A friend visiting NH, MA and VT has kindly offered to bring me a beer or two back in Feb! I'm just wondering if you guys can recommend anything? Thanks!
Since you're from the UK, I'm going to assume that there are A LOT of things that you don't have over there that your friend could potentially bring back - definitely more things than he would actually be able to carry. What do you like to drink? How much time does your friend have to chase down beers/ wait in lines for hard to get beers (like Heady Topper)?
I recommend the search function. No, seriously, there are a ton of threads on this same topic. A lot would be what your preference(s) are.
Probably depends quite a bit on where the friend is going too. Some great breweries are pretty far off the beaten path(Hill Farmstead, TreeHouse, Etc...) There are lots of great brews available in stores though and Trillium is right in Boston. If it were me I'd probably ask for a can of Heady Topper if the friend is in their delivery are in VT and something from Trillium.
Cans are easier to put in luggage worry free, so Heady Topper should be on the list. But really, what do you like? Hoppy beers? Stouts? Bourbon Barrel Aged beers? Hundreds of good choices.
For nh brews Stoneface is a great option. Their IPA is pretty common in bottle shops and is absolutely fantastic
I like Porters, Sours, IPAs... however, I like BA beers too Really, I want an offering of some of the best from the area My friend will probably be going to Liquor Stores, he's more of a Whiskey guy so I can't see him waiting in a line Thanks so far!
If he's in Vermont, a can of Heady Topper is a must for someone who likes IPAs. If he's in Vermont during the week he should be able to snag a four-pack of Heady Topper without too much trouble. In MA he should be able to pick up a bottle of barrel-aged Framinghammer, which is an imperial baltic porter by Jack's Abby. Delicious stuff.
Actually we don't know what might be available in February that we've never even heard of yet, so I'd check back closer to his trip if you can. People who like IPAs would like to try Heady Topper, sure, but considering it's only available a couple of days a week in a handful of stores in a remote rural area as far from populated areas as North Yorkshire is from London, your chances are probably low without significant advance planning. We've got plenty of tasty full time brews and rotating seasonal specials arguably just as good all through the region, though, so you'll be fine.
