I joined friends in Burlington over the MLK weekend for a few days of skiing, ice cream, cheese, and craft beer. The full day at Stowe was a treat, but the real highlight was easy access to Heady Topper, Hill Farmstead, and Lawson's Finest Liquids. I also swung by the Vermont Pub & Brewery and the Zero Gravity Brewery, which are both must-drink brewpubs. I had few complaints about the Vermont craft beer scene, so I'll just share my favorites:
Twilight Of The Idols
Hill Farmstead Brewery
American Porter | 7.50% ABV
4.33/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Had a glass at the Farmhouse in Burlington VT. Damn, that's a porter. The coffee and vanilla are wonderfully blended into the beer. So many coffee porters and stouts go too heavy on the java, and even get a stale taste. This beer takes a great cup of joe, adds a dash of subtle vanilla, and still brings a great porter. The malt brough a dark, chocolate character with a sharp roasted edge that's balanced by the sweet vanilla. The beer is formidable, but never too heavy. Find this porter.
Everett Robust Porter
Hill Farmstead Brewery
American Porter | 7.50% ABV
4.33/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at the Reservoir in Waterbury, VT. This is a hell of a porter. The body is thick, like a robust porter should be, but is a pleasure to sip (though you don't have to). In addition to a big mix of cocoa and mocha grains, there are clear notes of maple syrup, molasses, and smoke. Damn, this is good. It goes above and beyond what a good porter tastes like.
Double Sunshine IPA
Lawson's Finest Liquids
American Double / Imperial IPA | 8.00% ABV
4.28/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
On-tap at the Reservoir in Waterbury, VT. Stopped by with friends for dinner on the way back from Stowe, and damn this hit the spot. The body is on the lighter side for the style, which I prefer, and the hop character is heavy on floral citrus, with an earthy undertone. The hops vary between fruity and juicy to a more herbal lemon, with a hit of spice. Damn tasty overall. Very hoppy, but I could enjoy a few glasses. You should.
Trapp Golden Helles Lager
The Brewery at Trapp Family Lodge
Munich Helles Lager | 4.80% ABV
4.2/5
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Had a pint at the Farm House in Burlington VT. Damn, it's hard to ask for much more from a helles. There's a crisp dry Brady malt character in the aroma with a little balance of spicy hops. There's mild lager fruit over the malt, but it's not sweet. Otherwise it's clean and super drinkable. Find this beer.
Heady Topper
The Alchemist
American Double / Imperial IPA | 8.00% ABV
4.47/5
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Picked up a couple six-pack at the cannery. I'm told they were packaged just a week ago.
I wasn't sure what to make of this beer at first, which says a lot because DIPAs aren't usually a surprising style with a lot of leeway. It's most easily described as "hop juice," not an IPA. The balance of hops is unique in that the flavor is huge, but it's never over the top, where overly-hoppy beers become perfumey messes (I'm thinking of Weyerbacher's Hop Explosion).
The aroma has a clean and clear floral grapefruit character with an earthy, citrus seed edge—think about when you're eating an orange and you get a seed on your tongue. The flavor is intense but manageable. In addition to the vivid grapefruit and orange peel citrus, there's a vague grassiness, tropical notes, and an odd (and thoroughly unexpected) touch of barbeque sauce that fades as the beer warms.
I approached this beer as a skeptic, but it's easily one of the most complex beers I've tried, and one of the most drinkable at that. I should have bought a case.
