Critique my Vermont Trip!

I went up last thursday, and I believe warren gets their shipment in on thursdays around lunch time. It might be better to hit them up on the way back if going up in one day. I made it to HF right at 12 and there were maybe 3 people in front of me. I then went back down to Alchemist. Stopped for a late lunch at blackpack and hit up warren on my way home around 3 and they still had plenty of lawsons.

 

Lawsons Finest drops in at Hunger Mountain COOP on Fridays. Best trip would be Waterbury -> Montpelier -> HF

 

Regarding HF on a Saturday, this is doable but I HIGHLY recommend getting there by 11:15 so you're near the front of the line. If you're near the front, you can be in and out quickly enough. However, if you get there at say 12:30, you're waiting like 2 hours.

Weekdays are better...Saturday just requires more punctuaility.

 

Chinookered was their shipment last week.

 

I cant really speak to that, the two times ive been to warren store there was only one at a time. This might be different around their farmers markets but I am not sure.

 

Food wise, ProPig, Reserviour, and BlackBack (Mad Taco), should fill all your needs, The Blue Stone (in Waterbury) is putting out some good pizza, and has $5 Heady cans. Three Penny has an amazing burger that I highly suggest, and a great brunch on Sunday. I don't think Hen of the Wood is worth the money, but to each their own (although it is good).

Park Row in Waterbury is a great place for breakfast (weekdays only), or Green Goddess is another good breakfast option in Stowe.

If you're here in the fall, you should stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Quick stop for some cider, donuts, and apples.

It depends, but usually it is two. From what I've seen, Warren store and Hunger Mnt get the same variety wise, just Warren store gets a bigger shipment. I don't get down to Warren that often so others might have a better idea.

 

HF isn't one of those breweries you hang out at usually. It's an in, do a tasting while waiting in line, and head out kind of place.

As for Hen of the Wood, I can't recommend it highly enough.

 

I was one of the two people standing in front of Omniscientcause at HF, made the same loop, HF - Alchemist - Warren Store. Also stopped by Hunger Mtn Coop on the way to HF. Great beer selection and great sandwiches to go. Watch out for the road construction between Waterbury and Warren. One stop lasted 20 minutes. Five bottles of Lawson's left by 3:30.

 

Tastings. Vermont law says no more than 4x 2oz tastings, so that's what you get. No full pints. You get a tasting while waiting in line, get your stuff and get out to make room for the next people in line.

Sounds like you've never been there. You will not believe how remote it is, and how small and simple the operation is. I mean this in the best way, they make unreal beer and have less than zero frills. It's wonderful. It'd be great to sit and have a couple full pours, maybe one day...

For more full pints, etc. head to Waterbury or Three Penny Taproom.

 

I see one thing missing from your itinerary. Taking me with you !

 

HF would prefer you not spend the day there. It is a working brewery with very tight quarters in the tasting room and growler-fill station. Better to do your business, and take off so the next 30 people can do theirs. (Fall foliage season is THE biggest tourist period in VT, so you will have company no matter what day of the week it is.) Head over to Parker Pie after for some HFB on draft with great pizza - very close by - or down to Blackback in Waterbury - always at least 3 HFB beers on. Also, reservations are absolutely necessary at Hen of the Woods. Small and super-popular with locals & others alike - for good reason. If you are a kayaker, BM me and will tell you some great spots - Caspian Lake in Greesboro is gorgeous for a start, but many more. And Heady is canned on Mon. and Thurs. so those days are best for scoring it. Often sells out Fri. by noon if lots of tourists around for the upcoming weekend.