Hey all , planning a trip to Bangor Maine towards the end of the month to visit a friend. I will have a few days to drive around ME , NH and VT. Please send suggestions on breweries with tasting rooms to visit. What are my chances of finding a can of Heady Topper? Thanks!
Your best bet for Heady Topper is to: Search the forums here for the multiple "Vermont Heady Topper search" posts that pop up every few weeks. [E.g. this recent post] The Alchemist and HeadySpotter list delivery information. Show up around delivery time and/or scope out a stores social media presence for exact details. Some have case limits, others have single 4pk limits. Loads of suggestions from a Mainer about Maine stuff [Portland heavy] HERE. In Bangor I'd highly suggest Nocturnem Draft Haus, Geaghan's, Blaze and Hogan Road Deli/Swett's as far as bottle shops go, but there's a much better selection south.
If you to drink a HT it is fairly easy in the Waterbury/Stowe area. Served in many bars. List is on the Alchemist website, with days of delivery. For purchase retail, look at the website and show up at delivery time. I have good luck at the beverage baron in Barre on Monday's. You will wait in line, but they get a sizeable supply of cases. In NH, Stoneface is a great place to stop. In VT, HF is a nice country ride, great beer, but you will have to wait in line (especially for growler fills) the tasting and bottle line is usually not that bad. In ME, you can hit Bissell Bros., Foundation, and Allagash in one easy trip.
Thanks so much , Im really excited. Never been to that part of the country. Maine beer co and Lawsons were definitely on my list.
Lawson's is great, but the brewery is not open to the public (same with The Alchemist). You can get their beers on tap at many local pubs though. Waterbury has a bunch of great options including Prohibition Pig and Blackback across the street. Craft Beer Cellar is a great store across the street as well and they have wide selection of brews and growler fills. Worthy Kitchen in Woodstock is great, and Worthy Burger in South Royalton also great food and beer menu's. In Montpelier, the Three Penny Taproom is excellent as well.
whoa, keep in mind that Bangor ME to the edge of Lawson's/Heady country is about a 4.5 hour drive, one way. Hopefully, you're planning on staying overnight somewhere in VT. If you are, the world opens up. With a little digging, you should be able to find both in Montpelier. Three Penny Taproom is also a reg recommendation. If you hit Waterbury or Burlington, your odds for all sorts of great options (incl HF, Fiddlehead, Foley Bros, Lost Nation, etc) increase quite a bit
From 95 heading north......great lost bear in Portland is a great beer bar.....Amatos for an Italian sub.....bissell brothers is across the street from allagash....slight detour to Maine beer co in Freeport ..and then to ebenezeers in Brunswick...back on track to Bangor
Flying into bangor. Staying in that general area for a few days , then headed to VT and NH. Im a big fan of SmuttyNose , might hit it up too. I have just read soooo much about Hill Farmstead , allagash lawsons etc. Thanks again for the info!
