Hill Farmstead 4th Anniversary

Talk about an embarassment of riches... No whining allowed!

 

Going to Parker Pie tonight, be safe everyone.

Cheers

 

I'll be 450 miles away, cracking open a bottle of Anna tonight and a Flora tomorrow as a toast to Shaun and the beer chaos taking place in Vermont this weekend. Next year i will be in for sure. Enjoy the festivities and try not to give the Waterbury cops too much work to do over the weekend.

 

Enjoy the awesomeness this weekend BA's. I shall be there next year with a mighty Santa bag of goodies from Maine.

 

Stuck in traffic in Nj for an hour now I'm out of gas in Arlington VT at 4 am all the while my wife is texting "I told you so."

What a first trip to VT. If anyone had a few extra bottles of Arthur I'd be more than generous in swapping for it when I finally get up there. I don't think ill make it to HF today.

 

Parker Pie last night was awesome. chill, relaxed and not over crowded. karoake upstairs while drinking numerous Loons was classic!

 

I've been repping the Oxbow crew the last 3 anniversary bottle-shares - your turn!

 

These liquid swords already taste like fresh gueuze even though not a spontaneous. Imagine how they'll be this time next year

I'll bring a full arsenal of goodies. Sick of all my friends going to VT while I work. Never again!

 

Be safe people - I just watched the police / emt's bust open the back window of a car to drag some unresponsive person out to be hauled off by ambulance in the Bevy parking lot. No idea if it was alcohol related or not, hard not to make that assumption though given the location and the day. Seriously, be smart about things!

 

Could'nt agree more.
That was a pitch perfedt night

Cheers

 

Starting the bottle share at the covered bridge behind the Best Western now. Get some.

 

Scratch that. Common room.

 

We got kicked out of the common room. We negotiated the conference room. Haha.

 

I would have loved to see those negotiations!

Hotel: "you cant be here"
Beer People: "we're not going anywhere"
Hotel: "you can use the conference room, in exchange for 1 VSB"
Beer People: "are you crazy? have you seen the trade forums?? VSB goes for waaaay more than the cost of a conference room!"
Hotel: "fine, give me the Switchback bomber and move this "party" to the conference room...this conversation never took place"

 

At the BW, anyone still up?

- Joe

 

By chance does anyone have a room booked locally for tomorrow night that won't be used any longer? BM me. Thanks!

 

Some highlights:

-Birth of Tragedy 2012

-E.: Wanted to try this one most of all and it didn't disappoint in the slightest. Even better than their wild saisons I thought.

-Zombie Dust: Might be my ideal beer. Had fallen down my list of must try's given the crazy number of fantastic New England pale options but it absolutely blew me away.

-Beyond Good and Evil: Just insanely good. Had had it before and passed up trying something new because it's that good.

-Moving between the three bars easily. Being able to go from lunch at Res to Pro Pig to finish my day at Blackback was unexpected but was a nice bonus to cap off the afternoon. Big fan of the different vibe at all three, and the different tap lists at each made for some fun.

 

Had a great 4 days in Vermont, culminating in the HF 4th anniversary last night. Was able to go to HF 3 times, such a beautiful area that Mr. Hill is working in and amazing brews as usual. The Warren store and surrounding area were nice as well, and the waitsfield farmers market and lawsons beers were great.

Downtown Waterbury is a treat, the 3 pubs are fantastic, with pro pig being the standout food/drink wise. And heady everywhere doesn't hurt either. Big shout out to the guys at cbc, top notch store and a bunch of top notch guys.

The standout beets for me, and I'm only saying the ones I had never had before, were the limoncello collabo with mikkeller and the Edward double dry hop with citra cask, absolutely amazing.

Hopefully I can make it up to Vermont from s florida again sometime next year!

 

Jeg518..you were #1 in Lawsons line at Mad Taco, right?

 

So had quite an eventful first trip to VT. Left PA at 11 pm after wanting to leave at 9-10 (wife had some not so nice parting words and texts on the way out of town) so I was already a little anxious about leaving late. I hit a traffic jam in NJ on 78 and was stopped dead for about 45 minutes for a haz-mat issue with a tractor trailer.

At around 2am I was in VT driving through a decently sized town with a bunch of gas stations. I was a little over 1/4 tank and decided not to stop. I get to the middle of nowhere at 3am and start to run out of gas. I coast into a gas station which was closed. The pumps were not turned on at all. So at 330am a townie comes by and tells me the pumps don't turn on until 430am. So I wait until then watching intently to ensure a remake of deliverance doesn't break out. (All of you VT resident's this is not a slight on your beautiful state, just a joke as I was in a remote area of Arlington, VT)

I get to the Lawson's ticket release at about 645 and I was 75th in line. I got to try the Triple Sunshine (awesome), sip of sunshine (great session) and a few other locals at Mad Taco and met some pretty great people in line. Made my IPM's here for some great NEBCO and local CT beers. Also picked up my Maine Dinner here from a separate trade. Both trades I set up were with some great people and I couldn't have asked that they went any better, thanks Erika and George!

