http://bartonchronicle.com/in-greensboro-hill-farmstead-brewery-expansion-wins-approval/ Suspect the only people who may notice the difference are those within driving distance of HF, but one can always hope... (the blurb about trying to get VT law changed re: direct sales/shipping to customers - yes, please)
Direct sales/shipping to customers would put so much strain on them. I can't even begin to imagine haha.... We can only hope though
HF was distributed by someone for a time, we had it on tap in Southern Vt for several months. Surprise they were able to get any business venture signed off on in this state.
HF has got to be the biggest boost to the VT economy in years. They're so remote that you pretty much have to stay overnight, if not make a weekend of it. Before HF I went to Waterbury for The Alchemist, but I never would have fathomed staying there and/or spending so much time as I do now... Anyway, this is great news.
Well fair enough - HF can't compete with a multi-billion dollar company. But in terms of tourism, do people actually go up there for coffee the way beer geeks flock for HF?
Made 2 trips to VT this summer because of HF. The first we stayed in Stowe one night, ended up going back for a week. Those trips would not have happened if not for HF.
Yea but will shaun be willing to break the shipping laws and send beer to states that dont allow it? My guess is no. The backlash for a company sending beer to someone is probably much greater than in individual.
Waterbury sure smelled wonderful on those days when John was brewing at the old pub and GMCR was roasting.
I agree with your logic, but I personallly think the consistent volume of traffic to the Alchemist cannery has a larger impact on the local economy. They also provide enough product to a handfull local reatailers( for now) to increase their traffic. From the overnight stay prespective I think the Waterbury beer scene/nightlife generates a fair amount on it's own. Lawson's farmers market events also bring a fair amount to the table, just go to The Three Penny Taproom after a market, it's always full of patrons from out of state that are here overnight. All in all, we in Vermont need to thank and support the beer industy that puts this tiny state on the map.
I agree. Although I'll add, there is a vocal part of the population in the Greater Hardwick area that would much rather Hill Farmstead set up else where. Even more than that, would much rather places like Pete's Greens, Jasper Hill, and High Mowing, pick up shop and move closer to Burlington. Even though this area has really been economically depressed since the 1930s, and is just starting to see revitalization because of these businesses. It is an interesting dynamic, where the people that have lived in the area for generations and have struggled, don't want these new businesses bringing in more dollars to the local economy. As for the economic impact, I'd assume businesses like Ben & Jerry's, GMCR, and Cabot Cheese are doing more individually than the entire beer industry combined for the economy as a whole. Does it really matter who does more? Nope. Either way, spend money here so our state doesn't go bankrupt (and my taxes don't go up more)
While in theory it would, how much fun would it be to sit and stare at a screen full of "out of stock" notices everyday on their beers?
Lots of BANANAS (build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything) in the NEK, even people that haven't been here for generations. Jasper Hill, Pete's and HMS don't even have a ton of customer traffic like HF. Plus HMS is on route 15 anyways. These people are gonna be real upset if Bill Stenger's visions comes to fruition. Change is scary!
Unless you live on one of those little side roads leading up to HF and are annoyed at the slight increase in traffic it makes no sense to be against having a small brewery there. Some people just like to complain for the hell of it, even if what they are complaining about doesn't affect them negatively at all(Pawnee residents are an all too real depiction).
Upset is putting it mildly imo. Of course most of those people are unemployed or under employed because there are no jobs in NEK other than the businesses listed and of course the new Walmart that is supposedly coming.
I'm staying here in Stowe with my wife for the weekend (again) because of HF, Alchemist and Lawson's. We made the trifecta brewery/store visits yesterday and we're gonna spend the next few days visiting restaurants and bars and stores. Definitely wouldn't be here as often if it wasn't for these incredible breweries. I saw one other car on Hill Road yesterday. Man, rush hour at HF is craaaaaaazy
There is a fairly large group of people living in Vermont that think the "tourists" are nothing but a bother and believe the job they have would remain, but be less hectic if they all just went away. Love the salt of the earth old-time farmers and the people who moved here because they love the state- but pretty much every in between is a loser. I know because I deal with them everyday.
Here's a good example. A local winery wanted to expand, so they could host wedding, tours, etc. A former state representative who lived down the road led the charge to stop them, because he didn't want the traffic going down his road and disturb his gardening. And this guy was an former elected state official!
There is a sizeable portion of every population that is rabidly against any change, even for the better (don't want to disturb those slumbering brain cells). Maybe they'd like HF better if Shaun made a Bud Light clone?
