Vermont Trip - Lessons Learned

Some friends and I made a trip to VT this past week and I learned a few things that may help if you are making a trip to VT...

1) Time of Year Matters

We arrived in VT on Friday morning, 11/01/13. All of our research indicated that Alchemist would sell out on Friday and long lines would await us at Hill Farmstead. Not the case... we arrived at Alchemist 45 min early and were first in line. Including our brewery stop, we purchased 6 cases of Heady Topper (among 3 people) in less than 5 hrs. We had mapped out all of the locations outside of the brewery that sold HT from Warren to Stowe which aided us, but we could have easily bought more. We simply stopped at that point. Furthermore, the brewery did not sell out until Saturday. We could have purchased another case each there. We arrived at Hill Farmstead 35 min early and were ~15th in line, and had growlers filled in approx. in 1 hr of opening.

Why was it so much easier than expected? After talking to the local vendors, we had arrived at the perfect time for us... the leaves had already fallen and the heavy snowfalls had not yet arrived. We arrived at the low point of tourist season (foliage/skiing). Something to consider... VT is still beautiful with or without the leaves, and from our experiences, this may be the perfect time to make a beer trip.

2) Stay in Waterbury

We stayed at Stowe Cabin in the Woods. Decently priced and furnished, and only 5 miles from Waterbury. We planned on being able to take a taxi back at forth so we could enjoy what Prohibition Pig, Blackback, and Reservoir had to offer (check out their tap lists... impressive). Except the taxis wouldn't come out that far. Based on location alone, the Stagecoach Inn is probably a wise choice.

3) Check dates on Heady Topper (duh)

Despite how quickly HT may sell out, check the dates... I do it for all the beers I buy at a bottle shop, so why not in VT? Maybe excitement over HT, and more likely on the belief that it always sells out. Anyway, out of ~6 cases, 16 cans were almost 2 mos. old.

If I think of anything else, I'll add it to this thread... hope this helps.

 

The date on the can is 31026. Can made on Sunday and sold same week?

 

Distribution that week was Steve's Backyard Red Ale which I picked up at the Warren Store. Relatively low BA score, but read that recipe changed and last few reviews since change were vastly improved.

Just missed Hopzilla at Reservoir in Waterbury

 

Good to hear. I'll take a pic of what I was looking at when I get back home today and post. After reading your post, I did some research and everything I read confirms what you posted. Thanks.

 

Hey...

I was one of the group of 3 at HF behind you in line... unfortunately, we didn't make it to Philly. We finished a 2L growler of Edward and 5x 750ml Double Citra's that evening, and then left at 7 the next morning for a 12 hr drive. A trip into Philly would have added 1.5 hr of driving time, plus however long we spent in the store... we were a bit run down at that point.

We do plan on now making a separate trip to Philly though... appreciate the info.

 

Russian River beers at Local 44 and Craft Beer Outlet (not Pliny though).