I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but there are kind of a lot of breweries in Vermont. And they’re good. Really good. World-class even. Who knew!
As of May 2019, there were 56 operating Vermont breweries or brewpubs.
In 2011, 2012, and 2014, Vermont was ranked as having the most breweries, nanobreweries, microbreweries, and brewpubs per capita. You could visit a different Vermont brewery every weekend for a year and still not hit them all!
Visitors come to Vermont to enjoy the breweries on over 15 different Beer Trails. Some Vermont brewers have even been credited with creating their own “IPA revolution”.
With so many breweries, it can be hard to pick a favorite – or to visit them all! But, we’ve come up with a list of our favorites so you can get started!
Glossary of Terms:
IPA – India Pale Ale
DIPA – Double (or Imperial) IPA – more hops and higher alcohol content than an IPA
NEPA – New England IPA
VPA – Vermont IPA
ABV – Alcohol by volume, this is the percentage of alcohol in each beverage
Here are our favorite Vermont breweries (in no particular order):
Burlington Beer Company
Location: Williston, VT
Favorite brew: Strawberry Whale Cake
Why we love it: It’s fruity, fresh, seasonal, and delicious!
Do they serve food? Yes!
Is it kid-friendly? Call ahead to inquire.
Idletyme Brewing
Location: Stowe, VT
Favorite brew: Pink & Pale
Why we love it: This is a grapefruit lover’s dream! This brew has been described as light, slightly sweet, and delicate.
Do they serve food? Yes, a full menu that’s simple and seasonal.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, Idletyme is family-friendly and has a cool atmosphere. A kids’ menu is available for kids under 12.
Rutland Beer Works
Location: Rutland, VT
Favorite brew: Better Dayz
Why we love it: Double IPA with 8% ABV. It’s a light beer that tastes refreshing and you’ll put on a good buzz.
Do they serve food? Food is available at their brewpub, Hop’n Moose Pub at Rutland Beer Works, but is not available at the production brewery.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, very! The menu is full of appetizers and pizza. Kids love the jumbo pretzel.
Alchemist Beer
Location: Waterbury, VT (not open to the public) and Stowe, VT (visitor center, retail, and tasting)
Favorite brew: Focal Banger
Why we love it: Heady Topper might get all of the attention, but Focal Banger has that classic IPA taste that is hoppy with a really smooth finish. It’s an American IPA with 7% ABV.
Do they serve food? No, food is not served but there is a retail store where you can purchase merch.
Is it kid-friendly? You can stop into the visitor center in Stowe with kids. There’s also an open lawn area outside of the brewery, that isn’t specifically designed for kids, but does provide kids with an area to run around.
Long Trail Brewing Company
Location: Bridgewater Corners, VT
Favorite brew: Trail Hopper
Why we love it: This American IPA is sharp, crisp, and almost tangy. Very flavorful for having 4.75% ABV.
Do they serve food? Yes. Burgers, fries, etc.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, kids are more than welcome in the restaurant but not on the brewery floor. The outdoor seating along the Ottauquechee River is especially nice for kids.
River Roost Brewery
Location: White River Junction, VT
Favorite brew: Mas Verde
Why we love it: A smooth New England IPA. Some even describe it as tropical!
Do they serve food? No.
Is it kid-friendly? No.
Liambru Tasty
Location: Proctor, VT
Favorite brew: Sinister Surfer
Why we love it: Double dry-hopped IPA with 8% ABV. It just tastes good – perfect for summer!
Do they serve food? No.
Is it kid-friendly? The beer is brewed at the Rutland Beer Works production brewery which is not open to kids.
Fiddlehead Brewing Company
Location: Shelbourne, VT
Favorite brew: Second Fiddle
Why we love it: It’s flavorful, smooth, and hoppy but still tastes pretty light! Exactly what you want from a New England IPA!
Do they serve food? No.
Is it kid-friendly? No.
Lawson’s Finest Liquids
Location: Waitsfield, VT
Favorite brew: Sip of Sunshine
Why we love it: It’s got a tropical fruit aroma with a citrus spike. Smooth, hoppy, and bitter.
Do they serve food? Yes, a wide array of food is available.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Foam Brewers
Location: Burlington, VT and Hinesburg, VT
Favorite brew: Built to Spill
Why we love it: Built to Spill is a double IPA with citrus, pineapple, and tangerine notes.
Do they serve food? Yes, snacks, appetizers, sandwiches, and crabs are available at the Burlington location.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, kids are welcome to dine at the Deep City location in Burlington.
Lost Nation Brewing
Location: Morrisville, VT
Favorite brew: Saison Lamoille
Why we love it: This brew is a slightly lower alcohol version of the classic farmhouse style. It’s a hazy golden beer with notes of fruit and spice.
Do they serve food? Rustic, pub inspired fare served by Honest Food Chef, Erik Larson.
Is it kid-friendly? Kids are welcome to dine in the taproom.
Vermont Pub & Brewery
Location: Burlington, VT
Favorite brew: Forbidden Fruit
Why we love it: This light, refreshing fruit beer is fermented with over 500 pounds of real raspberries!
Do they serve food? Yes, starters, salads, and burgers.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, a kids’ menu is available.
14th Star Brewing Co.
Location: St. Albans, VT
Favorite brew: Valor
Why we love it: Valor is a hoppy Amber Ale balanced with a citrusy hop flavor and aroma. It has a clean bitterness and a slight caramel sweetness.
Do they serve food? Yes, burgers and sandwiches.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, a kids’ menu is available.
Hermit Thrush Brewery
Location: Brattleboro, VT
Favorite brew: Sunset Lake: grapefruit and rosemary
Why we love it: It’s brewed with wild Brattleboro mixed culture yeast, grapefruit juice, and fresh rosemary.
Do they serve food? No
Is it kid-friendly? No
Four Quarters Brewing
Location: Winooski, VT
Favorite brew: 4 Non-Blondes
Why we love it: This is a blonde ale with chocolate, cinnamon, coffee, and coconut.
Do they serve food? The taproom is currently closed, but please call to see if it will open after the publication of this post
Is it kid-friendly? When the taproom is open, children are welcome.
Comment below and let us know your favorite Vermont brewery. We love to check out new spots all over VT. And, let us know what we should try first! Summer is the ideal time to sample all the VT brews. And please drink responsibly.
Four Quarters is located in Winooski, not Williston.
Corrected. Thank you 🙂