they had beer
This event took place September 4th and 5th at Mt. Snow in VT (1.5 hour drive from Albany.) It featured 31 breweries, 80 varieties of beer and over 200 kegs. Breweries included: Long Trail, Magic Hat, Otter Creek, Wolaver’s Organic, Harpoon, Olde Burnside, Berkshire Brewing Co., Stone Brewing Co., Allagash, Saranac, North Coast, Stoudts, Rock Art, Woodchuck Ciders, Dogfish Head, Sam Adams, Brooklyn Brewing Co., Rouge Brewing, Smuttynose, Sierra Nevada, Northshire Brewing Company, Peak Organic, FArnum Hill Ciders, McNeil’s Brewery, Trapp Family Lodge Brewing Co., Flying Dog Brewing Co., Ommegang Brewing Co., Original Sin Ciders and Eurobrew.
they had people...
My initial attempt to reach the festival on Saturday resulted in a flat tire and a day spent with tow trucks and waiting rooms of garages. On Sunday I re-gathered my courage and set out for some brews.
Entry into the event cost $25 per person, came with a pint glass and two tokens which could be redeemed for 8 oz. beer samples. With an additional 5 tokens added to my pocket after entry I was on my way to sample some beer, finally.
I started my tasting light: Alagash’s white. Despite a drunk, stumbling loud mouth swearing up and down to have their Tripel (which I am sure is also delicious) I chose their white ale and was not disappointed. Round two went darker as I found Sierra Nevada’s booth. I left there with a glass full of Tumbler and a brochure on brewing sustainability.
The rest of my beer intake went as one would expect: rather rapidly. Notable mentions and kudos to the Olde Burnside Brewery for their TenFidy Wit and their Dirty Penny, pre-mixed black and tan. Having grown up on the banks of the Battenkill River I could not resist the Northshire Brewery’s Battenkill Ale, which did not disappoint, nor did their Equinox Pilsner. Our last surprise came out of Peak Organic’s Espresso Amber Ale.
Overall this festival packed in the beer and the breweries. However, the food for the most part was lacking. In future years I thought that it may be a good idea to try and include local food vendors as well as local breweries. I realize this means less of an income from the Mt. Snow food, but surely something could be worked out.
I look forward to this event again next summer, as well as their winter brew fest which is sure to be interesting.
The Artist's Quaff 