I was able to get to get some heady across the street from Mad Taco and then hung out at the Market and picked up some great local items as well as my full Lawson's ticket. On the way to Waterbury for all the drafts and Alchemist releases I saw people walking across the street from a little shop with heady and second fiddle so I swing a u-turn and go inside. No limits on either so I loaded up again.

I get into town and since I have to drive back to PA after the The Alchemist release I just look for some food and then just looked for the release area. I happened to make a great decision and turn left to an area near train tracks and stumble upon the area. I got to be about 15-20 in line and was super excited. I got to catch some sleep and try some great beers in line with some great people while waiting. I brought a growler of Sunday Morning Stout from Weyerbacher and that got shared quickly. There was a Dark Lord, Behemoth, Heady, Second Fiddle, BA Boris, Alpha King, Boat beer and a bunch I'm assuming I'm forgetting.

Got my mixed case from The Alchemist release and met my last trade where I scored a bottle of Sosus. Also got to try the interesting mix of Heady, Focal and the Bub from The Alchemist while in line. Not a home run but cool to try for sure.

Then I left VT around 4:45 and got home at like 10:30 after stopping a bunch to wake up and all. So I didn't sleep for about 42 hours but I did come back with a ton of awesome stuff. I seriously can't wait to make it back up there and to HF the next time. The drive on 100 was a huge highlight and insanely beautiful, I just wish I could have taken it slowly and enjoyed it more. I will no doubt be planning a week long trip to get a closer look.

 

JArmour15, awesome! Glad you had such a great trip to Vermont! Thanks for supporting Vermont beer and keep coming back!

 

Yes

 

Right on. I was the tall guy with hat and glasses, #3. Glad you had a great trip!

 

Glad everyone enjoyed our little town. Other than getting screwed by lawsons it was an amazing day

 

If they do this again next year (anniversary at the 3 bars in Waterbury) how was it? Were there lines to get into the bar, were they all at capacity? Or was it a laid back atmosphere?

 

Ple

Please elaborate on getting screwed.

 

I really hope they go with the Waterbury trifecta again next year as it couldn't have been smoother for an event that put all three bars at capacity right at open. All three were full the several hours that I was there, but between people hopping between them and others who must have stopped in for just a drink or two, it didn't look to me like anyone waited in line longer than 15 minutes. Definitely not laid back, but hardly chaos either. I think you'd have to really hate crowds to have been upset with the way the afternoon unfolded.

 

I got screwed for assuming the times meant something. Had a pretty late number, so I showed up around noon and they said they called all the numbers earlier and skipped who wasn't around. So when they say only come when it's your time, apparently they mean an hour before. Met a few other people who had the same thing happen. Sucks but the rest of the day was awesome so it's not all that bad

 

Not sure it's fair to say you were screwed by Lawson's. They never know what the demand will be. They bring a certain amount of product, I imagine almost all they could have possibly produced, hoping it will be enough. But this was also Hill Farmstead's 4th anniversary, with seemingly most of their entire lineup available at four area bars. And Alchemist had announced an important pop-up sale.

I feel for you. But a lesson learned. When you are in Big Three country during probably the biggest beer-hunting weekend of the year, you'd darn well better be at the right place somewhat before your appointed time, or expect the possibility that you will not be getting what you came for, especially if you have a relatively late time. It's not called WAITS FIELD for nothing.

Glad the rest of your day was amazing. Cheers!

 

Screwed in the sense that I followed their rules and got no beer. Probably should've known better but oh well. First time I've hit the market since they started this system. Now I know at least

 

Are most locals happy with the way Lawson's does the big releases? For a place with a supply that probably can't even satisfy local demand and no apparent plans for significant expansion, I think I would find it a bit frustrating to have to compete with these increasingly large crowds on Saturdays. I suppose the benefit of $ getting pumped into VT could mitigate this to a certain extent. Just curious.

 

High demand has nothing to do with Wilson's situation. The Lawson's crew did well getting numbers called and getting people on their way. They worked well and efficiently. However, it made the times on the later tickets mean nothing. My buddy got his beer about a half hour before the corresponding time on the ticket. Additionally, I believe the ticket had a request for people to not show up before their appointed time as to not clutter up the area around the Lawson's table. So, some people with earlier tickets may have missed out on Rum Fayston simply by adhering to LFL's requests and time table.

I had to go to the back of the line to get a ticket because tickets were handed out before the appointed time (8am) and had walked away for a few minutes.

Lesson to be learned: Sombrero guy's watch is ~20 minutes faster than mine. Secondly, disregard the time table on the ticket.

- Joe

PS I am thankful and humbled by the kindness of people near me in line who saw what happened and helped me. It reminded me of how amazing this community can be.

 

Don't be an ass and chastise the guy for following the schedule released by Lawson's. Geesh!

 

It is a pain to deal with, which is why I haven't been since they started this system. The system would work fine if they stuck to the time slots an rules that they set. Sucks I didn't get any triple sunshine, but I have Lawsons on draft at my local bars almost always, so I guess it's good other people got to get some. If nothin else hopefully my situation will help people to know not to trust the system entirely.

