What to get besides Heady Topper?

you are talking about a geographical wide swath of land... maybe if you narrow it down a bit, we can better help you.

If they stop in Portland, Allagash often has some nice brewery only beers

 

Anything from Fiddlehead or Foley Brothers in Vermont.

 

14th Star cans.

 

VT-Foley Brothers, Rock Art, Fiddlehead. ME--Allagash, Oxbow, Rising Tide, Maine Beer Co.

 

Imagine guiding a parent or someone that could give a shit about fancy beer, through waiting in line at Beverage Warehouse or some beer release.

 

Lost Nation could be a good option if they're in the area. Should be easy to grab cans/bottles and they can enjoy an excellent meal while they're there.

IMO, skip Heady, it's too much of a pain for what it is at this point.

 

Are they willing to hit breweries and bottle shops?

 

Sip of Sunshine, if their travels coincide with a store's delivery schedule.

Also, how are they going through VT, RI, and ME and not going through MA? Are they flying to each destination? If not, and they are going through MA, Tree House and/or Trillium should be at the top of the list.

 

In RI get Captain's Daughter. In Vermont (other than the big boys) I like Lost Nation and Foley Brothers. Should have little problem finding those. Can get most of MBC brews easily (Mo, Zoe, Peeper, Beer II, Another One, etc.) If in Portland area Bissell Bros./Foundation/Austin St./Allaghash all in same industrial park. Worth a trip.

 

Proclamation Ale Co. They are RI's best.

 

Although that time of year the may find it in the coolers...after peepers before skiers.

 

Dang, I lived in Narragansett for 10 years and there were no local breweries (late 90's)...Will have to check that one out!

 

While they're driving around VT, note that I've had my best luck picking up Fiddlehead and 14th Star at the various gas stations/country stores that dot the state.

Some random Irving station south of Montpelier wouldn't take my credit card at the pump, so I had to bring it inside. And lo there were at least a few cases worth of six day-old 14th Star Tribute in the fridge (wiped out at Hunger Mountain, natch).

 

I'm a fan of their Maple Breakfast Stout, not sure if you can get it year round...

Proclamation is damn good, and 10 min from them is Tilted Barn Brewery in Exeter. They're a little hop farm that brews small scale. Open from 1-4 on Saturdays only and make some great beers. Highly recommend them!

 

I think it is. It was around when I was in Waterbury for the Super Bowl and I just picked up some in Woodstock last weekend.

 

Agreed that the beer I've had from Tilted Barn is top notch. However, they only sell growlers, that might not work so well for the OP's parents.

 

Larry is a decent brew from Wachusett Brewery in Westminster MA (Northern Worcester County). Also the Gardner Ale House in Gardner MA (only about 15 minutes from Westminster) puts out some solid beverages such as Facelift IPA, but they would probably be in growlers as well. Spencer Trappist is also a winner, but pricey at about 15.00 a 4 pack.

 

I'll second the Lost Nation recommendation. Got the Gose and Mosaic IPA cans last week and both are great. Wish I could get those in MA.

 

Sip of sunshine is distributed in CT and VT Shouldn't be too hard to find they post the delivery schedule to store on their website.