Vermont Craft Brewery Tours
Exploring Vermont’s craft beer scene is a must for any beer enthusiast. With its rich brewing history and passion for quality craft beer, Vermont offers a unique and exciting experience for beer lovers. One of the best ways to dive into Vermont’s vibrant craft beer culture is by embarking on a Vermont craft brewery tour. From scenic drives through picturesque landscapes to tasting some of the finest craft beers in the country, a brewery tour in Vermont is an experience like no other.
What makes Vermont craft brewery tours unique?
Vermont is home to some of the most renowned craft breweries in the country, such as The Alchemist, Hill Farmstead Brewery, and Lawson’s Finest Liquids. These breweries are known for producing top-quality craft beers that have garnered a loyal following among beer connoisseurs. When you embark on a Vermont craft brewery tour, you get the opportunity to visit these iconic breweries, meet the passionate brewers behind the beer, and sample a wide variety of unique and delicious brews.
Why should you go on a Vermont craft brewery tour?
Vermont craft brewery tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process, from the ingredients used to the techniques employed to create each batch of beer. You’ll learn about the history and culture of brewing in Vermont, as well as the innovative practices that set Vermont’s craft breweries apart from the rest. Plus, you’ll have the chance to chat with fellow beer enthusiasts, swap stories, and make new friends along the way.
What can you expect on a Vermont craft brewery tour?
On a Vermont craft brewery tour, you can expect to visit multiple breweries in a single day, each offering a unique and memorable experience. From guided tours of the brewing facilities to intimate tastings with the brewers themselves, each stop on the tour will provide you with a deeper appreciation for the craft of brewing. You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase fresh beer from the source, including limited-edition releases and brewery-exclusive offerings that you won’t find anywhere else.
Legendary Vermont Brewery Destinations
The Alchemist
Key facts
Type: Brewery and taproom
Founded: 2003
Founders: John and Jen Kimmich
Famous beer: Heady Topper
Location: 100 Cottage Club Rd, Stowe, Vermont, USA
The Alchemist is a renowned craft brewery and taproom located in Stowe, Vermont, United States. It is best known for producing acclaimed unfiltered, hop-forward beers—most notably Heady Topper, a double IPA that helped popularize the New England IPA style. The brewery draws beer enthusiasts from around the world for tastings and retail sales.
Signature beers and brewing style
The brewery is synonymous with Heady Topper, celebrated for its juicy, aromatic hop character. Other popular releases include Focal Banger and Crusher. The Alchemist pioneered haze-forward, unfiltered brewing in the Northeast, influencing the evolution of the hazy or “New England” IPA style across the U.S.
Highlights
- Vermont’s most recognizable mountain
- Highest undeveloped peak in the state
- Exposed alpine summit with 360-degree views
- Iconic profile featured on Vermont’s state quarter
The summit panorama includes the Adirondacks, White Mountains, Lake Champlain, and neighboring Green Mountain peaks. The Monroe and Burrows Trails are the most popular routes.
Hill Farmstead Brewery
Key facts
Founded: 2010
Founder: Shaun Hill
Location: Greensboro, Vermont, USA
Signature styles: Farmhouse ales, pale ales, stouts, IPAs
Awards: Multiple “Best Brewery in the World” honors (RateBeer, 2015–2020)
Hill Farmstead Brewery is a renowned craft brewery and tasting room located in Greensboro, Vermont. Founded by brewer Shaun Hill in 2010, it has become internationally acclaimed for its farmhouse ales and innovative interpretations of classic beer styles. The brewery draws visitors from around the world seeking its small-batch, meticulously crafted beers in a rural New England setting.
Beer lineup and production
Hill Farmstead’s portfolio centers on unfiltered, naturally carbonated beers often named after Hill’s ancestors—such as Edward, Everett, and Susan. Many offerings are brewed with water from the property’s well and locally grown ingredients. The brewery also produces mixed-fermentation and barrel-aged beers, blending Old World methods with contemporary craft experimentation.
Visitor experience
The brewery operates a taproom and retail shop where guests can sample and purchase limited releases directly at the source. Nestled along a dirt road in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Hill Farmstead offers a serene, minimalist tasting environment that underscores its artisanal ethos and sense of place.
Lawson’s Finest Liquids
Key facts
Founded: 2008 by Sean and Karen Lawson
Address: 155 Carroll Rd, Waitsfield, VT 05673
Signature beer: Sip of Sunshine IPA
Facility type: Brewery, taproom, and retail store
Sustainability focus: Certified B Corporation
Lawson’s Finest Liquids is a craft brewery and taproom located in Waitsfield, Vermont. Known for its small-batch, high-quality beers such as Sip of Sunshine IPA, it has become a destination for beer enthusiasts and travelers seeking Vermont’s vibrant craft beer culture.
