This is a small beer bar. There is no bad beer, no average beer, no switchback sam adams long trail or the like. They had Allagash Curieux Dogfishead Immort Aventinus Hill Farmstead Edward IPA the new Vermont brewery from Greensboro VT Sierra’s Fritz and Ken Anniversary Stout Stoudt’s Karnival Kolsch Stone IPA and other awesome beers on tap. The place is small but is loaded with cool atmosphere, old stone foundation walls and old ceiling beams. The owner bartends and guides flyfishermen on the side. The food is charcuterie and Vermont cheeses, he does an outstanding ripe camembert and prosciutto sandwich on local bread. Great little beer bar with wonderful atmosphere

The Blackback Pub and Flyshop is one of several excellent venues along the Main Street of Waterbury – see my review for Prohibition Pig, which is across the street. The décor is that your grandfather’s country lodge: heather green walls and vey heavy on the fishing paraphernalia, which is scattered throughout this small bar. What I liked was the availability of several Farmstead beers; this in itself makes for a worthy trip. The service was friendly and efficient. No food is served, but then you’ll probably pig out at the aforementioned Prohibition Pig prior to your visit here. A leisurely quaff at the Blackback Pub brings to mind an old, and appropriate, adage: “Give a Man a fish and he’ll eat for the day; teach him to fish and he’ll sit in a boat and drink beer all day.” Wise.

I had read about this place and it’s amazing tap list in this forum so I had to check it out while I was in town. It’s right across the street, diagonally, from the Alchemist. It’s in the basement of an old downtown building so the walls are all stone and brick. The bar is made from bamboo flooring according to the owner/barkeep. The place is tiny. About 12 or so stools. Thats it. The beer was impressive. Several Hill Farmstead selections, Allagash and Petrus. No Bud Light here.The owner was friendly and obviously knew his beer.

awesome place. mad taco tacoes are a little too good. whole bunch of hill farmstead brews on tap. some lawson’s as well. nice building. laid back joint. tight place.

A very cool hole in the wall bar with excellent selection and a beer-passionate owner who can keep up with geek speak. Fantastic array of Vermont microbrews that the bartender said was soon expanding. In a state seemingly filled with quality-over-quantity operations, this one puts itself right near the top.

We had an extraordinary evening in this tiny basement pub that, before expanding, used to sit barely 10 people. We came in around 9 pm with our 2 months baby and left past midnight, having gone through the whole 10 or so beers on tap. Every one of these were interesting. The reasonable servings may come across as a bit expensive at $6-7 for a glass, but it makes sense when you want to try everything. Superb large chalices used for Saison. Excellent connections with the outstanding Hill Farmstead ales. Almost a perfect experience, the owner throwing Monty Python’s quotes to a conquered crowd of locals, the baby sleeping all throughout, the beers being stunning. We did not even cross the street to go to the Alchemist and that would have been heresy not so long ago.

Stopped here on my recent trip to Vermont. I’m so glad I did. Available on draft were pretty much all the beers on my Vermont beer wish list. Heady Topper, Double Sunshine, and nine Hill Farmstead brews, including Abner, Society and Solitude #3 and #4, Everett, Florence, Edward, What is Enlightenment?, and Harlan. Wow. Service was excellent, as was the vibe. A small, cozy place with only a few regulars chatting and watching the Red Sox game. The bartender offered half pours, allowing me the opportunity to enjoy a few more rounds. Overall, this was a fabulous little place. I will absolutely return here first on my next trip to the lovely state of Vermont.

Updated 2011 - I usually can only get to this place on the weekends, but it is usually packed when I go. Not that big of a place, but the atmosphere and the beer are excellent. Ricky has not been open that long, but his place has already begun to develop a reputation among local craft beeries and craft beer seeking tourist as a very worthwhile place to find. Though small, his selection is always top notch. I stop in whenever I get a chance, just to see if he has anything new.

This is an awesome shop. Cantillon Kriek on tap and a great selection of local beers. It feels like a pub and you almost always make friends.

They had 17 beer on tap and one on cask the last time I visited. They have expanded since my last visit a couple of years ago and it is helpful in finding room to settle in to try all the tasty brew. Friendly service and friendly folks drinking on all sides of me. I ordered a couple of very tasty tacos - chatted with the cook who was a cool guy. Overall a really fun experience on a Sunday afternoon.