NYC to VT - Insane?

The two Thursdays I was there was late August and then Mid-September. Both times, I think we got there around 1 or 2. Now were were there for about an hour, but we also took part in their sampling program and really did not rush. But when we were ready to fill the growler, especially during the September trip, there were literally like 2 or 3 others just sampling beer and we got our growlers filled with no wait. Two visits is hardly a sample size and I may just be lucky.

 

No thoughts of stopping at Treehouse Brewing?

 

Oh okay, sounds like you're on your way to really digging IPAs, in which case VT is a great destination.

 

Yes, there's stuff that's not available - I don't mean to imply that there's not. I just am not sure that in the scheme of things, what's available there that you can't get elsewhere is really worth your stopping on a long trip, although it is on your way. If anything, Jack's Abby is probably the best reason to stop. What "rare belgians" are you talking about? You're not going to find Cantillon at T&V.

Yes. People in Vermont for long weekends/vacations, etc. One midsummer Thursday last summer, the line was 25 deep at 11 AM when I arrived. Granted, I think it was the last day CD6 was available, there was Everett in bottles, there was Clara in bottles, there was b1 La Vermontoise and the weather was AMAZING, but you're going to see a lot more people there midweek in the summer, and probably on the weekends too (I've never been on a summer Saturday before).

 

I would absolutely do this!. It's not all that far out of your way, and is fantastic. Skip Table and Vine and or NEBCO (both of which I love) and hit Treehouse if you haven't been there before. The old place was a bit cooler in terms of the experience, but the beer remains fantastic.

 

i agree. there's a ton of shelf turds @ table and vine and nebco is less than an hr and a half from yankee stadium.
you'll have to buy treehouse's growlers but well worth the stop.

 

Random thoughts:

That sounds like an incredibly long day.
I'm having trouble remembering anything sold at Hunger Mountain that is not sold in MA and is worth going out of the way for - not sure about NY.
Warren is pretty barren beer-wise except for Lawson's

 

Most of what the Warren Store gets from Lawson's is IPA's, none of the barrel aged stuff is sold there. If IPA's are not your thing, this might not need to be a priority for you.

 

some jester king maybe logsdon

 

Jester King? Since when? Last time I was up there was around June

 

Some Jester King on the shelves at Hunger Mountain last I was there

 

does NY get Prairie? That's mostly what I bought off the shelf last time I was in VT.

 

Backacre Golden Sour, sometimes. Totally worth the trip there if they have it.

 

You'll love Table and Vine. There are tons of goodies that you can't get in NY. I'd look at NEBCO's FB site before you go... the rotation changes constantly.

In my experience, by the time HF opens there is already a bit of a line. Unless you arrive half an hour early, be prepared to hang out and chew the (kosher) fat with the other craft fans on line.

Like others said, this sounds like a grueling day. It would be even more fun if you could have a driving partner.

 

Was just up at HMC and was lucky to get one. Asked beer guy about more and he said he was being told by the owner/brewer that he would not be producing another batch in the near future. Who knows how reliable this information is.

Personally, I have been to HMC twice and left very unimpressed both times (except for Golden Sour find). If you are in Montpelier anyway, does not hurt to stop but would not go out of your way. Just my opinion.

 

agree with all of this. i would nix warren and t&v, and try to put in some food/drink time at 3 penny or waterbury.

i'd also nix nebco, because honestly that trip is better train -> NH -> back. drink as much as you want, hit prime 16, etc. if you post on the forums you can probably find a ride to NEBCO if you don't mind shooting the shit about beer with someone for 5 minutes.

but yeah, streamline is my advice. the VT trip is doable and enjoyable, but take some time to enjoy it.

 

saw petite prince and one other i forget (noble king maybe?) in december.

to the OP, def skip T&V and NEBCO. also, like others have said, i'd cut out warren since your wait time at HF will most likely be more than 30+ min. tree house, while amazing, is about 35 or so min to the east from T&V, so that would add a lot more time. it's absolutely worth checking out sometime though.