It’s time to Drink Green! In March we’re raising our glass to the long list of amazing breweries here in the Green Mountain State. And five in particular—River Roost, Four Quarters, Upper Pass, Foam, and Big Tree.

We’re excited to spotlight these local brewers. Plus, we’re offering 15% off beers by these brewers all month long!

Thank you to Mark Babson for sharing River Roost Brewery’s “origin story” with us!

Q-and-A with Mark

Q. Can you tell us your name and role at the brewery?
A. Mark Babson, owner

Q. Can you tell us the story behind your brewery’s name?
A. The name River Roost came from playing around with the concept of being the ruler of the roost. Being located in White River Junction, the two concepts merged into River Roost Brewery.

Q. Who does your brewing?
A. Sam Clemens and Edwin Royce do all the brewing here….and much more!

Q. Does the brewer have any type of formal training? If not, how did they learn the craft?
A. Sam is an Institute of Brewing & Distilling graduate and has been working in the brewing industry since 2011. Edwin has been working in the brewing industry since 2019 and was an avid homebrewer before taking the plunge. I have been working in the brewing industry since 2008 and have taken courses through the Siebel Institute.

Q. How long have you been in business?
A. The Brewery doors opened in February 2016.

Q. How large is the brewery (# of barrels annually)?
A. We made around 1,200 barrels of beer last year.

Q. How is your beer connected to the local area?
A. Prior to COVID all cans were sold directly out of the retail shop in White River Junction. We have a strong following of dedicated locals that we can’t thank enough. We’ve expanded can distribution since, but all of the beer we brew is sold in Vermont!

Q. What is your favorite style of beer to drink?
A. IPA!!! – I had to say this right?

Q. What is your “desert island beer”?
A. It would have to be some kind of cold refreshing craft lager…it is a desert island.

Q. If you could sit down with anyone (living or dead) and have a beer, who would it be and why? What would be the first question you would ask them?
A. Blackbeard, Dillinger, Jesse James…..maybe one of these guys would tell me where the hidden treasure be….