River Roost Brewery – White River Junction, VT

Discussion in 'New England' started by JuanFushashi, Jan 13, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. JuanFushashi

    JuanFushashi Crusader (468) Feb 5, 2011 Maine
    Trader

    Hi, all -

    Since I just saw it posted in the new BA "34 Best New Breweries" article, I wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts about River Roost. They seem to have a few, but not a ton, of ratings on here, and 50–200 per beer on Untappd (with a solid 4.08 overall rating). It looks like they've got the hazy IPA thing going for them, but it would be cool to hear some firsthand experience with the brewery and the beer.

    For those who want to check it out:
    Cheers!
     
    jhavs likes this.
  2. ajthegreat

    ajthegreat Initiate (0) Nov 11, 2010 Vermont

    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.
     
  3. soheadyithurts

    soheadyithurts Zealot (551) Jan 4, 2013 Massachusetts

    I've enjoyed Glimpse the few times I've had it. Def check them out
     
    BigStein88 and jhavs like this.
  4. jhavs

    jhavs Grand Pooh-Bah (3,587) Apr 16, 2015 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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.
     
  5. mwginnh

    mwginnh Initiate (0) Aug 27, 2010 Massachusetts

    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.
     
    BigStein88 and jhavs like this.
  6. CTHopman

    CTHopman Initiate (0) Jul 22, 2016 Connecticut

    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.
     
    JuanFushashi likes this.
  7. BigStein88

    BigStein88 Savant (1,059) Nov 5, 2007 New Hampshire
    Trader

    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!
     
  8. SABERG

    SABERG Grand Pooh-Bah (5,001) Sep 16, 2007 Massachusetts
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    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
     
    JuanFushashi and jhavs like this.
  9. chipawayboy

    chipawayboy Pooh-Bah (2,181) Oct 26, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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 !!
    [​IMG]
     
    cmurphycode likes this.
  10. gruffyboy

    gruffyboy Devotee (308) Oct 10, 2014 Massachusetts

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

    Resuin Pooh-Bah (2,921) Jun 18, 2012 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

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

    [​IMG]
     
    smutty33, Phishagonia and jhavs like this.
  12. jhavs

    jhavs Grand Pooh-Bah (3,587) Apr 16, 2015 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Looks great! I enjoyed that there last Friday.
     
    Resuin likes this.
  13. chipawayboy

    chipawayboy Pooh-Bah (2,181) Oct 26, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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.
    [​IMG]
     
    Phishagonia and jhavs like this.
  14. chipawayboy

    chipawayboy Pooh-Bah (2,181) Oct 26, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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.
     
    jhavs likes this.
  15. smutty33

    smutty33 Pooh-Bah (2,172) Jun 12, 2009 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah Trader

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

    Beers look amazing and sound delicious.
     
    jhavs likes this.
  16. gruffyboy

    gruffyboy Devotee (308) Oct 10, 2014 Massachusetts

    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.
     
    chipawayboy likes this.
  17. JLK7299

    JLK7299 Pooh-Bah (2,825) Apr 21, 2016 North Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    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.
     
  18. jhavs

    jhavs Grand Pooh-Bah (3,587) Apr 16, 2015 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    What did you try?
     
  19. JLK7299

    JLK7299 Pooh-Bah (2,825) Apr 21, 2016 North Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Feet First (Galaxy). Glimpse. Short Straw. The Rise.
     
    jhavs likes this.
  20. jhavs

    jhavs Grand Pooh-Bah (3,587) Apr 16, 2015 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    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.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.