The inviting facade of the Prohibition Pig

The Alchemist, a restaurant and brewery previously located on Main Street in downtown Waterbury, used to be one of our favorite date-night spots. We’d take a leisurely drive over the Appalachian Gap and wind our way to Waterbury. The homecooked pub food and Wild Child on tap were worth every bit of the 80-minute drive (one way). Sadly, in August 2011, Hurricane Irene flooded the town of Waterbury and the Alchemist. Although the Alchemist bounced back quickly strictly as a brewery—hello Heady Topper—we purposefully boycotted the Prohibition Pig, which opened in the same space shortly after the flood. It certainly couldn’t live up to what was the Alchemist. Or so we thought.

When our innkeeper, Luke, at Wilder Farm Inn recommended we try Prohibition Pig and described it to us as “hipster-glossy,” we were intrigued… intrigued enough to give it a try, first for drinks and appetizers on a Friday afternoon and then for lunch the following day. We loved it, if our repeat visit wasn’t enough to give you a hint.

Craft Beers and Cocktails at Prohibition Pig
Despite being packed, we got seats at the bar quickly and were drooling over their tap list: 24 exceptional craft beers, including Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine, three pours from Hill Farmstead and two beers from Zero Gravity, along with many other noteable craft beers from Vermont breweries. We always opt to sit at the bar when we have a chance, 1) to chat with the bartenders and others at the bar and 2) to get beer poured with ample head.

Literally floor-to-ceiling whiskey, bourbon and scotch at the Prohibition Pig.

Pro Pig is also brewing their own beer now (who knew?). We had a half pour of the Pro Pig Multi Grain IPA, a juicy, citrusy IPA, that was quite a nice surprise. A sign behind the building and construction vehicles parked along the street hinted that Pro Pig is going to be opening a brew house soon, serving their own beer and bites. The new space will also have an outdoor seating area. I can already see just how popular al fresco, beer-drinking will be for Prohibition Pig and Waterbury in general.

Additionally, Pro Pig’s cocktail list was impressive, and they (literally) have walls of boubon, scotch and whiskey to choose from. I was tempted to try the Rittenhouse Sour (made of Rittenhouse Rye, Amaro CiaCiaro, lemon, simple, egg white), but I stuck to extensive tap list of Vermont beers. A sign of a good pour to come, whether a beer or cocktail, is a bartender who is handling a full bar, mixing cocktails and pouring three beers with one hand, while still smiling and chatting with locals at the bar. No big deal. The bartenders are Pro Pig are definite pros.

The Food at Prohibition Pig
The Prohibition Pig prides itself on using the freshest, highest quality ingredients. But really, what Vermont restaurant doesn’t, these days? Everything is made in-house, fresh everyday, and you can tell. All of the food we tried (Panko-Fried Pimento Cheese Balls, Shoestring Fries, the Falafel Burger and a special roasted lemon chicken salad sandwich) was outstanding. I might have declared that my sandwich was the best I had ever had, and it was not something I would normally order in a restaurant—much less in a BBQ restaurant. The smokiness of the roasted pit chicken with lemon, fresh herbs and thick cut bacon, lettuce and tomato, all on perfectly toasted Red Hen Bakery bread, was a flavor combo to die for. I was still thinking about it the next day, even after having an impressive meal at the Common Man in Warren.

Prohibition Pig’s menu denotes vegetarian and gluten-free options and, for a place specializing in meat (guanciale, pork BBQ, beer brisket, pork rinds, pit chicken and duck fat fries), we were excited to see quite a few vegetarian options for Randy. I previously had heard that the portion-sizes at the Pro Pig left you hungry, but both of our meals were quite large and packed with flavor. The prices were good too. For two of us with two beers each and two lunch entrees, the bill was $40.

The Falafel Burger and Shoestring Fries at Prohibition Pig

Although the Prohibition Pig might never live up to the memories of the Alchemist we have lovingly tucked away, it is going to be our first stop when we are passing through Waterbury. Who am I kidding? We’ll likely hop over the mountains this weekend like we did in good ole’ days, ready to make sime new memories at one of our favorite new watering holes.

And in case you were wondering, “hipster-glossy” is a fitting descriptor of the ambiance and clientele, which makes for great for people watching while sipping a Vermont craft beer and enjoying the awesome food Pro Pig’s chefs are dishing out.

Local’s Tips:

• New to drinking Vermont craft beer? Prohibition Pig offers half pours, so you can taste a few extra beers during your visit. Although if you try Lawson’s or Hill Farmstead, you might go straight for the full pour.
• The Prohibition Pig doesn’t take reservations or call ahead seating. People are seated on a first-come, first-served based. The hostess is through the bar crowd to the back of the restaurant (maybe not the best location for her), but the bar tables in the front and back of the restaurant, along with the 20-some seats at the bar are all seat yourself.
• 

  The best Bloody I’ve had in awhile, complete with a bacon-salt rim and pickled veggies.

  Order the House Bloody Mary! It was fantastic, accompanied by a bacon-salt rim and pickled vegetables (Brussels sprouts, beets and carrots). Spicy and wonderful, the Bloody was also accompanied by a beer back. Two drinks for the price of one.

• Try out their housemade bacon barbecue sauce, hot sauce and pepper vinegar. If you happen to be more of the Ranch type, they also make housemade Mad River Ranch that’s unlike any commercial type you’ve had before.
• Prohibition Pig is the only restaurants in Waterbury open before 3pm on a Friday, FYI. If you needed another reason to try it out.
• Take your time. You’ll meet locals and travellers alike at the Pro Pig, and whether you make conversation with (or overhear) your neighbors at the bar, you’re guaranteed to pick up some good tips for other places to see in the area.

The Prohibition Pig
23 South Main Street, Waterbury VT 05676
(802) 244-4120

Serving Dinner: Always
Lunch: Fridays
Lunch & Brunch: Saturday & Sunday