Beer-flavored New England Mini-Trip Suggestions

Discussion in 'New England' started by trsC, May 25, 2021.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. trsC

    trsC Crusader (466) May 5, 2013 Spain
    Society

    Hi all --

    Am finally making it back to New England for the first time in over 18 months -- quite excited! I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions about where to go en route from Newport, RI, where this mini-trip will start, and Waterbury, VT, where this mini-trip will pivot back to Western Mass where it will culminate.

    A few years ago, I did something similar and visited Salem, which was a great time, had an absolute blast at the Notch Beer Garden, ate well, walked along the harbor and then had to backtrack because of the walkway ends, and then found 93 towards NH and VT.

    Anyway, I would be very happy to do something similar this summer, but since I've been a bit out of touch in terms of new beer spots to visit, I'm wondering if there was another little pocket I should visit. While nice beer is a bonus, I'm already going to lovely Waterville for beer and I'll be staying in the Pioneer Valley after this trip, so I'll have plenty of access to great beer anyway, so I suppose I'm more just looking for a fun little stop-off to break up the drive. Boston is great, but I don't really feel the need for a city break.

    Vague question, I know. But any suggestions to fill out the hypotenuse of the VT/WMass/RI triangle?
     
    #1 trsC, May 25, 2021
  2. LetsGoExploring

    LetsGoExploring Pooh-Bah (1,550) Apr 25, 2006 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Apponaug in Warwick, RI. Mike Webster is new brewer, was at Tree House and Fox Farm.
     
    #2 LetsGoExploring, May 25, 2021
    trsC, Newport_beerguy and Sheppard like this.
  3. papposilenus

    papposilenus Grand Pooh-Bah (3,232) Jun 21, 2014 New Hampshire
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I made this map a couple of years ago for a friend who was in no hurry to get from the south shore to Hartford...

    [​IMG]
     
    #3 papposilenus, May 25, 2021
    trsC likes this.
  4. Jwale73

    Jwale73 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Aug 15, 2007 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you can work Fox Farm into your itinerary, it will be well worth the detour.
     
    #4 Jwale73, May 25, 2021
    trsC, Sheppard and IGaveYouPower like this.
  5. IGaveYouPower

    IGaveYouPower Savant (1,070) Dec 2, 2010 New York
    Trader

    On that route I'd take a look at Keene, NH. Lots going on there. You've got West LA, Granite Roots, Branch & Blade, Modestman and Elm City. Keene also has some real good food options with Ramunto's Pizza, Odelay Taqueria and then Stage for like upscale bar food.

    Once you get to Western Mass there's a lot that's new in the last couple years. Two Weeks Notice, Vanished Valley, Kismet, Great Awakening. Not sure how long Progression or Tin Bridge have been open but both absolutely worth hitting, the former especially.
     
    #5 IGaveYouPower, May 25, 2021
    trsC, JRAP20 and Sheppard like this.
  6. Newport_beerguy

    Newport_beerguy Pooh-Bah (1,860) Feb 24, 2011 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I was on their patio last weekend, a real great hang. Plenty of area there overlooking the river, and also they built a "lodge" off to the side of the main entrance which is a walk up patio with tables and a bar for drinks and snacks only. This comes in handy because there can be a wait at dinnertime on a nice summer night.

    To @trsC, a mini RI beer trail could be had from south to north:
    Tilted Barn -> Apponaug -> Proclamation Ale -> Buttonwoods & Origin Beer Project (one space) -> Long Live Beerworks

    In terms of ranking atmosphere (not necessarily beer), I'd probably go 1) Tilted Barn, 2) Apponaug which are both awesome mainly outdoor spaces when it is nice weather. Then 3) Long Live Beerworks in Providence which has a cozy and well done interior and linear sidewalk patio. 4) Proclamation Ale: their interior is one of the best, but the small outdoor area is kind of in a dead parking lot they share. 5) Buttonwoods which has an industrial aesthetic and a tar patio out behind some loading docks.

    Photo from the recently fully opened lawn area at Tilted Barn complete with outdoor bar:

    [​IMG]
     
    #6 Newport_beerguy, May 25, 2021
    sulldaddy, trsC and LetsGoExploring like this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.