Long Trail Brewing Company - VT IPA

This New England style hazy IPA naturally presents a nicely hazed golden hue in the glass, topped by a persistent head of pale foam. As we lean in, we’re greeted by an especially inviting and complex aroma from five hop varieties, offering notes of luscious tropical fruits and flora, sweet citrus tones, subtle soft and somewhat peach-like stone fruits, light hints of melon, and touches of herbaceous spice. Our experience continues much the same way in the flavor, as a tropical and citrus dominant cocktail spreads over the palate. In line with the NE hazy style of IPA, the hop bitterness never over-reaches, offering plenty of bite to contrast the malty core without smashing one’s palate. Look for the malty base to provide plenty of support with just a touch of breadiness, while adding an especially creamy overall feel. For pairing options, tropically oriented dishes spring to mind, such as Hawaiian barbecue or Southeast Asian fare incorporating citrus or tropical fruits. Cheers!

When the first batch of Long Trail Ale was produced in 1989, it was still very, very early in America’s craft brewing renaissance. Founded that year by Andy Pherson in an old mill, the brewery was a trailblazer for craft beer in Vermont, and the Northeast more broadly. Originally called Mountain Brewers, the brewery was so well known for their flagship beer that they changed their name to Long Trail Brewing Company at the same time they relocated to their current facility on the banks of the Ottauquechee River in early 1996. The brewery and their eponymous beer are named after Vermont’s Long Trail, which travels the spine of the Green Mountains from Canada to Massachusetts, where it intersects the Appalachian Trail – whose construction was inspired by the Long Trail.

Being an iconic craft brewer with a long history and deep roots in the community, it’s no surprise that charity and community involvement are central to the brewery’s philosophy. The business sponsors charitable events for numerous non-profit partners like Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, Vermont Mountain Bike Association, Green Mountain Club, and the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation. The brewery produces a wide array of year-round, seasonal, and limited production beers, and even some non-alcoholic CBD-infused seltzers. If you ever have the chance to visit their Riverside Pub, located about two and a half hours northwest of Boston, you should take the opportunity to go and enjoy over a dozen brews on tap, included limited releases, as well as good food, live music, and a beer garden vibe in a uniquely beautiful area. For more info, visit them at longtrail.com.