 

Did the later time slots get fucked by people not showing up on time? I was number 111, and they said to be there 10-10:15. Showed up at like 9:50, and was called a little before 10, and got full allotment. Some people weren't there when I was called, so I moved up maybe like 5 spots.

 

I completely understand where @ajfa531, @WILSON_forbin and others are coming from. I love Lawson's beer and used this holiday weekend for my first visit to Waitsfield's market. I left the Boston area around 4:30am and arrived around 7:50 to a chaotic scene, not the orderly line I anticipated. @youbrewidrink's assurance that "no tickets will be handed out prior to 8am," just added to the confusion and feelings (however false) of being "screwed over."

Don't get me wrong, I underestimated demand and that's my fault. I am also extremely grateful to have met the local VT beer advocate who gave me his #274-275 tickets so that I could at least get some Triple Sunshine, but then the scene at Waitsfield Market just added to the confusion. How are we supposed to know what number is called if we are told to stay away from the table? I arrived almost an hour prior to my scheduled time and my number was already passed! Not that it would have mattered at #274, but I understand where feelings of resentment are coming from, especially when you compare this experience to the one at Alchemist's truck sale that afternoon. Over there I didn't have to line up at the crack of dawn to be guaranteed beer, and I only had to stand in a single line until purchase. This line had music, plenty of raffle giveaways, free food, and free samples of a one-of-a-kind blend poured by John K. himself! Somebody even lost their wallet in line and the brewery offered a free tour to 6 people if it were found. That's going above and beyond, and gives the impression that the brewery actually cares about its customers, rather than a "Soup Nazi" vibe. Thank you @JenKimmich and everyone at Alchemist for the awesome experience!

All that being said, Triple Sunshine is amazing, I had a great time this weekend, had plenty of the most incredible beer in the world and met a lot of awesome people. Vermont is by far my favorite state and I can't wait to go there again. Cheers!

 

It's frustrating sometimes like when I couldn't even get a ticket and got there around 7:30, but most people who travel up here really just love to come up to our state and drink world-class beer. Like others have said the system is kind of a pain and I wish there was some way for locals to curb the crowds but I suppose thats a little selfish.

At the end of the day I think it's pretty awesome for Vermont that we have this incredible craft beer scene in our little state that rivals anywhere else in the country. It's that same philosophy that makes me want to share our goods with people all over the states who don't have the luxury of driving/flying up to the northeast. It was pretty crazy to see the lines at the pubs in Waterbury at 10:30 in the morning and is a real testament to the close-knit community of quality VT beer makers. Congrats to Shaun Hill, I thought the anniversary was fantastic and the Beyond Good and Evil was unbelievable!

 

Fantastic weekend all around! Don't listen to all the haters complaining or all of the pre-fest haters saying how much of a sh!tshow it was going to be....it definitely was not. Each bar knew exactly how to handle the crowds...it was never crowded, lines weren't long at all. Farmer's market was great too...regardless of scoring any Lawson's or not.

Triple Sunshine is amazing and the casks of Eddie were ridiculous! Cheers!

 

if I remember correctly, the only reason tickets were passed out at 7:30 is because there was already more people in line than the 320 or so tickets available could fill, and they though it best to let those at the end of the line know they were going to be shutout instead of making them wait any longer.
as for the ticket times, they had loads of full-allocation boxes pre-made so it made the distribution of boxes super fast. we had #s 115-116 so our ticket said 10:15; we wandered around the market occasionally checking the Lawsons stand to see what #s were being served and quickly realized they were well ahead of schedule. we got to the table at the Lawsons stand around 9:40 and watched them call #s and no one showing up - within 5 minutes they were at our #s and we grabbed our boxes and hooked up a guy who had been shut out of a ticket with our Spring Fever Sessions.

I thought the Lawsons market was excellently run, though the line to get into Mad Taco wasn't moving so after a bit we gave up on getting in for the pours and went to the market for breakfast (THAT Maple Yak and egg burito, WOW!)

 

it was a great weekend, got shut out of the Lawson's, i did read the 8am ticket time but when i showed up, all the tickets where all gone, went up to the Warren store where we had breakfast and conversations with the locals around the tables. Drove up to Hill Farmstead where we met cool people on line, made the 2 hours fly, plus we were inside when it started raining, sampled and purchased beers, glasses, maple syrup, yes my wallet was almost bare when i left the place, drove into Waterbury, got on line around 3:40 for the Alchemist truck ale, more cool people to BS with, got my case and off to town to drink. Blackstrap had the shortest line, tasted a bunch of HF, off to Pro Pig for some Lawsons and more HF, and pork rinds, of course. Went back to hotel to mellow for a couple of hours then walked to town and hit the Resevior for beer and then the Blue something for pizza and a walk up the hill back to hotel. To tired to botlle share.

Next day got up, hit the Brattlebore food co-op and the Peoples Pint in Greenfield MA for beers and lunch, abd then all the home.

Best beers where E and the Port Damon that was tapped at 5pm at the Blackstrap.