Hill Farmstead (2023)

“We are exploring a method that could allow another opportunity to purchase a bottle of this beer following this release, which will be shared next week. Please visit the blog post on our website for additional details.“

Really curious as to what this could mean regarding Ann. Looks like Ann will be available on site for four weeks. Maybe they do a lottery next week where bottles are held for winners in a two week window that coincides with the end of the initial two week sale and the end of on site Ann? Someone like me who lives 12 hours away can hope.

 

$95, huh.

It's ok, I think my bank account can take another one for the team.

 

haha. $95 was the cost a few months back for a 375 ml of Ann to drink on site so a 750 ml to go at the same price seems like a win! Funny how they condition us to feel good about a $95 saison

 

My trip is scheduled for next week. The weather looks pretty shitty (wintry mix). How bad are the roads going to be? I haven’t yet made a rental reservation - Do I legit need a 4x4 truck, or will a mid-sized crossover or SUV be fine?

 

When we were in rural Vermont in March a few years ago, staying at a place on a dirt road, we were glad we were driving my wife's Subaru Outback (which like all Subarus is AWD). Seemed like 50% of the cars up there were Subarus. I'd say AWD is more important than ground clearance.

 

Really wish they would allow Proxying

 

Yeah, clearance only an issue in spring during mud-season when you're up to your axles in glop! AWD is preferred, but what really, truly counts is 4 good winter or AT tires. Wintry mix may be manageable on pavement (and treated sooner) but it tends to create ice on dirt roads that get treated later and accumulate a thicker coating. And F-150's, Subarus, and RAV4s are the top selling vehicles in VT - just saw some stats on that!

 

Well if you happen to take Sparhawk Rd by accident you best have clearance. Fuck me.

 

This is sounding suspiciously like the creek bed that Apple Maps sent me to on my way out many moons ago.

 

Perhaps this should go in a brand new "Burlington 2023!" thread, but I figured I'd post here for now instead. I can always move it if others feel it is warranted.

Here's my itinerary, but I'm also looking for some suggestions. This is for next week.

• Fly into Burlington on Tuesday. I am hoping to have my vehicle by 3:30pmish.
  • Head to hotel, get checked in.
  • Head to Stowe and visit Von Trappe. Eat a snack there, sample a beer, get some to-go. Snack there better than a sandwich shop in Burlington or elsewhere nearby?
  • Head to Waterbury, go to Craft Beer Cellar, pick up some other items to take home.
  • Hen of the wood Waterbury for Dinner (Reservation made)
• Wednesday
  • Arrive at Hill at Open. Do I need to be early?
  • Get To Go
  • Head inside for maybe a quick draft draft? Can't stay long (30mins?), although I might push that back if I got to try something limited. No reservation, so can't try anything vintage, correct?
  • No plans for Dinner - Any Suggestions? No seafood. Price not a factor on this trip. Good for 2-4 people a plus.
• Thursday
  • Need Lunch Plans. ~1-1.5hr ish. Maybe a good sandwich place if one exists?
  • Dinner at Hen of the Wood Burlington for Dinner (Reservation Made)
  • Late-night plans (after 10pm)? Anyplace around that has good taps this late on a Thursday?
• Friday
  • Plane leaves mid afternoon. Conference ends ~11am. I'd have time for a reasonably timed lunch if a good option nearby exists.

• Other Comments/Questions
  • How is uber in Burlington/Waterbury? I never really get to have a beer out (or never more than one), because I always have to drive. As long as I am fine time-wise (which I should be), I'd like to head back to the hotel on Tuesday, and uber over to Waterbury. As long as I can get one back at ~ 10pm at night on a Tuesday. Similarly, on Thursday, I'd like to uber back (and maybe out someplace?) late-night if people stay out late. You never quite know with these things.
  • Anyplace I HAVE to visit for Breakfast? I rarely eat breakfast, but I LOVE it, and will seek out someplace great.
  • Deathly allergic to all seafood and nuts. No seafood-centric options.
  • I plan to just have beer, but if there are any great whiskey bars around (especially if reasonably priced), I'd be all over that.

 

Yeah...it really should not have been on any GPS...it was basically someone's backwoods playground. I thought it was only going to be rough for a few feet but it kept going...and going. Had to get to a landing spot to turn around, was terrified I'd get stuck back there. Found three large earth moving vehicles back there where my humble CRV obviously did not belong, but she survived and now I'll love her forever

Eat at Parker Pie after Hill if you're sticking around that area or north of there. But I see you don't have a lot of time so not sure if you're heading back to Burlington.

Bohemian Bakery in Montpelier is really nice for breakfast pastry.

 

Does Old Stagecoach Inn allow people who aren’t staying at the bed and breakfast to sit down and order food? If so, I would 110% suggest going there for breakfast.

 

Correct, I have to head back to Burlington. Technically...I'll be a little late for the start of the conference, but...I gotta get me some Hill to take home. Since I don't have time to stay and drink, I've actually considered whether just getting shelfies in Waterbury would be the ideal choice and ignore hill altogether. I mean, I don't want to, but It'd save me a ton of driving/time, and I wouldn't be late to the conference.

 

Locals can correct me if I'm mistaken or if it's changed very recently, but my understanding is that not having a reservation at Hill doesn't limit your draft/bottle options on-site.

 

I mean Ann is dropping, I'm sure it might be wild. If you get up first thing in the morning and place an order you can pick that up at the earliest you can score, and add on whatever else you want with a second order. You'll find some shelfies in a few select stores, but not many.

 

Recommendations for Stowe....

Doc Ponds - great taplist and a better bourbon list. They are very reasonably priced, think $30 for 2 oz of any BTAC offerings like GTS, WLW, etc. Food is very good as well, vibe is great. A quintessential VT pub.
Butler's Pantry - amazing breakfast place, for me it's the best in the area including Waterbury.
Harrison's Restaurant - A hidden gem for and upscale dinner. I can't recommend this place enough, the service, ambiance, food and drinks are all top tier.

 

Correct, they switched this back in Nov. All offerings are available to all.

 

Correct: reservations are “for guests who wish to enjoy a table for a couple of hours of leisurely consumption…These do not include table service or a separate menu; this only reserves a table space”

No restrictions on the vintage offerings, or anything onsite

 

That's great news about the reservations. I got a bit confused with how that worked.

Well, shit. Now I have to try to get a bottle (a glass? I don't care, I just want to try it) of Ann to drink onsite. I feel like I'm bogging this thread down, but if anyone has suggestions as to how early I should get there to try to secure a bottle for on-site, it would be appreciated. I don't know if they only have X bottles per day available or how it works. Since the timing is right, I gotta try.