I got this note from my man Gary in New Hampshire this morning:
Long Trail Ale and the brewery's family of choices is well known in northern New England. The Long Trail in Vermont is for hikers, and includes part of the Appalachian Trail. Basically, it is a walk from north to south, 200 miles more or less, with the Appalachian trail branching off to the east midway. There is a certain type of youngish, healthy and rugged person you meet at the top of a mountain who unslings his pack and pulls out a six pack of this brew (hopefully to share). I happened to be working on a couple of them the other day, saying to my unsophisticated, untutored self, 'wow, this reminds me of Bass Ale'. My mother-in-law was in town, and she is really the best of mother-in-laws, and she was buying dinner and picking up the tab, so I got a Bass Ale and did a comparison. They do not taste alike, Bass has more ooomph, with tangy hops or something. BUT, Long Trail Ale is an excellent day to day beer, thick and delicious and flavorful. If I had a party tonight I would fill the fridge and the bathtub with Long Trail. I think it would please just about everyone. I have also enjoyed their Double Bag ale, which is also thick and delicious, but has a higher alcohol content and can sneak up on you.I mentioned to Gary that I drove past this brewery on a mad dash to the sea and clams. I didn't stop but I did think to myself that I can't think of a lovelier spot to make real ale, a creekside spot in a green Vermont valley.Don't wait for your mother-in-law to take you out: if you can find it, Long Trail Ale and the others from these guys will make you happy.
Comments
ManhattanDan - September 11, 2005 2:55 AM
I was introduced to Long Trail at my ski house last Winter in Ludlow, VT. After a long day of skiing and a group dinner, I was delighted to find the guys I was sharing the house with had loaded the fridge with a case of Long Trail Ale. Lovely, just lovely. The website says it's based on the Altbiers of Duesseldorf. I may or may not agree. (I spent my 16th Summer as an exchange student near D-dorf.) Whatever. It's a wonderful brew.
Exceptionally drinkable, well-balanced and, reminds me of my time in Vermont. I can't wait to go back. Oh Vermont!
Gary - September 11, 2005 8:37 PM
Like I was saying: youngish, healthy, rugged types, go fill your fridge!!!
BTW-good time to visit us in northern New England. The maples are starting to sho their colors, peak around Columbus day in a month.
Dave - September 14, 2005 12:37 PM
I'm getting married next month and am ordering the beer selection. My future wife and I want to get beers we like but also want to make sure there are good options for people as far as light/dark, etc. I love Newcastle Brown so we are getting 4 cases of that. Then we are getting two cases of Amstel Light for those who want a Light beer option. My future wife has German roots so we figured Spaten Oktoberfest is a good choice. The guy at the beer distributor said it is dark and is similar to Newcastle but I have drank it and I don't recall that. Isn't Spaten Oktoberfest pretty light in color? Our final option is a few Magic Hat varieties since our heart is always in Vermont. Any feedback is appreciated.
Alan - September 14, 2005 1:53 PM
Where are you located.
Megan - October 21, 2005 6:34 PM
Hey there:
I am a fellow Vermonter, currently located in Boulder COlorado....but one thing that i miss about home is Long Trail beer. there's nothing like is anywhere. Glad to have found a friend.
Megan
Chad Smith - February 3, 2006 5:06 AM
Long Trail is the beer I call my favorite. No where can you get it anywhere except in the New england Region. I do not frequenty drink beer when outside of VT, NY, NH, RI ME. But whe nestled at home in VT. there is nothing, absolutely nothing like pounding Trail after Trail after Trail. Oh, and during snowboard season, huh...he he he.
Forget about importing it though. If you don't do it yourself, it does not get shipped. So you gotta go to new england. It could be one reason why some folks live here.
Alan - February 3, 2006 8:21 AM
Does snowboarding lead to Trail pounding or is it the other way around?
MCSmith - April 6, 2007 3:54 PM
I'm not sure...I would think that snowboarding DOES indeed lead to Trail Pounding, because I can't ride and drink...I have to save that for 4 or 4:20...