Cool Weather, Dark Beer

October in Winooski has been divine. Cool mornings, ridiculous foliage, and just enough sunshine to convince everyone winter may stay away a little longer. We’ve been making the most of it here at 70 Main.

The cooler weather means stout season has arrived, so Symphony of Stars is back on tap this week. Our flagship oatmeal stout is dark, rich, and malty, with East Kent Goldings bringing enough bitterness to give it a snappy, refreshing finish.

Not far behind it is Cuervo Nocturno, our Mexican-style dark lager. It’s got plenty of caramel and chocolate malt character sitting over a sweet bread and cracker base. Dark beer without the heaviness, which feels about right as the temperature starts dropping.

Lunch is now running seven days a week from 11 AM too. It’s been humming along since we started, which has been great to see. If you haven’t dropped in for a midday meal yet, come give it a crack.

70 Main has been the home to a few really fun events this month. Harvest Festival brought a great crowd down to the park with the Neon Ramblers playing their bluegrass take on a bunch of 80s tunes against a beautiful Vermont autumn backdrop. The falling leaves put on their own show and transformed the parking lot into a sea of yellow. Since then, we’ve filled the place with vintage clothes and vendors, then handed the taproom over to Salsa Social, who turned it into a dance floor for the night.

Huge thanks to everyone who came down and to the people who put these things together. A big part of what we want 70 Main to become is a place where good people can bring good ideas and share them with the beautiful people of this great state. And there’s plenty more of that coming in November!

Friday, November 6 is a busy one. At 5 PM, we’re opening our next art show with Ellen Montgomery, an art teacher at Winooski High School. Ellen takes a lot of inspiration from the natural world, with landscapes and flowers in acrylic and printmaking alongside sculptures made from found natural objects. Come down, meet Ellen, and have a look through the work.

That same night, from 6-9 PM, we’ve got our Hat or Tote Burning Workshop. Pick your canvas, work up a design, and burn your own custom piece to take home. Tickets are available through our event calendar.

On Sunday, November 8, Jeshali Designs will be here from noon-2 PM for a Build Your Own Beaded Necklace Workshop. Come make something of your own, have a beer, and leave with some one-of-a-kind jewelry made by you!

Friday, November 13, we’re hosting Gather & Give from 5-9 PM, a makers market and fundraiser for Vermont Works for Women. The night brings together women+ artists, crafters, and designers from across Vermont, so it’s a good chance to find something locally made while supporting an organization doing great work around the state.

There’s a lot happening around the building at the moment, and it’s been really nice seeing the place used in different ways. Lunch, live music, art, dancing, markets, workshops, and even a wedding celebration. It’s all part of our broader vision of opening the site up to the wider community and really leaning into becoming somewhere that Vermonters can come and enjoy much more than just the beer.

Thanks to everyone who’s been coming in, giving us feedback, and supporting the place while it keeps evolving. And a big thanks to the crew and all the local people bringing ideas and energy into the building.

Full details for everything coming up are at 4qbc.com/eventcalendar 

Cheers,

The Four Quarters Crew