Hill Farmstead 4th Anniversary

We packed up camp at 4AM Saturday morning and drove an hour and 45 to get in the Laweson's line. We were hung over from the Parker Pie co event and running on 6 hours of sleep over the last two nights. We enjoyed every minute of our 3 hour wait and got what we came for. We then waited 5 hours with awesome people sharing awesome beers in the Alchemist line and enjoyed that too.

We camped and drank in the rain all weekend and it couldn't have been better. The locals who overslept in their comfy beds have no excuse. You should have beat us to every beer.

Thanks to all the great locals that we hung out with! The line experience was have the experience!

 

Although I am glad to live in a place with such coveted beers and beautiful scenery, and truly appreciate that so many people from outside the area love it here and are willing to spend their hard earned money to visit and purchase our proudly local products, I cant help but feel a bit slighted at the way these events turn out.

I buy my limit of all the beers Sean Lawson puts out every week, even when its something I'm not necessarily excited about. I do this primarily out of my desire to obtain and consume world class beer, but also to make sure I am supporting the efforts of local craftspeople and farmers. The problem is when the new, coveted releases happen, my consistent local support that allows for things like Triple Sunshine to be a reality, is meaningless and I am forced to watch hundreds of out of state people and their significant others walking away with boxes full of beer while I am left to drive home empty handed and wait for reviews to post from Michigan and Philly.

I really do not want to sound bitter, or put off that shitty locals-only attitude because that is far from my intention. All I am saying is that it would be nice for some local love during these periods of hype and getting in line at 3am, but such is the way of this beer life...

I'm glad that those who came enjoyed. See you at Brewfest (except I missed out on tickets...)

 

It seems petty to be complaining that you occasionally have to share something that you have regular access to, especially when your only hurdle is the inconvenience of getting up earlier than you would normally have to.

 

I think it's funny how people neglect the fact that Vermont (my home state) is one of the smallest in both population and geographical size. It's inevitable that these releases are going to draw a number of out of staters. If you combined all of New England, it would still be smaller in size and population than a number of states.

Do people in San Diego complain about all the Northern Californians who come and scoop up all their limited releases? The only difference is the color of the license plate.

 

Nice haul PaBrewski

 

Ah yes, the eventual downfall of every VT release thread. It's not our fault VT breweries take our hard earned out-of-state dollars. You're saying you don't want to sound bitter or have a locals-only shitty attitude, but that's exactly what you are doing. I get shut out of Trillium/Jack's Abby/Treehouse/Night Shift releases all the time and would be willing to bet a good number of people who buy these special releases aren't from MA. You would receive lot more pity if all you said was "I'm pissed I didn't get some of the beers I wanted".

 

Wow guys, somebody asked a question about how locals feel about these releases and I replied with my opinion. Sure, coming off a Saturday where I was not able to get releases from two local breweries that I live 20 minutes from I am disappointed and fine, maybe a little bitter, but I am simply stating my feelings. Nobody is looking for pity, just sharing an honest local opinion however unpopular it may be.

 

Since you stated you buy your limit of Lawson's every week, shouldn't you be more receptive to spreading the love? Sharing means caring!

 

I'd love to. The limit is 1, come by around 530 on Friday and Ill split some with you!

 

Now, that's something we can all drink to! Cheers,

 

Wow, how the hell do you drink that all? I think you cleaned out half the state! I wonder why the big 3 VT beers are so hard to come by?

 

Hey I live in Vermont but am 2 1/2 hours from Waterbury. Someone living in any of the surrounding states could be less then an hour away- I am not "entitled" (and neither is anyone else) to Vermont beer just because my license plate is green. Sounds like fun- anyone going to the Brattleboro Brewers Fest? I also buy any of the big three whenever I see their beer, which isn't often.

 

I wonder the feasibility of having two different releases for things like Triple Sunshine? Split it up 75% on a Saturday like they did and then 25% of it on a mid-day evening allowing more locals the chance to buy it.

 

It's presumably pretty hard to tell that person in line at 7:00 am who's just over the 75% threshold, "Sorry, none for you this morning, try waiting in line again in a few days." And what's to stop dedicated out-of-staters from crowding out that event as well?

There was a reason all three brewers decided to have their events on the same day, and IMHO it worked out as well or better than could have been expected. Nobody appeared overwhelmed by the turnout, and anyone who wanted to hit all three "releases" could have gotten whatever they wanted with a total of maybe 4 hours of waiting in lines (and those lines were chill and fun: Loved seeing John Kimmich handing out his 'alchemy'). The brewers sold as much beer as they could and made as many people as happy as they could. Can't ask for more.

 

I've mostly given up on procuring Lawson's - if I do commit the time & effort, it's usually as gifts for others as I only drink a fraction of his beer styles anyway. So not a big deal personally. But there are just too many hoops now to jump through at these releases; only singles available in the stores; frequently lines or sell-outs occurring on a regular basis. Kinda worn out with the whole business. Sean can sell his beer however he sees fit, and I respect that - but I'm all done spending half a day on precious weekends trying to buy it as a local offering or hoping to catch the timing just right to buy a single bottle a week. Will leave it to the more highly-motivated and enjoy our other locals instead. If it comes my way without the strategizing, I will continue to enjoy it just as much, with no regrets.

 

There were 4 of us and we have really thirsty friends back here in PA!

 

I don't blame ya! I'm in Southern VT, and only get the big 3 a few times a year. I would have probably bought the full allotment if i was there and had the cash.

I too have gotten burnt out trying to keep up with the madness of weekends and these big events. To wake up ass-early and schedule your whole day around obtaining a beer takes some serious dedication. As things have gotten infinitely crazier over the past year, I would almost call the hunt to get these beers frantic and stressful.

Beer and stress are two things that should not mix!

 

It can be a bit stressful but if I go and plan on just having a good time with people in line then it makes it worth while. At least for me it does.

 

This is one of the most petty things I've ever read.

 

Welcome to 2014. I didn't want to get up at 5am either but I did. Know what you're getting yourself into and don't complain if you didn't prepare. Look, I hate it too but, if it is what you have to do... you do it or you don't. It sucks, it really does, but this is the age of craft beer in VT. Hell... this is the age of craft beer in America.