im going to Boston with my wife (The CEO) and part of the deal is I'm taking us to Hill Farmstead. For those of you who live out that way, are there any other suggestions of breweries that are a must see?
Hit Waterbury, VT and visit Prohibition Pig. Great food and typically an excellent taplist. Lost Nation is also a brewery to check out while in the area. You might luck into some Heady Topper while in the area as well.
If you're going all out you may as well also take the trip into Alchemist territory to try and score some HT. Slightly off-topic, but if you're going anywhere near Jeffersonville and enjoy bourbon/gin/rum/etc, check out Smuggler's Notch distillery. They make a great sipping rum and a nice 7-year bourbon; they also have a dry-hopped gin I've been dying to try. Tiny little town in the middle of nowhere, but it's a beautiful area.
Fiddlehead, Ottercreek, 14th Star are 3 of my favorites... Also a good place to hit after Hill farmstead is Parker Pie in West Glover, VT. Great pizza and a great tap list.
If you're headed into Morrisville for Lost Nation you might as well stop into Rock Art in the same town who also make some good brews. Lost Nation actually moved into Rock Art's old brewery when Rock Art moved to their current location around the corner.
Haha good. SND is a great group of people too, you won't be disappointed I'm sure if you do visit. Also I will second Prohibition Pig, I've been there a couple of times and it's a great venue. I should also mention that Long Trail is a pretty solid brewery with a nice brewpub if you're going through the middle part of the state (Bridgewater Corners). They have a fun brewery tour too.
Pro-pig lives up to all the hype, it used to be the spot of the Alchemists pub. You can try and make it up to Burlington as well and stop at the Farmhouse Tap and Grill and Fiddlehead brewery. Make sure you get to HF as early as possible!
If you're staying in Boston, I must agree with JGLittle, GO TO TRILLIUM!! Vermont quality beer in the heart of Boston.
Another vote for Trillium and Lost Nation. Excellent beers, and the food at Lost Nation is outstanding as well.
Check the Alchemist Heady distro (alchemistbeer.com). If it's a delivery day, then you should definitely make a few stops. I went on Christmas Eve, primarily to go to HF, but I managed to pick up a case of Heady as a bonus. Go shopping at Craft Beer Cellar. You can buy some great stuff there, including a lot of local beer (e.g. Lost Nation). Finally, Pro Pig is great, but don't forget the other bars and restaurants in the same area. There are a ton right in that spot, all with great tap lists. Enjoy it; going to HF is a heck of a trip, but so worth it. I have a blast every time.
You guys all kick ass. Proving that #craftbeerpeoplearegoodpeople. The CEO just asked me about hotels in the area which means I've been given the green light. We are staying in downtown Boston with her family so I do appreciate all the tips and suggestions. So far I have Sam Adams (I've been to Boston eight times, figured it is time), trillium, and hill farmstead. I'm enjoying everything I am reading. Thanks so much. E
Few more details would be helpful. When? Looks like you're from CA. Remember that in the Northern Kingdom snow season turns eventually into mud season and eventually to a glorious summer for one week in July. If you're not accustomed to New England travel, don't underestimate the drive time, take it easy going up Taylor Road, and you may want to take the full insurance coverage on the rental car. If you're flying back home, are you interested in collecting bottles or just tasting while you're here? Trillium, for example, is great to pick up bottles or fill growlers, but is not really a place to go to hang out, and I'm not sure they're (currently) serving any of their beers at the brewery. That may get sorted in the new year. To taste Trillium, people recommend Row 34 next door (can't say, never been there) but you're probably better off going to one of the better Boston area beer bars- like Lord Hobo or Publick House. While in the Boston area, take a visit to the holy trinity- Mystic, Idle Hands/Enlightenment and Night Shift are within five minutes of each other (Everett and Chelsea), all excellent and great places to visit. In Vermont, there are two routes to HF from Boston- straight up I-93 (then across on smaller roads to HF, which passes by Parker Pie) or diverting off I-93 to I-89, which takes you past Montpelier, Waterbury, Stowe and Morrisville. So Parker Pie (as worthy of a diversion as it is) is always a dilemma for my scheduling. I'm usually shooting up I-93 as fast as I can in the morning (when I wouldn't want to stop for pizza) then taking the opposite route home. And if you've spent a fair amount of time in the HF line and then go to Parker Pie, there's not much time left in the day for stops in Waterbury etc. Don't miss Lost Nation- great food, great beer and a really nice place to hang out. (Double check the directions, they diverted Rt 100 through Morrisville so getting there is an adventure.) Rock Art... not so much. I think the Waterbury bars (Pro Pig, Reservoir and Black Back) are ok (personally prefer the Rez) and it's a definite plus being able to do a mini bar-crawl, but I usually skip Waterbury and stop in Montpelier at the Three Penny. I just like the atmosphere there more.
@pehodges first week in feb. I've been six times. My wife is Boston born, bred, and definitely Boston strong. I will most definitely hit the three you suggested. Probably gonna buy bottles galore and just ship them back snail mail.
If you really want to score points with the CEO, stay in Waterbury and make a dinner reservation at Hen of the Wood. Best food in the area in my opinion, and Heady on draft.
I highly recommend the stage coach inn in waterbury, it's a bed and breakfast within walking distance from Black Back Pub! You wont have to worry about getting back to the hotel after the many bar crawl and you'll have an amazing breakfast!
