New Yorker Visiting NH and VT

I had to look up Washington, NH to see what part of the state it's in. Looks like it's not too far from Sunapee, so I'd suggest a visit to the Flying Goose Brewpub. Rik always has a ton of good beers on tap and the view from the bar is spectacular.

A trip to Burlington, VT wouldn't be complete without stopping at the Vermont Pub and Brewery. A stones throw away is American Flatbread which in addition to their own brews also offers a great selection of beers. If you want to bring some beers home check out Winooski Beverage.

Don't forget to stop at the Alchemist Brewery in Waterbury to grab some Heady Toppers. You'll never forgive yourself if you don't.

 

I just did a VT beer trip over the past 3 days. Definitely hit up the Alchemist in Waterbury and Prohibition Pig, Blackback pub are about 10 minutes away. They have a ton of Lawson's and Hill Farmstead on draft, insanely good beer bar and prohibition pig has great barbecue food. Check out their website. Have fun.

 

I've noticed that for the past few weeks they seem to sell out of Heady pretty quickly. I was going to drive from RI to VT just to pick some up and visit the cannery- any idea if I'd run the risk of missing out on getting any? It'd be a real shame to drive 4.5 hours for nothing.

edit: probably going to be crazy and leave in time to get there when they open at 11

 

Holiday weekends, Brewer Festival weekends, Releases at other area brewery weekends, they tend to sell out on Saturdays. I would call them late on Friday before making the drive.

 

They can fresh Heady on Monday and Thursday. Your best bet would be to go on Mon/Tues or Thurs/Fri if you are worried about it running out.

 

Even though the brewery sells out, it isn't hard to find cans. Winsooki Beverage usually has cans, but they sell out too. Sometimes they have Lawson's too. The Stowe Liquor store also usually has cans, which isn't that far from Waterbury, but make sure to check the dates on their cans.

While in Burlington, you should check out the Farmhouse. It is pretty pricey but the food is awesome and they also have a great selection. Like previously said, American Flatbread and Vermont Pub Brewery are good spots, but skip Three Needs, if you were thinking about going there. Skip Magic Hat, not worth your time. Fiddlehead brewing is in Shelburne which if you are driving up Rt 7 to get to Burlington you'll pass right by, but not a far drive from Burlington.

Like others have said, Blackback is a great place to go. It can be a little $, but if you can't fit a visit to Hill Farmstead into your trip this is the next best thing. As of a few days ago they had 9ish HFs on tap. The Reservoir is another good place in Waterbury. They have a pretty decent tap list, and if you are not looking for BBQ, it is the best place in Waterbury for food (Probation Pig is the place to go if u want BBQ)

As you cross into NH from VT on I89, on your right will be 7 Barrel Brewery in West Lebanon (exit 20), or if you are going down I91 and then cross in NH, you'll pass by Harpoon's Windsor location.

 

I'm assuming you'll be coming up I-91? Looks like you're smack dab between Flying Goose brewpub in New London and Elm City brewpub in Keene. I haven't been to Flying Goose since I was about 15, but I remember it having a great view, and the beers I had at a couple fests last summer were quite good, and it's on your way up to Burlington. I've been to Elm City a couple times in the last few months, and I've really enjoyed it--solid beer, nice sunny space in an old mill just outside downtown, and a really nice patio out front. If you're cutting through Keene on your way to Washington, I'd recommend stopping in for a sampler at least. There's also a nice, new beer store in downtown Keene. You could also stop at McNeill's in Brattleboro, VT, if you get off the highway there.

 

I also suggest a visit to Waterbury VT ( thirty minutes south of Burlington), not only for the Alchemist cannery, but there are three bars (Prohibition Pig, Blackback Pub, and The Resevoir that carry lots of HF and Lawson's . Heady is on tap at Prohibition (this was the original Alchemist Brewpub that was destroyed by Hurricane Irene). Waterbury would be an ideal place to spend the night imo. The bars are basically across the street from each other. The triangle of killer IPA.