New England Vacation Suggestions/ideas

[TBC]

Going to be heading to New England soon with the wife and no kids! It was actually her idea. Her only requirements on this trip are eating at Mystic Pizza, visiting Salem and eating as many lobster rolls and lobster dinners that she pleases. In return I can go to whatever and however many breweries I want to.

Before starting my itinerary I'm going to tag some New England boys for their input, so @TheDudeLebowski @Remmy @Brizzo @j1laskey @wstbrewing @MC82 @dpinette2 @smurfjuice

Okay we are starting off leaving PA and heading to Mystic, CT for some pizza. On the way there I plan on stopping at NEBCO, having a flight or 2 and buying a bunch of beer to go. Then it is of to mystic for pizza and ? I'm looking for ideas on things I should do, other places to eat. Right now I'm looking at the seaport and Olde Mystic Village.

Then we are heading to Salem for a couple of days. Right now I'm looking at hitting up Notch'd Brewery and BeerWorks. Are there any other breweries that I need to visit? Any suggestions on restaurants? As for attractions right now it will ne, the witch museum, house of 7 gables, harbor walk, maybe the Salem witch village. She likes going on ghost tours when we travel. Personally they are a joke but I do enjoy the history aspect. I notices there are a few different ones. Any suggestions on which tour is the best?

Next is the Portland/Freeport, ME leg. This will be the longest leg of the journey. Right now the breweries I plan on visiting are: Maine Beer Co, Allagash, Bissel Brothers, Shipyard, Lone Pine, Rising Tide and swinging by Novare Res per @TheDudeLebowski. I know there are more. Are they any I should hit up and should I skip any?

Restaurants are: Duck Fat, Portland Lobster Company, Harraskeet Lobster, Azure, Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro, Bucks Naked BBQ, Locally Sauced , Becky's Diner, Gilberts Chowder House, Slab Pizza, Holy Donut, Wicked Whoppies, J's Oyster, Susan's Fish and Chips and Town Landing Market. Obviously we aren't going to be able to hit all of these so which ones do the locals suggest?

After Maine we're going to head to Mt.Washington and do the Cog Railway. Then we are going to swing by Hill Farmstead for flights and a bunch of beer to go. Then the final stop is the Stowe/Waterbury area. I got a cabin in the mountains for a couple of days.

The breweries on the list are Alchemist, Lawson's, Von Trapp, Prohibition Pig and Stowe Cider. Are there any other breweries I need to hit, any restaurant suggestions? I also plan on stopping at the Craft Beer Cellar, they supposedly have a large selection of rare beers. To keep the wife happy I will take her to Ben and Jerry's, Green Mountain Coffee, Cabot Cheese and the Cold Hollow Cider Mill.

So if anyone I tagged or any other members reading this has any input/suggestions I'd love to hear them.

 

[shetc]

By total coincidence, the wifie and I spent today in Salem. Notch is doing some awesome lagers including the pictured Altbier on the left. They do some serious decoctions there. Besides the witch stuff, go see the House of the Seven Gables.

 

[TBC]

By total coincidence, the wifie and I spent today in Salem. Notch is doing some awesome lagers including the pictured Altbier on the left. They do some serious decoctions there. Besides the witch stuff, go see the House of the Seven Gables. View attachment 634280

Thanks I plan on checking out both. I was in Salem about 15 years ago for a family reunion but I don’t remember much. The wife has never been there so it should be a good time.

 

[fourfarthing]

Go to Foundation in Maine. Around the corner from Allagash.

 

[TBC]

Thanks. I’ll add it to the agenda.

 

[j1laskey]

Allagash is on Industrial Way. Right across the street is Foundation; Austin Street, and Battery Steel. Once you pahk your cah you can walk to all of them.

 

[TBC]

Allagash is on Industrial Way. Right across the street is Foundation; Austin Street, and Battery Steel. Once you pahk your cah you can walk to all of them.

