Anything missing from this NE roadtrip plan?

For OEC are you more interested in their beer or the rarer export beers they sell? I think that'll help make the decision

 

This is the second Cellar Tour reference I've seen. It will be, and I don't mean this lightly, the best (and most unique) thing you do the entire trip if you choose to do it. You can best Bissell many places on tap in Portland and Bier Cellar is the beer store to load up on to-go stuff, including many Bissell beers.

 

I think with Portland, I don't see a huge reason not to do both Bissell and Allagash. They're like 20 minutes from each other, but it's a town with plentiful ubers and it seemed like there was a decent amount of Portland time built in. Granted, I say that as someone who thinks they are 1 and 2 in Maine in terms of quality (and very, very different from each other at that). 1.5 days/2 nights in Portland is actually kind of a ton of time, I would honestly view getting too full and spending too much on Ubers as the bigger blockers than time here.

As for Fox Farm, I'm not a die hard, but I think on an 8 day new england beer odyssey I have a hard time saying it should be skipped. If worried about driving and time, I would consider making CT day New Haven lunch, Fox Farm evening, and not do any backtracking. New Haven is cool, NEBCO is cool, am relatively inexperienced with OEC, but I think I'd view pizza + Fox Farm as the two most essential stops on the way through the state for someone asking the question on this board. There's lots of great bonus options to fill time with, but I wouldn't feel obligated to add an extra 2-3 hrs of driving in to get back to OEC and a New Haven dinner. But on the way there, Fox Farm is well worth the drive from NH.

 

Fox Farm is on tap at select places, a few in CT and a few outside of CT. They do not distribute bottles or cans, except for rare off-site events.

12 percent is sort of an incubator; they distro and contract brew for several CT breweries as well as some outside CT (Hoof Hearted, Evil Twin, others). They also brew like 3 of their own beers, lagers. They always have a lot of fruited kettle sours. I drink beers brewed at 12 Percent and like them, but don't think it's worth a visit on your schedule.

Second this wholeheartedly.

 

On the Bissell or Allagash decision: like others have said, they are both very doable on this itinerary. We drive through Portland a lot and we usually hit Bissell for one beer and stock up on some beers to go. When we hit Allagash it’s definitely for a few beers and chill. The vibe there, for us, is just a better fit.

 

As someone else posted, and especially since you’re solo, I would definitely Uber to Allagash (and the hazy breweries on the same street) at some point. Worth the visit but you probably don’t want to drive after. Bissel might be an Uber ride as well. The rest of the places are all walkable in Old Port. If that helps organize your stops.

 

To piggyback on the Allagash train...I'd say that going to Industrial Way is a key part of the Portland craft beer experience. I haven't been to Portland in a while, but I used to go quite frequently an I have so many fun memories from afternoons spent going between Allagash, Foundation, Austin Street and Bissell (before they moved). But also agree with everyone saying that Allagash is a fantastic experience. I haven't done the Cellar tour, but it sounds awesome. But even if you don't take that or the regular tour (also awesome), they have a lot of stuff in the taproom that is only available there. Plenty of small batch/experimental beers. IMO, the places I would prioritize if I was going to Portland for 2 days are Allagash, Oxbow, Bissell and Goodfire. Everything else is just bonus.

 

Also I know it’s not the popular opinion, but I would at least give Liquid Riot a check while in Portland.

 

At the very least, the Bobo Pivo is very much worth your awareness to drink.

 

I'd maybe go for FF instead then. You'll be able to find a decent selection of OEC beers at local stores. Not some of the rarer bottles and such, but still

 

Nice to have someone start a thread like this and actually participate.

Lots of conflicting advice as was already mentioned. I would say, don't let people talk you out of going to breweries you want to go to. Like there is a sense of place with a bunch of these breweries. Most of us have been to these places before so we kind of have established opinions and having experienced them, can say "I could do without going there." That doesn't mean someone with fresh eyes shouldn't experience them.

Just notes:

Day 1: It's a lot of driving and don't be disappointed if you don't get to OEC. Like there may be a point where you're like "I'll just head to New Haven to have more pizza, go to NEBCo, go to East Rock, whatever." A lot of people will suggest Fox Farm and I would too, but if of the two, OEC is what sounds more interesting, maybe prioritize that? Fox Farm is great and is one of those sense of place breweries I mentioned. Actually, OEC was cool when I went too, but that was years ago.

Day 2: BT's is alright, but if you've had good BBQ, you'll be disappointed. IDK, considering you mentioned Sweet Cheeks and Terlingua as well, I'm guessing you love BBQ, be my guest, it's BYOB, so you can have one of your fresh cans of TH with your BBQ. Alternatively, you could go up to Armsby Abbey in Worcester. They've usually got a banging tap list.

Notch is easy to get to off of the Pike if you get off at Watertown/Newton Corner and take the back route through Brighton to get there. I would honestly suggest going there over Lamplighter, but also get if you just want to park your car and walk around. Lamplighter and CBC are pretty close, and by the time you do this trip, Remnant's spot on Cambridge Street may be open too.

