Travelling to VT form NJ in July and was starting to map out my route. Is there any "Must sees" along the way? eventually going to Hill Farmstead/ Alchemist bbut would love to know of any places nearby or along the way. I already heard Table N Vine in Mass is a good stop. Maybe hitting Nebco on the way too.
If I can give you a friendly piece of advice; you might want to have a back up for Heady Topper. I know on my vacation the brewer ran out for the weekend on Saturday night and did not have any fresh ones till Monday morning. Places like Hunger Mt. Foods sell Heady Topper as a fall back. My 2nd stop into the brewery I had to watch people be turned away since they were out of cans.
An excellent idea. Also, the Blackback Pub in Waterbury usually has Hill Farmstead beer on tap. I read recently that the Alchemist increased their production of Heady Topper and they have it available everyday. Some of my friends bought some last Sunday afternoon on the way home from the Hill Farmstead anniversary party. So I don't think availability is an issue anymore.
Seconded on Three Penny in Montpelier - on the way to Waterbury. While you're in Waterbury for the Alchemist, the Reservoir (37 taps, most in VT) is a must - they always have a wide selection of VT beers and other rarities. Had KBS and Lawson's Double Sunshine the last time I stopped in. Blackback, across the street, always has a wide selection of Hill Farmstead. Prohibition Pig (the old Alchemist) is more of a tourist trap, but worth a stop. If you're coming up from NJ, McNeill's in Brattleboro is on the way, right off I-91. In Mass, the Northampton/Amherst area is a good stop - The Moan and Dove in Amherst, The Dirty Truth & Sierra Grille in Northampton. Also the Amherst Brewing Co. and Northampton Brewery. If you make it up to Burlington, the Farm House & Vermont Brewing are great as well.
Three Penny is a must stop, but other places that you might find interesting are positive pie (http://www.beermenus.com/places/3117-positive-pie-plainfield), across the street from three penny is the skinny pancake they have hill farmstead and lawson's on tap all the time and you can enjoy them outside. If you are going to the alchemist you should check out Prohibition Pig and the reservoir. Also i would go to hunger mt. on a Friday that is when they get their lawson's shipments.
I wouldn't call the Pig a tourist trap... It's one of the best restaurants you'll find in Waterbury, and has a great beer selection. It's not the Alchemist, but I think the menu is better (though it's a little more expensive). Ben and Jerry's is a tourist trap. The tour is not very interesting, and the ice cream is expensive at the factory. Go across the street to the Shaws and you'll find all the Ben and Jerry's you want. Blackback has the best tap selection you're likely to find almost anywhere, in any state, at any time. There's just no filler. Rick (the owner) knows more about beer than anyone I've ever talked to. And if you want to drink Hill Farmstead on tap, you won't find a better selection than at the Blackback. I was there last week (I live in town) and Rick had 5 different Hill Farmstead offerings. As for non-beer related activities, I recommend checking out the Shelburne Museum and/or the Shelburne farm. They're both south of Burlington, about 45 minutes from Waterbury, but they're a pretty great way to spend a day (or 3). Also, if you have the chance, and don't mind spending a little coin on pizza, head south from Waterbury about 15 minutes, and go to dinner at American Flatbread in Waitsfield. Show up early, put your name in, and hang out. It's pricey for pizza, but well worth it. They also have a few decent local offerings on tap as well.
I'm just saying in comparison to the other places in town - it's the thing that brings many people into town because it's the former Alchemist, but there are other gems in town where I would stop first. I agree, the food at the Pig is excellent and the owners know their beer - plenty of VT beer and they bring in some beers from across the border in Quebec which is nice. I just think their prices are a bit higher and pours a bit smaller than elsewhere.
Alchemist did run out on the long weekend (memorial day weekend) but I was there yesterday and they had plenty to go around. OP: in case they do not, Winooski beverage warehouse has heady.
Better (and more scenic) to get to northern VT via route 7 which will take you through the western corridor of Massachusetts/VT there are some really nice destinations along the way - Moe's Tavern (Lee) - read the reviews! - Shaker Mill Tavern (West Stockbridge) - Nejaime's Liquors (Lenox) - Olde Forge Tavern (Lanesborough) - Man of Kent (North Hoosac, New York) - Rattlesnake Grill (Bennington, VT) - Bennington Beverage Outlet (Bennington) - they sometimes carry Heady Topper
Stop at Track 84 in Warwick, RI. It's minutes off of Rt. 95 and it offers the best tap list of any beer bar in the state. In fact, I think their beer lists rivals many places beyond just RI. It's worth hitting for a pint while you're on your journey. Also, for a bottle shop, Yankee Spirits in Attleboro, MA is minutes of Rt. 95 as well. You can get all sorts of beer there, local New England stuff like Pretty Things and Long Trail as well as national great like the Bruery and Founders (not to mention all the international stuff). It's definitely worth a shot.
Thanks for all of your help. Looks like it is just Waterbury on Friday, July 13th and HF on the Saturday. If anyone in the area can pick up some Double Sunshine on the 7th at the farmers market, we can meet up in person the following weekend and I will bring up some good stuff that VT doesnt get for a trade.
