Vermont, known as the Green Mountain State in the US, is home to a large, and ever-growing number of breweries, microbreweries, nanobreweries and brewpubs. With annual beer festivals and a wide variety of delicious, highly sought-after, beers being produced in the area, Vermont is a great location for any beer enthusiast to visit.
What are the 5 best breweries to visit in Vermont?
The Vermont Pub & Brewery
The oldest craft brewery in Vermont, it features a stylishly decorated old-style pub and restaurant that is full of character and history, and also a warm and friendly atmosphere. Offering many unique, award-winning beers, their excellent food menu offers a range of delicious pub fare such as steak, burgers, fries, sandwiches, desserts, and more.
They also have a spacious outside area with tables and seating where they regularly host events such as live music, parties, and also weddings.
Address: 144 College St, Burlington, VT 05401
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Opening hours: Wed-Sun: 8am-9pm · Mon-Tue: closed
Foam Brewers – Burlington
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Founded in 2016, Foam Brewers has earned wide acclaim for its soft, balanced hazy IPAs, as well as the stylish artwork on its labels and merch. The brewery represents Green Mountain State’s highest class of craft breweries and produces a fantastic variety of lagers, Saisons, and kettle sours.
Their main brewery on Lake Street brews at full capacity, providing much of the draft beer for their beautiful location with a stunning westward view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. Open daily with onsite service and beer-to-go, their small but quality restaurant deals mainly in sandwiches, slates, and snacks. Events hosted at this popular venue include parties and live music.
Address: 112 Lake St, Burlington, VT 05401
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Opening hours: Sun-Thu: 12-9pm · Fri-Sat: 12-11pm
Burlington Beer Company
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Some of the best beers in Vermont are created at the Burlington Beer Co. brewery. Their excellent restaurant, taproom, and barrelhouse are also great places for beer enthusiasts and fine diners to visit and enjoy.
Their range of house beers features an exciting list of rotating guest taps and also offers a variety of finely crafted ales and lagers. Burlington Beer Company has plenty of parking, a large and spacious beer hall and bar area, amazing food, friendly and helpful service, and even an on-site merch shop.
Address: 180 Flynn Ave, Burlington, VT 05401
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Opening hours: Mon-Thu: 12-8pm · Fri-Sat: 12-9pm · Sunday: 12-7pm
Zero Gravity Brewery
This popular and stylish Burlington-based craft brewery is committed to its beer, as well as maintaining the natural beauty and friendly culture of Vermont. The brewery’s amazing sense of style and class echoes throughout, from the care and precision put into making their delicious beers, to the design and artwork of their labels and merchandise.
Their beautiful beer hall, sunny outdoor seating area, superb beer collection, and quality restaurant, makes this another one of the most popular Vermont breweries to visit. They are also known for hosting regular music and entertainment events.
Address: 716 Pine St, Burlington, VT 05401
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 8am-9pm
Hill Farmstead Brewery
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One of the most highly-acclaimed breweries in all of Vermont, Hill Farmstead Brewery is closed for most of the week and requires reservations for their beer-tasting tours. If you want to experience a truly incredible range of beers though, it is well worth visiting. With stunning farmland scenery and beautiful, elegant, rustic beer halls and cellars, a small restaurant, and a catalogue of amazing beers, Hill Farmstead Brewery is highly recommended.
Address: 403 Hill Rd, Greensboro Bend, VT 05842
Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery
Opening hours: Thu-Fri: 11:30am-5pm · Sat-Wed: closed
How Many Breweries Are In Vermont?
In 2014, the Brewers Association ranked the state of Vermont as having the most breweries per capita in the US. In 2019, the amount of Vermont breweries and brewpubs actively operating in the area was listed as 56. Today, there are around 80 active in Vermont.
This, together with current beer industry trends, has shown a steady and marked increase in the popularity and success of independent breweries in the US, and abroad.
Is Heady Topper Hard To Find?
Heady Topper, an award-winning double India Pale Ale, and one of Vermont’s most popular and highest-rated beers is famously brewed by The Alchemist brewery, located in Waterbury, Vermont.
Their production of the beer is limited, however, anyone within driving distance can order the beer from them online, which can then be picked up curbside at the brewery. Because their supplies are limited though, and also so sought after, the orders are usually capped at eighteen four-packs per person. The brewery also does tours for those who want to experience this amazing beer fresh from the barrel.
What Is The Best Beer In Vermont?
Aside from the above Heady Topper, other famous beers produced in Vermont breweries include:
- #9 pale ale – by Magic Hat Brewing Company
- Edward and Abner – by Hill Farmstead Brewery
- Double Sunshine IPA – by Lawson’s Finest Liquids Microbrewery
What Are The Major Beer Festivals Or Events In Vermont?
Filled to the brim with beer-lovers, Vermont hosts a number of popular beer-related events and festivals in the Green Mountain state, such as:
- The Vermont Brewers Festival in Burlington.
- The Brattleboro Brewers Festival in Brattleboro.
- The Craft Brew Races in Stowe.
- The Vermont Nanobrewery Festival.
Which Brewery In Vermont Has The Best Food?
Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Waitsfield is amongst the most highly-rated amongst Vermont breweries for its excellent quality food, and dining service, along with their beer. Other popular breweries and brewpubs known for their great food include:
- The Vermont Pub & Brewery – Burlington.
- Zero Gravity Brewery – Burlington.
- Four-Quarters Brewery – Winooski.
- Long Trail Brewing Company – Bridgewater Corners.
- Whetstone Craft Beers @ Whetstone Station – Battlebro.
- Madison Brewing Company Pub & Restaurant – Bennington.
Put Vermont Breweries On Your List
The state of Vermont clearly has a robust and active beer culture, with plenty of high-quality breweries and brewpubs to visit. If you are in the area and have the thirst for a great beer, be sure to visit the breweries mentioned here. And remember to take it easy, and to keep your stomach lined with good food. Or the sheer amount of tasty and appetising beers available in Vermont may quickly go to your head.