I'm going on a trip to Boston in September, and I thought I would route through Vermont to pick up some beers I've never had: Alchemist, Lawson's, and HF at the top of the list. I'm looking for recommendations for other places I should think about hitting up along the way. Google Maps says to drive north from NYC, where I live, on I-87 before veering into Vermont, then hooking around HF to catch the I-93 to Boston via Manchester, NH. Anything along that route would be great. General recommendations for excellent beers available in stores in upstate NY, Vermont, and NH would also be fine, specifically rarities I probably can't get here in the city. But that's probably too big a request (and I have done a bit of research, just looking for BA opinions), so I'll appreciate any kind of advice. Thanks.
Tree house in Brimfield, Mass is one place. Only open 9 hours a week, but great atmosphere and nice people. Jack's Abby is always solid, they're the best lager makers out right now. Also Blue Lobster in Hampton, NH is great. Their Gold Claw is one of the best APA's in New England. You can get growlers at all those places, but Tree House & Jack's Abby will only fill their own branded growlers (Per Mass law.) If you take 91 south from VT and then get onto I-90 East you'll be able to hit Tree House and then keep going east from there and you can hit Jack's Abby. Then you can follow I-90 east to 95 north and hit Portsmouth and Hampton. Lots of driving though.
When in VT, try to stop by Lost Nation. Lost Nation is in Morrisville, VT, which is about 25 min north of Waterbury. They do have a small lunch menu and the food was pretty good. Beer was good too. Def worth the stop.
Good stuff here. If you end up looping out to Portsmouth also check out Earth Eagle (right around the corner from Portsmouth Brewery). Throwback (hit or miss for me, but very nice folks) is also right up the road from Blue Lobster.
For Vermont Heading north on I-89 Montpelier - Hunger Mt Co-op bottles, Three Penny Taproom drinks Waterbury - Alchemist Heady Topper, Blackback pub (HF, Lawsons on Tap) Stowe - Trapp Lager & Crop Bistro/Brewery Morrisville - Lost Nation Brewing & Rock Art Greensboro - Hill Farmstead Side trips, other non-beer related tourist stuff, more pubs, etc. at http://www.vtbeer.org/2013/06/19/vermonts-ipa-highway/ If you have a few hours to spare, I'd recommend heading into Burlington and Shelburne to hit: Fiddlehead Brewing, Zero Gravity Craft Beer (AmFlat Bread), Vermont Beverage Warehouse (bottles), Farmhouse Tap & Grill (Drinks). On your way back in NEK, you could also hit: Newport - Kingdom Brewing Cabot - Grateful Hands Brewing Lydonville - Trout River Brewing & Covered Bridge Craft Brewery
Another option, if you are heading from Hill Farmstead directly towards Boston and would like grub as well: take Rt 302 east across the White Mountains and visit Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery in North Conway, NH. Nice food and I've never had a blah beer from them (excellent imperial stout during my visit last winter). From there you can take Rt. 16 south to I-95 and swing by Blue Lobster in Hampton as mentioned above.
Isn't the Gardner Ale House on the way if you take Rt. 2? Always want to stop when I do the reverse trip to MA from VT. I heard good things.
While in VT in the Hunger Mountain COOP and the beverage warehouse in Winsooki look out for Jester King, Trou Du Diable, Bruery Sours, crooked stave, Fantome and other beers that Shaun Hill is distributing into VT. oh and of course look for all the 'normal' ones like Heady, maine beer company, lawsons grassroots etc. Your wallet may never be the same again.
