When Chris Went: January 16th, 2021
Where: 144 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401
Vermont Pub and Brewery is Vermont’s oldest microbrewery, opened by Greg Noonan and Bill Mares in 1988, making it older than any brewery in Connecticut. When it opened, Vermont Pub and Brewery was the first Vermont brewery in the state in ninety-four years. All the state’s breweries owe Greg Noonan a debt because it was his advocacy that got Vermont to change their liquor laws to allow for on-site sale of manufactured beer which made microbreweries and brewpub feasible. Since they opened in 1988, Vermont Pub and Brewery has won a number of awards for their different beers, including their Burly Irish Ale, Forbidden Fruit Framboise, and their Handsome Mick’s Smoked Stout. The pub is located in downtown Burlington, not far from the water and close to tons of great breweries and restaurants. The brewpub gives off a distinctly Irish pub feel in aesthetic, beer, and food.
Chris: I visited Vermont Pub and Brewery while it was snowing which led to a very picturesque scene. With its location in downtown Burlington we decided to make a day of it and see all the things the city had to offer, so that meant brunch, beer, and Ben & Jerry’s. Since we had already decided to have all the unhealthy food we decided to order some of the best poutine I have ever had. (I would be open to starting a craft poutine blog) We also wanted to try as many beers as we could so we got a flight. On a quick side note, I feel as though Vermont Pub & Brewery was the safest restaurant or brewery I have ever been to in terms of covid precautions. In terms of beer, I was a little disappointed that they did not have any darks for me to try, but I was able to sample four different beers. After reading the rave reviews of their beer I was not impressed, not giving any of the beers over a 3 out of 5, and it seems most people on untapped seemed to give similar ratings. I tried two sours, Forbidden Fruit and Spuyten Duyvil and did not think either was very good. Maybe we just came on an off day and got the B lineup instead of the A lineup. In summary, Vermont Pub and Brewery is a place with great history, great food, and okay beer.
Other Cool Things:
- Merch for sale
- Founder has written THREE books on brewing (two on lagers and one of scotch ale)
- Take out available
- Maybe you will see Bernie Sanders there
What Chris Drank:
Chris: Flash Mob (Pale Ale) 4.9% – 3 out of 5
Chris: Spuyten Duyvil (Sour) 5.6% – 3 out of 5
Chris: Regal (Lager) 4% – 3 out of 5
Chris: Forbidden Fruit (Raspberry Sour) 6% – 3 out of 5
Chris: Vermont Maple (Ale) 7.2% – 2.5 out of 5
Brewing Persuasion: 3.5 out of 5
Feeling persuaded yet?
Brewing Persuasions 