(photo courtesy of Zero Gravity's Facebook page because I forgot to take one)
The Brewery: Zero Gravity Craft Brewery at American Flatbread (Burlington, VT)
The Story? Several years back, my partner and I decided to take a break from the daily grind and take a trek up to Vermont. My partner's sister and her husband (one of my longest-running friends), who now own The Enchanted Badger, initiated the trip and set most of the plan in motion. As it still ranks as one of the most relaxing quick vacations we've had thus far, we vowed to make it back to Vermont to reengage and explore more on our own.
There were a few "must do" items on the list including The Alchemist, Hill Farmstead, and American Flatbread with their in-house Zero Gravity Brewery, which we rolled into first thing after checking in. While dinner doesn't start up until 5PM, the bar is open and waiting for us upon arrival.
Gose The Destroyer (Sour Wheat Beer) 4.1% ABV
An in-house Gose? Easy first choice here. The hazy, muted gold liquid yields a nose of strong, dank wheat and minerally apricot skin. The taste is bright, tart, and wheaty with a hefty dose of coriander and carbonation. This Gose is dry up front, wet in the middle, then dry again on the finish. The salt is very prominent compared to other American interpretations I've had, especially in the tart finish. (This is a good thing)
Easily the most full-bodied Gose I've encountered so far, with strong robust wheat notes, not dissimilar to Ithaca's White Gold, in that way.
Conehead Galaxy (American Wheat IPA) | 5.4% ABV
Next up, my partner and I each order a round of Conehead - cask and draft respectively.
I tip the cask version back first - very peachy, with white fruit and subtle tangy notes. Down the hatch, it's beautifully smooth and ranks as one of the best translations of an IPA to cask I've had yet, with firm citrus hop flavors, buttery smooth body, and expertly executed balance of bitter and fruit notes. The hop presence is much bigger than most cask IPAs, which in some cases, can dull things a bit. 9/10
The draft version also yields a fruity, peachy nose. This one is much juicier and without the tarness that was on the nose of the cask. Mouthfeel is differs greatly, as expected, with lively, prickly carbonation. The taste is considerably brighter with a hint of sweetness, like honey and mild sour peach. Solid mild IPA. 8/10
Smokey The Beer (Bamberg-style Smoked Lager) 5.2% ABV
Now seated and waiting for our meal, indulge in their smoked lager. A quick delivery later, my nose is taking in a crisp, malty nose with just a hint of smoke. The taste is truly sublime with wonderful biscuit malt flavors augmented by just the right amount of smoke and hints of roasted malts. Toasty and crisp, mildly carbonated, and pairs well with food. The secret of this one's success is "less is more". I've had some powerful smoked beers in the past, but this one is far more delicate, threading it with smoke and a fine mist of campfire finish. Nice execution of a smoked beer while retaining the smooth, drinkable nature of a quality lager. 9.2/10
Narconaut (Black IPA) 5.5% ABV
A final round before heading out for a walk before the burlesque show. It's always tough for me to turn down a Black IPA and this one did not disappoint. Big malty nose, plenty of hot hop flavor coupled with hints of citrus and coffee with a silky smooth mouthfeel and a nice dry, roasted finish. 8/10
T.L.A. (IPA) 5.7%
Lastly, there's the scrumptious T.L.A., Zero Gravity's house IPA. We swung back through on the way to get the car and back to the hotel. When a burlesque show ends by 11PM, you're not quite ready to call it a night. Brewed with an array of hops in Pale and Crystal malts, then dry hopped with Chinook and Columbus. It was hoppy and good drinking, but that's all you're going to get as I was concentrated on hanging out, not coming up with adjectives. This was a vacation after all!
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