Thanks, sounds like once I Pahk my cah the wife will be driving!! Which is fine since I will be driving the majority of the time. Added your suggestions to my itinerary!!!

 

[MGamber]

Next is the Portland/Freeport, ME leg. This will be the longest leg of the journey. Right now the breweries I plan on visiting are: Maine Beer Co, Allagash, Bissel Brothers, Shipyard, Lone Pine, Rising Tide and swinging by Novare Res per @TheDudeLebowski. I know there are more. Are they any I should hit up and should I skip any?

Restaurants are: Duck Fat, Portland Lobster Company, Harraskeet Lobster, Azure, Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro, Bucks Naked BBQ, Locally Sauced , Becky's Diner, Gilberts Chowder House, Slab Pizza, Holy Donut, Wicked Whoppies, J's Oyster, Susan's Fish and Chips and Town Landing Market. Obviously we aren't going to be able to hit all of these so which ones do the locals suggest?

For Portland add Foundation, Battery Steele, Austin St (tasting room) and Definitive (across the street from Allagash), Liquid Riot (down at the docks), Goodfire (behind Lone Pine). The Austin St brewery is down the street from Rising Tide. The Thirsty Pig (near Novare) always has good stuff on tap and a great sausage chili. If you have the time, Geary's (down the street from Allagash, etc) claims to be the oldest craft brewery east of the Mississippi. If you're a big NEIPA fan, I wouldn't bother with Shipyard.

Where in PA are you?

 

[TBC]

For Portland add Foundation, Battery Steele, Austin St (tasting room) and Definitive (across the street from Allagash), Liquid Riot (down at the docks), Goodfire (behind Lone Pine). The Austin St brewery is down the street from Rising Tide. The Thirsty Pig (near Novare) always has good stuff on tap and a great sausage chili. If you have the time, Geary's (down the street from Allagash, etc) claims to be the oldest craft brewery east of the Mississippi. If you're a big NEIPA fan, I wouldn't bother with Shipyard.

Where in PA are you?

Thanks for the suggestions. I plan on trying at least one from every recommendation on here!!! If the wife complains I will stuff a lobstah in her mouth to keep her happy!!! We will be there for I think 4 days so I should be able to hit all of them up.

I’m a huge NEIPA fan and the only reason I had Shipyard on my list is because I’ve never had a bad beer by them (nothing special but all of them have been solid) They are regularly distributed near me but I figured the name recognition deserves a visit.

I’m originally from NEPA near Hazleton, but now I’m a transplant between Harrisburg and York. Once I get the kids educated I plan on being a transplant in Asheville, NC!!!

 

[Dland]

Don't come to marthas vineyard in summer, unless you like waiting in traffic to wait in line for overpriced crowded "island" experience.

There is a semi OK brewpub, but it is a zoo right now, no doubt. The newish tasting room is out too, it is in the main traffic corridor (ie waiting in stalled) on way to one of the only nice ocean beaches open to public, also a crowded mess.

 

[burdbrew]

Don't get made as a tourist, "NEIPA" is just IPA here.

You're finishing strong here in VT. I love GMC and Cabot cheese, but it's everywhere. I'm not sure it's a must see, we have other artisanal stuff to work with. That said, Cabot is a ways out, but it's 18 miles away from Greensboro, where Hill Farmstead is, should that have you thinking day trip.

Cold Hollow Cider is pretty awesome, I can eat cider donuts any time of year. I love Pro Pig. Lawson's is my favorite hop offering. I kind of want to do your plans, sounds like fun to me.

I89 is a beautiful highway to ride on from now until Thanksgiving. Burlington is a little over a half hour North of the Waterbury exit (I live in BTV), we drink well. There is plenty to see and do headed South too. Montpellier has some solid food and drinks (they have a Barr Hill bar I've been meaning to check out).

Have fun and please drop lots of cash!

