River Roost Brewery – White River Junction, VT

All of the Double IPA's I have had have been really solid (Mas Verde, Martian Moon House, and Unbound). The brewery has a small tasting room where you can grab tasters and growler fills. It has been empty each time I have stopped and it is only about 15 min +/- off of 89 if you are traveling to Vermont. There is also a very solid BBQ place in the same parking lot. Highly recommend a quick stop.

 

I've enjoyed Glimpse the few times I've had it. Def check them out

 

I've been a ton of times and get their brews at Big Fatty's (same parking lot) at least weekly. They make great brews all around and their hoppy offerings are all exceptional. The owner/brewer is very friendly and is happy to discuss his brews. Based on my reviews I have The Rise, Glimpse, and Mas Verde rated the highest but I have never been disappointed.

You can get tasters, growlers, shirts, glassware at the brewery. It is a warehouse style with a nice little bar up front. Very nice tap system and they take care in adjusting for optimal pours.

Very happy that River Roost was recognized on the BA Top New Brewers list and I can't recommend them as a great stop on the way too or home from VT Beer excursions.

 

I was in WRJ a few months back and stopped for dinner at Elixer (same parking lot as the brewery and Big Fatty's). I had never heard of River Roost and the bar tender mentioned they were new and the brewery was right next door so I tried the Martian Moon House and thought it was fantastic. So far that is the only one I've had, but so far so good.

 

Martian Moon House was fantastic. Mas Verde was very flavorful for ABV but a bit thin. Harmonious Caper was very full bodied for a "session". Oompah Bier was a clever mix of hefe, wit and martzen. It was marketed as an "Autumn" beer. The bartender/brewer was very informative and really believes in his product. Samples are free. Tasting room is small, no tables, extremely dim and chilly. If you peek off to the right, you can see a fermenter or two and a few stacks of grain bags. Very plain, but intimate, informal and welcoming...exactly what you would expect in VT. Likewise, the beers follow suit. Not tremendously complex (besides the Oompah, which had a nice spin) or lavish, but well crafted, hoppy, hazy with a raw, local VT feel.
As others have stated, check out Big Fatty's BBQ. The beef brisket is fantastic and the spicy fried pickles are phenomenal. Usually some HF, Lawson's and other local gems are on tap. The bartender (not sure if he is "Big Fatty" but he sure is big) told me they were trying to get some Foam as well. This was in November 2016. They also serve flights.
Finally, there is a little bottle shop there as well. Very limited selection and nothing you won't find at other craft brew stores but there may very well be a "one off" or maybe something you forgot to get elsewhere.
Prices at River Roost, BF's and the bottle shop are average.

 

First off, this is a total one man operation, unless you count his parents working the counter from time to time. That said, Mark is an awesome guy who is fun to talk to and willing to answer all the questions you have. He is doing outstanding beers and has some very cool stuff planned for the future. Almost makes me want to move back to my hometown!

 

Stopped in on the way home last week, samples and growler fills were easy.
Northern Dusky was a very good offering. Worth the visit
Cheers

 

Went yesterday -- and scored a few growlers - nobody in the place at noon opening. Great location on the way to VT for anybody heading up 89. A must stop!! Sampled all three beers and they were excellent -- very juicy -- definately London 3 yeast being used -- and beers closely resembling Trillium IPAs -- albeit a bit more raw. Brewer/owner very cool dude -- said they brew once a week and are at full capacity -- working on getting more fermenters/conditioning tanks. He just hired an assistant brewer who was also real cool and sporting the mandatory beard...Stouts and barrel aging are planned along w bottle releases. This place is gonna be huge. Did not check out the BBQ place as I had a hankering for Worthy Burger 20 minutes up the road...check this place out !!

 

Friend brought me down a growler of the Feet First Citra - fantastic, I agree with the previous poster, very Trillium (huge compliment of course)

 

Wow, wish these guys were open on Wednesdays. Enjoying Martian Moon House on tap next door at Big Fatty's. Top notch.

 

Looks great! I enjoyed that there last Friday.

 

Agree on Martian Moon. I liked it slightly better than the Citra Single hop but both are superb. So pumped to have such an outstanding new hazy IPA brewer so far south in VT and close to Worthy Burger.

 

Having a pint of Glimpse at the moment -- and thinking the reasons for going further north than WRJ for VT Juice just got a lot smaller. Didn't think a beer could be more juicy than Trillium DDHXPA -- but this one is. Outrageous stuff.

 

Just read a nice article about RR in the Yankee Brew News.

Beers look amazing and sound delicious.

 

Wanted to give this place a massive bump; I had their Feet First: Nelson this weekend - absolutely amazing. These guys really makes some fab stuff. Their Muddy Udder (chocolate porter) is also excellent. Thoroughly recommended to anyone heading near to Wihte River Junction in VT.

 

I visited back in May after reading some reviews. I don't know if I had my hopes too high based on those reviews but I was very underwhelmed.

 

What did you try?

 

Feet First (Galaxy). Glimpse. Short Straw. The Rise.

 

Interesting, Glimpse is definitely one that I know a lot of people enjoy. Did you have them as tasters at the brewery, on tap across the street, or growlers brought home.