Hill Farmstead, what does it take?

Last time we went to Vt I think it was basically RT 9 or 6 something like that all the way around the lake, skirted the Canadian border crossing then down into Vt and Waterbury, maybe 6 hours I'd guess. One time my GPS brought us north from watertown thru Canada to Montreal then 91 south, hate that won't do it again.

 

In over a year, I probably had about 12-15 trades for HF beers, but only once with someone from VT who "has access" to HF. The rest were trades with people who made trips up there, as well as an occasional share where the other person brought HF. I personally have not made my "pilgrimage" yet.

For me, the key was in developing and maintaining (trade) relationships with with people in the New England area and friendships with people in your area (I'm in PA). My last 3 HF "hauls" came from both sources. I got a couple bottles, glasses, and a growler of S&S 7 from @F2brewers (MA, generally pleasant interactions on BA), a 2L growler of Citra from @ItsMe (local, frequent IP trading partner), a 2L growler of Legitimacy, glasses, and 3 Claras from @beerkim (local, frequent IP trading partner)... all in the span of 3 weeks! I recently opened a DB Huna and a SP Fermier, invited @newbeeraday (local, frequent IP trading partner) and he opened a Le Sarrasin with me along with bringing me a FF '14 for me to keep.

Reach out to people in your area if you don't want to ship. Offer to open some of the beers you listed and see if someone who just got back from HF can open some growlers with you. I've been doing this frequently enough that I'm beginning to think we should have an ISO:FT section for 1 on 1 or 2 on 2 bottle shares. Hmmm...

 

I would say Rt. 3 through the Dacks and Saranac Lake to Plattsburgh. Hit the Grand Isle Ferry over Lake Champlain bringing you across just north of Burlington (this ferry runs in the winter as well). Then take Rt. 89 South to Waterbury.

 

I've traded HF from my last trip and I gave some away. I over bought and deceided to share , traded some for vintage bcbs.

 

What kinda time?

 

I think you'd be looking at around 4 1/2 hours one way...depending upon weather conditions, traffic, how long you wait for the ferry, etc.

 

if you drive up HF print out directions. don't rely on gps. they will take you through rough roads haha.

 

Yep, last time my gps brought me across the border which was fun, and thru the outskirts of Montreal where my gps bugged out on a newly opened road. The signs were in French stopped at a gas station and the lady only spoke French, suck ass trip. I just high tailed it down the first sign I saw bridge to NY instead of picking up 91.

 

3:45 pretty damn close to 4, no? If you factor in any kind of stopping for gas, food, getting stuck behind a trailer on the back roads etc. Also living in Albany highly suggest OP to just make the trip once, stay in burlington, its an awesome city.

 

I've been up there so much I know it like the back of my hand. Is that a good or bad thing?

Also yes it is in the middle of no where.... It you see out of state plates thats 99% where they are going. It's a little over an hour from Waterbury and 90 mins from Burlington. I love the trip everytime i go.

 

If you are still in search of a growler when I go up in a month I will trade you one of my three! Let me know

 

It's 5-6 turns from Waterbury to Hill Farmstead and It's less than that off 91. Don't believe the hype.

 

3 growler limit... was just there... got out spending only $145 for 3 growlers ( glass and fill) 1 Art, and 3 Clara... oh, and a glass that is crooked (not sure if suppose to be like that)

 

they didn't ask you to look at the glass?

the manufacturer is known for some gross defects. the last few times i have purchased glasses there, i've been asked to inspect/ok all glasses prior to puchase.

HF happily replaced one defective glass that i found.

 

I thought their glasses were made in Belgium, I have two love them. This time of year that HF run with the limits they have = no way I trade one, can't imagine making that drive in winter.

 

Never hurts to ask for an additional fill, they've been accommodating a few times for me.