I get there when I can. Every year when my wife asks where I want to go for my Birthday, I reply Blackback, though the last couple of times it coincided when they were closed. personally, I would like more focus on BA stouts and Barley Wines. There plenty of great IPAs that I can find.
Kramer and Kin has had challenges finding a permanent home up on North Hero. I manage to track them down each summer, it has been different locations the last 3 years. Good beer (not as great as FF). I was at the beer store and there continue to be a lot of their cans on the shelves, so they are still producing.
I was in the New North End in Burlington and drove by the old Simple Roots location, and there is no indication of anyone moving in. I also looked on Upper Pass’ website and there is no mention of a brewpub at all - even the old place in S Royalton or at the Simple Roots site. I’d love to see them move to Burkington
But it’s always good track them down and go there each summer. This last year, they were dominated by French Canadians speaking French.
If we’re talking Rock Art, nice brewery, really nice people, but really no food at the brewery. First Nation and Soulmate are in town, giving more options. I used to like to go to Rock Art primarily for the Vermonster (which I got for cheap in Growlers) plus their Imperial Stout plus some of their IPAs Not sure I can say it’s worth it But you’re only about 8 miles from Stowe = Alchemist, Trapp, Idletime, Doc Ponds, The Bench….
Anywhere around Greensboro that would be likely to stock some river roost in cans? I'm thinking maybe Willey's or The Genny in Craftsbury? I am likely just staying around Greensboro for my 2 nights in VT this year. Heavily considering just staying up around there and just taking it all in versus heading to stowe for a day. Last year I did it the opposite way - stayed in stowe for 3 nights and headed to Greensboro for a day. This year I am taking a one night pit stop in Littleton NH around Schilling. They have a cool inn that is walking distance from schilling and their little "downtown" area with some shops and sights. figured it would be cool to make a day of it.
I don’t know the answer. Where in NY are you coming from and what other Vermont towns will you be going through?
Anyone complete the Vermont beer challenge? Here’s a tee-shirt they sent me around 15 years ago. Interesting who is on here and who is not…
It burned down 4 (?) years ago in a terrible fire. Ray McNeil died in the fire. They had a lovely tribute to him at the Stone Church in town.
agreed! I started going in the mid-late 90's after discovering Ray at an early beer fest at Boston's WTC. He was the happy tie-dyed guy standing amidst 10-12 1/4 barrels, pouring from a duct taped together cluster of tap lines. The beer was all so fresh and felt so different from all the other craft offerings at the time. I think our group spent the second half of our session just standing around his booth, enjoying pour after pour. After that, I made many, many pilgrimages there with anyone willing to go with me. Always the 3 classic ales going on cask. The "brewery tour" was a total trip, going down those rickety stairs to a room that defied the assumption that "cleanliness" is essential to brewing good beer. He had a homemade mash-tun, a couple of fermenters, and a cold room that held 8-10 bright tanks that beer was poured from directly. He had bags of whole flower hops as big as hay bales stored on top of them. Tough to grapple with how it all ended for him and that brewery. RIP Ray.
Same, really loved Dead Horse Ale and started going up to Brattleboro several times a year to have it fresh. I remember Sunset used to have it on tap pretty regularly.
As stated above, I also miss sunset. What was the name of the beer bar that was right downtown below I think the Latchis inn? This is like 15+ years so ago. I remember them having a pretty good selection anytime we visited and a full menu. When we went back a bit after Irene hit and give some to the local business's. I remember walking in and they just seemed so dejected and I think the draft beer was more or less gone/destroyed and they were only cooking hotdogs so they could serve drinks. I felt the sadness for the town and its good people that trip. I could be a little off here but feel like for the timeframe it was pretty decent. Pre canned heady explosion.
Miss Sunset too! Fun Fact, Melissa, one of the bartenders when I used to spend too much time there, was the daughter of Big Bird/Oscar the Grouch! I don't remember the bar at Latchis but would stay there every time I went.
Melissa, I wish I could remember who she was. But I 100% remember Laney. God I loved her. Stayed there a bunch of times myself.
