Vermont is filled with endless natural beauty — the towering Green Mountains, the iconic covered bridges, the stunning seasonal vistas of spring wildflowers, summer’s lush greenery, fall’s vibrant foliage, and winter’s soft blanket of fresh snow. Yes, Vermont is the place to go for a gorgeous vacation. But there’s another reason to visit: Beer.
According to the Brewers Association’s 2022 annual report, the Green Mountain State has the highest number of craft breweries per capita, boasting more than 15.5 breweries per 100,000 adults over 21, making it a venerable paradise for beer lovers.
Volume isn’t all it has going for it: “The community, the scenery, and the shared passion for great beer are worth mentioning,” Samuel Keane, co-founder of Foam Brewers, told Travel + Leisure. “Also noteworthy is the connection to local ingredients and Vermont agriculture. Everything is so tied together, from the water to the barley, wheat, and hops. Not to mention the amazing fruit, herbs, and other adjuncts being grown here…people can get creative. There are so many brewers making great beer and unique styles that there is truly something for everyone.”
Ready to try a few for yourself? Here are 12 of the best breweries in Vermont.
Related: 11 Charming Vermont Hotels Worth Visiting in Any Season
Foam Brewers
Burlington’s Foam Brewers is known for its artistic brewing approach and deep passion for its community. The brewery, which launched in 2016, has quickly become beloved for its IPAs, like Built to Spill, and was even named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category in the 2023 James Beard Awards.
“What makes Foam so special, amazing beer aside, is how community-focused they started out as and, even as they grow and expand, they continue to love and support local farmers, musicians, artists, and artisans,” Amy Keane, Samuel Keane’s wife, shared. She’s not just partial to her partner’s company; she has first-hand experience as an employee. “They are an incredible place to work for, as the partners take care of their employees well, provide space to learn and grow, and honestly, it’s just really fun to work there.”
Black Flannel Brewing Company
Courtesy of Black Flannel Brewing
“A favorite place of mine is Black Flannel Brewing Company,” Keane said of the Essex Junction brewery. “They offer a wide selection of great beers, from traditional European styles to newer American IPAs, stouts, and beyond. They also specialize in small-batch distilling and offer some pretty awesome cocktails.”
For something simple, go for the North German pilsner, or, as Keane suggested, try a signature cocktail.
Zero Gravity Craft Brewery
Courtesy of Zero Gravity Brewing
Zero Gravity, another Burlington favorite, is renowned not just for its beers but also for its commitment to community and sustainability. The company hosts several initiatives, such as the Loving Day party every June 12, which marks the date the U.S. Supreme Court legalized interracial marriage, and a partnership with the Bobolink Odyssey, a long-term study of the sweet songbird’s migration patterns. A portion of the Bobolink Saison’s sales goes toward purchasing GPS trackers for the birds.
Hill Farmstead Brewery
Courtesy of Hill Farmstead Brewery
Located amid Greensboro’s rolling hills, Hill Farmstead Brewery has gained international acclaim thanks to its complex, flawless beers. In the past, Rate Beer has even rated it as the best brewery in the world. Many of the brews concocted by founder Shaun Hill are named after his ancestors, who were born and lived on the land where the brewery sits today. If you need a recommendation, try the Edward, an American pale ale with citrusy hops and subtle malt notes named after Hill’s grandfather.
The Alchemist
Courtesy of The Alchemist Brewing
For a wholly unique take on beer, head to The Alchemist. The company runs two breweries — one in Waterbury and one in the mountain town of Stowe — creating highly sought-after brews, including two standouts, Focal Banger and Heady Topper. The latter maintains a perfect 100 percent rating on Beer Advocate.
Pick from a lengthy list at the beer cafe and even take a brewery tour — proceeds go toward The Alchemist Foundation, which creates scholarships and programs for local youth.
Green Empire Brewing
Green Empire is a small but ambitious brewery in Colchester known for its IPAs, sours, and experimentation with brew techniques, including aging beer in gin and chardonnay barrels. Don’t miss the flagship brew, Side Business IPA, with notes of fresh grapefruit and just the right amount of bitterness.
Four Quarters Brewing
Four Quarters Brewing in Winooski is all about celebrating Vermont. It brews its specialty sours and stouts in-house, and its taproom’s food menu features as many house-made and locally sourced dishes as possible. Pair a tasty, seasonal brew with the Cheeseburger in Paradise, which is made with Snug Valley patties, American cheese, pickle chips, and house sauce.
Burlington Beer Company
At Burlington Beer Company, expect to sip on old-school favorites with new-school twists. The independent brewery creates innovative and award-winning IPAs, DIPAs, and lagers, plus seasonal and limited releases.
In the taproom, you can try one of the more than 40 beers on tap, including inventive brews like its flagship, It’s Complicated Being a Wizard, a New England IPA with nectarine and orange zest notes.
Lost Nation Brewing
Courtesy of Lost Nation Brewing
Lost Nation Brewing, located in Morrisville, isn’t flashy. It doesn’t strive to innovate like others on this list. Instead, it focuses on perfecting the classics. Specifically, it aims to serve the best European-style ales and lagers in New England. Order something like the tart and refreshing Gose, a lightly hazy traditional German-style sour, to taste what we’re talking about.
River Roost Brewery
Former Magic Hat brewer Mark Babson founded River Roost Brewery in 2016 in White River Junction with a vision of creating full-flavor, hops-forward brews that would genuinely impress. Its Mas Verde IPA does the trick and even boasts a score of 95 on Beer Advocate. Made with Citra and Chinook hops, the beer has plenty of citrus and melon flavors for a refreshing sip.
Lawson’s Finest Liquids
Courtesy of Lawson’s Finest
For more than a decade, Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Waitsfield has been at the forefront of the Vermont beer scene — and founder Sean Lawson’s love for beer is much older. In 1990, Lawson created his first homebrew, a maple wheat ale, honoring other maple brews around the state. Now, you can visit the brewery’s taproom to taste Lawson’s other creations, including the Sip of Sunshine IPA, a hops-forward beer with floral flavors.
Red Clover Ale Co.
Courtesy of Red Clover Ale Co.
Red Clover Ale Co. in Brandon is as charming as a brewery can get. The family-run business was created by a “chain of brother-in-laws” and was hatched when two of its three founders, Riker and Andy, worked together on their family’s dairy farm. The brewery focuses on small batches, including favorites like the Sapsucker Maple Stout.
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