VT Trip

When I went up for the Damon release a couple of months ago I stayed in Stowe on the recommendation of the folks at HF. It was a nice location being only 20 mins from The Alchemist and maybe an hour from HF. There was plenty of places to eat there with great beer on tap too.

But if I was to go again and stay for a night or two I would look to stay in Waterbury. The Alchemist is right there and HF is still about an hour away (I think). But the town itself is a nice little area with great bars and restaurants like The Reservoir, Blackback and Prohibition Pig which opened in the old Alchemist brew pub.

If you'd like to get Lawson's the best place is the Warren Store in Warren which I think is about 1/2 hour away from Waterbury. I think Lawson's gets delivered on Friday mornings there and it's a 4 bottle limit pp. I know of others scoring some at the Hunger Mountain Co-op with a two bottle limit but I've never been myself.

 

Waterbury is a great town to stay in. For a cheap(ish) hotel, there's a Best Western just off the highway. Stowe is nice too, but it's a very touristy town and rather pricey.

The current Alchemist brewery only sells cans of Heady Topper. There's a small tasting room/gift shop and a doorway looking into the brewery. I don't think Heady Topper is available on tap, other than the samples at the brewery. I've heard rumors that the Alchemist may be sending kegs to Prohibition Pig (former location of the Alchemist brewpub).

The Blackback Pub in Waterbury usually has Hill Farmstead beers on tap. Burlington is about 20-30 minutes from Waterbury. Head up there for an afternoon at the VT Pub & Brewery and American Flatbread. They're practically across the street from each other.

Finally, on the day you go to Hill Farmstead head a little farther north for Parker Pie Company in West Glover. Awesome pizza and beers! Definitely worth the trip.

VT has a great beer culture and folks are pretty laid back. Enjoy your trip!

 

You will have a great time, me and my girlfriend go up to the Waterbury/stowe area every month and a half or 2. I love it up there, if you love great beer, great food, and great people you'll love it too.

 

Parker Pie is awesome, I also highly recommend stopping at the Mad Taco in Waitsfield on your way to the Warren store, great local mexican fare and good beer on draft usually including lawsons. I'll also echo that Burlington Flatbread has great food and good beers, VPB, not so much.

 

If your around on Saturday you should stop by the Montpelier Farmers Market and pick up some Lawon's Finest Liquids.

 

I just did this trip recently, and hit the Warren Store for Lawson's - Alchemist (plus Ben & Jerry's ) - Rock Art - Trapp Family Lodge - Hill Farmstead. So much fun. I cannot recommend enough a stop at the Trapp Family Lodge for lunch and beer. It's 20-25 minutes from the Alchemist. The cafe building, detached from the lodge itself, is on a beautiful spot overlooking the hills nearby. They only make lagers and they're all really great. The artisnal steak sandwich I had there was superb.

 

Everything's been covered pretty well. I go periodically and I'm headed up there this weekend. You can stay in any of Stowe, Waterbury, or Burlington and be accessible to everything in the area. I've done all and all have their pluses and minuses.

If you're doing Ben and Jerry's, either go early or plan for a shitshow. Just parking there can feel like you're at Disney World. Mobs of people, screaming kids on sugar highs, long waits for tours...

To others - what is officially the deal with Lawson's bottles now? You can no longer reserve at the Warren Store? Are they sold out by end of day Friday or does it typically last until Saturday? And do they sell elsewhere too now?

 

Sean has increased both production and bottling capacity, so he continues to self-distribute but at more local beer places than before, in greater quantity per delivery. Now you can find his beers at Winooski Beverage and Hunger Mtn. Co-op in Montpelier - trouble is (like Heady Topper) - as soon as it hits the shelves people come in and wipe it out. Your most solid bet is the Montpelier Farmers Market on a Sat. (check theior site for dates as it is every other weekend until May) - fewer beer-geeks present and a short window to buy so plenty available. And Sean is usually there to say hi. Warren Store will always carry it, but I heard they are sick of taking orders over the phone. Evan at Winooski Bevvy doesn't mind holding bottles for people - within reason, and as long as it doesn't deprive his regular customers. Try calling the store before you come.

 

The Reservoir is a restaurant just a couple doors up from the old Alchemist/ New Prohibition Pig. Its kind of been the red headed stepchild to the Alchemist but its never as busy and they have a decent tap list if you don't want to fight crowds at the Pig or are waiting for a table.

There's a Cabot cheese factory store in Waterbury Center (along with a chocolate store, apple cider press, blown glass studio etc), I always swing by there because you can sample all the cheeses and they're way cheaper there than in my local grocery store.

 

Just talked to Sean - get all the info you need on his website re: retail deliveries, and will continue to be at Warren store on several days/week, not just Friday, with an increase in quantity. No phone orders taken anymore. Will also be at Waitsfield Farmers Market once a month starting in June. Sales at Montpelier Farmers Market winding down for the season (winter only there.)

 

When I was there last month, the store was emphatic about not taking reservations for bottles anymore (I called and asked twice earlier in the week, and both people were adamant... though apologetic about it). I showed up mid-afternoon on Saturday and about half of Friday's shipment was left. It was mostly bottles of Permagrin ($6 each), and just a few bottles of oak aged Fayston maple I.S. It seemed like the few bottles of Fayston were maybe left over from a previous shipment...not easily noticeable as they were near the back of the store only, and they were $25 each. I assumed that price tag means it leaves shelves slower than the others...?

 

Big Hapi and Permagrin have been what has been hitting stores recently. The Fayston's at Warren have been there for a while. Warren store isn't taking reservations as it isn't needed since they upped production/distro.

I've had no problem the past 6 months getting bottles on Monday/Tuesday at Hunger Mtn in Montpelier. Winooski Bev is usually out by the end of the day Friday and is a 1 bottle limit.

 

Just spent this past weekend in the Burlington Area. You'll have a great time no matter what you do.. its beautiful up there. I visited Hill Farmstead, Rock Art, Alchemist during the day Friday. Stayed at the Hilton in Burlington Friday (book early, the rooms get pricy the closer you get to your stay date). Hotel was in a great spot.. 5 min walk to the Church St/Bank St/College St area where The Farmhouse, VT Pub and Brewery and American Flatbread are. I wish I had more than just a night to spend up there. So much to do, so many places to visit, so little time. I'm sure you've heard, but bring a map to find Hill Farmstead. It was especially tough for me since the sign for Taylor Rd is missing. Don't leave without a growler of the Everett (among others of course). Best porter I've ever had. That growler didn't make it home