Blues, Brews and BBQ is our annual Labor Day Weekend celebration here at Stratton Mountain which is going down Sunday, 9/1. Enjoy tasty BBQ options and sample craft beverages from a variety of breweries, all while vibing out to some Blues played by a number local musicians. Below we highlighted some of the breweries that will be offering samples, as well as specific beers and ciders that will be available for sampling. Cheers!
Long Trail Brewing
Long Trail Brewing Company is a regional brewery in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont, United States. Founded in 1989 by Andy Pherson in the basement of the Bridgewater Woolen Mill, the company relocated to its current brewing facility and visitor center in 1995. Originally known as Mountain Brewers, the company changed its name to Long Trail Brewing Company shortly after their relocation to Bridgewater Corners, Vermont.
Long Trail Harvest Ale 4.4% ABV
The culmination of a long growing season, the autumn harvest comes once a year. We mark the end of summer with the release of our seasonal brown ale, Harvest. Vermont maple syrup added during the brewing process yields a lasting sweetness on the palate that’s guaranteed to warm your soul. Pairs well with wood- splitting, leaf-raking and pumpkin carving.
Harpoon Brewing
Harpoon Brewery, also known as Mass. Bay Brewing Company, Inc., was originally founded in 1986. The brewery was the first company to obtain a permit to manufacture and sell alcohol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in more than 15 years, and as a result laid claim to Massachusetts Brewing permit #001.
Harpoon was the first brewery in New England to brew an India Pale Ale. The beer was originally designed by Head Brewer (at the time) Tod Mott, in 1992 and first sold as a summer seasonal in 1993 and quickly became the brewery’s flagship beer.
Harpoon LL Bean Harvest Lager 5.0% ABV
Brewed in the spirit of friendship, New England craftsmanship, and the idea that being outdoors is better together. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an urban explorer, this beer was brewed for all of us who strive to “be an outsider.” A smooth, crisp, and balanced Amber Lager brewed with Maine-grown malt and balanced with a mild hop spice delivers an easy-drinking finish perfect for any Fall occasion. Gather friends and get outside
Fiddlehead Brewing
Fiddlehead Brewing Company, located in Shelburne, Vermont, was founded by Matt Cohen in 2011. Cohen’s interest in the brewing industry began in college, where he brewed beer in his dorm room after discovering a brew kit in the library. He later worked at The Shed, a brewpub in Stowe, and as the brew master at Magic Hat Brewing Co. in South Burlington.
Fiddlehead Second Fiddle 8.20% ABV
Extensively dry-hopped double IPA. Second Fiddle is second in name only. It’s big and aromatic. Citrus, Tropical, Pine notes.
14th Star Brewing
Homebrewers, best friends, and brothers in arms, Steve Gagner and Matt Kehaya originally drafted the business plan for 14th Star Brewery on the back of a notebook while serving our country on the battlefields of Afghanistan. Upon returning home to Vermont, Matt and Steve first opened the doors to 14th Star Brewing Co in 2012 at 41 Lower Newton Street in St. Albans, brewing beer on a 3.5 bbl pilot brewhouse they hand-built using repurposed retrofitted maple sap collection tanks.
Forget Me Not Kolsch 4.8% ABV
This Kölsch-style Ale is brewed with local honey and released annually just in time for the Alzheimer’s Association’s “Longest Day” fundraising event.
von Trapp Brewing
Von Trapp Brewing in Stowe, Vermont began in 2010 when Johannes von Trapp, the youngest child of Maria and Captain von Trapp, opened a brewery in the basement of the Trapp Family Lodge bakery. Johannes had developed a taste for Austrian-style lagers during his visits to Austria and wanted to create a brewery that offered light, refreshing beers similar to those he enjoyed in Europe. The brewery was originally called Trapp Lager, but was later renamed von Trapp Brewing.
von Trapp Dunkel 5.7% ABV
This Munich-style dark lager is brewed and fermented with traditional Bavarian ingredients and techniques, creating robust malt notes of caramel and chocolate with a smooth mouthfeel finish.
Zero Gravity Brewing
Zero Gravity Craft Brewery was founded in 2004 by Paul Sayler in the basement of American Flatbread Burlington Hearth in downtown Burlington, Vermont. The brewery started out brewing beers for consumption within the restaurant, but in 2012, Sayler and head brewer Destiny Saxon began brewing for off-premise sales. As demand grew, the brewery quickly outgrew the Flatbread Brewpub and moved to a 30-barrel facility in Burlington’s South End Arts District in 2015. The Pine Street Brewery, as it’s known, features a tasting room, retail shop, beer garden, and canning line.
Zero Gravity Conehead Haze 6.3% ABV
This hazy IPA is a vibrant burst of juicy, tropical fruit and the perfect hint of pine. The blend of old school and new school hops balanced by crisp pilsner malt make this an unforgettable, modern classic.
Frost Beer Works
Frost Beer Works is a small microbrewery in Hinesburg, Vermont that started in 2015. Owner Garin Frost turned his home brewing experience into a thriving taproom and brewery, and the business has grown to produce over 7,000 barrels of beer per year.
Frost Little Lush IPA 5.5% ABV
Light bodied with a good amount of orange citrus and pineapple tropical quality. Much of the earthy tones are replaced by more of a fruit flavor, and a light malt backbone.
Shacksbury Cider
Shacksbury Cider is a cidery in Shoreham, Vermont that was founded in 2013 by David Dolginow and Colin Davis. The two were inspired by European-style ciders and Vermont’s unique hard ciders, and their cidery’s production process is similar to wine but follows beer distribution channels in the U.S.. Shacksbury began selling ciders in 2014 and has since grown to about 17 employees.
Shacksbury Yuzu Ginger Cider 6%
New to the family, Yuzu Ginger is an adventurous blend of cider, yuzu and ginger. From spontaneous adventures to unlikely ingredients, we believe things are always better when you embrace the unexpected. Organic apple cider, yuzu and ginger make for an unbelievable union best enjoyed outdoors.
Athletic Brewing
Athletic Brewing Company (Athletic) was founded in 2017 by Bill Shufelt and John Walker to make non-alcoholic craft beer in the United States. The company started in Stratford, Connecticut, where the founders test-brewed over 100 batches of beer before building a brewery. Athletic was the first US brewery and taproom dedicated to non-alcoholic craft beer, and released its first brews in May 2018. The company has since moved to Milford, Connecticut and San Diego, and has two breweries that distribute beer to customers on both coasts.
Published by Harley Smith