Hill Farmstead (2024)

Appreciate the thoughtful notes. I got the feeling from the website that the draft list wasn't particularly impressive, but it sounds like the bottle list is really where it's at. We'd be there at opening on 9/25, so I'd venture to guess you're right about it being quiet. I think 3 Penny might be missed this time around, but I did manage to visit several years back when doing a similar trip. Willey's may just have to be added to the itinerary.

Thanks for the feedback. It's really more of a timing issue. The hours at HF aren't particularly great, so it really has to be worked in. As I stated, we aren't so much interested in the brewery as we are the beer itself, so I figured if there was a good selection somewhere with hours/days that fit better, then maybe it wouldn't be a bad substitute. It sounds like this is not the case.

I'm not so worried about pushing things off the itinerary, it's only that we're leaving Burlington Wednesday with a stop at Schilling while heading on to Portland. Aiming to do lunch at Schilling, so it sounds like it might be worth it to make that a late lunch, instead.

Thanks for the input!

Based on this and what @chipawayboy mentioned, it sounds like the brewery exclusive options are a lot more impressive than what I previously suspected. Thanks for helping to put me straight on this.

 

Echoing everyone else's comments, a visit to HF is a must if you enjoy barrel aged saisons/farmhouse beers and stouts. Those beers are rarely, if ever, available outside of the brewery. And IMO, those are the beers that make HF really stand out. I know you say that the actual setting isn't what you're after, but it definitely lends to the whole aesthetic and experience. Going on a Wednesday at opening is one of the best times/days to go. Usually Wednesday is when they pour the rarer beers since its not usually super busy (unless there's a special bottle release that day). One thing to mention though...going to HF at 11:30 when they open, you'll want to stay at least 60-90 minutes. That wouldn't get you to Schilling until about 2.

 

Thanks for the tip! Sounds like only being able to fit it in on Wednesday morning will turn out to be a boon. We all enjoy all of those styles. I admittedly missed that the bottle selection was so large when taking a look at the website. We're certainly not opposed to the brewery experience and I'm sure we'll enjoy it. This is something of repeat trip we did several years back (when we definitely couldn't make it to HF), so we're familiar with the drive to Schilling and prepared for a late lunch if we decide to hit HF. We actually rearranged things this time around to at least give ourselves the possibility of hitting HF, and by all accounts it sounds like we'd be crazy not to.

 

Hill Farmstead is the only brewery I go out of my way to visit because the beer and experience is just that good. I made my yearly visit last week and it was perfect other than the numerous loud dogs. There was even some in the taproom which supposedly isn’t allowed. Entitled dog owners are out of control.

 

I went last week too. It was fantastic. Basically no wait in the taproom for pours and bottles, and I only had one person in front of me when we went into the bottle shop. It was an exceptional experience. Still, I won’t visit on a Saturday. I learned that years ago.

Down in Stowe, the Alchemist was great too. Wait for beer was nonexistent or only seconds long. Went to Freak Folk on Wednesday, which was quiet (and very good, I might add).

 

Alchemist can be a utter clusterfuck if there's some kind of cycling event going through town. Check the local calendars for them shenanigans.

 

Heading back to Mecca. Making the pilgrimage for the second (third? Because I went last year twice on back to back dayS) time. Looking to stock up heavily, obviously. Getting at least one pack of every can and the classic bottles. I also have a visit to fidens, alchemist, and treehouse planned on this trip so need to budget somewhat.

I was hoping to get some HF merch while I’m
There. Last year when I was there I think they had a wine glass but I was so mesmerized by the whole experience I forgot to ask for one. A glass and a t-shirt would be cool. Anyone know if those are on offer?

 

They haven't had glassware in a while, but they have a few different t-shirts and hoodies now.

 

This question is not directly related to hill farmstead, but indirectly for sure. Anyone know if blackback offers half pours? I'll be hitting them up for lunch on a Tuesday and their draft list is just toooo deep for me to try everything I want. Granted I will be visiting Hill farmstead the following day, so I'll monitor the HF draft/growler list and see if there's anything still lingering at blackback that's no longer at the brewery. Will also use this as an opportunity to score some other VT goodies outside of HF and alchemist - maybe river roost or freak folk if I'm lucky. Freak folk taproom unfortunately is getting cut from my itinerary since I'll be around mostly when they're closed, but also their taproom is 21+ and Ill be dragging the kiddos. Love em, but cant wait to leave them buggers behind and take an adult beer trip when I'm 50 lol.