Day 3: No Notes

Day 4: If Bissell is where you want to go, do it. There are plenty of places to get a lobster roll. You could grab one at Highroller between bars when you're in the Old Port. Allagash is great. I love Allagash. I am currently wearing an Allagash Cellars shirt. However, I think it's important to do what you think you want to do versus what a bunch of people on the internet profess. Like others have said, Allagash does have a bunch of stuff you don't see at distro or special taps at bars. Sours too.

Dinner - I just have unpopular/nuanced opinions that most here don't agree with.

Day 5: If you want to go to MBC, go to MBC. The taproom is beautiful. If it's not a weekend, it'll be nice. If it's a weekend, it may be like a Play Place. Just forewarning.

Day 6: Having down the drive from Portland to the Northeast Kingdom, it's longer than you think, so I would plan accordingly. You have the right Waterbury plans. If you skip Schilling and get to Stowe/Waterbury earlier, you could probably do the Lawson's pick up before you settle in in Waterbury. It's about 15 or so minutes from Waterbury.

Day 7: See above re: Lawson's. Otherwise, day looks good. I'm not a huge fan of the beer at BBCo but the food left me impressed. I'm sure there are Burlington area brewery recommendations that have not been mentioned.

Have a good trip, keep us apprised as to when you're coming up and I'm sure some of us would be willing to meet up with you if you get tired of doing this entire trip solo.

 

100% on this .. Skip BTs and have lunch at Armsby Abbey. They have the best taps in New England (usually HF on tap, and for whatever reason, I feel any beer tastes better here) and their food is five stars. It's probably 15-20 minutes from TH.

 

no problem, i did like the other commenters recommendation for time out market at fenway. i LOVE that place.

 

@extraaacrispy I don't have a ton to add to the above, other than a few thoughts:

1) I think Lamplighter is decent, but not the best that Boston has to offer IMO. CBC is a great option (get the buffalo tenders). Alternatively, depending on where you're staying, it might be worth a short Uber to either Brewers Fork (Charlestown) or Publick House (Brookline) to find two of the best tap lists in the city. And really good food.

2) If you like seafood, Row 34 is an awesome choice for lunch. If you're just looking for a lobster roll and don't want to venture into the Seaport, James Hook & Co. on the Greenway might be one of the few spots that can compete.

3) Sweet Cheeks is a fantastic pre-Fenway spot. Get one biscuit with your BBQ. Trust me.

4) Novare Res is a must-hit in Portland as others have noted. The crab rangoon grilled cheese is one of the best things I never knew I needed in my life.

5) When in Burlington, Hen of the Wood is a must hit IMO. Some of the best dining experiences I've had in the Northeast. If you don't get a table reservation, get there 10-15 minutes before opening and grab a seat at the bar. Get the HotW Mushroom Toast, the Parker House Rolls, and whatever else suits your fancy...it will all be excellent. Alchemist in cans, and a nice tap list otherwise.

I have not yet been to the new BBCo space but have heard great things. Foam has a beautiful location on the water but the beers are polarizing. I would hit Four Quarters in Winooksi over Zero Gravity if given the choice. And Mule Bar just down the hill from Four Quarters has a banging tap list. As does the Farmhouse Tap and Grill which should not be missed either.

p.s. Happy to answer any questions!

 

I just went to Maine to visit friends and I let them pick the places to take us vs doing my usual thing. I feel like, since pandemic/lockdown, I'm more inclined to support the spots I like vs new to me spots. I'm trying to be more open about that.

The Lexington in Cambridge Crossing is also a good option (next to Lamplighter's other location). Good tap list focusing on farm to glass beers from New England/NY, good cocktails, good food. I had my rehearsal dinner there so I'm biased. You can probably hit up Toscanini's on the way back to the hotel if you like ice cream.

 

@Sheppard raises some great points about the ideal mindset on a trip like this, and the suggestion to just do what you are interested in is excellent advice. I will say that for Portland, opinions on the best spots are quite varied, and as someone who lives here, I have often found myself underwhelmed by places many people gush about, and loving places that many people will tell you to skip. It’s an amazing town with so many great options, you’re going to have a great time whatever you do.

If you are looking for something to do outside of eating and drinking, I always recommend checking out Fort Williams. It’s an absolutely beautiful park with oceanside cliffs and a picturesque lighthouse. And bonus, Bite Into Maine (same food truck that sets up at Allagash) also sells their perfect lobster rolls there.

 

I'll just pile on to the "do what interests you most" advice. There will be people who advocate for every place over another. For example, everyone is prioritizing Alchemist over hitting Schilling, yet I'd prioritize Schilling and I say that as an Alchemist lover. Schilling's a more memorable spot to me, very picturesque, and the on-site lukr pours are fantastic. Sometimes Alchemist can be as simple as picking up cans. I do love their brewery-only IPAs but sometimes there aren't many available (none when I was last there) and you can then just pick up Heady and Focal at any store.

Untimely don't sweat every detail, you can't go wrong with any of the options and looks like you have a great trip planned - enjoy!