Zero Gravity Brewery | Green State Lager

I remember my first time like it was yesterday. It was late March in the winter of 2016. My wife and I were looking for some après-ski nourishment. After a long day of skiing at Stowe, this was an absolute necessity. Making our way down the mountain access road we eventually wandered into a restaurant called Doc Ponds. 

Gazing at the beer menu while taking a seat at the bar, I asked the bartender, “what do you recommend?” An avid Vermont skier, I’m very familiar with the Green Mountain State’s vast craft beer market. However, I always like a local’s take when I can get it. Ultimately, his response pushed me in the direction of Zero Gravity Brewery Green State Lager, a beer that they had just put on tap. One sip and I was in love, hooked on the light, crisp, bready Pilsner bearing the state’s name. 

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The OGs of Craft Beer | Magic Hat Brewing Company – #9

In writing this, I fired up the PorchDrinking DeLorean and visited our original showcase of #9 from 2012. Even though it’s way before my time with Tristan and the gang, reading the article was a nostalgia trip that perfectly reflects the reason #9 deserves its place in this series. Coit Stevenson is so excited just to get #9 in Colorado he barely remembers to review it. #9 was for many drinkers their first dabble into fruit beers and pale ales. With the market today practically drowning in Blood Orange as multi-fruit sours are available in any mid-level liquor store, it’s nice to remember a time when a little bit of magic, and some apricot, brought so much wonder onto your palate.
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Ultimate 6er | Green Mountain State

The hidden craft market has been brewing in Vermont for years. This humble state is always in the top craft lists but never seems to get the media hype it deserves. By the sounds of it, that’s what they want. Many of these brewers don’t distribute outside state lines, let alone outside of their county or town. So unless you travel up through the green mountains yourself, you will need to wait until the next time a fellow craft head drives cross country to share the wealth from this secluded state.

Last week I found myself in the middle of the craft mile in Vermont for an extended weekend. Overwhelmed with this opportunity, I embraced this rare experience. After some homework and multiple country store stops, I’ve compiled my Vermont Ultimate 6er.

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