Brewers Festival in Burlington, VT

By Karen Beaudoin

2008-06-25

Drive time
4 hrs., 18 mins./257.6 miles
Find your way to I-95, crossing into NH, before taking Exit 2 for Rte. 101 toward Exeter/Hampton. Merge onto 101 W toward Manchester and then get on I-93 N toward Concord. Merge onto I-89 toward Lebanon and stay there for – miles. You’ll take Exit 14W for US 2 to Burlington.

Touring tips
If you need even more shopping than the festive indoor and outdoor shops available on Church Street, head to University Mall on Dorset Street for more than 70 additional stores.
Ethan Allen Park on North Avenue is open daily 9-9 and is a great spot for a little exercise. There are walking paths and a tower for great views of the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain.

You only need two things to get you started on the perfect summer: Beaches and beer.

While there may not be a plethora of beach opportunities in VT, they sure do love their beer. Vermonters will prove it on July 18-19 with the 16th annual Vermont Brewers Festival at Burlington’s Waterfront Park. It’s the longest running outdoor brew fest in the East and brewers participate by invitation only. That means the beer is guaranteed to be good.

Each day offers a four-hour tasting session (Friday 6-10 pm, Saturday 12-4 pm), and there are also music tents and education tents, where you can learn about beer. Early Brewer Special tickets are $22 if ordered by July 1. General admission is $25 and designated drivers and those under 21 pay $5. Go to www.vermontbrewers.com/tickets.html to get yours.
Brewers will be coming from Canada, California, New York and all over New England. Maine will be represented by Peak Organic, Shipyard and Stonecoast. Vermont will have 21 brewers on site, including Harpoon, Long Trail, Magic Hat and Otter Creek.

There will also be plenty of exhibitors and vendors so you don’t have to worry about finding some grub to settle all that beer — Mr. & Mrs. Jerky, American Flatbread, Zack Shack Nuts & Snacks, Ahli Baba’s Kabob Shop and many more.

Since you definitely don’t want to drive after participating in a tasting session, check out the Best Western Windjammer Inn (800-371-1125) or the Comfort Inn & Suites (800-808-4656) in South Burlington. If you’ve got extra cash, try the Hilton Burlington (802-658-6500). And if you don’t, look for camping at North Beach in Burlington (802-865-7247), Little River State Park in Waterbury (802-244-7103) or Half Moon Pond State Park in Fair Haven (802-273-2848).

If you want to make a weekend of it but can only suck down so much beer, head to Battery Park at the end of Pearl Street, where the scenic views can’t be beat and there are free summer concerts on Sundays. You can get out on the water on the Spirit of Ethan Allen III, which departs from Burlington Boat House at the end of College Street for 90-minute sight-seeing cruises.

And if you’re into shopping or dining, Church Street is the place. Shop til you drop at the outlet and specialty stores, then grab a bite at Sweetwaters ($7-$16), Halverson Upstreet Cafe ($5-$20) or Ri-Ra ($8-$20). Trattoria Delia on St. Paul Street is a great spot for Italian ($13-$29).