I'm down in NJ but probably Heady is the best DIPA that is up there. Likely they have access to any NEIPAs that are otherwise on shelf. Might tack on 30 min or so but Hidden river makes great NEIPAs in PA, it's brewery only. They are certainly hazy. Going thru CT getting some NE brewing fuzzy baby ducks is an option as well (single ipa, VT style not fully hazy). They often have a double ipa version as well, fuzzy though it's the one with distro i believe not the double. Given route options those are front of my mind. Getting over to Bakes on NJ shore would be a huge detour. Tonewood in NJ closer to Philly with pretty good distro makes fuego, which is similar in qualities to fuzzy but leans closer to "fully hazy. " Philly is great for lagers but otherwise shelf NEIPAs, nothing worth the traffic likely to be in that area unless lagers (human robot) are a good bet, as their IPAs are ok but not really their focus. Years ago tired hands and other half would be recs but they're on shelves thru the mid Atlantic/ northeast and both have lost a step generally.
Without a clue what route they’d be taking, since you mentioned Albany and Saratoga Springs, if they happen to go anywhere near Obercreek Brewing Company I’ve heard nothing but great things. They have limited hours and variety though.
They are very good but can releases are fri noon onwards till still out. If timing is good and route is ok I agree wholeheartedly. Especially if they have a quartet series release. Usually cans of DIPAs sell out sat early to mid afternoon from my understanding but I've only been a few times and only got cans when I came by lunch Saturday. A popular collaboration might not make it much into Saturday or at all depending but I think that only happened once recently. They do crowlers but they're not co2 purged.
Obercreek isn’t going to work, they are driving down on a Monday and they appear closed Mon-Wed. They live In Burlington so was looking for new brewery options locally in stores there. How about Focal and Crusher cans? Are they sold in stores in Burlington?
Booking something for the spring for a Christmas present. Burlington stay, Waterbury/Stowe day-trip (Ben & Jerry's, Alchemist are the two top priorities). Two questions: 1.) Eating options: Food at Alchemist or is one of the Waterbury pubs that have great tap lists also good at food? I've never been to any of these places (including Alchemist and I'm stoked for the hand-pulled Heady). 2.) Freak Folk: If I'm more of a west coaster at heart with regard to IPAs, do I still pop in and grab their stuff? (asking this early because the "gift" will be the announcement of the trip, but the tangible gift will be a gift card or something to one of those places)
Blackback Pub in Waterbury for the tap list and food. Worth a stop in at Freak Folk as it's right around the corner from Blackback. Looks like Alchemist has a pop up food truck through the winter, no food otherwise, but worth checking if a new one is there for your timing. Easily found on their website.
Food at Alchemist is a permanent food truck. Food is good, but IMO, there are better options nearby in Stowe, like The Bench. Otherwise, Blackback Pub sounds like what you're looking for. One thing to know about Freak Folk is they have a strict no kids/no dogs policy. Not sure if that'll impact you at all, but I know it catches some people by surprise. As far as their beer, its not all hazies. Some of the best stuff they brew isn't even hoppy. Their mixed fermentation beers are all well above average, as is almost everything they brew.
Obercreek would also be very out of the way on that route. Given the I-87 path, I think you hit the two best options on the way. As said, Heady and Focal will be everywhere before they leave.
f' them kids. JK. I don't care, but not impactful to me. I'll look into the menu on some of the Stowe places too.
Mule Bar in Winooski also has an epic-tap list. Just outside of Burlington. Winooski Beverage is also worth a stop.
