Hill Farmstead thread

[Iliketurtles]

I don't know if that's exactly true. They don't state specifically how long BT is in a barrel but they say it's over a year, which is more than 10 months (1/3 of 2.5 years). And with the anniversary beers, at least a portion of each of those beers is 6 years old as of the most recent release. None of the sours have hit that price point (yet).

I guess you could say DDG but that beer is a mix of 3 year old, 2 year old and 1 year old beer so that wouldn't qualify.

Closest thing I could think of as meeting your claim is some of the Rare Barrel releases. No age claims on those and the brewery hasn't been open too long.

Did you forget FiftyFifty?

 

[drgarage1]

Flora for $30 is still a bargain next to Cable Car for $60. They're different beers, but in the same tier...

 

[markgugs]

Flora for $30 is still a bargain next to Cable Car for $60. They're different beers, but in the same tier...

So what you're saying is that I should be trying to trade for Flora...got it

 

[drgarage1]

So what you're saying is that I should be trying to trade for Flora...got it

They legitimately taste nothing alike, other than both being barrel-aged and sour. But yes, good god is Flora amazing, especially last fall's batch. Here's hoping this year's batch is as good!

 

[franch]

WAY latepass but wanted to say, y'all, the blackback is dead. no HF. no lawson's ("their truck broke down" despite every bar getting new lawson's in montpelier and in waterbury that day). someone asked what the all day ipa (founders) was like, and the bartender said "it's like a red ale.... so, do you like lagers?"

and yeah rez sucks but at least their beer is still good.

 

[Respirologist]

WAY latepass but wanted to say, y'all, the blackback is dead. no HF. no lawson's ("their truck broke down" despite every bar getting new lawson's in montpelier and in waterbury that day). someone asked what the all day ipa (founders) was like, and the bartender said "it's like a red ale.... so, do you like lagers?"

and yeah rez sucks but at least their beer is still good.

Wow. Sounds like i'll be hitting the Pro Pig twice instead of visiting Blackback. Oh well their loss. As an out of towner I can drink Jacks Abby , Founders etc all the time I want to drink VT beer in VT that I cant get in Mass. Brutal honesty here.

 

[bahnfire]

and yeah rez sucks but at least their beer is still good.

I've never understood why the Rez is considered inferior to the other regular Waterbury beer spots. I've enjoyed every meal I've had, and their beer list is easily as good as the other two.

 

[RochesterAaron1]

I've never understood why the Rez is considered inferior to the other regular Waterbury beer spots. I've enjoyed every meal I've had, and their beer list is easily as good as the other two.

I completely agree. I've had several solid meals there.

 

[cfrances33]

I've never understood why the Rez is considered inferior to the other regular Waterbury beer spots. I've enjoyed every meal I've had, and their beer list is easily as good as the other two.

Rez is probably my favorite Waterbury bar... good food, great taplist, tons of room, and friendly bartenders/locals. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Plus giant Jenga.

 

[ncaudle]

I've never understood why the Rez is considered inferior to the other regular Waterbury beer spots. I've enjoyed every meal I've had, and their beer list is easily as good as the other two.

out of maybe 4-5 visits I've only enjoyed myself at Res once, the most recent (HF anny party a couple months back). no real particular reason why but I always just felt the least comfortable there compared to the others

 

[raqnroll]

I've never understood why the Rez is considered inferior to the other regular Waterbury beer spots. I've enjoyed every meal I've had, and their beer list is easily as good as the other two.

shhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[bearsonacid1]

I've never understood why the Rez is considered inferior to the other regular Waterbury beer spots. I've enjoyed every meal I've had, and their beer list is easily as good as the other two.

I don't find it inferior but people have such a hard on for BB because half the tap list is HF and Lawson's. I started going to the Rez after the Alchemist closed and preferred it over BB. I think Pro Pig is the best bar on that block though.

 

[Respirologist]

Everyone loves PP.
1/2 the people hate and 1/2 the people love Rez and BB.

More confused than ever now.

 

[Respirologist]

I refuse to link the other site on here, but if you go there, there is a thread about BB Pub in the New England section.... people are NOT impressed... someone said the owners were sitting at the bar hammered?

 

[bearsonacid1]

I refuse to link the other site on here, but if you go there, there is a thread about BB Pub in the New England section.... people are NOT impressed... someone said the owners were sitting at the bar hammered?

People said the original owner moved to Maine and opened a bar there. People don't like the new owners/employees/management because short pours and no HF. Drunk owners sounds fun.

 

[Respirologist]

Twitter:
@HillFarmstead: Brewing James in the morning. It has been a long absence...

 

[MKtheGeneral]

Twitter:
@HillFarmstead: Brewing James in the morning. It has been a long absence...

