Lost Nation Grand Openning

Stopped by on Friday afternoon. What a GREAT experience. Can't say enough about how pleasant our time there was.

The brewery itself was a bit confusing to get to as we were pulling in, but once we walked inside and realized what was going on the context was really cool. Gorgeous bartop and tap wall. We didn't eat, but the food looked and smelled great.

Talked to the two brewers for a while. I can't say I've talked to many brewers as completely excited about sharing their beer and information and visions of the future as those guys. The enthusiasm was tangible. Even amongst the chaos of just opening, first weekend with food, a rush from the HF crowd, they still made a point of talking to everyone, seeing how everything was going, and chatting and answering any questions people had. One quote really stood out - "We took a look at things and there are a few guys in VT who have hops and barrels completely covered. World class stuff and we want them to continue doing those. So we decided to go to the other end of the spectrum - nice and light, but rich and complex at the same time."

Some great brews as well. Obviously their gose is fantastic, but I was thoroughly impressed by the Pitch Black. Black ale, roast is evocative of a stout, but body and mouthfeel of a schwarzbier (though decidedly not one). The goal was to have something nice and light for a hot summer, but rich enough for a cooler evening or person craving some roast. Spot on. As a big beer, barrel aged, sour, DIPA junkie, this may have actually been one of the most impressive beers I've had in 2013 - just a perfectly crafted, nuanced, clean, exceptionally balanced beer - especially for 5.4%. Had a couple pints (the Petit Ardennes was another great standout) and picked up a t-shirt.

They do fill other breweries growlers, and any size.

Really can't wait until the next time I can get up that way. Lost Nation is now a permanent stop on every VT trip for me. Looking forward to them getting some tasting trays or something comparable once they have a few more brews pouring.

 

Is this still the case where they fill other companies growlers, as well as any size?

 

I had the petite ardennes at the pro pig about a year ago. I gave it a 3.5 out of 5 on untapped. lol.

 

Yes. They will fill other growlers as long as meets their requirements of fitting into their growler station. It must be 2l or 64oz, dark glass, and clean. No 32oz growlers. No 750ml growlers. No metal growlers. I had my HF growler filled there with Gose a few weeks ago.

 

Thanks bud, heading up there tomorrow

 

swingtops or screwtops?

 

Either should be fine. They have filled my HF 2L swing-top growler multiple times without any problem. I assume screwtops would be fine too, since LN's own growlers are screwtops.

 

I still can't believe that I haven't been here yet. Is it the brewery run by Allen Van Anda?

It's easy enough for me to find if I'm up that way again soon.

 

I stopped in last Thursday on the way back from HF and was really impressed. Low key, great tunes and only $5 for a flight of 6 beers? Can't beat that! Split a few cheese plates with some buddies which were fantastic and washed it down with a KIS Kombucha since I was driving (DD or not, that shit was TASTY). Definitely going to be a regular stop on future VT day trips.

 

Was just there yesterday on the ole VT trip, That gose braised pork is fanfreakingtastic.

Of course the actual Gose was just as delicious, So much so that I grabbed two growlers and 3 bottles. Hah.
Looking forward to swinging through every time I'm up there.
Cheers!

 

I'm not a huge Kombucha fan, but the guy that makes that, who is local, does a fantastic job. Lost Nation is doing pretty well for themselves; it is even more impressive they don't put out an IPA given the current trends in beer.

 

We had a great time at Lost Nation. Really cool atmosphere and good music. They filled my Jacks Abby growler. My wife and I did the tasters ($5 for 6 pours is awesome). The food looked good but we didn't have any. And that Gose, oh my, I shoulda bought more.