Base for Vermont Beer Trip

if beer is 100% the focus of your trip, then Waterbury or Stowe are where you want to stay

 

Old Stagecoach Inn, in Waterbury, for the win. You have three awesome bars and a killer bottle shop within a 1-2 block walk. Though, they may not have space on such short notice, who knows. I was just up there last week into the weekend but we booked well in advance. Chatting with some guys there at the bar, they could not get a room there as they were booked solid.

 

Waterbury. Stayed there a few weeks back, bars/pubs with awesome tap lists all right together. Craft Beer Cellar right there too. Very central to travel to other breweries and/or Burlington/Montpelier. Waterbury more laid back than Burlington to me.

 

Definitely worth it. American Flatbread (Zero Gravity) and The Farmhouse are great spots in Burlington. You can hit Burlington Beer Co. too which is just outside of downtown. Also, don't sleep on Three Penny Taproom in Montpelier.

 

Try the Pine St. Beer Amble in Burlington. 4 breweries and a cidery all along Pine St. within a 2-mile radius. Great way to spend the day, and eats aplenty.

 

Yes, Burlington is worth a visit. We did a day trip, easy drive from Waterbury. Stopped in a few breweries in/around Burlington, then drove down to Shelburne to visit Fiddlehead at the end of that day.

 

We stayed in basement apartment of a family home when stayed there, about 2 miles outside downtown Waterbury, just off 89, found on VRBO, perfect size for 1 or 2. Owner even made a Heady/Lawsons run for me before I arrived and had it stocked in the fridge (I paid him for beer, but was a nice gesture for him to pick up). If any interest, let me know. Not sure if he's booked for next week or not.

 

Also going to VT next week (9/16 - 9/17). Staying at the The Old Stagecoach.

I hear Parker pie is the place to stop on the way back from HF.

 

Parker Pie is maybe 25 minutes north of HF though. Certainly not on the way "back" from HF, but not too far out of the way I guess.

 

Does Lost Nation or Rock Art have food?

 

Lost Nation has great, inexpensive food, and the new pub in Stowe called Doc Ponds has an awesome taplist, with terrific food served starting at 5pm. No food to speak of at Rock Art - just a tasting room.

 

If you're coming back down 91, get off about 2 1/2 hours down at exit 2 in Brattleboro for Whetstone Station - great taps and food on the patio over the Connecticut River.

 

Let's be honest - a lot of people who come up here on beer vacations are driving drunk, at least legally. Most people won't get in trouble, but some will. I was driving back home from Waterbury a couple of weeks ago and I got pulled over for something non drinking related. I had two cans of Heady over an hour and half - and let me tell you that when I saw state trooper car with the blue lights flashing my nuts went right up my body cavity. I don't know if I had enough to be legally drunk, I don't think so but who knows. It doesn't take much. A lot went through my head as the trooper walked to my car. Arrest record, picture in the paper, giant fine, never being able to go to Canada again etc. Trooper talked to me and left, nothing asked about drinking. A lesson learned.

I've been to all the drinking areas in Vermont. Waterbury is best place for drinking anyway. Staying at the Stagecoach and walking back and forth to the bars is a no brainer. Peace of mind.

 

People should take note of this. I see people posting all the time of all this driving and drinking they are doing. It's just not worth it. I've been the DD on trips up north and only go to have 1 beer. But I'd rather wait until I get home then trash my life.

 

Walk & Drink routes are becoming popular in VT - Waterbury set the bar, but now we've also got the Pine St. Circuit in Burlington, and now even my town of Richmond has the Ramble: Hatchet Taproom, Stone Corral Brewery, and 3 other places with food & taps, all within a walkable half-mile and family-friendly. Even a B&B in town. Park your car, tour these places on foot, and stay safe & legal. We want you to return!

 

Was just in Waterbury this past weekend and noticed a Fairfield Inn & Suites is being built just up the road from the Best Western. Should be a welcome addition.