Just made a reservation at Hen of the Woods that night too. Saw that Blackback was open until 1030 on Wednesdays, so will head over there after dinner.
that’ll be an amazing night in Waterbury. Just to cut down on what’s already a lot of driving I’d pick Alchemist over Lawson’s.
pretty perfect two days. You will prob wind up with a little less time than you want at one of HF/alchemist/FF, but it’s definitely doable. And Bella’s is a great stop!! I’m generally on the “go to Lawson’s” train but it adds a sneaky amount of driving with how much you’re trying to fit in so it’s a reasonable pass, I don’t disagree with prioritizing the others.
We’re 2 weeks ahead of you. Looking at the foilage reports, we should be there at or around just before peak. Getting excited for this trip. We’ll be in SEA for 3 days the week before our New England Foilage/beercation trip.
We’ll be staying in the Stowe area for our first night. Some recs for dinner in Stowe. Nothing fancy. A good smash burger or similar with a good taplist would be fine. Also, The closes at 7. Is it busy during the weekday from 5-7? I was planning to go the next day when they open before driving to HF.
I'll throw in a recommendation for The Backyard just across the street from Doc Ponds https://backyardvt.com/
Is there any bottle shops in Stowe, Portland or along the way where I can buy single cans? I’m planning to buy a few 4pks at the breweries like Lawson and Alchemist, but hoping to limit some of the others I will be visiting like HF & Treehouse. I would like to bring cans back from them but buy a 4pk from each place is way too much.
I'd stock up in Portland. NH is kind of a desert for distribution. https://www.beeradvocate.com/place/city/15/
You can only get Tree House and HF at the source so, no, you won't find them in singles elsewhere and you are stuck with 4 or 6 packs from TH and HF directly unless you buy one of the pre-determined mixed cases at Tree House (but then you have a mixed case to fit in your luggage).
Just a heads-up from a local: a persistent severe drought in VT & NH is causing the foliage to either color up 2 weeks early (like now) or else it is pale rather than brilliant this year. Was at Schilling's Oktoberfest in NH last weekend, and it's fully peaked there already. Champlain Valley around Burlington is farther behind. It's an unusual year due to the drought. But the beer is as awesome as ever!
Was in BlackBack earlier this week and they had Skadoosh Citra on tap which was completely unique and amazing - straight cannabis in a glass. Last year I happened upon a Heady anniversary beer on tap at BB. Aside from HotW - BB is one of the very few places you will find an Alchemist draft pouring outside of the brewery. Making this place a priority on your trip is a must - cheers and safe travels.
Looking try my first maple infused beer while in Vermont. Any recommendations on style & which brewery would have it on tap? Looks like Lawson’s Finest has some on tap. Also looking to bring back some maple syrup. And info on what to look for?
For maple syrup - you will find local stuff in every GS and grocery store you come upon. You will have options based on when the syrup was made during the season - dark and stronger flavors early and light and delicate flavors later in the early spring. Amber is typically the most expensive I think. If you are going to HF I would recommend checking out the Willeys GS for all of your MS needs - but honestly you can’t go wrong almost anywhere.
We have to postpone our fall foilage/beer road trip due to health issues in family. I will pick this up sometime early next year. Thanks for all the recs. Same plans but it’ll have be sometime next year. Cheers.
Having a friend that lives in Burlington, driving down to MD. Need beer gift recommendations for a friend, what are some of the best DIPAs they should be able to find in Burlington to bring to MD? I’ve already recommended that they stop at Tree House in Saratoga Springs and Fidens in Albany, but both of those may not be open if she leaves Burlington early in the AM. Is Focal Banger sold in stores in Burlington? My friend has been up to Vermont probably 6-7 trips so he’s experienced most all Vermont has to offer for craft beer. Wish HF was easier to get (assuming still not sold in Burlington).