 

[day_trippr]

That's already a pretty impressive itinerary! I've lived in MA for most of 7 decades and have only hit half the OP's list

 

[Kittyfeet]

Mohegan Sun casino in CT is fun to walk around even if you're not into gambling. The architecture is absolutely fantastic and a feast for the senses. If you go there, hit up the Wombi Rock lounge (I could be wrong on the name), but it's a super fun lounge where the ceiling is a planetarium. If you catch it during the day, the bar is chill (and no annoying music playing) and you can just sit and enjoy a drink while gazing at the sky.

There's also Foxwoods Casino nearby, which I believe was once the world's largest casino a few years back.

 

[MGamber]

Thanks for the suggestions. I plan on trying at least one from every recommendation on here!!! If the wife complains I will stuff a lobstah in her mouth to keep her happy!!! We will be there for I think 4 days so I should be able to hit all of them up.

I’m a huge NEIPA fan and the only reason I had Shipyard on my list is because I’ve never had a bad beer by them (nothing special but all of them have been solid) They are regularly distributed near me but I figured the name recognition deserves a visit.

I’m originally from NEPA near Hazleton, but now I’m a transplant between Harrisburg and York. Once I get the kids educated I plan on being a transplant in Asheville, NC!!!

Cool, I'm just north of Lancaster in Lititz. I make my way up to Portland several times a year. Cool city, great people and food and the best beer in the world, IMO. I got to chatting with a brewer at Allagash who turned me onto closed transfers that made a world of difference in my home brewed NEIPAs and Noah Bissell gave me some help with my Swish clone. If you're going to Maine Beer Co and take Rt 1, there's Day's Crabmeat and Lobster on the right side of the road not far from Freeport. Oh...and not in Portland but on the way and just a few miles off 95 is Stoneface in Newington, NH. They don't make a bad beer, IMO.

 

[TheDudeLebowski]

More to cram into your head

Portland Restaurants:
Street and Co
Central Provisions
Scales
Grill Room
Five Fifty Five

Don't forget Goodfire Brewery. It's on the backside of Lone Pine Brewery.

The street that has Allagash has a bunch of breweries within walking distance like J1 says. It's kind of like an industrial park. Not scenic but good for beer.

Hill Farmstead is my favorite New England brewery. It's on my bucket list and haven't been up that way in years. So do me a favor and pick up a case of Wunderkammer Bier please.

https://www.hopculture.com/foraged-beer-wunderkammer-bier-greensboro-hill-farmstead-review/

It is a side project of one of HF's Brewers. I'd ask one of the bartenders at HF what is the best way of getting lucky and finding it.

I hear it is sometimes available at the Montpelier CoOp which reminds me if you're into cheese which vt has a lot of award winning cheeses. There's a cheese map on this website if you feel the need to stop there's plenty of places to visit. Coops have a good collection from everyone

http://www.vtcheese.com/

From what I hear Willey's general store just down the street from HF has Jasper Hill cheese. I also hear the bartenders at HF have good knowledge on best places to buy cheese.

For Stowe? Hit up the Bench and Doc Ponds. Check for Doc's specials but I think Wednesdays are HF specials. Something like $5 drafts of HF.

For NH? I'll see if I can get any ideas. I lived up there for almost ten years. Mt Washington is beautiful but I never headed from East to West that way


Edit: I love MBC up in Freeport and they just opened their new brewery. I haven't visited but I hear they have a good selection of beers always available. It's off the exit of the highway. Nothing too exciting but it's close to the highway and easy to get to. Downtown Freeport is quaint and a good visit to get something to eat plus the LL Bean headquarters is there. It is literally a campus of about 6 large buldings of outdoor stuff.


And Kings Head Pub up in Portland (got Pliny and Bissell on tap so it ain't bad)

Slab pizza has good pizza and Pliny too

And not sure what way you're getting to Mt Washington but in the middle of no where. Good food and beer in Bridgton ME. It's a small bar in an old gas station


https://instagram.com/standardgastropub?igshid=ebi3y3wkc26w

 

[j1laskey]

More Portland stops,

Oxbow blending and bottling
Little Tap House
The Thirsty Pig

 

[fourfarthing]

Oxbow Yes!!

