Preferably looking for the opinions of skiers/snowboarders as that is the primary purpose of this trip. So I'm looking at possibly doing a snowboard trip to Vermont this winter (never been to Vermont). Unfortunately won't have much time for beer consumption, but would like to at least be in a position where I can take home some growlers and cans. Been doing some research and it certainly seems beer-wise I'm best off going further north, particularly to Stowe if I want to get Alchemist, Hill Farmstead, Lawson's, etc. But my question is if I stay further south (Okemo, Mount Snow) is there anything in that area? I saw that Mount Snow does a Winter Brewer's Festival at the end of March on the weekend I was looking to go, but looking at last year's lineup it doesn't look super impressive other than Maine Beer, Lord Hobo and Jack's Abby. Or maybe get the best of everything and do Killington which is a little further up? Another question - does Alchemist distribute cans anymore since they opened the new location? In other words, can you get Heady Topper or Focal Banger outside of the brewery?
Basically, anything south of I-89 is beer-deprived relative to what you'll find north of I-89. If you're going through Brattleboro, you can fill your trunk with cans at the Coop which usually has a decent selection of Vermont's finest distro (excepting The Alchemist) and, if you have time, Whetstone Station across the street usually has a viable tap list and pretty good food. If you end up at Okemo, it's under an hour into WRJ to get to River Roost and Big Fatty's or a couple of hours up to Alchemist. Because beer is more important than skiing. It just is.
Oh, and... Yes, they still distribute, again mostly north of 89 and mostly just the Heady, at least that I've seen.
If it was my trip I would choose Sugarbush and Mad River Glen for the ski options. Close to Stowe for Alchemist and Waterbury for great beer options. Not too far off to run into Burlington or Hill Farmstead.
Stay in waterbury and ski stowe/sugarbush/MRG. Best of all worlds beer wise and relatively close to those mountains. Stay at the Old Stagecoach Inn - 25 yards to the big 3 Waterbury pubs and OSC has Heady cans at their bar....which I have seen folks order w/ the incredible/included breakfast. Cheers and good luck.
If you're already driving from PA and looking to ensure you get some of the beers you list, I would avoid Mount Snow, Okemo or Killington. I typically ski Mount Snow (shortest drive from CT) and there are good beer options, but for a little more driving you can get so much more! I would do either Sugarbush or Stowe. The idea of staying in Waterbury is a good one, but it will be a bit of a drive (~30 mins) to either mountain. Not sure how good of a snowboarder you are but both Sugarbush and Stowe will have more challenging terrain and more of a variety of terrain than the southern mountains. Walking distance to Blackback will ensure solid food and arguably the best tap list in VT.
OP heads up - Mad River Glen doesn't allow snowboarders - too bad because it's my 2nd favorite mountain and they have Lawsons on tap in the lodge. That said, I agree with posters that Sugarbush (same area as MRG) is a good area for booth good beer options and snowboarding. I've had cans of Heady at the base of Sugarbush. Honestly, you're coming up all the way from PA - I wouldn't bother with any skiing south of Sugarbush (Killington's OK) as there's a better chance for better snow conditions in northern VT.
You're going to want to go to Jay Peak. HF is 45 min, Alchemist is an hour, and the skiing is twice as good as anything in VT.
If he cared only about skiing, then sure. But Jay is a lonely place unless you're with a large group. EDIT: Just read OP, is a snowboarder. My advice stands, minus MRG. You have to drive to both mountains either way, so I always prefer to stay in Waterbury (adds an extra ten minutes or so). Stowe has some good spots as well, but isn't as walkable.
Castlerock Pub at Sugarbush has Heady Cans and Sip cans, and pretty much always has Sip on draft. They have had other Lawson's stuff on draft before, but it's inconsistent. Jay has the best skiing in VT, and you are only 45 mins from HF. If it were me, and skiing were the focus of my trip, I would hit Jay. Take 100 through Stowe and grab a bunch of Alchemist stuff to bring up with you and drink up there. They had 56 inches of snow in November, so it is shaping up to be a great season.