Origins and Growth
Lawson’s Finest Liquids began as a homebrewing project by Sean Lawson in Warren, Vermont, before expanding to meet growing regional demand. Its early success came from hop-forward ales sold in limited batches, quickly gaining a cult following across New England.
Brewery and Taproom
The Waitsfield facility, opened in 2018, includes a production brewery, a cozy taproom, and an outdoor beer garden set against the Green Mountains. The space is designed for community gatherings, offering rotating drafts, light fare, and merchandise in a relaxed setting.
Long Trail Brewing Company
Key facts
Founded: 1989
Founder: Andy Pherson
Address: 5520 US Route 4, Bridgewater Corners, VT 05035
Flagship beer: Long Trail Ale
Owner: Fulham & Co. (as of 2022)
Long Trail Brewing Company is a craft brewery and visitor destination located in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont. Founded in 1989, it is known for pioneering Vermont’s modern craft beer movement and for its scenic riverside pub, which draws both beer enthusiasts and travelers along U.S. Route 4.
Brewery and Facilities
The brewery sits on the banks of the Ottauquechee River and features a two-story pub and restaurant overlooking the water. Visitors can enjoy a rotating selection of draft beers, seasonal releases, and brewery-exclusive brews, alongside a menu highlighting Vermont ingredients. The site includes outdoor seating, a beer garden, and direct access to local hiking routes.
Beer Portfolio
Long Trail produces a mix of year-round staples—such as Long Trail Ale, Green Blaze IPA, and Double Bag Altbier—and a range of seasonal and limited-edition beers. The brand emphasizes sustainability and small-batch experimentation, often drawing on regional flavors like maple and spruce.
Best Self-Guided Brewery Tour Routes
Stowe & Waterbury Beer Trail
von Trapp Brewery
Key facts
Location: Stowe, Vermont, USA
Founded: 2010
Signature style: Austrian-inspired lagers
Founder: Sam von Trapp
Part of: Trapp Family Lodge
von Trapp Brewery is a craft brewery located in Stowe, Vermont, founded by the von Trapp family—descendants of the famed Trapp Family Singers. Established in 2010, it specializes in Austrian-style lagers and forms part of the larger Trapp Family Lodge resort. The brewery attracts visitors for its authentic European beers and scenic Green Mountain setting.
Origins and connection to the Trapp family
After settling in Vermont in the 1940s, the von Trapp family—immortalized in The Sound of Music—established the Trapp Family Lodge as a nod to their Austrian heritage. The brewery continues this legacy by blending Old World brewing traditions with Vermont’s craft beer culture.
Brewing approach
The brewery focuses on traditional lagers such as Vienna lager, Helles, Kölsch, and seasonal specialties. It uses imported European malt and hops, alongside local Vermont water, to achieve authentic flavor profiles. A modern 30,000-square-foot facility supports both regional distribution and on-site production tours.
The Bierhall experience
Opened in 2015, the von Trapp Bierhall offers visitors a full dining and tasting experience with mountain views. The menu features Austrian-style fare—pretzels, bratwurst, and schnitzel—paired with the brewery’s beers on tap. The space also hosts community events and seasonal festivals celebrating Alpine culture.
Lost Nation Brewing
Key facts
Location: Morrisville, Vermont, USA
Founded: 2013 (approximate)
Style focus: Rustic European ales and lagers (e.g., Gose, Pilsner, Mosaic IPA)
Amenities: Indoor taproom, covered biergarten-style seating, food menu, trail access
Motto: “Honest Beer Served Here”
Lost Nation Brewing is a craft brewery, taproom, and restaurant in Morrisville, Vermont, known for approachable European-inspired beers and a laid-back, outdoorsy atmosphere. Housed in a red-sided former industrial building just off the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, it’s a popular stop for locals, cyclists, and beer travelers.
Background and concept
Lost Nation was started by brewers aiming to explore lesser-known European styles—saisons, rustic lagers, and classic sessionable beers—rather than only high-alcohol IPAs. The branding leans into rural Vermont imagery: barns, fields, and the idea of “lost” corners of New England that still feel undiscovered.
Beer and food
Flagship offerings have included Mosaic IPA, Vermont Pilsner, Gose, Rustic Ale, and rotating seasonal or limited releases like Second Daughter pale ale. The taproom also serves a full kitchen menu—often sandwiches, barbecue, and snacks—designed to pair with the beer.
