Making The VT Beer Scene Even Better

Discussion in 'New England' started by polarbear14, May 5, 2015.

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  1. polarbear14

    polarbear14 Initiate (0) May 11, 2012 Vermont

    At the outset of 2015 I was chatting with a friend about what new things we hoped to see this year related to beer in Vermont. A few of these things, such as crowlers and broader distribution, are occurring. Others are unlikely or impractical. I'm curious what would make your Vermont beer experience better. Another hotel in Waterbury? More breweries in Southern VT? More cans? High ABV beers in pony bottles? Whether you are a local or a traveler what ideas big or small, practical or insane are kicking around your head?
     
    #1 polarbear14, May 5, 2015
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  2. CTBeerPope

    CTBeerPope Initiate (0) Jan 30, 2012 Connecticut

    The scene is already amazing and inspirational so it's hard to say anything is lacking from my point of view. The only thing, and this is coming from a CT person, I'd enjoy seeing is maybe some central Vermont caliber breweries in other parts of Vermont including, but not limited to, Southern Vermont.
     
    #2 CTBeerPope, May 5, 2015
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  3. Janeinma

    Janeinma Initiate (0) May 24, 2009 Massachusetts

    Vermont paving the road up to Hill Farmstead. I cant think of anything else Vermont could do better well apart from helping the alchemist get up and running as fast as possible.
     
    #3 Janeinma, May 5, 2015
    timotao, concealed, woodfinish and 1 other person like this.
  4. Evmo31

    Evmo31 Initiate (0) Feb 3, 2015 Connecticut

    A high speed train that could get me from CT to central VT/ NEK in less than two hours. And serve cans of heady on the ride. Also HF canning their IPAs. Seriously though, it seems like lotteries/ ticket systems are going to end up being the only practical way for some of these great breweries to sell their more rare beer, no matter how much they want to grow, demand will probably always outweigh supply. I would just like to see breweries like alchemist, lawsons, even hill improve how they go about releasing their beer. The focal release party was awesome. Only roughly 30% of people who entered won though. The last lawsons release sounds like it went as smooth as possible minus the ticket site crash ordeal. I know its impossible to make everyone happy, but I'm sure there is room for improvement.
     
    #4 Evmo31, May 5, 2015
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  5. HeyHayward

    HeyHayward Initiate (0) Dec 13, 2013 New York

    There are plenty in Stowe, literally the next town over.
     
    #5 HeyHayward, May 5, 2015
  6. SupremePie

    SupremePie Initiate (0) Sep 30, 2012 Vermont

    Theres a new Marriott being built in waterbury right now...
     
    #6 SupremePie, May 5, 2015
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  7. celfan

    celfan Savant (1,060) Jul 4, 2004 Vermont
    Trader

    Whatever Hill Farmstead is doing with their growler fills - I'd like to see some of the other breweries follow suit. Is it a nitrogen co2 thing? The stop cap rather than screw on lid? Whatever it is, the beer tastes great when you get home and
    an unopened growler can last weeks with great carbonation. I 've tried taping the standard lids and it's just not the same.

    I'd like to make growler runs and stock up a bit.
     
    #7 celfan, May 5, 2015
  8. zstef99

    zstef99 Initiate (0) Dec 25, 2008 New York

    Lost Nation has a counter pressure fill system. They claim their growlers last for weeks (months?). And the beer is great too.
     
    #8 zstef99, May 5, 2015
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  9. duchessedubourg

    duchessedubourg Savant (1,181) Nov 2, 2007 Vermont

    Some enterprising local should get a car service up & running around Waterbury/Stowe. Would be doing a public service keeping drinkers off the road, and could likely make some good money (as long as the fares are paid up font!)
     
    #9 duchessedubourg, May 5, 2015
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  10. youbrewidrink

    youbrewidrink Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2009 Vermont

    Sorry, I want a time machine to go back in time when the Alchemist was a brew pub, change is not always the best answer!
     
    #10 youbrewidrink, May 5, 2015
    makisupapolice14, timotao, concealed and 6 others like this.
  11. t8000shx

    t8000shx Zealot (588) Mar 2, 2004 New York
    Trader

    Great idea. Maybe I'm overestimating the market, but it certainly seems as if there's a profitable business to be had in cobbling together a reliable, easy-to-use car service in that neck of the woods.
     
    #11 t8000shx, May 5, 2015
  12. FFreak

    FFreak Savant (1,065) Nov 10, 2013 Vermont

    Distribution of VT brew north of the greater Burlington area would be nice. Other than 14th Star, it's pretty much a wasteland up here.
     
    #12 FFreak, May 5, 2015
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  13. jomobono

    jomobono Savant (1,148) Mar 12, 2012 Massachusetts

    Uber
     
    #13 jomobono, May 5, 2015
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  14. polarbear14

    polarbear14 Initiate (0) May 11, 2012 Vermont

    A few more bouncing around my head: more RIS (regular and barrel aged) from Otter Creek as well as a limited return of Stovepipe Porter. I'd be curious to see how it stacks up today. An alternative to Farmhouse in Burlington. I love FH and Mule Bar but aside from the bar at Juniper or Finnigans there aren't many truly great tap lists in the city or Winooski. Would love to see more Backacre and other sours grow.

    I'm curious what folks thing about the seasonality/timing of events and releases. I heard a VT tourism official say a while back that they have hesitated to do any specific beer related marketing because demand is already so tight. They don't want to encourage folks to come to Vt and not be able to find any beer. The most that seems to be occurring is nudging event organizers to consider shoulder seasons. Since most BA folks seem to swing through VT regardless of season does time of year play in at all to when you plan a trip?
     
    #14 polarbear14, May 6, 2015
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  15. skivtjerry

    skivtjerry Pooh-Bah (1,865) Mar 10, 2006 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    It hurts to say this, because I have tremendou
    You're close to Montreal. Stop whining.
     
    #15 skivtjerry, May 6, 2015
  16. polarbear14

    polarbear14 Initiate (0) May 11, 2012 Vermont

    What's your assessment of 1st Republic? Both quality wise and potential for growth?
     
    #16 polarbear14, May 6, 2015
  17. Flashy

    Flashy Pooh-Bah (1,767) Oct 22, 2003 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    And south of Burlington ditto.
     
    #17 Flashy, May 6, 2015
  18. chipawayboy

    chipawayboy Pooh-Bah (2,181) Oct 26, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Keep it the same -- it's nirvana at the moment.
     
    #18 chipawayboy, May 6, 2015
  19. MattXT

    MattXT Initiate (0) Nov 23, 2010 Virginia

    I'd like to see everything moved to, say, Bennington. That way I don't have to drive so dang far, and they still have some pretty mountains to look at. This plan sounds perfectly reasonable.:rolling_eyes:
     
    #19 MattXT, May 6, 2015
    Flashy likes this.
  20. FFreak

    FFreak Savant (1,065) Nov 10, 2013 Vermont

    I've seen their amber ale on draft for growlers in Minors Country store in Fairfax, but I haven't tried it. Other than that, I haven't seen their beer anywhere else.
     
    #20 FFreak, May 6, 2015
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