Say the words, “Trapp Family Lodge” to anyone outside of Vermont and more often than not, the first thing that comes to mind is “The Sound of Music.” But for those of us fortunate enough to live in or around the Green Mountain State, Trapp’s is synonymous less with lederhosen and “doe-re-mi” than it is with miles of purpose built singletrack and an on-site brewery. That’s right, the Trapp Family lodge, home of von Trapp Brewing, also plays host to a damn fine trail network, which not coincidentally, happens to culminate right at the brewery.
Last season, in an effort to support Stowe’s ever-evolving trail network and craft beer culture, the Stowe Mountain Bike Club teamed up with von Trapp Brewing and Farrell Distribution to create “von Trail Day,” a one-off custom brew aimed at supporting Stowe’s trails. Without too much buzz, hoopla, marketing hype or Facebookery, this collaborative brewing effort raised a tidy chunk of change for SMBC’s Trail Fund and was yet another affirmation of the universally positive marriage of beer and mountain biking.
Billed as “clean yet complex,” with, “floral hop aroma and bready malt balance,” von Trail Day ticks all the boxes when it comes to post-ride hydration. Little known fact: the word “Helles” not only describes this traditional-style lager, but when translated, means “wicked refreshing after a mountain bike ride” in German. (Author’s note: the word “fact” is used loosely in this context.)
Lucky for you, von Trail Day is back again for 2017 and will be available at darn near every place that pours beer in the greater Stowe area. Here’s how it works – every time you buy a von Trail Day from any of the participating establishments, a portion of that purchase will go right back into the trails. Simple as that. This limited collaboration will not be available in bottles, only on tap. Keep your eye out for this logo, and when you see it, take comfort in the fact that you’re not only supporting Stowe’s artisan beer culture, you’re also helping to protect and expand Stowe’s ever-evolving trail network. In a word, rad.
For all you beer nerds out there, here’s nitty gritty on von Trail Day Golden Helles:
ABV: 4.9% | IBU: 20
HOPS: Perle, Tettnanger | MALT: Pilsner
