Gabbi Hall
I spent four glorious years attending Saint Michael’s College, just outside Burlington, Vt. After graduating in 2013, I left the Green Mountain State for job opportunities, but I come back as often as I can for the fresh air, world famous foliage and friendly, flannel-wearing people. This September, my college friends and I rented an awesome Airbnb house at Stowe for a weekend reunion.
In honor of our college years, we enjoyed a couple (or maybe several?) adult beverages, and spent Saturday hopping between some of the best locations in the area. Now, you can, too.
For Hard Cider Enthusiasts: Citizen Cider
Citizen Cider started up while I was in college on what is referred to as North Campus. I never visited when they were housed there, but they built of a loyal following with locals and college kids alike, steadily growing out of the original location and into their current spot on Pine St., just minutes from the Church Street Marketplace. This was the perfect location for a group of 10 to stop in for flights, pints and lunch.
I started with a tasting flight: 5 ciders for $7. The highlight was the Sage Against the Machine. Made with touch of hibiscus and white sage, it has a unique flavor that’s dry and refreshing. I can best describe it as unexpectedly wonderful. I also recommend trying the Stan Up! if it’s available, and The Dirty Mayor is always a solid classic. For me, the real treat is that none of them are too sweet.
Of course, that doesn’t even begin to address the food. They have a pretty extensive menu, and I tried the Avo-tacos, a gluten-free, vegetarian dish that surprised and delighted. I am not gluten intolerant and no one has ever mistaken me for a vegetarian, but this dish was the perfect light meal to pair with the cider tasting. It was filling, full of flavor and just what I needed to stay fueled for the rest of the day.
For Wine Lovers: Shelburne Vineyard
Shelburne Vineyard sits about 20 minutes away from Burlington, Vt., It’s an easy drive if you have a car and is well worth the trip. The wine tasting is $8 and when we visited, there were about a dozen wines on the menu. We got to taste them all: red, white, sparkling and dessert wines. If you want to linger there and enjoy your favorites, you can have wine by the glass and sit on the deck, staring at the fields of grapes. Yes, some of the grapes are grown right there in the frigid Vermont climate! They also do tours and host other events.
The one thing to note is that overall their wines lean to the sweeter side of things. So, if you’re the type that’s obsessed with dry Chardonnays, this might not be your cup of tea.
BONUS TIP: Wine isn’t the only reason to head south on Route 7. Just across the road from the vineyard is Fiddlehead Brewery and Folino’s Wood Fired Pizza. You can do a free beer tasting, buy a growler and hop over to the restaurant to pour yourself a pint and enjoy a pizza. It’s a one-stop shop for everyone in your crew.
For Beer (and BBQ) Aficionados: Prohibition Pig
Prohibition Pig, located in Waterbury, is about a half hour south on Highway 89 from Burlington, Vt. It’s well worth the trip if you’re staying in the region. It’s part BBQ powerhouse, part brewery and 100 percent tasty. I enjoyed a glass of their Mixed Berry Swine Cooler, a tart wheat ale with raspberry, blackberry and blueberry. They have an extensive menu of their own beers as well as highly sought-after Vermont beers from places like Hill Farmstead Brewery and The Alchemist. In general, I’m not a beer person, but for them, I make an exception.
For dinner, I indulged in their mac ‘n cheese with chopped porkon top. It’s a beast of a meal—-easily enough for two servings. I’m all about leftovers, so for me, that’s a big win. It’s a mix of intense, savory Vermont cheeses, a crunchy bread crumb shell and some of the best BBQ pork I’ve ever had. It’s definitely not the most calorie-friendly thing on the menu, but if you’re looking to treat yourself, you can’t go wrong with this dish.
A few of my other favorite pit stops for food and cocktails in Vermont:
Located on St. Paul St. right off of Church St., this bar doesn’t have incredible ambience. However, it has awesome drink specials and seemingly endless board games to play.
This gem isn’t downtown or in a charming part of Burlington, but that doesn’t matter. The owners turned an old gas station into a surf-themed restaurant that made a California girl feel at home.
This isn’t a restaurant. It’s an unassuming deli in Stowe, and it’s my go-to for a sandwich when I’m town to ski. Order the #6. You won’t regret it.
Looking for other recommendations in the Burlington, Vt.? Ask me in a comment below! I’m happy to share what I know. Until next time, here goes nothing.
