Dear beer enthousiasts, In a couple of weeks we will visit the New England area from the Netherlands. It's not our first time to the States, however it is our first time to this beautiful area! Our routing is Boston (MA) - Portland (ME), Lincoln (NH), Jacksonville (VT), Burlington (VT), Ticonderoga (NY), Albany (NY) to end in New York City (not the first time). Some breweries on our list are Alagash in Portland, Hill Farmstead in Greensboro, The Alchemist in Stowe and Fidens in Albany. Because of a lack of time I am wondering what breweries definitely not to miss on this route. Other great recommendations of taprooms, bottle shops or whatever are very welcome! Thank you very much! Cheers, Raymond
You’re going to 4 of the best, so all good picks so far. I would add in Notch (in Boston, mostly lagers and all excellent), Tree House (assuming you know this one if you’re hitting Fidens, near Boston but probably most easily hit on your way to NY), and Suarez (1 hr from Albany, incredible mixed ferm stuff and lagers). If someone were to say what are the 7 best breweries in the area, those would be my 7 and they’re all more or less right on your path.
If you're going from Stowe to Burlington, you'll go through Waterbury. Worth stopping at Blackback Pub for one of the best draft lists in the country, and Freak Folk brewery, which is basically right next door.
Depending on how much time you have in Portland, I'd suggested hitting Novare Res. Allagash is a good stop, especially since there are 4 other breweries (Foundation, Definitive, Battery Steele, Austin Street) within walking distance. Foundation has great Detroit style pizza. Depending on your route out of Maine, I'd suggest detouring to Ebenezer's in Lovell, ME. It's a Belgian beer bar with a great restaurant. Plus, Chef Chris has an insane cellar with lots of old money beers on offer. Lincoln, NH is a great vacation town, but the beer there is ok. I'd recommend Woodstock Inn & Brewery over One Love... better beer and food. As you head north to Hill Farmstead, it might be worth stopping in Littleton for Schiling for their huge portfolio of lagers.
Working on a similar trip in the fall of 2025, so I'll go ahead and share a google map Im working on, that could give you some more ideas or options. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bk3kVJmWmXqHT3Pz8 As far as what not to miss I would add Foam - Burlington Bissel - Portland Oxbow - Portland Maine Beer Co - 20min drive north of Portland
you can probably miss Foam. They’ve been hit or miss for a while, largely falling into the latter. Their taproom has a fantastic location though.
Thank you all for the recommendations. As I already have seen, we have to little time to visit all the beautiful stuff of the New Engeland area. After our trip we have to come back to visit Tree House (unfortunately it's too far away from our route) and RI and CT. On our way from Albany to New York we have time to visit one brewery, 'cause we have tickets for the Giants game, starting at 7pm. Would you recommend either Hudson Valley in Beacon, or District 96 beer factory in New City?
