I had a lovely trip to Vermont this weekend, and thought I'd share my experiences (inspired by an earlier post in this forum along the same lines). I kenneled the dogs and set out in the late afternoon, just getting to Parker Pie around 9:30 pm. The sausage sub was awesome, but the real treat was the Double Dose on tap. As good as all the hype? Better. Also amusing was the fact that my cell phone thought I was in Canada, and instituted roaming. I snapped this pic of my car's GPS just as a reminder to Verizon that Nrthern Vermont, while quite up there, is still not in fact part of Canada: (Pictured: not Canada.) I started off at 6 am the next morning to do some sight-seeing, and by 10:00 I had landed at Hill Farmstead. There was no line yet, so I explored a bit more. By 11:00, we formed up outside their door. I enjoyed a sampler while in line (Edward; Harlan; Double Citra; Twilight of the Idols; man, Edward was incredible for "just" a pale ale!). Walked out with some Arthur and a 750ml growler of Double Citra, as well as an appropriate glass. (I picked up the Arctic Saison at a grocery store; now I can try one fresh and cellar another.) After that, it was more sight-seeing on my way to Waterbury. I can get plenty of Vermont cheddar and syrup down in Connecticut, but I figured I'd provide some extra tourism dollars, anyway; plus, I bought some (rather underwhelming) apple cider doughnuts. Finally, I met my contact, iatethecloudsfor, outside Blackback Pub for what my wife described as "Kind of like a drug deal," where we exchanged beers. He'd kindly held a case of HT for me, as I wasn't able to get up there during the week. I tried a Zero Gravity Conehead at Blackback - which was excellent! - as well as a Cuban sandwich (which was pretty good). I swung over to Prohibition Pig afterward for a small Heady on tap (just to try it on tap once; it did not disappoint). I picked up a ton of other beer goodies in grocery stores and bottle shops, generally just stuff I can't get in SE CT. The total haul is below: Overall, it was a lovely trip, as expected; rewarding from both sight-seeing and beer-collecting perspectives. Perhaps I'll make it a family vacation in December, stay the entire weekend (one night just wasn't long enough). Prost, Freunde!
Can I ask why you did not get more growlers at HF? Just wondering as I am heading up there on Thursday so hoping it was not due to supply issues. Does not seem like there is one based on website but thought I would ask. Also, do you mind sharing where you stopped to get the other beers?
1) A few reasons. I was carrying a case of Arthur, one growler, and the glass already. I figured if any of the draft options blew me away enough, I would get two growlers, max; Edward and Twilight were excellent (hell, everything was excellent), but Double Citra sealed the deal for me. Plus, there was quite the wait behind me; I didn't want to be selfish and make everyone else wait even longer than they already were. (There were no supply issues of which I was aware.) 2) Let's see: Brattleboro Co-Op got me started with the Lagunitas, and I think some of the Allagash. A local shop just south of HF (the name escaped me, but it's in the town right there) had the Grassroots. Everything else, I think, came from the Montpelier Co-Op. I hit up a few other bottle shops, but it seems that I was too late in the week to get anything too special (e.g. Lawson's, Zero Gravity, more HF). Thursday should work out better for you. Definitely try the Montpelier Co-Op, although locals will probably be able to give you some extra guidance. Best of luck; cheers!
Not Lagunitas in general; those two beers. I've never seen Sumpin' Sumpin' Wild in my area, and if Brown Shugga gets here, I haven't seen it yet (similarly, I don't get Hop Stoopid, and I've only seen Sucks once). I can, however, get tons of Maximus, IPA, 13, Sumpin' Sumpin' (non-Wild edition), and several others. I've been wanting to try SSWild for a while, and Brown Shugga gets a lot of love, as well.
I was at HF on Saturday, Double Citra was still on tap as of 3:00 pm. Limit is three growler fills per person per trip through the line. The wait was over an hour, so it isn't practical to get back in it if you wanted more (at least in my opinion). As mentioned, the Hunger Mountain Food Coop in Montpelier has a great selection of beers. With a Thursday trip planned, I hope you're hunting for some Lawson's as well...
I am planning to do the Warren Store for Lawson's, get to the Alchemist when it opens to get a case of HT, and HF for whatever they have that day. I have only tried HT before so am really looking forward to Lawson's and HF. I hear about so many other good VT options so would like to get something else at Hunger Mountain Coop if I have time. Thanks for the heads up!
Keep in mind it's about an hour between the Alchemist and HF; there's likely to be a long line by the time you get to HF. That might not be a problem; just letting you know. The only Lawson's I managed to try was the aforementioned Double Dose, but it was fantastic. If I make another trip soon, I plan on trying to go earlier in the week to get whatever Lawson's may be available, as well as hitting up HF to see what might be new on tap.
Do you see Double Dose hanging around any shops while you were there? Is there any left in the entire state? If so, would it still be "fresh?"
fyi, if you ever come back and make it up to Burlington... go to Shelburne Orchards for cider doughnuts... a-freaking-mazing. The owner is an awesome guy and not because he gave me free samples of hot cider with maple crown royal.
