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Freak Folk Bier

4.3 (11 reviews)
Closed 2:00 pm - 8:00 PM
Updated 3 months ago

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"None The Wiser: Mosaic & Nelson" (IPA)
Matthew L.

Freak Folk Bier is a craft brewery that opened in Waterbury, Vermont in February 2022. It was founded by couple Lillian MacNamara and Ryan Miller. Both MacNamara and Miller had a decade of brewing experience before they deciding to become brewing partners. MacNamara brewed for Magic Hat and Otter Creek before becoming the head brewer at Queen City Brewing in Burlington. Miller brewed for breweries in Vermont, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Connecticut before becoming the head brewer at Aqua ViTea Kombucha in Middlebury. The duo had a dream to open their own brewery where they could escape the monotony of the typical brewery lifestyle and mentality and have complete creative control. They especially wanted to focus on mixed-culture fermentation. Freak Folk Bier initially launched in 2018 as an alternating proprietorship brewery. The couple rented equipment and wooden barrels for aging from Queen City and set up shop in an extra room at the brewery. After a number of successful bottle releases, they acquired the ground floor of a new multi-use property (dubbed "Bell's Block") in Waterbury to open their own brick-and-morter brewery and taproom. I recently visited Freak Folk Bier for the first time while I was on a Vermont craft beer road trip. I actually never heard of the small brewery until I started making my itinerary for the trip. When I saw that they had a 4.33/5 average rating on Untappd (after being open for only two years in a state with an already impressive roster of breweries), I knew that I had to make a stop. I was actually spending the night at the historic Old Stagecoach Inn and Freak Folk Bier is just a 3-minute walk from the inn. I arrived at Freak Folk's taproom not long after they opened for the afternoon. The place was small, cozy and super chill. I grabbed a seat at the bar and looked over the draught selection. I enjoyed some short pours of "Dark Harvest" (American Porter), "None The Wiser: Mosaic & Nelson" (IPA), and "Double Fantasy: Strata & Strata CGX" (IPA). These were all impressive brews. A customer sitting next to me asked if I wanted to split a bottle of "Penumbra" (Oak-Aged Saison) with him. I happily accepted and I'm glad that I did because it was simply fantastic! I purchased some cans-to-go before I left. I was VERY impressed with my visit to Freak Folk Bier and I look forward to seeing what they brew in the future!

Mix tape and Puppet Shadow IPAs
Nathan N.

Small micro in Waterbury. A tad bit on the pretentious side for me but but the two IPAs we had were some of the best Ive ever had and Ive had quite a few. If youre a Crafthead its a must.

the inside of a winery
Hong L.

Shocked I'm the first to check out the new brewery in Waterbury. This place has been on my radar for a few years now. Still a nano brewery who has been doing small releases out of Queen City brewery outside of Burlington. Great to try some of their beers that aren't mixed fermentation. The Hellespont lager is pretty great (Prong Horn). Their saisons are always a hit with us. Hope they continue to pump out great beers and are successful. Definitely visiting when nearby, which is often

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11 months ago

Nice little spot. Service was quick and friendly. Their ipas are great but the lagers were just as good.

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Review Highlights - Freak Folk Bier

A tad bit on the pretentious side for me but but the two IPAs we had were some of the best Ive ever had and Ive had quite a few.

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Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury - The stock of beers.

Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury

4.6(40 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

Vermont Beer Collective is a craft beer specialty store that opened in Waterbury, Vermont in…read moreFebruary 2024. It was founded by husband and wife Nate and Liz Dunbar. The shop on 3 Elm Street had originally opened under the name 'Craft Beer Cellar' in December 2013. It was part of the 'Craft Beer Cellar' chain of specialty beer stores that was founded by Suzanne Schalow and Kate Baker in 2010 with the opening of their flagship store in Belmont (MA). Two years later, they began franchising and at the chain's peak they had 33 locations in 15 states. Mark Drutman was the original owner of the Waterbury location. By 2019, CBC locations began to close (including the flagship location which closed in 2023). After the Dunbars made their home in Vermont, they decided to switch craft beer from their hobby into their livelihood. Drutman sold the Waterbury CBC to the Dunbars in May 2023. They slowly began to make the shop their own and by the following year they left the franchise and unveiled a new logo and a new name. The Vermont Beer Collective now has one of the best craft beer selections that can be found in the state. The Dunbars even added a bar in the store where customers can sample beer from 8 taps as well as a three-tap LUKR faucet from the Czech Republic. The couple also have a love for hiking, skiing and cycling and hope to make their shop a venue for the outdoor sports community to gather. I recently visited the Vermont Beer Collective while I was on a Vermont craft beer road trip. It's conveniently located right across the street from the popular Prohibition Pig Restaurant & Brewery. After enjoying some delicious smoked meat and a pint there, I headed across the street to check out the shop. I was really impressed by their selection! They had offerings from the best breweries in Vermont, around the country, and even breweries from the international scene. We're talking the best of the best! The bar was also really cool! The place is not just a shop where you can buy beer but also a place where you can hang out. I spoke for a few minutes with owner Nate Dunbar. He was really friendly and he told me that he's originally from my home state of Connecticut. He explained that the store had about $25,000 of flood damage in their basement just weeks after they bought it, but they pressed on. He told me about the future plans that he has for the shop and seemed very optimistic. Before leaving, I purchased a coveted bottle by Belgian-based Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen to take home. I'm happy to have discovered the shop and I wish them all the best!