Visitor experience
The brewery sits beside the multiuse Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, making it an easy stop for cyclists and hikers; bike racks and casual picnic-style seating reinforce the trailhead feel. Guests can drink on-site in the taproom or covered outdoor area, and packaged beer is typically available to go. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, emphasizing community and local Vermont character.
Prohibition Pig
Key facts
Location: Waterbury, Vermont, USA
Opened: 2012
Cuisine: Southern barbecue and pub fare
Notable feature: In-house brewery with Vermont craft beer focus
Former site of: The Alchemist Pub and Brewery
Prohibition Pig is a well-known restaurant and brewery located in Waterbury, Vermont. Celebrated for its Southern-inspired barbecue and craft beer, it has become a culinary landmark in Vermont’s vibrant food scene, attracting both locals and travelers exploring the Green Mountain region.
Origins and concept
Prohibition Pig was established in 2012 by Chad Rich, who transformed the space formerly occupied by The Alchemist Pub and Brewery, a craft beer institution displaced by flooding from Hurricane Irene. The restaurant’s name nods to the Prohibition era, evoking a spirit of craft, local independence, and culinary creativity.
Food and drink
The menu emphasizes smoked meats, house-made sauces, and Southern-inspired comfort dishes such as brisket, pulled pork, and hush puppies. The adjoining brewery, opened a few years after the restaurant, produces a rotating lineup of beers including hop-forward IPAs, lagers, and seasonal specialties that complement the barbecue-focused cuisine.
This route combines mountain scenery, world-famous breweries, and excellent food. Many craft beer travelers consider it Vermont’s quintessential brewery tour.
Burlington Beer Crawl
Foam Brewers
Key facts
Founded: 2016
Location: Burlington, Vermont, USA
Specialty: New England–style IPAs and mixed fermentation ales
Setting: Waterfront taproom with lake and Adirondack Mountain views
Founders: Todd Haire, Jon Farmer, and Robert Grim
Foam Brewers is a craft brewery and taproom located on the Burlington waterfront in Vermont. Known for its small-batch, experimental beers and scenic views of Lake Champlain, it has become a prominent destination in the state’s vibrant craft beer scene since opening in 2016.
Concept and Atmosphere
Foam Brewers combines artisanal brewing with an emphasis on creative expression. Its space doubles as an art-forward venue, featuring rotating visual art exhibits and live music performances. The taproom’s relaxed, minimalist design complements its lakeside location, drawing both locals and visitors year-round.
Brewing Style and Offerings
The brewery is best known for hazy IPAs, fruited sours, and saisons that showcase Vermont-grown ingredients. Offerings frequently rotate, emphasizing freshness and experimentation. Foam also cans limited runs for on-site purchase, often featuring distinctive label artwork that aligns with the brewery’s creative ethos.
Role in Burlington’s Craft Beer Culture
Foam Brewers anchors Burlington’s waterfront beer corridor, alongside other Vermont craft producers. It has contributed to the city’s reputation as a destination for innovative brewing, regularly appearing on regional and national “best brewery” lists for its inventive beers and community-focused events.
Zero Gravity Craft Brewery
Key facts
Founded: 2004
Location: Pine Street, Burlington, Vermont
Flagship beers: Green State Lager, Conehead IPA
Facility type: Brewery, taproom, and restaurant
Notable for: Classic styles and sustainable practices
Zero Gravity Brewery is a craft brewery and taproom located in Burlington, Vermont. Known for its balanced and approachable beers, it has become a cornerstone of Vermont’s vibrant brewing culture and a popular destination for locals and visitors exploring the state’s craft beer scene.
Origins and development
Zero Gravity began in 2004 as a small brewing operation within the American Flatbread restaurant in downtown Burlington. Its success led to the establishment of a dedicated brewery and tasting room on Pine Street in 2015. The new facility expanded production capacity and allowed for on-site dining, events, and tours, helping the brand grow from a local favorite to regional recognition across New England.
Brewing philosophy
Zero Gravity emphasizes balance, drinkability, and quality ingredients. Its lineup features both traditional European-inspired lagers and hop-forward American ales. Core offerings like Green State Lager and Conehead IPA showcase the brewery’s focus on clarity and consistency, while seasonal and limited releases allow experimentation with local ingredients and new styles.
