Stowe and Burlington were our town destinations for an epic Vermont craft beer weekend. Starting at the Alchemist Brewery in Stowe, the rest of the trip was walkable from our dormitory housing at Champlain College in Burlington. After exploring the school, it was time for an old-school arcade, wood-fired pizza, two breweries, and a bakery the next morning. Let’s head out on our Vermont craft beer weekend!
The Alchemist Brewery
Whenever I go to Stowe, I’ve got the family in tow. It makes for a perfect trip with easy hikes, excellent food, shopping, and of course craft beer. Going with my friends for a quick getaway to Burlington meant a quick Stowe pit stop, namely to the Alchemist. Whenever I go with the kids or my wife, it’s one….maybe two beers, but with the pressure to not linger.
This trip was different. Two friends and I enjoyed the afternoon sun in the Alchemist beer garden. Starting our visit with a hand-pulled Heady Topper, it’s the blend of the full-bodied Heady flavor with a smooth finish. Simply delish! For lunch, we ate from the food truck on site, Warren’s Kitchen. We all had a different menu item, but I was told to try the boneless wings. I did and thoroughly enjoyed them.
For the second round, I chose a Crusher, an excellent Alchemist IPA, and one that wasn’t available to go. Being able to relax in the outdoor Adirondack chairs while sipping on a beer made for a perfect afternoon. After loading up with Heady and Focal to go, it was time to get to Burlington to continue our Vermont craft beer weekend.
Champlain College
Our accommodations were a bit different than most of my Vermont visits. This time, I called a Champlain College dorm room homebase. Joining the reception in Perry Hall, with passed hors d’oeuvres and a selection of local brews, we mingled with fellow guests, with recommendations for our evening plans. As part of the visit, we went on a tour of Burlington led by the school. Part history lesson and part guided tour, it was informative and brought us to some great spots.
The Archives
The first stop on the Champlain tour was the Archives, a retro arcade with a stellar beer selection. Being in Vermont, I know I needed a Hill Farmstead beer. The Archives didn’t disappoint as I was able to sip an Edward, an American Pale Ale, while playing classic video games, including NBA Jam, WWF Superstars, and Addams Family Pinball. I could have stayed all night, especially given the amount of free tokens available, but alas, the group wanted to move on.
American Flatbread/Mothership Brewery
Dinner was had at American Flatbread. This Vermont-based restaurant has locations throughout New England. Zero Gravity was formerly the brewery at this spot, but it has since given way to Mothership Brewery. We ate outside on a warm summer evening. Our trio split two wood-fired pies while imbibing on European-style beers. I opted for a flight and liked them all while taking in the city scene from our alleyway table.
Foam Brewers
The final destination for our Burlington area tour was Foam Brewers. The last time I was here, it was such a hot spot that only outdoor imbibing was available… in November… on a 20-degree day! On this Thursday night, a band was wrapping up, and there was plenty of seating inside. I chose a double IPA, Built to Spill. I got it for the name alone, as many of their beers reference Indie bands, albums, or songs.
Afterward, we climbed the steep hill back up to our Champlain College dormitory and slept as well as we could on extra-long single dorm room beds (next time I’ll bring extra bedding!)
Barrio Bakery
The next morning, after waking early, our crew made one stop before heading out of town. We had a recommendation for Barrio Bakery from our new friends at Champlain College. With a scone and a coffee in hand, we jumped in the car for the four and a half hour ride home. It was a whirlwind tour, with almost as much time in the car as carousing during our epic Vermont craft beer weekend to Stowe and Burlington. Being a guy’s trip had a totally different vibe than family time, slower paced, and we were able to stay out past bedtimes!
