OT: Burlington Breweries

[MattMang23]

I am going to Burlington,VT this weekend to check out some good brews. Which breweries in and around the city are a must to hit up? Any on I-91 or I-89 I shouldn’t miss either?

I want to go to Foam, but beyond that I am wide open. I don’t think there will be time to go to Stowe and beyond so unfortunately Alchemist, Von Trapp and Hill Farmstead are out.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Citizen Cider. Almost all their ciders are unsweetened. There's always Magic Hat too.

 

[8893]

If you like hard cider, I agree that Citizen Cider is a fun stop with lots of ciders that are only available there.

Beyond Foam, I don't think there are any stellar breweries right in Burlington. There is Zero Gravity and Switchback but I've never been blown away by either. I know there are two newer ones, Four Quarters and Burlington Beer, but I haven't had the beer from either. The Farmhouse is a great restaurant and beer bar where you will probably find the best taps in town. Magic Hat is mediocre at best imo.

If beer is the purpose of your trip you are honestly best stopping in Waterbury imo. Between Blackback Pub, The Reservoir and Prohibition Pig you should be able to drink all the best of VT beers. And you can hit the Alchemist if you want to load up on cans to bring home, and/or head over to Waitsfield (five minutes away) to hit Lawson's (in which case you should definitely hit Mad Taco).

 

[Huskygrad88]

Burlington Beer Co makes great beer. Never had a bad one

 

[tzznandrew]

I am going to Burlington,VT this weekend to check out some good brews. Which breweries in and around the city are a must to hit up? Any on I-91 or I-89 I shouldn’t miss either?

I want to go to Foam, but beyond that I am wide open. I don’t think there will be time to go to Stowe and beyond so unfortunately Alchemist, Von Trapp and Hill Farmstead are out.

The Farmhouse Tap and Grill isn't a brewery, but they have good food and great beer on tap, including Alchemist and Hill Farmstead beers.

If you're stopping for food on the way up or way back, Prohibition Pig in Waterbury has great beer on tap that they make (as well as a nice selection) and very good food.

Foam is a must, but other than that I agree with 88: good beer, not great beer.

 

[CTMike]

Switchback.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

If you’re hitting Burlington and can travel to the surrounding towns (or stop on your way to/from Burlington), these are also excellent breweries worth visiting-

-Frost
-Fiddlehead

Four Quarters is top-notch. Zero Gravity also makes very good beers. You might as well also go to Queen City as it’s right across the street from ZG.

River Roost in White River Junction is really nice and a good stopping point on your way to Burlington. Big Fattys BBQ in WRJ has a great taplist of VT beers and good food.

Cheers!

 

[JustbrewitMan]

I should also add that the distro of cans from VT breweries has gotten so good that even the larger gas stations have amazing selection. I stopped at a large “truck stop” type one 1-2 exits before the Waterbury VT exit on I89 this past summer. They had a huge walk in cooler with a stack of cases of Sip, tons of Alchemist, and at least 20 other high quality VT beers. Filled a cooler just there alone.

what a time to be alive!

 

[Dove]

No doubt on Foam.

Along Rt. 89 is Upper Pass. I hear great things about them. Near Royalton.

Long Trail may be a bit off the path.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Foam is the best in Burlington IMO. Fiddlehead is good too and you can get a decent pizza. Just don’t get to Magic Hat. The Hot Topic of breweries. Switchback is good too.

Best bang for buck is going to any restaurant where you can try them all. And other hard to find beers from places like Alchemist and Hill Farmstead.

3 Needs is a ton of fun. Spent way too much time there after doing the Burlington Beerbus in my bachelor party.

 

[Northbound]

Just drive east and go to Hill Farmstead. But go there last as its better than anything else around. I’d also reco the Scale House for food in Hardwick if you make the drive to HF.

Im a huge fan of Double Galaxy and a few of their others Two weeks ago they had a nice dark on and a Difference & Repetition which was very good.

Zero Gravity in Burlington makes a nice light lager, very easy to drink.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Just drive east and go to Hill Farmstead. But go there last as its better than anything else around. I’d also reco the Scale House for food in Hardwick if you make the drive to HF.

Im a huge fan of Double Galaxy and a few of their others Two weeks ago they had a nice dark on and a Difference & Repetition which was very good.

Zero Gravity in Burlington makes a nice light lager, very easy to drink.

Post/handle

 

[Waquoit]

I'm getting dragged up to the sister-in-law's next weekend but was able to negotiate stops at Lawson's and The Alchemist on the way up. 1st time for each. They live just down the road from Fiddlehead so I think we can hit there, too. And we're going to see Steven Wright on Friday. Now that I think about it, I'm not getting dragged anywhere.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Any recommendations for good eats in Burlington?

I'm heading up there in December for two weeks for work. Haven't been there in over 30 years.

I use Hilton hotels for work so I'm probably staying at Hilton, Hilton Garden closer to "downtown" or a Homewood Suites closer to airport.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

Derail time...

stop at Pie in the Sky (i hope it's still there...) for some awesome brick oven pizza...they also serve beer

edit: i stand corrected, "stone hearth pizza" not brick oven. It's been a while

 

[8893]

I'm getting dragged up to the sister-in-law's next weekend but was able to negotiate stops at Lawson's and The Alchemist on the way up. 1st time for each. They live just down the road from Fiddlehead so I think we can hit there, too. And we're going to see Steven Wright on Friday. Now that I think about it, I'm not getting dragged anywhere.

If you are going to Lawson's you owe it to yourself to go to Mad Taco. Get a few tacos (including a smoked pork belly one) and a few pints of Hill Farmstead, or whatever other brewery you aren't visiting.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Foam foam and more foam. Upper Pass is excellent, even if you don't visit. I love Cloud Drop.

