2021-10-22 Von Trapp Brewery and Bierhall

Because I'm spoiled, my Mom gave me a week at her timeshare up in Smuggler's Notch, Vermont.  October is an amazing time in Vermont in case you've been living under a rock somewhere not in New England!

I needed a break and we had a lot to celebrate as our friend Brian had just been certified cancer-free after a 3-year battle with leukemia. Throughout the week we had a couple of different folks hang out at the condo but Friday was filled with breakfast, goofing off in the town of Stowe (and maybe having a couple of beers while the ladies shopped!) and then off to Stowe Cider for a couple of pints and then rounding things out with a visit to the Von Trapp Brewery and Bierhall.  

Unfortunately, they weren't doing brewery tours due to the pandemic, but we were able to get a table and enjoy all their great German and Austrian style beers, sausages and of course, pretzels.

Many, many congratulations to our friend Brian!  We're all so fortunate to have him in our lives. 

Keep up the good fight my brother! We'll keep you plied with good beer...and a good bourbon now and again!

2021-10-20 Hill Farmstead

While spending the week at the Smuggler's Notch Resort, my friend Steve popped up for a couple days. We enjoyed beautiful weather and a couple of good hikes in the area.

Steve's not a big beer drinker but he'll try different things (mostly just to humor me!).  We had a great dinner at a local restaurant in Jeffersonville, VT and he opted to try Stowe Cider's Gummy Bears.  A very interesting cider literally made with Gummy Bears.  It's a one-and-done for me but the ladies seemed to enjoy it when we went to the cidery a couple days later.

I dragged Steve up to the happiest place on earth for me (other than when I'm next to my wife!) - Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro, VT.  They've one the title of Best Brewery In The World a couple of times (VinePair). It really is some of, if not THE best beer in the world.  My only complaint is that they no longer brew their Nordic Ale.

The beers are absolutely amazing and the views don't suck! The vibe is super chill.  If I could retire to Greensboro, I'd walk there every day!

2021-10-09 Fox Farm Brewery

 Aaaaaahhhhh!  The best beer in Connecticut - along with Kent Falls - if you ask me!

Cousin Kit was visiting from Nevada.  Did all the quintessential New England Fall stuff - farm visits, apple picking and, of course...a trip to a local brewery!

Dave, who runs the front of the house, was kind enough to join us for a few minutes to talk about the new barrel house...which is beautiful!  It reminds me a lot of the structures around Brewery Omegang in New York state.

I stuck with my favorites that they keep on tap...a pint of Gather and pint of Scatter (as well as several take-home 4 packs and a couple of bottles).  Joy enjoyed a couple glasses of Burst - easily one of the best IPAs in Connecticut.

We're looking forward to heading back now that things are opening up again!  Make a reservation early for a table!