Hill Farmstead is hyped. Everywhere. In the mainstream media, on blogs, on social media. I hear or read about experiences where people waited in line for hours to get beer.
So with that in mind, and because I live in Vermont, but also due to needing to get the Vermont Brewers Passport stamped, plus so I could write what you are reading here on Two Brews, I decided it was time to see what the brewery was all about.
So with that in mind, and because I live in Vermont, but also due to needing to get the Vermont Brewers Passport stamped, plus so I could write what you are reading here on Two Brews, I decided it was time to see what the brewery was all about.
After reaching out to some Vermont beer friends about the best options for visiting (thank you Pam and Cian), I made a plan to go on a Saturday mid-afternoon. While that day was not necessarily recommended, I am a Monday to Friday working guy and I save my precious vacation time for my family.
After my plan to visit with a friend fell through, I decided to take my two kids on an adventure. Yes, I was worried what would happen if we were forced to wait in line. Many scenarios played out in my mind, such as losing my spot when they had to go to the bathroom.
All was for naught however.
All was for naught however.
We arrived at the brewery around 1:30 in the afternoon on a sunny day. The parking lot was only partly full. There were no lines out the door. Was I in the right place? I found the sign for the brewery to confirm we were in fact at Hill Farmstead. That was when I started putting it all together. The hype. It is overblown.
I walked into the retail store. There were about three dozen people in line or waiting to the side. At first I thought I would have to wait. Then I saw a sign. No, not from above. It was instructions on how to obtain the beer which said fill out an order form for the line I was seeing to get any combination of samples, growler fills and/or bottles. The line was moving along at a reasonable pace for a brewery. I've definitely seen worse. If you wanted bottles only, the sign stated you fill out an order form and stand in the bottle only line. I filled out a form and got in line as the second person. After the first person got their bottles I placed my form on the counter and was served immediately walking away with a bottle of each offering.
I walked into the retail store. There were about three dozen people in line or waiting to the side. At first I thought I would have to wait. Then I saw a sign. No, not from above. It was instructions on how to obtain the beer which said fill out an order form for the line I was seeing to get any combination of samples, growler fills and/or bottles. The line was moving along at a reasonable pace for a brewery. I've definitely seen worse. If you wanted bottles only, the sign stated you fill out an order form and stand in the bottle only line. I filled out a form and got in line as the second person. After the first person got their bottles I placed my form on the counter and was served immediately walking away with a bottle of each offering.
While I didn't have time to chat with the staff, which I normally do on a brewery visit, I realized this was not the brewery for that. This is due to the need for Hill Farmstead to serve as many people as quickly as possible which they do a great job at. Watching the efforts of the staff told me Hill Farmstead was very invested in getting customers what they want.
After all that, I even had time to let the kids run around on the lawn and make a new friend. I chatted with the parents, who were on a vacation from Philadelphia, and suggested some other Vermont beer for them to try.
As we headed back to the car I looked back at the building that has been recently expanded to meet demand for the beer and thought about my next trip. I have the feeling it will be even better.
Cheers!
Silas
After all that, I even had time to let the kids run around on the lawn and make a new friend. I chatted with the parents, who were on a vacation from Philadelphia, and suggested some other Vermont beer for them to try.
As we headed back to the car I looked back at the building that has been recently expanded to meet demand for the beer and thought about my next trip. I have the feeling it will be even better.
Cheers!
Silas