menu day of. I have seen Being & Time, Clover b1, Flora B6 and La Vermontoise bottle pours for the day so far.

 

I’ve actually never been to an OH fest honestly, just hear horror stories. I’m not about ticks but obviously would like to try clover, being and time etc... just didn’t know if it would be long enough lines where it came down to choosing one vs the other. I appreciate the response. And you’re right, I’ll enjoy it regardless and doubt I’ll ever have anything in my glass I’m not pumped to be drinking

 

Had my first taste of Riwaka IPA. Such a cool hop. Dank grapefruit and sweet honeydew melon. Interested to try Susan again now.

 

I’ve been to Green City and FoFa. The latter several times. Yes obviously very different events, and yes maybe one attracts hazebros. But the other still attracts farmhousebros and the different breeds of beer nerd are not always easy to tell apart by the naked eye. As far as lines go they’re not dissimilar - it’s just the former is on a different scale (lots more beer nerds but lots more beer too). But you’ll have a great time and get to try tons of amazing beer so I wouldn’t worry.

 

first time Fofa goer. Noticed gates open a lot earlier than taps. Any reason to get there before taps open? Assuming I don’t care about waiting in the retail line before the fest.

 

People tend to do that to get into the fest first and maximize their time because the line waiting to get in can grow quite large. Also, to be first in line at a specific brewery-like Side Project a couple of years back. Although, with another slightly different format this year, I don’t expect crazy lines, but I could be wrong.

 

Would you mind expanding on the difference in format ? As it is also my first year of attendance also. Cheers.

 

For sure. In years past it’s been a whole host of breweries that produce farmhouse beers in their portfolios.

Last year, it was all Hill beers.

This year, it’s a few breweries/people that were influential to Hill being what it is today.

https://hillfarmstead.com/fofa/

 

Not sure if this has been posted previously — I don’t recall seeing it here - nice Yankee article on HF - not too much new info but well written and worth a read.

https://newengland.com/yankee-magazine/living/profiles/shaun-hill-and-the-price-of-perfection/

 

Hey guys. Heading out that way for my annual vacation starting Wednesday morning.

We went to HF for the first time last year on a Friday at open. We know lines can grow. We understand the general process. Package/on site/growler. I'm planning to travel with some fliptop 750s to save some expense.

What's a Wednesday like though? Is the week of Fof hectic? Our flight comes in at 9am Wednesday morning. The plan is a quick trip to a beer store at 10am (beverage in Winooski?), breakfast in the area (any recommendations?), and then HF by 11:30-12. Goal is to be on the road by 2 and at a family members house by 5. They live in southern VT.

Is that timing feasible? If it's not, we may straight shot it to the families house and get there by noon, and just package beer it for a few days.

My logic is, by going one hour out of the way initially, it'll save us from a dedicated 5 hr roundtrip drive later on. But that doesn't always fly with non drinkers. Lol

 

Best breakfast in Burlington is Penny Cluse. You can even crack down a Heady or Focal. Only problem is that there will likely be a wait so your trip to Hill might be delayed a bit.

 

If going to the beverage warehouse Sneakers in winooski for breakfast. Another option is healthy living(think local wholefoods) about 10min from the airport, good bottle/can selection, some breakfast breakfast options and snacks for the road.

 

I don’t have a ton of HF experience, but I went at open on a Wednesday last August, and I can’t imagine a more relaxed and chill HF experience. Even with FoFA that weekend, I would be shocked if you were not able to have a great visit from 12-2 on that Wednesday.

 

What are the chances CD lasts till Saturday morning? 0% ? 5%?

 

anything going on in Waterbury Friday or Saturday for Fofa? Staying within walking distance to downtown with some friends. Shares or bar events etc?

 

They made it 3pp for one of the busiest weeks of the year. I'm slightly optimistic.

The Anna Motueka, on the other hand......