Here are the
1) 14th Star Maple Breakfast Stout - not from Burlington, but I've heard great things about 14th Star in general as I've done my research in prep for this trip. I also know that the Winooski Beverage has this beer in stock and I'm hoping to snag one. More here.
2) Stone Corral XX Chocolate Maple Porter - also not from Burlington, but available up there and not down here, heard reviews of this on Two Brews, a podcast website (here), that had great things to say about the maple flavor. I'm all about Vermont maple syrup, so bring it on. Don't know if this is available all year round, may end up disappointed. More here.
3) Bent Hill Brewery Maple Brown Ale - I'm seeing a trend here, also not from Burlington, but when in Vermont [get maple syrup]...also heard of this on Two Brews, here. Also don't know if this is available, would settle for their Coconut Porter or Imperial Maple Stout instead. More here.
4) Four Quarters Darkest Heart Bourbon Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout OR Darkest Heart Maple Liquer Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout - rave reviews of this Winooski/Burlington located Belgian expert brewery, but this one is what I'd be looking to find for sure if it is available. I would also settle for their Great Cookie Bear, The Sirens Song or Whiskey Sour, More here (not sure this link is working it won't show up on my computer).
5) Burlington Beer Company Mason Jar Mild - this one has won awards and I'm so interested in BBC having learned that the brewer came from Dogfish Head, and could likely have a similar brewing philosophy, their labels are cool too. Would settle for their Bumbleberry Porter, Sassamanash, Strawberry Whale Cake, or It's Complicated Being a Wizard. More here.
6) Simple Roots Hearthside - couldn't leave it at 5...an Oatmeal Stout that sounds delicious, also on Two Brews, here, this brewery only sells at stores and brews out of their garage converted to brewery. More here.
(NOTE: I've left Heady Topper out because I've had it before, and while it's good, the beers on this list I've never tried before. I'd probably also include other Alchemist brews, but they're too hard to find and I won't be there on release days)
And now for Charlotte, NC, in no particular order:
1) Aviator Brewing Company Devils Tramping Ground Tripel - not from the Charlotte area, but in the triangle I believe (Rawleigh, Charlotte, Greensborough), was listed as top 5 best craft beers on some website, here. More here.
2) Triple C Up All Night Breakfast Porter - there is a barrel aged version of this too, but I'm pretty sure both are winter seasonals, maybe their Road to Nowhere Porter can compre even a little bit, but I'd settle for their Chocolate Covered Pretzel Stout as well if that is available. More here.
3) Ass Clown Vanilla Bean Chocolate Brown - saw this was available on their website and vanilla and chocolate has enough to sell me (I'm noticing a definite trend in this post to resist IPAs). More here.
4) NoDa Hop, Drop 'n Roll IPA - here I finally break the trend, an IPA that has been touted and won gold at the World Beer Cup in 2014, there's a lot of hops in this, I wonder if it competes with Heady Topper? More here.
5) NoDa Coco Loco Porter - the only repeat brewery, sort of, on these lists, I've yet to have a Porter with coconut in it and I'm very intrigued. More here
Hopefully I'll be able to give you an update as to how I did on these trips in the next month or so.
