Thoughts on new Burlington area breweries?

Discussion in 'New England' started by tobelerone, May 19, 2014.

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  1. tobelerone

    tobelerone Grand Pooh-Bah (4,220) Dec 1, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    My wife and I decided we just can't fight the crowds in Waterbury this Saturday. I've already been chastised for not booking a room at the best western months ago.

    We might as an alternative take a ride through the Burlington area where I assume the beer geek levels will be more manageable. Considering swinging by these new spots and would love to hear from some folks who have checked them out already:

    Queen City
    Infinity
    Four quarters

    Not sure if Burlington beer co is open yet. Also considering going further, up to 14th star.

    And, anyone know if fiddlehead is selling cans from the brewery and whether they are likely to have any this weekend?
     
    seanwhite likes this.
  2. jamesewelch

    jamesewelch Initiate (0) May 11, 2012 Vermont

    Queen City isn't open yet and haven't posted a date or hours yet (however, they are very close - probably within next couple of weeks). Burlington Beer Company grand opening (to public) is Sat and Sun. Fiddlehead just canned Second Fiddle and it's available at the brewery right now. Not sure if/how much they'll have by the weekend.

    This weekend is the Vermont marathon and one of most crowded 3-day weekends for the city, so Burlington will also be packed.
     
    prdstmnky likes this.
  3. duchessedubourg

    duchessedubourg Savant (1,181) Nov 2, 2007 Vermont

    Fiddlehead just did a canning run today of Hodad and an IPA for sale at the brewery now.
     
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  4. tobelerone

    tobelerone Grand Pooh-Bah (4,220) Dec 1, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks for the info folks.

    Anyone had any beer from any of these folks (not fiddlehead, been there a few times already and I know it's good!)?

    Am I missing any new spots in the area?
     
  5. polarbear14

    polarbear14 Initiate (0) May 11, 2012 Vermont

    Went to Four Quarters on Saturday. They had five beers to sample and I came away very pleased with the visit. Very flavorful low gravity beers. Thought the Opus Humulus was excellent and since I'm partial to smoky beers and took home their red ale, Chrysalis. If you're headed to Beverage Warehouse, would be worth a quick stop. They currently fill their own 32 oz flip top bottles and will fill glass from other breweries if you bring it. Four 2 oz pours runs $5. Check their hours before going, currently only open limited windows from Fri-Sun.
     
  6. prdstmnky

    prdstmnky Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2010 Vermont

    Four Quarters is worth the stop if you are in town, not something I would travel great distances to try but everything I tasted was pretty good. Can swing into the Mule Bar as well, for some good local drafts (recently had a bunch of Lost Nation offerings, HF Everett I believe, local ciders, etc).
     
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  7. polarbear14

    polarbear14 Initiate (0) May 11, 2012 Vermont

    Follow up on 14th Star. It's been about a year since I went, but they've really taken off. Their beers are available around Burlington and definitely worth a try, believe their bottles are only available at their shop. Their space is small but they are about to expand into a much larger spot that used to be a bowling alley. Depending on how often you come up to VT, and what else you're doing while here, you may want to wait until their new space opens up.

    Another spot worth a visit is Citizen Cider's new place on Pine Street. They typically have 7-9 offerings and you can get a taster of 5. They've got food and a good vibe, definitely recommend.
     
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  8. mctaco

    mctaco Initiate (0) Nov 12, 2011 Connecticut

    i haven't been to citizen cider's new place yet, but i can say for sure that i am addicted to all of their ciders - and i've heard great things about their new place. i call them "citizen crack".

    if you go to the mule bar, make sure to grab lunch at misery loves co. it is amazing.
     
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  9. SupremePie

    SupremePie Initiate (0) Sep 30, 2012 Vermont

    +1 for Misery Loves co, no trip to the Burlington area is complete without stopping in for a mindblowing bite to eat. And they are right around the corner from Four Quarters, Bevy warehouse and right up the street from mule bar
     
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  10. skivtjerry

    skivtjerry Pooh-Bah (1,865) Mar 10, 2006 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    Visited Infinity last month. Beers were a little uneven, but the good half was pretty good. Really liked their strong red ale. The saison was a little bland, but that is compared with HF et al. Clean, mostly good beer. They are very small and have only been open a few weeks.
     
  11. tobelerone

    tobelerone Grand Pooh-Bah (4,220) Dec 1, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I want to thank everyone for the tips. Misery loves company was indeed killer, that house made pastrami on the Korean Ruben was killer. Plus they had Heady cans and lost nation gose on tap.

    We hit fiddlehead first and loaded up on hodad and second fiddle (love this beer) in cans. Next we went to the opening of Burlington beer and had a nice time sitting outside drinking their saison and hoppy pale ale. Very nice young dudes running the show. Infinity was next and the least interesting or impressive spot. Beers were bland and a bit boring and I probably won't go back unless I hear they've seriously upped their game. Just too many other cool spots with better beer, sad to say.

    An expensive shopping trip to the beverage warehouse followed, lots of great stuff came home with me though. Had lunch at Misery then visited four quarters, which was a blast. The dude pouring -assistant brewer perhaps- was very cool and personable and we chatted a while and sampled six beers. A sour mashed peach wit was great and we took home a growler of their hoppy patersbier which was crushed later in short order.

    To top it off we stopped at the Caledonian distillery outlet on route 7 and had some samples and bought some terrific gin and vodka. Super fun day! Somehow we even stayed relatively sober and had a lot of great stuff to drink that night while we grilled. And, didn't wait on a line all day. Thanks again guys.
     
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