One of my favorites!

 

[Dino1]

Rez is probably my favorite Waterbury bar... good food, great taplist, tons of room, and friendly bartenders/locals. Seems like a no brainer to me.

Plus giant Jenga.

The Rez is NOW my fave Waterbury bar...

 

[Dino1]

Everyone loves PP.
1/2 the people hate and 1/2 the people love Rez and BB.

More confused than ever now.

I'm not the biggest Pro Pig fan...

 

[yasky]

The Rez is an awesome backup option for when the other 2 bars are full. Probably under-rated, all things considered.

 

[Rootz121]

food at pp can be pretty **** at times, really nice people to interface with though.

 

[JulianB1]

Not sure how many agree, but IMO Three Penny > the Waterbury trio, especially taking food into account.

 

[vonnegut21]

I really want to like the Rez because of all the good things everyone has mentioned about it (good food, great taplist, cheaper pours of the same beer ProPig has, more locals, room to move around!), but I've had several bad experiences with the bartenders... beyond the obvious one JulianB mentioned where he, Bluecane and I were cut off after two beers (more correctly, our beer choice was limited to pints of Edward for the rest of the evening ) and then (EDIT: took out specific bartender, not trying to start anything) generic bartender tried to pick a fight with me when I questioned his reasoning. I've had half pours, forgotten orders, been poured the wrong beer several times and then been ignored if I say something about it. A mistake is really be no big deal at all... until the bartenders didn't act like I slapped them in the face when I kindly ask them to take back the Switchback and pour me the Abner I asked for.

 

[Auror]

Not sure how many agree, but IMO Three Penny > the Waterbury trio, especially taking food into account.

Maybe separately, but I wouldn't choose it if I could go to more than 1 of the others.

 

[MikeG1]

Not sure how many agree, but IMO Three Penny > the Waterbury trio, especially taking food into account.

For the simple fact that they serve you Backacre in a lambic basket, YES.

 

[Adam Jackson]

Lots of opinions about VT drinking. If I look at a cost, crowds, food, selection ratio, Prohibition Pig actually scores pretty low. If I go there with a girl, I'm always guaranteed to spend about $80-$120 in food + drinks. Granted, I order whatever the hell I want...start with a Sazerac 18, some pork rinds, the pork plate and fried cheese, get a few pints of edward, etc. I'm sure they love me there but I can't go crazy and leave not feeling like I spent way too much money.

Prohibition Pig and Farmhouse to me cost about the same amount of money but I prefer the pig for their food..I am a southern boy so BBQ appeals much more.

VT as a whole, factoring in the things I listed above, here's my best to worst..keeping in mind the worst is still worth going to.

1. Worthy Burger, only caveat being that they're cash only. Great prices, I always find a seat and they have kombucha on tap. Their pickled veggies are awesome
2. Blackback (back when mad taco was there, I'd score them last now)
3. Parker Pie (awesome pizza, great tap list, huge selection of Shelton bottles)
4. Reservoir (usually standing room only but I like the vibe there and the food is pretty damn good)
5. Three Penny (the vibe there is awesome. the owners LOVE craft beer and are very much a part of the VT beer scene and their food is great! always changing. if you're not friends with the guys that run Three Penny / Mule Bar, you don't spend enough time in VT.)
6. Prohibition Pig
7. Farmhouse Tap & Grill
8. Skinny Pancake, (Heady, Trappe and Edward on tap. great crepes but pricey)
9. Bobcat Cafe (seriously, their food rocks) - beer is meh.

I'd throw hen of the wood in here somewhere between three penny and pro pig but you can't just walk into that place and order a pint of beer. Anyone that hasn't been to hen yet, book reservations there around the same time you book your hotel. worth it! spend all your food budget there and then eat baked beans from a can the rest of your trip.

Each place has their own awesome aspects. when you weigh in crowds, cost, food quality and beer selection, that's how I would rank it. If the only places I could go were Worthy Burger, Parker and Rez, I'd be very happy with that.

 

[Os]

would wonder where people rank Mule Bar... have yet to visit but I love TPT

 

[ncaudle]

I personally have never understood the love for Worthy Burger but all of my local friends love it... (my guess, it's the closest joint to their houses)

 

[franch]

rez is the douchey bro bar of waterbury. 21 year old bros, rude bartenders, ****** live music. i always check their tap list when i am in waterbury, but if there's nothing awesome that isn't being poured at pro pig (or Three Penny) i probably won't go.

pro pig has great beer, great food, and an amazing cocktail program.

 

[KFiedler]

Not to derail the PP vs Rez discussions (btw - I like both)...but anyone else anxiously awaiting Zwanze ticket emails from HFS? Should be out within the hour!