Vermont's Independent Voice
Browse Home
Browse News + Opinion
Browse Arts + Life
Browse Food + Drink
Browse Music
Browse Movies
Browse Events
Browse Classifieds
Browse Personals
Got a hankering for hops or a yen for yeast? If you live near Plainfield, there’s a new place to cure what ales you. Local Potion, a homebrew-supply store on Route 2, opened on November 1.
According to 23-year-old owner Ryan Christiansen, a Plainfield native, the store grew from a need to supply his own brewing hobby: Like other members of his “tight-knit” community, he’d been getting the goods online or driving all the way to Winooski to visit Vermont Homebrew Supply.
There’s no brewing club in Plainfield yet — Christiansen hopes to organize one — but he avers that he knows “10 or 15 people who brew” in the tiny town alone. “I was talking to other home brewers around here who were tired of spending money on gasoline when they could be spending money on brew supplies,” he says.
Those folks are among his customers, but he’s getting business from hop heads in St. Johnsbury and Montpelier, too. “It’s been busy,” he remarks.
Aren’t these times tough on hobbies? Not on brewing, Christiansen opines. As the price of alcoholic beverages climbs at the grocery store and the bar, folks who want to save bucks without abandoning their brewskis are choosing the DIY approach.
He hasn’t given up his full-time job — working at his parents’ hardware store. But Christiansen is hoping the buzz brings him enough biz to make the store his financial mainstay. To increase sales, he’s dealing in winemaking supplies, too, and after fielding several requests for cheese-making paraphernalia, he’s considering the addition of bacterial cultures, and more. Eventually, Christiansen hopes to carry a variety of locally grown hops and add brewing classes to his offerings.
For now, Local Potion is open evenings Tuesday through Friday and during the day on Saturday.
More by Suzanne Podhaizer
Speaking of Food, side Dishes
-
Eat this Week, April 12 to 18, 2017: Green Garden Spirits
Apr 11, 2017 -
An Evening of Food and Storytelling at Bird to Branch
Mar 8, 2017 -
NECI Sale ‘Imminent’ as New President Takes Over
Jan 6, 2017 -
New Owner for Black River Produce
Oct 17, 2016 -
Senate Advances GMO Bill That Would Preempt Vermont Law
Jul 6, 2016 - More »
Latest in Food News
Recent Comments
-
Zed: omg. yes please!
Re: A Single Pebble to Mobilize Its Menu With Food Truck
-
DasherVT: The article says that The Spot on the Dock is open 9 AM - 10 PM, but that…
Re: The Spot on the Dock Opens in Burlington
-
Cathy Resmer: Deborah, the clam shack is open from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays.
Re: Montpelier Pop-Up Serves Cans 'n' Clams
-
Deborah Benoit: Plz post the hours they are open ! This is great but of little use if no one…
Re: Montpelier Pop-Up Serves Cans 'n' Clams
- More »
