Mixed ferm/wild ale in Vermont

Hill Farmstead is a softer profile. Each of the others will be different. If you've just discovered the style I recommend hitting HF, getting all the shelfies. Then go to Stowe for lunch and hit CBC Waterbury and there's bound to be plenty of options. Their selection of 3F is crazy too, you'll be satisfied. Then let us know what you prefer!

 

Wunderkammer is more experimental, often using foraged ingredients and playing more with cultures and yeasts. They started out at Hill, and while a little funkier, I like their profile quite a lot.

Freak Folk is sort of similar in all senses, but a bit younger, with a bit more acid in their profile.

House of Fermentology is a little less refined still, to my taste.

You might be able to find the first two in bottle shops peppered around the state, but Freak Folk really started limiting their output so will be less likely to find, and may need to look out for a release. It's worth following all their socials to see what's dropping and where it might be available.

 

If you've never been to Vermont and are after mixed ferment (and arguably the best beer in the country across all styles), go to Hill Farmstead as your priority. Agree with everything said above regarding Wunderkammer and HoF. Wunderkammer bottles are definitely worth seeking out and are available at the better bottle shops.

 

Cbc Waterbury has 2 kinds of Wunderkammer and 2 kinds of Freak Folk right now, which I think matches what I’ve seen there my last two trips.

Would agree with the above - house of ferm if you want more sour, hf if you want more neutral to funky. Freak folk in between. Wunderkammer still tastes a lot like HF to me, but with more out there adjunct ingredients.

 

Agree on all that's been said, but if you end up in southern VT at any point, look for the final (local) batch 15 of Backacre Golden Sour. It has moved its blending operation to Denver, but you can find it for on-premise enjoyment at Hen of the Wood and Three Penny Taproom, and for retail sale downstate at Meuleman's and Medtrina. Also, Burlington Beer Co. is about to debut their sour/barrel program, but no idea on timing.

 

I'd highly recommend finding some Freak Folk bottles. IMO, they are showing restrained acidity in the more recent releases.

 

Three Penny is fucking awesome.

 

[Edit] it's Backacre Batch 14, my error.

 

I was at Farmouse Tap and Grill for dinner on Friday night. They had four different Wunderkammer bottles available for on-site if you are looking to try a few. One of the best beer lists I've seen in New England. I'd agree with what was said above, Wunderkammer has a soft, low-acid profile that reminds me a lot of Hill Farmstead with the addition of some unusual ingredients like pine needles, goldenrod, mushrooms, etc

I can also confirm that Hen of the Wood has bottles of Backacre on their list.

 

Stopped in on Friday for a pour and to grab some bottles. Had the Staglore which had a nice balance of tartness and acidity. Didn't get much in the form of the sumac, but given that this was my first Freak Folk bottle, I was impressed with the mixed culture.

The space is nice, though I imagine that it'll be overrun at times and they definitely were a few tables or barrels short for people to sit on/stand at on opening day. It's hard to gauge traffic on a day like that and we were there at the beginning of the post-work period. The location really can't be beat though.

 

Yeah, that location is going to be a goldmine for them. The only drawback is that there doesn't seem to be space for outdoor drinks. I stopped in on Saturday to grab bottles. Wish I'd had time for a pour or two because I'm super curious about the non mixed ferm stuff.

 

What's in the back area, like behind the building? They definitely have beers I'd want to have outside, so it'd suck if they didn't have an outdoor area available. Waterbury is beautiful in the summer too.

I was surprised to see so much non-mixed ferm but I had heard about the mixed ferm and there was more drinking ahead so I stuck with the lighter ABV mixed ferm for my one pour.

 

Behind the building is a municipal parking lot. I could potentially see them setting up a beer garden there for special events, but not sure how realistic it would be for ongoing service.