Day 122, a trio of world class breweries
I conveniently started the day an hour ride from the first brewery.
Unlike other days, where I find local craft brew establishments on my ride, this was premeditated. Ending up in this area was going to happen, regardless of the path I would take.
Vermont is known for their beer culture. In fact, Vermont has 10.8 breweries per capita (50 establishments total), which is the most of any state. Check out the Brewer's Association Statistics for some interesting factoids.
The three breweries on my itinerary today, The Alchemist, Lawson's Finest Liquids and Hill Farmstead have brews rated #4, #14 & #24 in the world (respectively). And on that list of the top 250 beers in the world, those three breweries have 27 entries, with the Hill Farmstead claiming 21.
I've heard horror stories about waiting in line for hours to aquire these rare brews, and even experienced it for myself a few years ago waiting to try Pliny the Younger, both successfully and unsuccessfully.
The Alchemist
I pedaled into The Alchemist's parking lot fifteen minutes before they opened. There were cars in the lot, and I could see people standing in the tap room. But not crowded, and no wait!
The tap room is nearly empty!
Inside, I had a flight of tasters: Heady Topper, Focal Banger and Crusher. I savored the experience of tasting these incredible IPAs - all were fantastic. My favorite was by far Focal Banger, an overwhelmingly hoppy american IPA.
There wasn't much to do aside from tasters and watch the brewers in the back, so I hopped back on the bike. I was still in the parking lot when a brewery employee flagged me down. She asked where I was riding from and insisted on taking my banana peel strapped to my pannier for compost.
Then she asked what my favorite Alchemist brew was, and I replied, Focal Banger. She told me to wait, rushed inside with the banana peel and returned with a can of beer for the road and a pickle.
You must be hungry.
I thanked her, wrapped the beer in a coozie to hopefully keep it cold, and headed to the next stop.
Hill Farmstead
Hill Farmstead is not in a location conducive to bicycles, several miles from a paved road. Also, it was also 33 miles from my location, in a direction I didn't want to go. However, earlier I got a recommendation for a tap house that would likely have their brews on tap.
I crossed my fingers.
Heading towards the Prohibition Pig, I rode through more of the beautiful rolling green hills in Vermont.
Photos do no justice, endless rolling green hills. Ahhh.
The Prohibition Pig had a single Hill Farmstead brew on tap: Edward, an american pale ale. I ordered a taster of that, and a quesadilla made with chorizo and topped with honey infused sour cream.
Both, absolutely incredible. I would have preferred to sample an IPA from the brewery, but my choice was limited.
It just means I have to plan a trip to the brewery in the future.
Lawson's Finest Liquids
While eating lunch at the Prohibition Pig, I saw a truck emblazened with Lawson's logo on it pull up, two guys hop out and start delivering beer to the pub.
Apparently, Lawson's delivers beer one day per week. And it usually sells out within a few hours. Thankfully, today was shipment day.
I also learned that they don't have a public brewery. There is nothing to visit, although rumor has it that they're building something.
I'd have to find a local store with their cans. Regardless of having a public brewery, I rode to the town where they reside, found a small market and picked up a can of Sip of Sunshine.
Next to the market was a peaceful creek, but they made it clear that enjoying beer outside was prohibited.
Hopefully the can would stay cold for a couple miles until I reached a primitive campsite next to another stream in the mountains.
I enjoyed this IPA sitting on a rock, watching and listening to the water, all by myself in the middle of the woods.
Sip of Sunshine is my favorite.
This has to be one of the best camping locations I've stayed at.
Same shot of the creek, but with no can obstructing the view...
Joe