Hiking & Weekend in VT

I don't think any of the bars along Killington Rd will mind a stinky hiker, but I honestly wouldn't expect to find any special on tap at any of them.

You're best bet would be Jax, best they usually have on tap during the season is Fiddlehead IPA.

As far as bottle shops close by, there is nothing in Killington. The Killington Market may have Maine Beer bottles, but just be sure to check the dates on them.

 

Foley Brothers in Brandon is close and has great beer.

 

nothing easier than hitting the Inn at the Long Trail. Been a few years since i've been there, but was about the best you'll find in the area for tap list (but guessing you'll be happy with just about anything cold & refreshing at that point)...maybe Jax has a better tap list, but then you'll be heading in the wrong direction...Hillside is a quick hitch or hike down the road from Inn at LT. Bottle shop will be harder sans vehicle....but as mentioned the Killington market will be closest. On the otherhand, if you can catch a bus down into Rutland, then Terrill St. Bev is the best in the area.

 

I think trying to do both the Burlington-area breweries and HF in the same day would be a lot of driving, as well as not leaving much room for anything else. If you're Montpelier or Waterbury based, Lost Nation is a great stop on the way to or from HF without much of a detour.

Also, when you're driving around, don't neglect to stop in at the various general stores that dot the landscape. They often have some of the best local stuff that flies off the shelves at the better-known places. Over Memorial Day, for example, I hit upon a substantial supply of Second Fiddle at the Moretown General Store.

 

Where are you planning on stopping your Hike along the AT?

If you're planning to stop when you hit Route 4 in Killington, you'll be right by the Long Trail Inn. Otherwise if you stop at Coopers Lodge, you could hike down the Killington ski trails and directly onto the Killington access road. Follow that down past the bars as well as the market to the Hillside Inn.

 

I've never stayed in Montpelier, but I'm a big fan of Waterbury if you can find a place to stay within walking distance of the "big 3". The Old Stagecoach is great (albeit a bit shabby). I feel like the Pro Pig / Rez / Blackback crawl is a must-do, and it's more fun if you don't have to drive afterwards.

 

Waterbury has more to do beer-wise than Montpelier. In addition to the Old Stagecoach, the Best Western is also walkable to the Waterbury bars.

 

Just recently got back from VT, stayed just outside Waterbury and loved it. Pro Pig, Blackback, and Reservoir are all right there together, excellent tap lists, and Craft Beer Cellar is right there too. Definitely recommend stay in that area if you can. Also, went by Lost Nation and Rock Art on way to Hill Farmstead (LN and Rock Art are only a couple minutes from each other, I really enjoyed the Notch Hopper and Limited Access DIPA I had at Rock Art). Have a great trip!

 

I understand that you're staying at the Hillside Inn, but it isn't as easy as walking down Rt 100 to the hotel. Depending on where you exit on Rt. 100 you could be hiking up Sherburne Pass and then up part of the Killington Access Rd to get to the Hillside Inn.

An easier option to get to the Inn and not really cut a significant portion of the would be to exit the AT at Coopers Lodge onto the Killington Ski Trails. This way you would really be walking down to the Inn.

Just a different option.

 

Depending on what days you may be in Waterbury, you could find SoS and Heady. Lawson's delivers to Craft Beer Cellar on Tuesdays, Heady comes on Wednesdays (I got some at Waterbury Village Market around 9 am Weds morning, missed the CBC delivery which they say usually goes on sale after lunch on Weds). You will definitely find Fiddlehead, Hill Farmstead, Lawson's all on tap and Heady cans at the Pig, Blackback, and Reservoir. You may even run across an Alchemist Focal Banger too. Do the HF trip instead of Fiddlehead in my opinion.

 

Regarding Lawson's SOS - I just missed it at the Warren Store last Friday afternoon, which was Labor Day weekend. Picked up Lawson's Super Session #2 instead. You might have better luck seeing that its not a holiday weekend and not yet leaf peeper season, but it is about 25 minutes from Waterbury. Others may be able to share Friday locations for SOS closer to Waterbury.

 

School is back in session, things eased up a good bit last weekend, definitely check places that don't sell cases...it could last awhile.

 

I will also be at HF on Saturday, then to Waterbury. You should be able to find Heady in Stowe, not all the stores sell out on the arrival date, I have gotten some on Saturday in my past.

Figured I would ask a question in here about bottle shippers. Anyone know where they can be bought in Waterbury?