I've got a co-worker traveling to Burlington for a ski trip in the first week or two of March. I'm going to ask if he could hull back some beer. Because he's not terribly interested in craft beer, i need to make my list as detailed/accurate as possible. I'm interested in the good NE IPAs. So... 1. What of the highly acclaimed IPAs will be in stores/bars around town during that time frame (i.e. Alchemist, Lawson's, HF, Fiddlehead, etc...) 2. What beer stores would I have the best bet of finding one, or multiple, of these breweries? If i can find a convenient location where he could easily grab a case, it will increase the likelihood that he'll actually stop. I don't know much about the local breweries other than what is posted in the forums most commonly, so i'm open to other beer suggestions.
I'll leave it to the locals to give you info on the big players (plus there's a bunch of threads on this if you search around a bit), but I'll offer you one helpful tip: Have your friend buy you a couple 4 packs of Tribute DIPA by 14th Star Brewery. It's completely easy to find in that area while still being excellent.
Thanks. I see a special order area on their website. I wonder if I could reserve a case of SoS and Heady there.
They will not let you reserve those. You can purchase a case of HT Monday at 3:30 there. They get there SOS drops on Wednesday afternoons, but have a 2 4-pack/pp limit. They will sometimes get Lawson's bottles as well - check the Lawson's website before your friend goes. If you drive around Burlington and hit City Market and Pearl St. Beverage you might be able to piece together a case of SOS. 2nd the vote for Tribute - get as much of that as you can.
Ive never seen lawsons bottles at healthy living. The only place to get them in burlington area is beveragewArehouse, on Fridays sells out in about an hour. Have your friend talk to the beer guys at healthy living they have a very good selection: tribute, conehead, burlington beer company, rockart iPad, foley brothers....
You won't find Lawson's unless it is Sip of Sunshine cans. Lawson's bottles are sold only at three locations, none of them in Burlington. Here's the list of some Vermont "shelf" beers he may find that are worth bring back. Heady Topper is possible if the timing is right. Fiddlehead Second Fiddle Foley Brothers Prospect, Pieces of Eight, Fair Maiden, Citrennial (I'd rank them in that order, first 3 are superb) 14th Star Tribute (not their other beers) If you like German beers, the Von Trapp stuff is good Frost Beer Works (any IPA, DIPA or APA) There are definitely others.
I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but this isn't a family member or a close friend. I probably give him/her one store and hope to get lucky. I doubt he/she is looking for "as detailed as possible"
I mean it literally, the same as with Heady Topper (although both would be in a cooler on a shelf). I got it at a gas station convenience store at the intersection of Rt 4 and 100. Doesn't mean it is there long.
Healthy living will have almost everything (no second fiddle)Huskyhawk listed you can also get lawsons super session in cans, which pretty much sits on the shelf this time of year
2nd Fiddle has been brewery only for a while, not sure when he last "got it at a gas station" but my guess would be 6 months or more ago. It's true Lawson's doesn't drop bottles in Burlington but Winooski is basically Burlington, comes in on Fridays but you non-beer geek friend is likely not going to want to deal with that mess.
How often are they brewing second fiddle now? the end of last year they layed out a detailed plan of second fiddle weekly and mastermind every 3 weeks or so for the charity. Is second fiddle a weekly release at the brewery?
Was there yesterday, i think the board said next Second Fiddle release is March 3rd or 5th. Call brewery.
