Post-Pandemic Beer Visits

Another recommendation for an out-of-state trip that I highly suggest is Seattle and then taking a train down to Portland, OR. Wife and I flew into Vancouver for a few days, then took the train to Seattle and then to Portland. Vancouver isn't much of a beer city compared to the other two but it was an awesome place in general. The PNW is such a cool part of the country as well. It just so happened that there were beer festivals in both Seattle and Portland at the time, so hopefully those make their appearance again!

 

I regret not scratching a beer itch in the Bay Area and points north over my many trips with my friend living out there between 2005-2010. Plenty of vineyard trips which were fun, but wish I could have made it to Russian River. And there are many other excellent breweries in the area that have opened in the meantime.

Brewery and bar hopping in Portland is my priority when this shit ends, though. Visited my mom once outside in the driveway in Maine during this whole mess, it was so odd just turning around after an hour or so for the long trek back home rather than staying 2 nights and literally going to town.

 

And in Bellingham, WA, Ben Howe (Enlightenment Ales) has his spot (Otherlands).

 

Am 90 min. from Hill, and Schilling. I miss both of them terribly, and look forward to a safe opportunity soon!

 

“Locally,” I can’t wait to get back to Hill and belly up to Blackback’s bar. I miss Blackback SO much.

Non-locally, I really want to get back to Austin on vacation (not SXSW) and visit Live Oak, Jester King, and every BBQ place until my heart explodes.

 

Non-locally - Austin has been on my list for a long time. PNW as well.

 

No judgement here. Like I said my brother was at a bar, he goes indoor dining.

It’s not something I NEED to do, and doesn’t bother me too much to stay away so I don’t go. But I don’t blame anyone for doing it, it’s a relatively safe activity at this point (unless the place takes absolutely no precautions with a completely backed bar/restaurant).

Restaurants and bars need all the support they can get too.

 

Before COVID I was really looking forward to the Allston Notch, Brato and Deep Ellum combo. But RIP Deep Ellum, so I'll have to live with just Notch + Brato.

However first choice is going to be Hill Farmstead of course. Really hope that the redo of the Friendships and Explorations festival can happen in August.

 

I still am optimistic about hopefully returning to Hungary and sipping local lager while people watching by the Danube. We were supposed to go there and Vienna last year. It was so relaxing when we were there a couple summers ago.

Locally the two experiences I miss most are being outside Tree House sipping one of their Oreo variants of their stouts by their fire pits, and going to Two Roads and having whatever is on tap. I just really like the experience of being in the old factory atmosphere of Two Roads.

 

Brother moved to Davidson NC (Charlotte area) from VT in May. Looking forward to seeing him and touring all things local including the Fonta Flora outpost at Optimist Hall.

 

Everyone's situation is different, I get nervous when driving past a packed parking area but people can make their own decisions. Besides the virus deniers who, besides the Sunday River Brewing crowd spend more time on my social media decrying the virus than actually being irresponsible out in the world, patrons and businesses are really taking precautions and doing a good job.

Myself and my wife have been working from home and having her elderly mom stay with us for large chunks of time so we've been shacked up to a great extent voluntarily, but at this point past our Spring 2020 and holiday 2020-21 peaks whose place is it to tell your aforementioned healthcare worker GF and schoolteachers for instance that you can get thrown into the crowds at work but need to live like a hermit otherwise.

And while last May I could be like "it's been TWO FUCKING MONTHS guys and people are dying all around us, let's keep it in our pants and stay locked down a little longer", the mental health toll is real and the equation other than this past Thanksgiving to New Year's window has been trending in favor of responsible interaction, for New England specifically. Once we get to respectable outdoor dining conditions it will feel like a real breakthrough to normalcy, as by the time the temperature goes down again and we have to head inside for in-person social activities the vaccination percentage should be way up.

 

Just want to add a additional shout out to The Gaff on Moody Street in Waltham.
Man, I miss that place!

 

My wife and I went to a local brewery that offered covered outside seating around a fire pit on Sunday and it was sooo nice to get out, relax somewhere besides the house and enjoy some brews. A change of Scenery, and pace was very well needed. I can't wait for the warm weather to arrive to do more of it.

 

Did the local brewery request not to be named?

 

Did something happen to The Gaff, or are you just giving them a shout out?

 

I miss the Gaff. I lived in Waltham for 5-years and that was my go-to bar. Memories of hearing that they might get Lunch on tap that week, and rushing down after work to get a $10 pint*.

Also, when they did weekend brunch my wife and I would go there at least once a month. Their biscuits and gravy were absolutely ridiculous.

*10 oz pour.

 

Portland and Montreal!

Closer to home, really miss hanging out at Blackback. Hope to visit Black Flannel, Schilling and 4 Quarters among others. We did get some cans to go from Black Flannel last weekend, picked up a big tray of meat at Mark BBQ nearby and feasted at home. Both great looking places with delicious products; looking forward to visiting under normal circumstances.

 

It's the Voldemort of breweries.

 

Hibernating I believe. That place is tiny, no way it could be worth it for them to be open & comply with regulations.