Culinary Travel & Brew destinations; Northern Vermont/Stowe

by Armand Vanderstigchel

On the final morning of my culinary road trip, my i tinerary is the quaint town of Stowe, Vermont, which is listed as one of the top ski-resort towns in the USA. The well-plowed roads leading to the ski-action are constantly maintained for the rev enue generating visitors, to get into town safely and quick. During the slow ascending climb to the Stowe Mountain resort, the snowcovered chalet-like hotels and lodges take you back to a small Austrian ski-town and the serenity it transcends is magical!

Upon arriving at the Stowe Mountain resort -after a short delay driving anxiously behind a monstrous snowplow- I parked in the lot behind the hotel which offers complimentary parking for the first hour (subject to change). The resort was buzzing with folks enjoying a day of skiing on fresh driven snow and relishing the warmth of the crackling fireplaces in the various buildings. In the bar above the main entrance, local Vermont beers and international wines can be enjoyed accompanied by some fabulous jumbo spice rubbed Chicken Wings w/ Middlebury Bleu cheese dressing.

This is a perfect match with a cold regional microbrew beer such as Long Trail Limbo IPA 28 IBUs 7.6% ABV.

Upon my departure from Stowe Mountain Lodge, fresh snow regained its strength from the ship hull grey painted sky, whereas now caution had to be taken upon descending from the elevated area. The final stop of my trip was the greatly anticipated visit of the famous Von Trapp Bierhall and Lodge, just a short 20minute drive from Stowe Mountain Lodge.

In the early 1940s, the Von Trapp family toured the United States as the Trapp Family Singers before eventually settling in Stowe, Vermont on an enchanted farm with sweeping mountain vistas reminiscent of their beloved Austria. In the summer of 1950, they began welcoming guests to a rustic, 27-room family home/lodge, which has expanded today to a striking 96- room Alpine lodge situated on 2,500 acres offer ing magnificent indoor and outdoor resort amenities. The Von Trapp family saga is also the inspiration for the world renown

Sound of Music movie and theater play.

Johannes von Trapp started thinking about starting a brewery at his family’s lodge in Stowe, Vermont. He had a dream to brew an American version of the tasty lagers he enjoyed near his ancestral Austrian home. It became a reality in the spring of 2010, when Von Trapp Brewery of ficially opened. The beautiful brewery was originally a modest facility located in the lower level of the Lodge’s deli bakery. In 2015 they opened a new 30,000 sq. ft. brewery located on Luce Hill Road, featuring a Brew House capable of producing up to 50,000 barrels of beer annually. Upon entering the Bierhall on Luce Road, you will find a well-stocked gift shop selling glass beer boots, 6-packs, and t-shirts. One can proceed to climb up the stair in the lobby and from a balcony overlook the large production hall.

Aside from the classic Austrian beer offerings such as Oktoberfest, Pilsner, Dunkel and Helles, I decided on the Vienna 5.2% ABV 33 IBU, named after the city that created the style- an amber lager, malt forward with a grassy, cracker-like hop aroma. To pair precisely with the light beer, the Chicken Schnitzel with Apple kraut, braised red Cabbage, Arugula, Lingonberry vinaigrette and Von Trapp farm fried Egg was a perfect match. For dessert upon recommendation, I opted for the warm crispy A pple

If you drive up the hill to the main lodge, on your left is the bakery where you can enjoy hot drinks with pastries and sandwiches. There is a sneak peek window in the bakery where you can observe the Strudel being made with fresh Apples and thin sheets of homemade dough. The main lodge has a European themed restaurant fueled by Aus trian tradition. In the winter you can grab a horse drawn sleigh ride or rent cross-country skis at the adjacent ski-center.

With the wind taking on intensity outside and snowdrifts accumulating, it was time to start driving back home to avoid the roads worsening. Once on Interstate 89 going south, I was happy to observe a well-maintained highway and the sun slowly appearing in the afternoon sky, transforming the snow crusted mountains with frosted pine trees to a scenic spectacle. On a special note, for travelers, rest- stops and visitor centers in Vermont are fantastic in terms of cleanliness and a museum-like display of Vermont treasures and historic data. You can even grab a complimentary cup of Green Mountain coffee with a charitable donation and a greeting from the volunteer behind the help desk, always willing to accommodate a visitor with good advice.

In review, it became apparent to me that Vermonters are proud of their culture and heritage. They strongly remind me of my Dutch farming roots, one of ingenuity, creativity, and a respect for nature. I highly recommend microbrew aficionados and foodies in search of the holy grail of homegrown cuisine Americana, inspired by traditions of Europe, to pay Vermont a visit.