2015-07 Fiddlehead Brewing Company

Fiddlehead Brewing Company in Shelburne is one of the true highlights of any Beer Adventure in Vermont.

Their Fiddlehead IPA is literally amazing.  I’m not a religious guy, but Matty O is truly directed by a higher power.  I often hear a choir of angels somewhere in the background when enjoying a Fiddlehead IPA!  While there's a new beer on tap about every two weeks at the brewery, they always have the IPA.

The brewery doesn't have a tasting room per se...everyone just hangs out in the lobby and the barkeeps provide samples, fill growlers, etc.  The back wall of the lobby is glass so you can see the guys hard at work - crafting the next amazing offering from Fiddlehead.

If you're hungry and want to relax and enjoy a few beers, the pizza joint next door has a BYOB policy and you'll find lots of Fiddleheaders hanging out there.

Definitely a must on any brew tour through Vermont.

Cheers!


www.fiddleheadbrewing.com

Fiddlehead is part of the Vermont Brewery Challenge put together by the Vermont Brewers Association.Check out the program at www.vermontbrewers.com.

2015-07: Switchback Brewing Company

Switchback was a great visit…I had low expectations based on what was apparently a very old bottle of beer that someone gave me. I was very pleasantly surprised by both their offerings and extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff as well as the comfortable atmosphere.
A word of advice:
DON'T PARK ON THE STREET UNLESS YOU'RE IN A DESIGNATED PARKING ZONE!
We were able to park in the brewery parking lot but saw several tickets being issued to folks who parked on the street to access the water.

On to the beers!  Switchback's flagship ale is awesome!  It's a naturally carbonated, unfiltered ale that is robust but finishes clean...leaving you to want just one more sip.  We enjoyed a flight and settled on the Switchback Ale and then the Dooley's Belated Porter and a Roasted Red Ale.  All were terrific.

Several of Switchback's beers are unfiltered and naturally carbonated which is a nice differentiation from most other breweries these days.  I don't want to sound to uppity, but the mouthfeel of a naturally carbonated beer is VERY different from most of the force carbonated beer we drink.  It's great to experience and enjoy.

www.switchbackvt.com

Switchback is part of the Vermont Brewery Challenge put together by the Vermont Brewers Association.Check out the program at www.vermontbrewers.com.

2015-07: Vermont Pub and Brewery

Casualties of a visit to The Vermont Pub and Brewery in Burlington, VT. 

Highlight of the visit was the Bombay Grab IPA.

They offer flights of 4 beers.  No brewery tours.

Cheers!


www.vermontbrewery.com

They are part of the Vermont Brewery Challenge put together by the Vermont Brewers Association.Check out the program at www.vermontbrewers.com.

2015-07 Von Trapp Brewing

We started our day at 10:00 AM at the Von Trapp Lodge with awesome egg sandwiches and a flight of 4 lager beers!  The views from the lodge are amazing.  Unfortunately, while the beer is great, the brewery itself won’t open to the public until sometime in 2016. Still, the wait staff is knowledgeable and friendly. The Dunkel Lager was a favorite as was the Golden Helles.

Von Trapp is part of the Vermont Brewery Challenge put together by the Vermont Brewers Association.Check out the program at www.vermontbrewers.com.

Cheers!