 

[Gravitysucks]

You might want to look into the Maine Brew Bus.
https://themainebrewbus.com/

 

[MGamber]

You might want to look into the Maine Brew Bus.
https://themainebrewbus.com/

I was standing in line at Bissell when the bus pulled up and they get in before anyone else waiting outside. Sounded like a good idea. Then I found out they can't actually buy anything or at least nothing that leaves the brewery. Bummer. So I've never done it since I usually come home with a couple grand worth of Maine, NH and Mass beer at the end of the trip. If that's not you, however, it may well be worthwhile.

 

[SoulToast]

All this Portland, and no mention of The Great Lost Bear?! http://www.greatlostbear.com/

80 taps, great food for carnivores and non-carnivores alike, generally cool atmosphere, and Maine Brewing Supply is right next door.

I'd heartily recommend a stop if you can swing it. I don't think we've skipped it when we've visited ME for the last several years. Pretty much cemented into the itinerary.

More southerly, there's Two Roads Brewing in Stratford, CT. https://tworoadsbrewing.com

About an hour away from Mystic Seaport, and possibly on the way either coming or going. Used to be a Sikorsky factory, I think.
Only made it once, just before last call, so we didn't get to tour, but did get to beer very briefly.

 

[j1laskey]

I can't believe I forgot to mention The GLB......I feel great shame

 

[Rodent]

in case you're a bit thirsty before you can wiggle your way up to Mystic CT, check out Two Roads down in Stratford CT

https://www.tworoadsbrewing.com/

 

[Andrew Hodgson]

Yeah Two Roads has an awesome facility and Area 2, their sour focused brewery, is right next door.

 

[MaxStout]

Gotta stop for some food between breweries...

 

[SoulToast]

I can't believe I forgot to mention The GLB......I feel great shame

I just have two words: "Bear Fries".

 

[TheDudeLebowski]

..aaand Bier Cellar is just a couple of blocks down the street to window shop


And see this is just crazy

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzttVMbljpm/?igshid=86w90f37bcc7

 

[TBC]

I was standing in line at Bissell when the bus pulled up and they get in before anyone else waiting outside. Sounded like a good idea. Then I found out they can't actually buy anything or at least nothing that leaves the brewery. Bummer. So I've never done it since I usually come home with a couple grand worth of Maine, NH and Mass beer at the end of the trip. If that's not you, however, it may well be worthwhile.

View attachment 634502

That pic is the reason we are taking the Tundra!!!

 

[MGamber]

That pic is the reason we are taking the Tundra!!!

Hell yeah! And you don't have to keep it below the window level anymore!

 

[TheDudeLebowski]

Is that the reason for the one missing case up on the right? So the passenger can see thru the rear view window?

 

[TBC]

..aaand Bier Cellar is just a couple of blocks down the street to window shop


And see this is just crazy

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzttVMbljpm/?igshid=86w90f37bcc7

I will try my best to track that down. I see there is a release next week.

 

[TheDudeLebowski]

I will try my best to track that down. I see there is a release next week.

Just get the scuttlebutt on best places to get it. Summer's flying by and haven't taken a vaca yet. Arrows may be pointing to checking this off the bucket list.

 

[MGamber]

Is that the reason for the one missing case up on the right? So the passenger can see thru the rear view window?

LOL...nah, ran outta money. :-D PA wasn't exactly progressive when it came to...well, almost anything, alcohol specifically. A couple years ago they finally made it legal to bring in alcohol from out of state. Before that I could bring back maybe 6 or 7 cases. Now I can bring back that counterful.

 

[MGamber]

On the way to Portland....Madden Beverage in Saco. They almost always have a ton of everything from all over New England. As I hear it the owner is the brother of the brewer at Lone Pine and they usually have their best beers when you can't even get it at the brewery. Again, not far off of 95 on the way.