Queen City Brewery
Key facts
Location: Burlington, Vermont, USA
Founded: 2012
Signature styles: Lagers, porters, English ales
Facilities: Production brewery, taproom, outdoor seating
Ownership: Independently owned and operated
Queen City Brewery is a craft brewery and taproom located in Burlington, Vermont. Known for its traditional European-style beers, it has become a popular local destination for both residents and visitors seeking distinctive lagers and ales in a casual, welcoming setting.
History and Background
Queen City Brewery was established in 2012 by a group of experienced brewers aiming to highlight classic beer styles that often receive less attention in the American craft scene. The founders chose Burlington’s South End Arts District for its vibrant community and access to a growing local food-and-beverage scene. The brewery’s name nods to Burlington’s nickname, “The Queen City.”
Brewing Approach
The brewery emphasizes balance and authenticity, producing beers inspired by European brewing traditions—particularly those from Germany, England, and the Czech Republic. Its lineup frequently includes pilsners, porters, bitters, and bocks, crafted using traditional methods and quality malt and hops. The brewery also experiments occasionally with small-batch or seasonal releases.
Taproom and Community Presence
Queen City Brewery operates a cozy taproom adjacent to its production space, often hosting events, local food trucks, and live music. The atmosphere focuses on conversation and appreciation of beer craftsmanship rather than high-volume nightlife. It serves as a neighborhood hub for Burlington’s South End, contributing to the city’s reputation as a regional craft beer destination alongside nearby breweries.
The Vermont Pub & Brewery
Key facts
Founded: 1988
Founder: Greg Noonan
Location: 144 College Street, Burlington, Vermont
Specialty: House-brewed craft ales and lagers
Notable for: First legal brewpub in Vermont
Vermont Pub & Brewery is a craft brewpub located in Burlington, Vermont. Established in 1988, it is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of the American brewpub movement and a cornerstone of Vermont’s vibrant craft beer scene. Its founder, Greg Noonan, was an influential brewer and author who helped legalize brewpubs in the state.
History and Founding
Before Vermont Pub & Brewery opened, brewing beer for on-premise sale was illegal in the state. Greg Noonan lobbied successfully to change the law, paving the way for its launch in 1988. His vision blended traditional English pub culture with a local craft ethos, helping inspire many subsequent Vermont breweries.
Brewing and Offerings
The brewery produces a rotating selection of house beers, including English-style ales, lagers, and seasonal specialties. Offerings often highlight balance and drinkability, a hallmark of Noonan’s brewing philosophy. The pub also serves a full menu of locally influenced pub fare that complements its beers.
Visiting Experience
Located near Burlington’s waterfront and downtown pedestrian areas, the brewpub features a casual, community-oriented setting with indoor and patio seating. It remains a popular stop for locals and visitors seeking authentic Vermont craft beer heritage.
Most locations are close together, making Burlington one of New England’s best walkable craft beer destinations.
Northeast Kingdom Beer Adventure
Bent Hill Brewery
Key facts
Location: Braintree, Vermont, USA
Founded: 2013
Beer style focus: IPAs, stouts, sours, and experimental ales
Features: Taproom, outdoor seating, live music events
Sustainability: Uses solar power and locally sourced ingredients
Bent Hill Brewery is a craft brewery and taproom located in Braintree, Vermont, known for its small-batch, artisanal beers brewed with local ingredients. Nestled in the Green Mountains, it offers visitors a scenic and relaxed setting with panoramic views and a focus on sustainability and community.
Setting and atmosphere
Situated on Braintree Hill Road, Bent Hill Brewery sits amid rolling hills and farmland, creating a quintessential Vermont experience. The site includes a taproom, outdoor patio, and event space, often featuring live music and food trucks. The elevated setting provides sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, making it a popular stop for both locals and travelers.
Brewing philosophy
The brewery emphasizes creativity and environmental responsibility. Many beers incorporate Vermont-grown hops, maple syrup, fruit, or other regional ingredients. Solar panels power the facility, aligning with the state’s broader commitment to renewable energy and local agriculture.
Notable beers and offerings
Bent Hill’s rotating lineup often includes hop-forward IPAs, dark stouts, fruited sours, and seasonal specialties such as maple ales. Limited-edition and barrel-aged releases are frequent, appealing to enthusiasts seeking unique flavors and small-batch craftsmanship.
Ideal for visitors seeking scenic back roads, rural landscapes, and highly acclaimed craft beer.
White River Junction Brewery Loop
River Roost Brewery
Key facts
Founded: 2016
Founder: Mark Babson
Location: White River Junction, Vermont, U.S.