Lawson's isn't close to Burlington, but is the best brewery visit in the state.

Have to run to a meeting, will add some other suggestions later. We are going up next weekend.

 

[MattMang23]

Thanks, lots of good suggestions. I’m a little bit of a beer snob so I’m more excited about the restaurant reviews I’ve gotten that say Alchemist and HF offerings are readily available. I’ve never had anything from HF so, although I can’t get to the brewery, I will def seek them out at restaurants.

I’ll have to stop at Prohibition Pig. It’s right on the route and I think I can convince the lady to do late lunch/dinner there on the way home Sunday.

 

[8893]

Any recommendations for good eats in Burlington?

I'm heading up there in December for two weeks for work. Haven't been there in over 30 years.

I use Hilton hotels for work so I'm probably staying at Hilton, Hilton Garden closer to "downtown" or a Homewood Suites closer to airport.

The Farmhouse is probably your best bet. Great food and great taps. Same people also own a Mexican place called El Cortijo. I haven't been but I would trust any venture in which they are involved. Penny Cluse is great for breakfast; get there early or else there is a line. Nectar's for gravy fries late night, or for more basic breakfast in the morning.

Hilton Garden Inn is a slightly better location than the main Hilton, but either is fine and both are far preferable to the Homewood Suites (but if you do end up there, go to Al's French Frys).

 

[8893]

Thanks, lots of good suggestions. I’m a little bit of a beer snob so I’m more excited about the restaurant reviews I’ve gotten that say Alchemist and HF offerings are readily available. I’ve never had anything from HF so, although I can’t get to the brewery, I will def seek them out at restaurants.

I’ll have to stop at Prohibition Pig. It’s right on the route and I think I can convince the lady to do late lunch/dinner there on the way home Sunday.

If you go to Waterbury you really need to do the Pro Pig-Blackback Pub-Reservoir trifecta. They are each a frisbee throw away from each other and all offer awesome tap lists (and great food). I prefer Blackback overall, but love all three. There is also a craft beer store across the street from Pro Pig where you can load up stuff to bring home.

PS: If the lady friend is bored, there are some quaint shops where she can while away the time.

 

[ctchamps]

If you’re hitting Burlington and can travel to the surrounding towns (or stop on your way to/from Burlington), these are also excellent breweries worth visiting-

-Frost
-Fiddlehead

Four Quarters is top-notch. Zero Gravity also makes very good beers. You might as well also go to Queen City as it’s right across the street from ZG.

River Roost in White River Junction is really nice and a good stopping point on your way to Burlington. Big Fattys BBQ in WRJ has a great taplist of VT beers and good food.

Cheers!

Post/handle

You missed the obvious one.

 

[MattMang23]

PS: If the lady friend is bored, there are some quaint shops where she can while away the time.

Haha, no way. She hates shopping and drinks beer with me. She has been to 60 CT breweries with me this year and can drink me under the table any day.

 

[8893]

Haha, no way. She hates shopping and drinks beer with me. She has been to 60 CT breweries with me this year and can drink me under the table any day.

Awesome. Mrs. 8893 used to be that way, too. Then we got married...

Short pours at Pro Pig are great for variety.

 

[Northbound]

Foam foam and more foam. Upper Pass is excellent, even if you don't visit. I love Cloud Drop.

Lawson's isn't close to Burlington, but is the best brewery visit in the state.

Have to run to a meeting, will add some other suggestions later. We are going up next weekend.

I was at Lawsons two weekends ago and while the building is fine the beer isn’t close to the best in the state to me. But Lawson’s will sell you all manner of merchandise from hats to bike jerseys and skirts.

 

[auror]

I was at Lawsons two weekends ago and while the building is fine the beer isn’t close to the best in the state to me. But Lawson’s will sell you all manner of merchandise from hats to bike jerseys and skirts.

The pretzels are dope, though.

 

[8893]

@Chin Diesel , if you are in Burlington for two weeks definitely take a quick drive over to Winooski (literally two miles up the road) for some other great food and drink choices. There's like a two-block area with a bunch of great spots, including Our House (great, creative comfort food), Misery Loves Co. (same), Mule Bar (gastropub), Tiny Thai and Sneakers (great brunch, live jazz).

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

dont waste your time at magic hat

 

[Willy Gee]

I live in the New North End of Burlington, where there is a small brewery called Simple Roots. I like the beer at that place. Others have touched on the other breweries. I do NOT like the beer at the Vermont Pub & Brewery.
As for places to eat, Pho Hong has the best Vietnamese food I have ever had. Penny Cluse is great for breakfast/lunch, but good luck getting in there. Always packed.
Ate at Drifters last week for the first time. Very impressed. I should point out, though, that I am a vegetarian.

 

[Willy Gee]

Oh and if you like pub food. Ruben James is great. And if dive bars are your thing, don't miss the Other Place.

 

[Hoophound]

With all the Waterbury mentions, I’ll add the Resevoir Tavern. Very high quality pub food, great beer list. The best Mac and cheese I’ve had anywhere (has a hint of garlic that makes it). They have a nice appetizer size that my wife and I get as a small lunch with a beer or two sometimes. . Small bar in back with free popcorn. Makes a good stop for a single traveler. Bluestone Pizza is pretty good too.

I always meet people in Stowe that ended up there after driving aimlessly from Burlington.They are usually visiting colleges or there on business. If that happens, try Doc Ponds for beer and an eclectic snack.

Idyletime is great, especially if the weather allows you to enjoy the outdoor area. Awesome.

I’d say to pass on the Trapp Bierhall. Food is meh, atmosphere is a little dry and their beers are lousy in my book. I don’t really like Austrian/German beers and food though.

Decent beer choice and great pizza, try Piecasso.