Trip to Vermont from DC

1. Stayed at the Best Western in Waterbury and it was reasonably priced and close to all the great bars in town.

3. Headyspotter.com - I was in the Stowe area during deliveries a few Fridays ago and it went super fast... by 1130ish.

 

Unless you leave really early from DC you are probably going to have a tough go of it. Not sure what the deliveries for HT are for Mondays, but I believe most deliveries in the Waterbury area are on Fridays. Also keep in mind that HF is closed on Sunday and Monday. Saturday would be your only chance and be prepared to possibly wait if you are getting growlers.

I would strongly consider pushing this trip back so you leave on a Thursday or Friday. You really can't go wrong with Waterbury, Montpelier, or Burlington.

EDIT: With Lawson's you cannot visit the brewery. Check their website for delivery information. I have been shut out on Fridays but have also found things as late as Saturdays in Montpelier.

 

If staying in Waterbury I would recommend the Old Stagecoach Inn. It's a nice place and it's stumbling distance from Pro Pig, Blackback, and The Reservoir. They have suites with three beds, so if they allow you to bring in a cot or air mattress you could fit all four guys in one suite and save money for more beer.

 

1) If you want the nightlife and more going on - stay in Burlington. If you just want the best beer around - Waterbury.
2) Saturday - HF is closed Sunday-Tues. Alchemist and Lawson's have no brewery visits.
3) I'm no expert on this
4) You're not far from Mt. Mansfield in that area of VT. Its mud season so plan accordingly but great hike there.
5) Pro Pig brewery and bar, Lost Nation - hugely underrated and amazing food, Rock Art, Trapp Family, Fiddlehead, Otter Creek and Drop In

 

My advice is...go when HF is open. Wed-Sat. Stock up there.

 

This might help choosing breweries to go to: http://www.vtbeer.org/breweries/map/

The Alchemist's website provides the delivery schedule for Heady Topper. I think your best bet to get HT is Healthy Living Market in Burlington first thing Monday morning. They are one of the few places where you can buy cases (1 per person).

 

On your way home I would also recommend making a pit-stop at a good bottle shop in NJ. NJ has fanatastic distribution and you'll probably find some great beers not distributed to DC. Ask the Mid-Atlantic forum for recommendations off I-95.

 

Go to fiddlehead! Idk how they get overlooked when people mention the great breweries here.

 

Can't go wrong with many hikes up there. All sorts of options.

For a central location to breweries, food, and hiking, I'd recommend Waterbury/Stowe. But since you're heading up Saturday, you'll probably be better off doing Burlington. You'll be able to try the beers you want (on draft) and enjoy the night life there, plus hit up Fiddlehead. Really, your best option (as already stated) is to head up Thursday or early Friday if you want to get cases of HT, SOS, etc...

Hill Farmstead - You won't find their beers in bottles at liquor stores, only at bars/restaurants and the brewery (Open Saturday, noon-5pm). Growler fills are a must.

Lawson's - Brewery not open to the public. Friday deliveries are in Richmond & Burlington, and every-other-Monday in Woodstock and South Royalton (on your way home). Their website gives delivery locations - call the stores ahead of time.

Alchemist - Brewery not open to the public. Friday deliveries are focused around Stowe/Waterbury and will sell out within a few hours. Getting there after 6pm isn't an option. Monday deliveries are focused around Barre/Montpelier, and that would be a solid area to stakeout on your way home. USE HEADYSPOTTER!!!

Fiddlehead - Brewery IS open to the public - get some pints there. Distribution of Second Fiddle is non existent, so you'd have to pick your weekend right. Usually they post on Facebook several weeks in advance as to when their SF releases will be. Bring cash!

I've also considered making this trip from Boston, and constantly come back to the fact that Thursday/Friday through the weekend is the way to go to increase your chances at getting your beers of choice. If you guys have flexibility and can decide on one or two week's notice when you're heading up there, that'll increase your odds at landing Second Fiddle and possibly even some Focal Banger or other Alchemist brews.

Good luck!

 

For your stay;

look into Hostel Tevere in Warren. Cheap and they have a bar with lawsons on tap all of the time, and the owners are amazing people.

Its not far from Waterbury, of which Prohibition Pig has a brewery now, and amazing food. Also Craft Beer Cellar is across the street for package beer to bring home.

There is a lot to do in the Waterbury area aside also.

Worst day to go to HF is Saturday IMO. longest lines, etc. I'd shoot for Thursday at Hill, and explore the rest of the area through the weekend. there are a bunch of awesome breweries in VT(Fiddlehead, Zero Gavity, Pro Pig) that you can visit. Also, Otter Creek is making some really solid stuff right now and worth a visit.

 

I usually stay in a cheap but very nice airbnb in Waterbury (150 a night for the whole shebang). It's maybe 100 yards from the bars. Getting Lawson's bottles will be the hardest on itinerary, but you never know.

 

23, go to Burlington. Great nightlife and Heady and Fiddlehead are right there. I'd def take the ride to HF as well.

 

Burlington for night life for sure.

Pro Pig in Waterbury, Best Western nearby, is a must. Mad Taco in Waitsfield, close to various swimming holes and trail heads near Mad River Glen is great too.

You're gonna pass some good options on the way up. Particularly Treehouse in Mass, kinda close to I-91. Also Amherst Brewing in Mass. Unspectacular IPA's, but they've had HF and Alpine Duet n draft in recent months and is worth keeping an eye on.

Rock on dude. "When I was your age" I did a similar trip (ok just Boston to Stowe) for Mountain Alr growlers when the Shed was there, and I really couldn't tell you a whole lot about the beer...but that was a fun ass trip.

 

I'm from VA myself and curious how your trip turns out. Will keep an eye out and best of luck!

 

You can rent a cabin at Little River State Park but call well in advance. The only issue is the drive if you've had a few.

 

Unless your heart is set on Vermont then for a weekend trip I would suggest the Portland Maine area with the great beers coming from Bissell Bros, Foundation, Austin St. Also Allagash and many others. Given the restaurants and bars in Portland the posibities are almost endless.

 

On the hiking front, note that Mt. Mansfield is currently reporting over 6 feet of snow still on the ground(!!):

http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/nsa/repo...y=2015&dm=4&dd=27&units=e&sort=value&filter=0

It's a great hike, and I'm looking forward to doing it myself later this summer, but I guess it will have to be a little later than I anticipated!

 

I usually go up on Fridays and can get as much Heady as I want between Waterbury and Morrisville. You have to visit a few stores but they are really close to each other. I have never left VT with less than I wanted and always could have bought more.