Beer and BBQ at Lost Nation Brewing

Is there a better way to finish a morning bike ride on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail other than by stopping in at Lost Nation Brewing in Morrisville, Vermont for lunch and a brew? (feel free to submit your suggestions!). Well, that’s what we did, and we also managed to get there a little after the lunch rush (~1:30 pm) and were able to secure a spot at at picnic table in the “BBQ-garden”. The meaty aromas coming off the chef’s fires to the back are just luscious. Lost Nation is consistently ranked at the top of best places to eat in Morrisville.

I went with the smoked turkey sandwich shown below and was not disappointed. Not to undo my exercise from the morning, I decided to forgo the handmade chips or cowboy beans and went instead with the homemade coleslaw

After ordering my food, I turned my thirsty attention to the beer menu on the chalkboard. I recognized several of my favorites (e.g., Petit Ardennes and Mosaic), but I decided to change it up and sample some others. Here’s what I found:

Gose (4.5% ABV) This is one of Lost Nation’s classics, but I’ve never taken a shine to it. Its brewed with coriander and sea salt, has a nice golden glow and a slightly tart taste of lemon and wheatgrass.
Appearance: 4.0 | Aroma: 4.2 | Feel: 4.2 | Taste: 4.4 | Overall: 4.2

Saison Lamoille (5.9% ABV) A Farmhouse Ale … nice amber color. Although smooth drinking,  I found it lacked aroma and taste.
Appearance: 4.2 | Aroma: 3.8 | Feel: 4.2 | Taste: 4.0 | Overall: 4.0

Rustic Ale (5.4% ABV) This ale is brewed with loads of American hops and brought back a much-needed bitterness in both the aroma and taste after my first two samples. You can drink a few pints of this very happily.
Appearance: 4.5 | Aroma: 4.5 | Feel: 4.3 | Taste: 4.5 | Overall: 4.5

The Wind Blue (4.8% ABV) Pours with a muted pink color, and definitely smells and tastes of grapefruit. Very pleasant mid-day beer.
Appearance: 4.6 | Aroma: 4.6 | Feel: 4.4 | Taste: 4.5 | Overall: 4.6

The Cicerone says: as always, timing is everything … avoid the lunch and dinner rushes. Also, bring your growler and fill up with Petit Ardennes if they have it!