I fondly remember when Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders took part in the Warren Fourth of July celebration every year. Bernie would stroll down the parade route on Main Street by himself—dressed in sneakers and an untucked collared shirt—waving to his people. For Vermonters, Bernie’s bid for the Democratic nomination is about more […]
Back in the summer of 2009 when Vermont was just starting to gain recognition as a leading producer of craft beer in the US, I finished the Vermont beer passport program from the Vermont Brewers’ Association in three days. Back then, it was manageable to drink your way around the state in […]
If I had to choose one town to live in for the rest of my life, I would pick Waitsfield, Vermont, every time. When I hit the peak of the Appalachian Gap and start making my way down into the Mad River Valley, I get a giddy “welcome home” feeling even though […]
Ask anyone who knows me well… I hate surprises. I am admittedly and openly a (recovering) control freak. If I’m going somewhere, I want to know where and precisely when. If I’m eating or drinking something, I want to know exactly what it is. Don’t attempt to surprise me with a […]
Hill Farmstead Brewery, located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont in the rural town of Greensboro Bend, is a mecca for beer connoisseurs. In fact, Ratebeer named it the best brewery in the world in 2015, making it one of the most popular beer destinations in the world, not […]
There are many reasons to visit Vermont. The cheese, the beer, the maple syrup, the foliage, the mountains, the peace and quiet, the calm—all things the Vermont brand has become known for. Maybe you’re eager to taste the craft beer trail, slip down our icy slopes or simply trade your hurried life for some R&R for […]
I spend way more time in bars in Vermont than I would like to—or should probably— admit. But, let’s face it, my waistline and bank account don’t lie. The many pubs, taverns and beer bars across the state are pouring some serious Green Mountain liquid gold right now that is simply […]
One of my favorite parts of Christmas is shopping for stocking stuffers. Just because the gifts are tiny doesn’t mean you can’t come up with inventive gifts to fill up a stocking. Plus, if you want to gift useful Vermont-made stocking stuffers, there are so many options for […]
Let’s be real… a big part of why we Vermonters live in this great state other than the natural beauty, the warm people who comprise our community, the lack of traffic, the clean water and air, the slippery slopes and the mountains that keep calling, is the food. I would argue […]
I remember the first time I stopped in Stowe to visit the old Shed Brewery, now part of Otter Creek Brewing in Middlebury. I drank a flight from the shotski, while wishing the brewery was closer to home so I could be part of their mug club. Now years […]
Middlebury was the first town I ever visited in Vermont. I have a distinct memory of driving west on Route 125 out of town after a tour at the College. I had never seen so many gorgeous rolling hills, glistening with sunlight, in my life. At that point, I […]
One item on my Vermont bucket list is to visit every general store in the Green Mountain State. Country stores in Vermont each have their own personality and a distinct purpose for the community they serve. Some are post offices and wine shops, others are delis and bakeries, and others […]
Whenever Waterbury, Vermont, comes up in conversation, it’s likely related to 1) finding Heady Topper, 2) live music at the Reservoir, 3) the perfection that is Hen of the Wood or 4) the “hipster glossy” crowd and meaty creations that define the Prohibition Pig. I had never heard anyone—not one person—ever muster a word about Blackback Pub, […]
The town of Winooski, located a few miles from downtown Burlington, is quickly becoming a hot spot for eating out in Vermont. With ample free parking and many diverse eateries to choose from—from Tiny Thai to Misery Loves Company to Papa Franks—the former trading city and mill town is a […]
With the impressive line-up of events in August in Vermont, it’s obvious we’re all trying to get in as many outdoor activities before the arctic blast hits. Until snow flies, there are plenty of family friendly (and some not-so-family-friendly) events happening in the Green Mountain State. Here are some of my […]