Views and Brews
Brattleboro, Vermont
It was a busy weekend…drop off for our son at University of Vermont and Scott’s birthday! We have truly fallen in love with everything Vermont – stunning mountain views, breweries, wineries, skiing, general stores, anything maple, scenic country roads – and we always try to explore when we are in the area for our son.
This weekend was no different and after drop off, we spent the next 24 hours celebrating Scott’s birthday with views and brews!
Our destination was Brattleboro, but on our way from UVM we started the celebration at Bent Hill Brewery. Instead of taking the main highway to the brewery, we decided to explore the backroads…one of our favorite things to do in Vermont! We love turning a corner and SURPRISE…there’s a charming town, historic covered bridge or postcard-perfect mountain landscape.
As we drove slowly on a dirt road for the last 2 miles, I was a little nervous and not quite sure what we would find…but WOW! Tucked in the hills with trees, meadows and mountains in the distance, Bent Hill Brewery was gorgeous!
In addition to the amazing view, the brewery itself had a comfortable cabin feel with a beautiful covered deck- the perfect place to relax, eat, drink and take in the scenery. There were even lights strung above for ambiance in the evening. The atmosphere was so relaxed with outdoor games and dog friendly areas and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful!
With so many unique beer “flavors” the birthday boy was in heaven ordering his flight-and decided on Three Stoned Birds (ale with currants, cinnamon and vanilla), Blood Orange Double IPA, Sun and the Moon (pale ale with jalapeno and pineapple) and Daily Grind (red ale with coffee and maple syrup).
We also enjoyed their Mullet Mule with Imperial ginger beer over ice with lime…so refreshing!
The biggest surprise…and the one that put this brewrey over the top for me…was the incredibly fresh and flavorful food! There were lots of “Mmmms!” from Scott and I as we indulged in crispy brussel sprouts served with lemon aioli topped with buttermilk fried shallots that were out of this world and sweet potato, black bean and corn quesadilla served with a side of homemade poblano crema and pico de gallo.
Now that I know how amazing the food is, next time I might literally order one of each item on the menu!
We spent much of the afternoon relaxing at this stunning spot then hopped on the road, excited to get to our bed and breakfast and start exploring Brattleboro.
I made a reservation for the night at The Inn on Putney Road, just a few blocks from downtown Brattleboro. When we arrived, Paul the innkeeper was so inviting and offered some freshly baked chocolate chip cookies as he showed us around his elegant home, offering suggestions for our stay.
Our room was bright, spacious, clean and filled with so many thoughtful touches…robes, a full coffee/tea/hot chocolate station, complimentary local snacks and bottles of Vermont Sweetwater gourmet sodas. Scott especially loved the bath with original 1920’s tile work and nickel plated brass fixtures.
TIP: Explore the Inn…you’ll find a conservatory with a tin ceiling, original fireplaces, billiards table and sunroom overlooking the gorgeous backyard.
We loved the beautifully maintained grounds filled with stunning perennial gardens, a sparkling water fountain, tranquil sitting areas and a magnificent Japanese maple tree.
TIP: Be sure to check out the trail behind the Inn along the river that leads to the Hogle Wildlife Sanctuary…it was so peaceful and a great place to see birds, wild flowers and the beautiful West River.
We ended the night at Whetstone Beer Co. for dinner and drinks with a view. Eating on the covered rooftop deck, we enjoyed panoramic views of the Connecticut River separating NH and VT.
What really made The Inn at Putney Place outstanding was the 2-course breakfast. Coming down in the morning, we found a beautifully set table and Scott was served his own individual French press pot of coffee…he was thrilled!
Paul’s breakfast creations were fantastic…starting with a fruit plate of fresh melons, pineapples, watermelon, blackberries, blueberries and mango topped with slivered dried mango, granola, yogurt and basil.
His second course was a baked strawberry pancake with fresh Vermont maple syrup served with herbed skillet potatoes and local maple sausage…yum!
It was an absolute treat to stay at this Inn for the night and full from breakfast, we headed out for our day in the Brattleboro area.
Our plan was to hike Putney Mountain, slightly north of Brattleboro. Since we usually take a cooler…you never know when you’ll pass a farmer’s market, roadside stand or general store…we stopped at the Putney General Store to pick up sandwiches for later.
We also stumbled upon Green Mountain Orchards…if the big “Blueberries” sign out front was not enough to lure us in, the smell of freshly baked apple cider donuts did the trick!
We browsed the barn filled with fresh fruits, just baked blueberry buckle and cider donuts, locally sourced gifts and old fashioned cars! I wish we had more time to PYO apples, but we were happy with our pint of blueberries and warm cider donuts!
Putney Mountain Hawk Watch Trail was a 2 mile wooded hike with great views at the top. We took the Ridgeline Trail to the summit and the blue-blazed trail to West Cliff Loop Trail coming down. Along the way, it was fun to read the educational markers offering information on the landscape and trees.
Once we reached the ridgeline, we were treated to stunning views of mountains on both sides of the trail!
While enjoying the view at the top, we were greeted by a flock of lively and hungry sheep…it felt like we were in Switzerland with the sheep and mountains in the background!
TIP: Bring binoculars especially if hiking in August, September or October to watch the migrating hawks.
After the hike, we made our way to the impressive 150 year old Dummerston Covered Bridge- the longest bridge in Vermont. There is a parking lot and steep path down to the river where you can get some gorgeous views looking up at the bridge and truly appreciate its construction.
TIP: Be sure to drive through the bridge to see the beauty of the criss-cross wooden planks inside.
With the surrounding scenery of the hills, West River and picturesque bridge, it was the perfect place to enjoy our picnic lunch. TIP: Take a bathing suit so you can wade or swim in the river!
There was one more brewery I wanted to visit for Scott’s birthday…veteran-owned Snow Republic Brewery. It was a little out of the way, but I knew he would love the relaxed atmosphere and the beer. Much like the art on their cans of “My Hands Feel Like 2 Maracas”, the vibe was a mix of ski town brewery and caribbean beach bar with palapas and reggae music. They are also kid and dog friendly and offer indoor and outdoor seating with games at each table inside!
TIP: If you have time, go a few minutes up the road to Sticky Fingers Bakery and snag a yummy sweet treat!
It was a great 24 hours celebrating Scott’s birthday! I hope you found ideas for your own views and brews Vermont adventure!