Hey all. My name's Ben. I go to school in Vermont, so I figured I'd contribute my exploration of Vermont microbrews to this growing compendium of beer knowledge. Actually, I just wanted a good reason to stop drinking Busch Light. I'll try to post a new brew every week, depending on my money supply and the motivation of my supplier. I hope to get through Long Trail and Magic Hat by the end of the school year, maybe a bit of Otter Creek (Middlebury's very own!). So anyway, I hope you enjoy. And if you want to talk Vermont beer, feel free to e-mail me here. No, wait, here. I'm gonna start off this week with Long Trail Ale.

Long Trail Brewing Company

The Long Trail Brewing Company is based in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont. They brew and bottle all of the beer there. The company is named after a hiking trial that runs the entire vertical length of Vermont, from Massachusettes to Canada. Long Trail beers are not as popular at Middlebury College as other local brews, but they are known for having a variety of tasty brews and really fucking cool labels. Each bottle is adorned with their classic backpacker on a red background. Flavors include Long Trail Ale, Blackberry Wheat, India Pale Ale, the Pollenator, Double Bag, and the Hibernator. Unfortunately, they do not distribute much outside New England, so the next time you head to the Northeast, be sure to pick up a pack. Visit them online here.

Long Trail Ale

The Long Trail Ale is the basic Long Trail beer. It was first brewed in 1989. The label is a nice green with a picture of their brewery set against the Green Mountains. If you look closely at the label, you can see the green background is made up of topo lines. Probably of Vermont. A nice touch. The label calls it a "full bodied amber ale" with a "complex, yet clean, full flavor." The color is light gold, with a pleasant, full aroma. As for the taste, clean, not complex, is a good description. There is no extra sweetness, maltiness, or bitterness. The beer is medium weight and smooth. The aftertaste is particularly refreshing and a smooth malt flavor lingers after the bottle is finished. This beer would be excellent with a sandwich or pizza. Unfortunately, a six pack costs about seven dollars, a little higher than some other beers of comparable quality. However, Long Trail Ale is high on class, so just make sure your guests notice what you're serving.