This place has been on my radar for years but a stop has never worked out. Judging by the current owner’s comments it sound like it’s not quite what it once was. https://www.reformer.com/local-news...cle_f122a35c-71e4-11ee-8b74-1fe5b11356c1.html
Ah that’s a bummer. I used to love watching Tim and Amy’s old YouTube show but never made it to their old inn. Their Novare Res episode was epic back then. Used to love Brattleboro and the area and it’s just across the bridge. They certainly endured a lot in town after the hurricane and some businesses I think didn’t make it. Loved MnNeils and still have a glass. Pandemic probably is what did them in. Like many other businesses I wish them luck if they are still the owners
Was just reading an article about how Sam's outdoor store, a Brattleboro institution for decades is closing, and how there is a lot of homelessness and addiction being played out in town now. Used to be a fun little hippie town, and I still attend a couple concerts a year at the Stone Church but those days are waning according to locals.
It was one of my favourite places to take out of town guests and hang out on the terrace or upper deck over the Connecticut River on a sunny summer day. Come to think of it, it was the first place I ever had an Edward on draft. But a couple years back they ejected all the guest taps and started serving only their own brew. (TBH, I've never tried one)! All the guest taps that Whetstone used to host have relocated around the corner to the River Garden Marketplace... https://www.rivergardenmarketplace.com/craft-beverage-bar/
Enjoying a couple of Abners, while overlooking the Connecticut river was highlight of a trip to Vermont in 2019. I’ve been back since, and their own beers were average at best. Hopefully a new owner will turn the place around, as the location is hard to beat.
Regardless of what is current state, I really enjoyed my trips and stays in Brattleboro. We got some epic deals to stay through Groupon at the old hotel (Latchis?) downtown that had the bar downstairs next door. It was great because the stay was cheap so we would just pour our money into the town and have fun. So many pints at McNeils and playing the damn ring game. We left there swerving one day and literally stumbled into a bizarre in the basement of a church I think it was. We bought some cool stuff. Enjoyed popping into different bars and there was a good coffee shop I believe in a lower level spot at the bottom of the hill. Everyone was always kind and we had some great food. My low moment there was staying just after the flood. The beer bar I mentioned had flooded bad and couldn’t operate normal outside of a few taps and if I’m correct they could only sell hot dogs. The town was ravaged and that made us sad. But we made the best of it. I have close friends and a neighbor who have family in town. Great spot in my heart
Stop there every year on an annual motorcycle trip to Bennington, VT. Always loved getting a fresh Edward and burger while sitting on that top deck. I agree that their own beers are pretty average but still a decent stop on our way. I wonder if that new bridge will be good or bad for the location once it's done?
I visited here in 2019. I remember sitting out on the deck and really loving the views of the river. The beers were pretty average like many have said, but they had their own untappd badge so that was kind of fun. Pro Pigs in-house beers are terrible and honestly their food is not worth having to deal with the hordes of tourist traffic they get. We visited in 2016 and 2022 and the meals + drinks were night and day difference. It was so disappointing after having a great experience for our first meal in Waterbury years ago.
Pro Pig def was great way back. Loved having a draft heady there in 2013 and the food was good and it was chill. Went back a few times and remember once on their first anniversary and the anniversary DIPA was awesome. So good I left the fucking crowler of it on the bar when we walked to craft beer cellar and then headed home. Still sour about that. Then we had visited later in 2020 I believe after things opened back up. It was definitely different and I think only their beer. We kind of didn’t enjoy it.
The food, drinks, even the atmosphere of it has all changed for the worse. Seems like their main focus is on the brewery side, which sucks because even their best beers are very pedestrian. Restaurant seems to be coasting on old reputation.
That’s exactly what I was trying to articulate. Guess I could have said it. But you said it well! Ha Blackback “Gooooooood, give into your hate”
What's interesting is everyone seems to love hen of the wood yet pro pig, which is owned by hen of the wood, not loved. I do miss the alchemist being in that spot.
I’d say it’s two different concepts, or execution. Yes, coming off of a quieter time at Stowe to the alchemist is a time long gone.