Style focus: New England–style IPAs and experimental ales
Distribution: Primarily taproom and local release
River Roost Brewery is a small independent craft brewery located in White River Junction, Vermont. Known for its hop-forward beers and limited-release offerings, it has become a destination for craft beer enthusiasts in New England since its founding in 2016.
Background
River Roost Brewery was founded by brewer Mark Babson, who previously worked at the acclaimed Lawson’s Finest Liquids. Babson launched River Roost to explore creative small-batch brewing and to bring fresh, hop-driven beers directly to the Upper Valley community.
Brewing style and offerings
The brewery is best known for its hazy, aromatic New England IPAs, often showcasing bright tropical fruit and citrus flavors. It also produces pale ales, double IPAs, and occasional dark or sour styles. Small-batch releases and draft-only options are common, emphasizing freshness and variety.
Taproom and community presence
The taproom in downtown White River Junction offers pours and growler fills, with a rotating list of house beers. Although modest in size, it attracts steady regional traffic and contributes to Vermont’s strong craft beer tourism. The brewery occasionally collaborates with nearby producers and participates in local beer festivals.
Upper Pass Beer Company
Key facts
Type: Independent craft brewery
Location: South Royalton, Vermont, USA
Industry: Alcoholic beverages (beer)
Noted for: Hazy IPAs and small-batch releases (typical of VT scene)
Distribution: Primarily regional (Vermont and nearby states)
Upper Pass Beer Company is a small independent craft brewery based in South Royalton, Vermont, known for hop-forward beers and a strong local taproom culture. It is part of Vermont’s dense cluster of regional and microbreweries recognized for quality and experimentation.
Background and setting
Upper Pass Beer Company operates in central Vermont, with its home base in South Royalton, a village on the White River. The brewery is one of many small producers that helped make Vermont one of the highest per-capita craft-brewery states in the U.S. Lists of Vermont breweries routinely include Upper Pass among established regional names.
Beer style and portfolio
Although specific flagships shift over time, Upper Pass is generally associated with New England–style IPAs, pale ales, and seasonals that follow the broader Vermont emphasis on aromatic hops, hazy profiles, and fresh, cold-chained distribution. Within that framework, they typically produce rotating small batches, specialty releases, and a handful of more regularly available “core” beers that appear in cans and on draft.
Visiting and experience
Visitors typically find a casual, rural Vermont taproom setting focused on fresh pours, can releases, and community events. While the exact taproom hours, food options, and event schedule change seasonally, Upper Pass follows the common Vermont model of combining a working production brewery with an approachable space for tastings, pints, and takeaway cans or growlers.
Southern Vermont Craft Brewery Tour
Southern Vermont offers a relaxed brewery trail through the towns of Brattleboro, Wilmington, Manchester, Bennington, and the Deerfield Valley. The official Southern Vermont Beer Trail highlights several breweries and brewpubs connected by scenic drives through the Green Mountains.
Marlboro & Deerfield Valley
North Chair Brewing
A popular riverside brewpub overlooking the Connecticut River. Known for pairing house-brewed beer with a full food menu and outdoor seating. It’s one of the signature stops on the Southern Vermont Beer Trail.
Whetstone Beer Co. is a craft brewery and restaurant in Brattleboro, Vermont, known for its community-focused taproom and locally inspired beers. Located at 39 Frost Street, it serves as both a production facility and tasting room, offering visitors a relaxed space to sample inventive ales and lagers produced in southern Vermont’s vibrant beer scene.
Atmosphere and Offerings
The venue combines a brewery, full bar, and casual dining experience featuring pub fare and rotating house brews. Guests can enjoy indoor seating or relax outdoors near the Brattleboro waterfront, with views that highlight the area’s scenic charm. Family-friendly and wheelchair-accessible, it welcomes locals and travelers alike for flights, pints, or takeaway packs.
Signature Beers
Whetstone Beer Co. produces a range of distinct beers, including the “Whetstoner” Session IPA, “Big ’Stoner” Hazy Double IPA, “Midnight ’Stoner” Coconut Black Ale, and “Diesel ’Stoner” Sour IPA. Seasonal releases such as “Mud Saison” and collaborations like “Pints for Parks,” which supports Vermont State Parks, emphasize the company’s local ties and creative brewing ethos.
Experience
Beyond beer, Whetstone Beer Co. offers cocktails, trivia nights, and to-go options, fostering a welcoming hub for Brattleboro’s social and culinary life. It remains a notable stop along Vermont’s brewery trail for its small-batch creativity and inviting mountain-town atmosphere.