Thoughts on VT beer tour?

Yeah I think we're looking at the first week in June and between Staying in Burlington and visiting Alchemist and Hill Farmstead it sounds like there are plenty of shops in the area that see distribution of SoS. I appreciate everyone's input.

 

Thought I'd jump in this thread with a related question instead of starting a new one (lots of great info here) - I'm heading to VT tomorrow for the first time and have most of the trip planned out, but wondering if anyone has recommendations for bars with good tap lists in the White River Junction/Hartford area? We're staying right near River Roost, but they close at 8 and Big Fatty's closes at 9, so looking for more options nearby...

 

Matters how good you are looking for and how nearby. There are a few decent options in Hanover, NH that will be open later than 9. Skinny Pancake has a nice bar and decent tap list (NH Distro), Murphy's, Molly's, Canoe Club. They are all ok tap lists. Not VT Distro though.
Worthy Kitchen isn't too far, they are open till 10. The Public House at Quechee Gorge is right by Worthy Kitchen and open till 11. Not bad options usually.
Your best bet is probably Hanover, NH if you want a place open later, College Town, a bunch of options all within walking distance. About a 10 minute drive from WRJ.

 

Nothing against NH but the selection on the other side of the border is usually much more impressive. I'd hit River Roost for growler fills for the hotel and grab a meal/a couple drinks at Big Fattys before heading back to the hotel. Just stayed a couple nights in the area and nothing on the NH side matched Big Fattys taplist (or those River Roost IIPA).

 

Suggest the bar at Simon Pearce in Queeche. They always have a HF draft and you can get cans of Sip...if you dig that CT beer... Drafts ain't cheap -- but the view is outrageous and the bar a thing of VT beauty. Check out those hand blown taps....

 

This has already been kinda answered, but if I were to go up to NE this Friday where's my best bet for getting Lawson's? I've been up twice before and missed. I assume the locations in Warrenton are my best bet but just wanted to check if there were other options. Great thread!

 

Where in NE? New England is quite a large area covering multiple states.

And are you looking for Sip/Super Session or looking for Lawson's bottles? Those are only in VT. Sip/Super Session can be found in CT (where it's brewed), VT, and now has expanded to MA.

 

Going to Tree House, some stuff around Boston and then heading into Maine so I can catch the Swish release on Saturday. I know Yankee Spirits in MA gets Lawsons but I'm sure it sells out. I'd settle for Sip or really anything I could get my hands on

 

Am I crazy or do I remember someone putting a hotel suggestion in the Stowe area up today? Then put mileage to like 20 different breweries. I cant find it now and I wanted to check out that hotel for my next trip.

 

I would agree. I would avoid breweries without taprooms. Unless you just really want to visit them, I would just drink it bars and save hours and hours of driving

 

I was disappointed in Worthy Burger

 

I'm a big fan of Worthy Burger, but it's not really on the way from Concord to Hill Farmstead. Hit it instead on your back from Waterbury to Boston.

 

You should stop at Alchemist in Stowe on your way from HF to Waterbury.

 

Thursday night, leave Boston on 95 to Portsmouth. Have dinner at Portsmouth Brewery or the new Stoneface beer hall (if it's open yet?), then cut over on 101 to get to Concord. If you have time while you're in the neighborhood, Tributary Brewing, Great Rhythm and/or Deciduous are all worthy stops for a quick flight.