Hill Farmstead Anniversary Celebration 2012

Discussion in 'New England' started by tylermains, May 16, 2012.

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  1. tylermains

    tylermains Initiate (0) Apr 6, 2010 Kentucky

    Anyone going to this? I am planning on catching a bus to Northampton to meet up with a friend and then driving up to Greensboro on the 26th. I've never been to Hill Farmstead so I have no clue what to expect.

    When's a good time to arrive on Saturday? Should I bring some bottles to share? (plan on bringing a Brabantiae and some other Cantillon and Bruery one-offs) Should I count on there being bottles for purchase at the brewery? Is it worth the 13 hour drive? Anything I should be looking for in MA or VT? All sorts of suggestions wanted!
     
  2. nathanjohnson

    nathanjohnson Initiate (0) Aug 5, 2007 Vermont

    My wife and I are going. Arrive whenever the start time is, noon or 1, I think. There will definitely be some bottle sharing after the event. You can camp in the big field next to the brewery. There will be growlers/bottles for sale, assuming you don't mind waiting in line for them.
     
  3. brooklynbrews

    brooklynbrews Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2010 Uzbekistan

    Planning on attending with a couple people. Excited does not begin to describe.
     
  4. NJOssie

    NJOssie Initiate (0) Feb 28, 2012 New Jersey

    I'll be in the area and likely stopping by Thursday or Friday. Sadly will miss the event as I'm travelling w/ family
     
  5. Auror

    Auror Pooh-Bah (1,641) Jan 1, 2010 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Assuming I can get the time off, I'm hoping to be there. Is it going to be more of a "fest" or something else. Is not camping a big mistake?
     
  6. kinopio

    kinopio Savant (1,037) Apr 30, 2009 Massachusetts

    Excellent breweries that MA gets that OH probably doesn't: Mayflower, Jacks Abby, Berkshire, Cambridge Brewing Company, Slumbrew, Clown Shoes, Maine Beer Company, Wormtown, Pretty Things

    You seem to be into sours so you'd be able to find The Woods series from Cisco, Allagash, Cascade, and there is a sour from a very new brewery called Night Shift.
     
  7. brownswisscow

    brownswisscow Crusader (476) Feb 9, 2012 Vermont


    certainly not a 'mistake', but drinking is always more fun when you don't have to drive home :slight_smile: plus you don't want to miss the taping of something because you left a little early.
     
  8. tylermains

    tylermains Initiate (0) Apr 6, 2010 Kentucky

    Awesome, this is going to be great. Gonna have a nice time exploring the Northeast with a friend. I'm in the process of looking into the best method of getting to Northampton, MA. That's where I'll be meeting up with a friend, then driving up to Greensboro. We are driving all the way back to Cleveland afterward- so my only issue is from Cleveland to Northampton. Right now I'm thinking Greyound. Ugh.

    Anyone know if Greyhound is cool with transporting beer under the bus or in onboard bags? Bringing some very valuable bottles so I don't want them confiscated by Greyhound.

    About how many people are expected to show up at an event like this?
     
  9. FrankLloydMike

    FrankLloydMike Maven (1,308) Aug 16, 2006 Massachusetts

    I went last year, and still not sure if I'm going to be able to this year--I'm really hoping I am. The bash last year was a ton of fun, very relaxed atmosphere, and featured excellent beer and food, plus good music and solid conversation in an incredible setting.

    It's kind of like a fest, but I wouldn't really call it that--I always compare it to a rural version of the parties the CBC throws, which won't be helpful to anyone who hasn't been to those either. It's a bit more laid-back and less sample-oriented than fests tend to be. There will be plenty of great beers, but to me at least, it's less about trying many samples than enjoying several pours.

    I didn't camp last year, which given the weather, I don't regret. I'm sure camping is a fun part of it, but I don't think it's essential.

    We talked to a bunch of great people from all over--locals just enjoying a neighborhood party and beer enthusiasts from far away--the combination of people was great. It's really hard to top drinking a great beer among the rolling hills with a great barbecue sandwich and cheese. I'd make a whole weekend of it--head to Burlington or somewhere the next night, but working this into a long weekend is definitely worth a long haul.
     
  10. FrankLloydMike

    FrankLloydMike Maven (1,308) Aug 16, 2006 Massachusetts

    Not sure of the cost difference or the scheduling details, but if you're friend doesn't mind picking you up in Springfield (about 30 minutes away from Northampton in the opposite direction of Greensboro), the Amtrak Lake Shore Limited is probably more comfortable and might be easier to transport beer on, since you can probably keep it with you.
     
  11. tylermains

    tylermains Initiate (0) Apr 6, 2010 Kentucky

    Nice! Thanks for that. Looks like this may be the way I travel. 12 hours Amtrak vs 14 hours Greyound and 30 bucks cheaper.
     
    OtisCampbell likes this.
  12. makisupapolice14

    makisupapolice14 Pundit (799) Jun 5, 2005 New York

    Stupid question....I checked the website and it says GA tickets for Sat 26th are $10. Where do you buy tickets? Are they still available? debating making the trip from Syracuse for this...wish I found out earlier because our plans are wide open for memorial day at the moment
     
  13. nathanjohnson

    nathanjohnson Initiate (0) Aug 5, 2007 Vermont

    No worries, no need to purchase tickets in advance. Just show up and drink some world-class beer out in the middle of nowhere.
     
  14. makisupapolice14

    makisupapolice14 Pundit (799) Jun 5, 2005 New York

    wow I think we will then! One more follow-up....it mentions on the website beers are only served in HF stemwear glasses. How much are glasses at the brewery since we do not have them?
     
  15. brownswisscow

    brownswisscow Crusader (476) Feb 9, 2012 Vermont

    glasses are ~$8/each or 3/$20. I wouldn't bet on them having a ton of glass available.
    they usually have plastic cups as well. if nothing else, i recommend bringing your own glass, HF or not.
     
  16. makisupapolice14

    makisupapolice14 Pundit (799) Jun 5, 2005 New York

    haha if they only serve beers in their glasses we'd be SOL if we just brought our own non-HF glasses, right? Plastic doesn't sound too appealing. only option is to stop in burlington or something and hope we could swipe a pair from farmhouse or something LOL
     
  17. Auror

    Auror Pooh-Bah (1,641) Jan 1, 2010 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    I don't think I will have to be the responsible party, so no worries there. And as long as we stay til 6, we should see everything tapped right?
     
  18. tylermains

    tylermains Initiate (0) Apr 6, 2010 Kentucky

    Hm yes, I also don't have any HF glassware. Let's hope some lasts until Saturday around noon!
     
  19. nathanjohnson

    nathanjohnson Initiate (0) Aug 5, 2007 Vermont

    I wouldn't worry about glassware. They typically have cases of glasses.
     
    tylermains likes this.
  20. howopeeps

    howopeeps Initiate (0) Mar 7, 2011 Ohio
    Trader

    is there any way i can get some glassware?
     
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