Hill Farmstead (2023)

Yeah, I am curious about how they intend to offer onsite pours of Ann for a span of several weeks. Has to be either a daily allotment or 1per customer limit, or it's a 4oz pour for $60 type deal where the cost keeps demand from outweighing supply. Maybe all of the above.

 

Just to give you an idea: Bottle of Art was $80 (375ml)

 

I am coming into this recognizing that it will be pretty wild. Wish it wasn't, but that's the price of admission and I feel fortunate that this trip just happens to coincide with the release. I never thought I'd have a chance to try this, and I can't imagine when I ever will again. I'll pay the price of admission, but given that it is a 750ml, I kind of hope that they are doing pours or someone wants to share a bottle. Honestly, I don't need a full 750, and I'm on a time crunch anyway. So, it wouldn't bother me to have 6-12oz rather than 750ml.

 

They're doing on-site glass pours as opposed to having customers purchase a bottle.

Not sure why I keep chiming in this thread, as each time I do it's just making me sadder that I won't be there in this time span lol.

 

So chances to order Ann online for same day pickup through https://www.toasttab.com/hillfarmstead/v3 starting tomorrow and everyday open until the 21st?

Also how long does it typically take to grab your purchased bottle and leave? I have a non beer friend in the area and I want to try to give as much info as possible if she tries to grab one for me.

 

Yes. Plus a lottery that is supposed to be communicated this week.

 

Crossing my fingers this happens.

 

Are you able to comment on how long it takes to secure the bottle you purchased? Have to wait in line for 3hrs or will it be a quick turnaround?

 

You mean to-go? It's online now so if you get a bottle when they open their system (7am I think) it is yours and you can pick it up anytime that day. So if you are lucky to score it when you go, I recommend going to the tap room door to get in line 1st, enjoy your pours and then head to the to-go entrance when you depart to get your bottle.

 

It should be quick, but depends on crowd. Longest I’ve waited for bottles to go in the last couple years is under an hour. Last time it took 5 minutes.

 

That sounds like the spot. I also drove my CRV down that "road." At some point two of us got out and ran behind the car so that we'd have more clearance. Instead of backing up for a quarter mile, we started pulling rocks from the bank and filling in holes so we could drive level. We'll always have those memories.

 

Not a full response to all questions but a few quick thoughts:

-Uber is tough. It should be good within Burlington itself (and like the surrounding two towns if you’re staying just outside), but I wouldn’t count on it for anything important otherwise. Last time I was in Waterbury there was 1 person driving between wbury and Stowe on a sat night. (Great guy btw!) Uber from Burlington to wbury very unlikely.
-HF takeaway should be pretty quick. I suspect tap room will be busier than normal with Ann being available, but in/out in under an hr with bottles and a drink onsite should be doable. Expect Ann to be $30-50 for 3oz in the taproom.
-HF non rare stuff is super easy to find on tap basically everywhere in the 89 corridor, but to go is only available at the brewery and two stores 5 min away from the brewery.
-Three Penny in Montpelier and Mad Taco in Montpelier (possibly take out only) and Waitsfield are my fave lunch spots.
-If it were me I’d do one of my dinners at Blackback Pub in Waterbury.

 

Reservations no longer needed for limited beers. If I had to guess, Ann will be $30 for a 15cl pour. A very limited number of bottles will be available at 7am on the Toast site each morning for same day pick up. I fully expect them to be sold out by 7:01am. It's possible to get through, but you'll need to be quick! You can place a second order with other bottles/cans or you can add to your order in person. The retail room line is rarely more than a 30 min wait these days (and sometimes no wait at all). No real reason to get to HF early these days unless you absolutely need to be first in retail room to get bottles and hit the road.

I don't think anyone has mentioned it, but I would NOT count on Ubers being available in Waterbury. Chances are you can get one from Burlington, but you run the risk of getting stuck with no ride back. Caveat: I live in the NEK and don't use Uber, so things could have changed (but pretty unlikely).

Also, aside from a few local spots in Greensboro & Hardwick, you won't find HF bottles or cans out in the wild. And if you're close enough to those stores, you may as well just go to the brewery.

 

Perhaps your labors even saved me some grief. Forever in your and your friends' debt!

 

Seconding Blackback. Was there a few weeks back solo and they had a great tap list (various Hill), very good bar food, and Freak Folk is right across the street.

 

They did when we ate there back in 2017 or 2018. Can’t remember when it was. Just give them a quick call. It’s a friendly place.

 

My first stay there was in 2016. There was a super friendly dachshund that was always there hanging out and would greet us when we walked in. Fast forward to my second visit last April when I stayed there for the Art release. I didn’t see the little guy and asked the gentlemen working if he was still around. Dude suddenly had a real sad expression come across his face and I could tell he was close to crying. Unfortunately the the dog passed away but he showed me a small wooden carving of the dog that sat under the breakfast table. I felt bad for asking and should have put 2 and 2 together when I didn’t see him walking around.

 

I’d skip driving to traps and have a pre dinner snack/beer in Waterbury.
Craft beer cellar is a nice shop but they do not carry anything you can not get in Burlington area beer stores
For Thursday night in Burlington- Hotel Vt bar, next door to Hen of Woods, always has a small but good selection be sure to check the bottle list, Foam Brewery on the waterfront, Archives might have one of best tap list in town. Almost any bar with have heady and focal cans, a bunch of good local ipa’s on tap, and many have Edward on tap.
Burlington area Breakfast- sneakers in winooski
Burlington area dinner spots- single pebble, Farmhouse tap and grill, honey road,
Pizza 44 or Burlington beer company combined with beers at zero gravity and Queen City brewery
Winooski- waterworks, misery loves company or mulebar for food and Archives new location.

 

Someone's navigation sent them into a beaver pond about 12 years ago. Online maps and GPS are cool but you still need to use your brain and eyeballs.