My wife and I made our first visit today and were pretty impressed. Though the tap room is small and attached to what is primarily a production brewery, everything was great. It actually reminded us of a miniature Alchemist (the old brewpub), with the twists on standard pub food, the number of locals swarming the bar and the straightforward, quality atmosphere (and the sometimes cheesy, inaudible music). And we were approached by strangers wanting us to take photos of them, as happened so often at the Alchemist. Beers are not quite at those heights yet, though still excellent, but the business is young. $4.00 pints and cheap, tasty food. It would be nice if they were closer to us than a 45 minute drive, but no other complaints.
I recently stopped by there, agree that the beer was tasty, not outstanding. No complaints, especially for the price. I thought the food was really good! The location was interesting, attached to a metal fabricating shop and next door to snow plow manufactuer.
Lost Nation is a regular stop for me now. Sure they don't have any IPAs, and I'm glad they don't. Vermont has enough (D)IPAs. The Gose has to be my favorite, at least during these warmer temps. HF makes some amazing saisons but Lost Nation's is better for the price (imo). I agree with the old Alchemist pub feel. It is usually split 50/50 with tourist and locals, but always a friendly atmosphere. Which is what made the Alchemist brewpub such a great place to visit and such a tragedy to lose. If you are doing the Alchemist(Waterbury) <-> HF trek, you should be stopping at Lost Nation.
I love the place, the food, the price, the brewers, the low-gravity beers - everything about it. One of the best new additions to our brew scene in a little while. Wish I could stop in more often than my occasional trips to HFB.
Right now they are in the back of a small hidden industrial park, but VT100 (the main drag) is being rebuilt and the new routing will be right by their door.
