Your favorite New England brew?

[C-Rex]

The Shed. Great beer and memories driving an hour to grab a barrel and bring the delicious treat home.

That's in Stowe, right? Love that place!

 

[caddis]

Yes. Stowe’s a great mountain but The Shed is the deciding factor especially to return the keg.

 

[deadheadskier]

Unfortunately the Shed is no more.

Mountain Ale is the one beer in my life that I literally drank so much of, that I couldn't drink it anymore. I worked in the kitchen at the Shed on two occasions. At the time, employees could purchase a growler for $1, up to two growlers per shift.

Favorite brews include:

The Alchemist Brewery Heady Topper
Switchback
Allegash White
Smuttynose Shoals Pale
Gritty McDuff's Pub style Ale
McNeill's Champ Ale
Long Trail Ale

 

[caddis]

Are they going to find a new location or done for good?

 

[deadheadskier]

Are they going to find a new location or done for good?

I haven't had the discussion with my friends in town. The papers say they're looking for a new location, however Ken and Kathy are getting up there in years. I'd have to imagine they are weighing the cost/benefit of retiring vs reopening in a new location.

 

[jrmagic]

I just had a couple Otter Creek IPAs that were outstanding.

Trout River Rainbow Red is always a solid choice as well.

Their Copper Ale and Stovepipe Porter are pretty tasty as well.

Also like Long Trail Ale and Hit the Trail Ale and an occasional Double Bagger.

 

[kickstand]

This is like asking me to pick a favorite of my kids.......I think my list is similar to most of you:

Switchback
Tuckerman Pale Ale (their new one, Altitude, is tasty, too...pricey, but tasty)
Long Trail Pale Ale and Hibernator
Magic Hat Single Chair
Ipswich Harvest

And if I got the MRV more, Lawson's would definitely be on there. I've had 6 or 7 different types, but not enough of one to definitely put it on the list.

 

[snowmonster]

love tuckerman alt

qft!

 

[soposkier]

Stand by Beers:

Smuttynose IPA
Wachusett IPA
Harpoon IPA

(yes there is a theme.....)

Also Grittys black fly stout on nitro tap is a must have, escpecially fresh at the brewpub.

 

[Nick]

I had it this summer for the first time, it was really good. My family is mostly in Dusseldorf, Germany, and Alt bier has its roots out there. It's probably partially nostalgia but I just love it. Whenever I visit I end up bringing like 5 or 6 liters home with me. I even tried to brew it at home, it was OK, but just not the same.

Tuckerman Alt is probably the closest I've had to what I drank in Dusseldorf

 

[kingdom-tele]

bar harbor brewing co - cadillac mt. stout

hill farmstead brewery - earl and the james

switchback(the summer brew, I swear there is a dark and one) and switchback porter

 

[bigbog]

Bar Harbor Real Ale(sold on the island..., the bottles shipped don't seem to be as good ....)
By bottle: Think Otter Creek's ambers are great..
...this now has me intriged ..."Tuckerman Alt is probably the closest I've had to what I drank in Dusseldorf"

 

[nelsapbm]

Switchback gets my vote.
For those that like The Shed brews, Otter Creek bought the recipes/rights to the name and will be brewing it.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/...Otter-Creek-Brewing-Co-purchases-Shed-Brewery

 

[Edd]

Yup, Alpine Black IPA. One of my faves lately. I also love the Jay Peak Tram Ale by Long Trail when I can get up there.

That black IPA is pretty damn good. Tried it this fall at the Redhook NE Berewfest in Portsmouth and Otter Creek seemed to be the favorite in our group.

I see a bunch of love for Tuckerman's Pale Ale here. I drink it sometimes but I find it to be really inconsistent. Does anybody else notice this?

 

[mlctvt]

my #1 favorite
Portsmouth Brewery Black Cat Stout

Only available at the brewery and if you're lucky they may have it in growlers to go.

 

[Mullen]

Trout River Rainbow Red. It's been a favorite of mine since the Lyndon State days.

They don't sell it in CT so every time I'm in VT I stock up.

 

[deadheadskier]

I see a bunch of love for Tuckerman's Pale Ale here. I drink it sometimes but I find it to be really inconsistent. Does anybody else notice this?

yes

I remember trying it for the 1st time like five years ago at a party and thought it was delicious. Next time I saw it in a store I bought a six pack and it tasted so different that I thought I perhaps had tried a different variety than the Pale. The amount of hops in the brew seems to vary considerably.

 

[Black Phantom]

Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter

My beloved LT Double Bag.

 

[Bene288]

Harpoon and Shipyahhd

 

[xwhaler]

Woodstock Pigs Ear (perhaps the best brown ale ever created!)
Smuttynose Old Brown Dog
LT Dbl Bag
Harpoon Winter Warmer
Grittys Christmas Ale