Best place I've ever found for buying great beer. They have a large selection of excellent beers,…read morebut most importantly their staff is remarkably helpful. Just tell them what style of beer you like, or which beers you usually drink, and they can provide numerous recommendations. They were also very knowledgeable about beer in general, proving to be an invaluable resource to help you find some good beers to try. In particular I wanted to sample some local beers, and I loved all of the options they recommended based on my flavor preference. If you're anywhere near Waterbury, VT, and enjoy good beer, do yourself a favor and stop by the Craft Beer Cellar for some great beer recommendations.

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Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury - Beer bar

Beer bar

Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury - Fine selection of Belgian beers

Fine selection of Belgian beers

Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury

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Stowe Cider - Rock The Pink!

Stowe Cider

4.5(147 reviews)
9.8 mi
$$

I love exploring new cider places, and on my trip to Stowe, I was excited to see Stowe Cider…read morevisible from the road with plenty of parking. We went just for drinks. We elected to sit outside on the deck under an umbrella. We could hear the band from the Japanese restaurant next door. I ordered a flight which consisted of four ciders that I could choose. The server wrote the initials of my choices on a board and told me what they were. I ordered less sweet, more dry kinds. There were subtle differences between them based on the fruit notes. I did miss getting a Huckleberry flavor like I do when I go to Washington state. Our server was upbeat and friendly even though we only ordered drinks. Tip: To enter, use the doors that say "use other door," I thought the arrow was saying go to an entrance around the building but that was an employee only door.

My wife and I love cider. And there is no better place to get cider than where they grow the apples…read morethemselves. It was a cold and rainy day so the cider house was a little slow but that didn't stop the cider from flowing! The space is very nice and open with tons of seating inside as well as outside {when the day's are nicer}. The people working are great! Everyone is awesome, greeting you with a smile and helping you with recommendations as their menu is extensive. Next time we're in town we will definitely take more time there.

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Stowe Cider - Join The Golden Apple Club!

Join The Golden Apple Club!

Stowe Cider - Tasters!

Tasters!

Stowe Cider - Dry ciders tasting flight

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Dry ciders tasting flight

The Alchemist - Hand-Pulled Heady Topper: the only beer at The Alchemist which is available on draught

The Alchemist

4.4(340 reviews)
9.7 mi
$$

When I first went here, years ago, I felt as if it was basically a giftshop. Sample a beer, move…read moreover to the register, and buy your beer to go. But my last visit was a lot different. There are now areas to be able to drink onsite. They have a bunch of seating, high and low, and they also have a stage for musicians. I am glad it is now a spot to be able to sit down and have a beer, instead of being just a spot to pick up cans.

Stopped here about an hour before they closed for the evening. The brewery is huge! We immediately…read moreloved the one of a kind decor flourishes such as custom made lamps and murals (even on the ceiling). You could see some of the brewing area and everything looked so clean. It was intriguing to peek behind the curtain and they even offer paid tours. All of the workers we encountered were pleasant and enthusiastic about the products. We loved the chill vibe of the location, as they had an open outdoors area with seating and lawn games, including disc golf and corn hole. There was also an outdoor patio with a couch and stage for live performances. It was a place I could see myself kicking back at on the regular if I were local to the area. The location was not serving food when we visited though a food truck was located on site and said it would be opening in May. They did have complementary bags of pretzels available for guests to take. We also enjoyed the gift shop and the fun merch for sale. We purchased a hat. My husband enjoyed his beer and regrets not purchasing a four pack to take home.

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The Alchemist - Highly recommend this wine

Highly recommend this wine

The Alchemist - Heady Topper off the tap!

Heady Topper off the tap!

The Alchemist - Can of "Luscious" (British-style Imperial Stout)

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Can of "Luscious" (British-style Imperial Stout)

Freak Folk Bier - breweries - Updated May 2026

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