 

Pretty sure they do. And as far as checking the boxes, they usually have a couple River Roost, and craft beer cellar across the street has a decent chance of having a couple Freak Folk bottles.

 

They do offer half pours, well they have every year we've gone for the past 8 years at least; unless it has changed they do not advertise it on the price list but they definitely do if you ask.

 

There has been 4 new can releases every week for the past 3 weeks. I've been eyeing the retail updates. My trip isn't for another 6 weeks, but just following trends and getting excited already. I haven't seen 4 cans, let alone back to back to back like this. Wonder if there's been an increase in production volume recently? Usually its been 2-3 cans per week ,and maaaybe a bottle per week on average (sometimes skipping a week, but some weeks releasing 2).

To note the trend. 2 of the 4 cans from 2 weeks ago are still available. A DIPA and Lager, but the 2 single IPAS are gone. All 4 from 1 week ago are still available. There are currently 9 cans available on the menu, and that hasn't been update with the 4 new ones, so that's possibly 13 cans next week when they open on Wednesday, unless they sell out of something on their last day of business on Sunday. Love that variety. Hope it sticks around all summer.

 

Thanks for letting me know. And craft beer cellar, which I just found out was renamed to VT beer collective or something also has some draft now too. So hell yeah the walk across the street is a no-brainer.

On another note, the food at blackback looks great. I hadn't peeped the (food) menu until recently. Seems very Asian fusion inspired. If I could sum up the menu in an other half beer it would be All Gochujang Everything, lol.

 

get the pub nachos -- w/maple syrup and bacon - they are unique and an absolute BB classic.

 

Sounds awesome I will def

 

New co-owner & head chef Cory is killing it with the new menu. Inspired by cuisines from all over the world - Asian, Middle Eastern, and the old favorites like those nachos, too.

 

FoFA was absolutely excellent. Incredible weather, completely manageable crowd size/line situation, fantastic tap list, and great food options. Particularly huge fan of the $10 jasper hill sampler plates, which we did twice. Vera 17 immediate HoF short list entry for me. And good to tick two more CDs (14 was the must try for me but 17 was the better and one of the best I’ve had, easily one of the most elite beers of the day). Didn’t have art but was an easy choice with the no line options to start the day.

 

Only complaint was that there was such a small amount of Poetica. The last few FoFAs there was a lager on pretty much the entire even, but it is indeed a festival of farmhouse ales…

All the beers were good; In Between Dreams was a treat to try and the vintage Nordic Saison might’ve been my favorite beer of the day.

I’d have to disagree with you on the weather being incredible - it was hot!

 

Agreed, it was way too hot! Not the usual weather for this area. I had a great time, but obviously not much anyone can do about the heat and humidity (at least it didn't rain!).

This was my first FOFA and it didn't disappoint. Had a blast with old and new friends and got to revisit a lot of beers I hadn't had in years. My highlights for the day were Nordic '16, Sue '17 (this was incredible!), Samuel b3 and In Between Dreams. I must have gotten lucky with a Poetica cask pour - it was great! Pretty cool to try a new unreleased batch of Art (magnum pour, bottled in 2022 - it was good, but tasted really young) and also the second 3F collab (Resonance 2). Got there a little late so I had to choose between waiting in line for the new Art or Arthur 2012 (which I think was b1). But aside from that, I got to try everything I wanted and then some.

Between FOFA and recently lucking into Art b4 and Flora Cuvee b1 onsite, it's been a great time for vintage beers at HF.

 

I thought the resonance they handed out upon entry (b2) was a little better than the one at station 1 (b1) but I wonder if that was just going in w a completely blank slate to start the day.

Getting to try all the old stuff, I thought 2013 Sankt was the standout of the three ancient ones (2012 Arthur and 2013 soigne being the other two). I was a little surprised by the older Clara - every 2+ year old bottle I’ve had of it has absolutely exploded w Brett, but the one they had one still tasted surprisingly clean to me at 9!! years old.