 

[MGamber]

All this Portland, and no mention of The Great Lost Bear?! http://www.greatlostbear.com/

80 taps, great food for carnivores and non-carnivores alike, generally cool atmosphere, and Maine Brewing Supply is right next door.

I'd heartily recommend a stop if you can swing it. I don't think we've skipped it when we've visited ME for the last several years. Pretty much cemented into the itinerary.

More southerly, there's Two Roads Brewing in Stratford, CT. https://tworoadsbrewing.com

About an hour away from Mystic Seaport, and possibly on the way either coming or going. Used to be a Sikorsky factory, I think.
Only made it once, just before last call, so we didn't get to tour, but did get to beer very briefly.

I'm a little embarrassed myself. :-D GLB is awesome.

 

[TheDudeLebowski]

I'll have to check that out. Not far form Palace Diner in Biddeford on the other side of the river.

 

[MGamber]

I'll have to check that out. Not far form Palace Diner in Biddeford on the other side of the river.

Yup, looks like a 5-10 minute drive. Madden has been great every time Ive been there.

 

[Rodent]

More southerly, there's Two Roads Brewing in Stratford, CT. https://tworoadsbrewing.com

About an hour away from Mystic Seaport, and possibly on the way either coming or going. Used to be a Sikorsky factory, I think.
Only made it once, just before last call, so we didn't get to tour, but did get to beer very briefly.

ha! I was multi-tasking in a meeting while looking up the webpage for Two Roads and you posted that. apologies for not thinking to re-check the content in this thread before posting.

there's a couple pizza places close by that will deliver some outstanding pies, making for a great evening of pizza and beers outside on the tables near the beer trailer. just remember to start loading up about 30 min prior to last call so you enjoy the summer evening outside once they close shop for the night

 

[CTownBrewer]

Based on the trip I just took a few weeks ago, here are my suggestions (in order starting with the best spots for each area)...

VERMONT
-Hill Farmstead
-Foam
-Alchemist & Lawson’s were good for a 1 time visit, but the beer isn’t as good as the other 2
-Prohibition Pig was solid for food when I went there years ago (before Alchemist built their new brewery)

MAINE
-Bissell Brothers
-Goodfire
-Duck Fat (fries were excellent & they had in house Oxbow fruited sour bottles...Oxbow is only a few minutes away)
-Novare Res (depending on tap list)
-Barreled Souls (least favorite of the 3 breweries, but they had a huge variety of solid beers & also have an Anniversary coming up & probably releases to go with it...Stay Puft is insanely good if you can find it on tap)
-Alisson’s Restaurant (amazing lobster fries, lobster rolls, & scallops)

MASSACHUSETTS
-We only passed through to make stops at Trillium & Tree House

CONNECTICUT
-New Park (blew me away with their blender sours & NEIPAs...best brewery I never heard of that we visited on the trip)
-NEBCO (good for a 1 time visit)

Just my 2 cents...if you don’t make it to some of these spots, hit me up when you get back. I have cans from most of them if you want to work out another trade.

Have fun!!! [emoji482]

 

[TBC]

After surfing google maps at work I noticed Grey Sail Brewing is only about 10 minutes from where we are staying in CT. I guess we will road trip to Rhode Island. I do enjoy the Captain’s Daughter!

 

[Dgallo]

Hey @TBC im too lazy to see if anyone suggested this but my wife and I love the trip we took two years ago. We made a road trip. Went to Stowe Vermont hit alchemist. Hit Fiddlehead brewing on the way to to Burlington for Zero gravity and magic hat. Then we took the back roads through whiteface mountain area to Portsmouth, NH hitting up Smuttynose on the way. Then went to Portland,Maine wher there are breweries everywhere. Then we hit up both Trillium and Treehouse on the way home. If you don’t mind driving and only staying in each place a couple nights, it’s such a great trip and not to mention an awesome beer trip.