Vermont’s Green Mountains aren’t just about ski slopes and scenic drives. This stunning region has become a craft beer lover’s dream, where mountain air meets hoppy IPAs and traditional brewing techniques create liquid gold. With Vermont leading the nation in breweries per capita, the Green Mountain region showcases some of the state’s finest craft brewing talent nestled among rolling hills and picturesque valleys.
The breweries scattered throughout this mountainous paradise offer everything from world-famous IPAs to experimental barrel-aged stouts. Each brewery tells its own story, whether it’s a family operation reviving centuries-old traditions or innovative newcomers pushing the boundaries of craft brewing.
Here is a list of 16 breweries in Vermont’s Green Mountains that you absolutely need to visit.
Hill Farmstead Brewery
Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro Bend stands as one of the greatest breweries not just in Vermont, but in the entire world according to multiple beer rating organizations. This family-owned operation has deep roots dating back over 220 years, with founder Shaun Hill representing the seventh generation of his family to work this land.
The brewery’s logo actually comes from a sign that hung outside his great-great-great-grandfather’s tavern in the early 19th century. Their beers have names derived from family members, like Edward (a pale ale named after Hill’s grandfather) and Mary (their pilsner). This remote location in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom requires a bit of a journey, but the artisanal, small-batch brewing process and consistently world-class beers make it absolutely worth the drive.
The Alchemist
The Alchemist operates two breweries in the Green Mountains region, with locations in both Waterbury and Stowe, creating highly sought-after brews including the legendary Heady Topper. Heady Topper maintains a perfect 100 percent rating on Beer Advocate and is consistently ranked as one of the best IPAs in the world. Their Focal Banger is another standout, showcasing their mastery of the New England IPA style that Vermont helped pioneer.
The brewery runs tours with proceeds going to The Alchemist Foundation, which supports local youth programs. Finding these beers outside of Vermont is nearly impossible, making a visit to either location essential for serious beer enthusiasts who want to taste what many consider the pinnacle of American craft brewing.
Long Trail Brewing Company
Inspired by the 273-mile hiking trail that traverses through the Green Mountains, Long Trail Brewing Company has been a caretaker of Vermont craft since 198ckr9. Andy Pherson founded this high-quality craft brewery, making it one of the oldest breweries in Vermont. Their flagship Long Trail Ale has been their most popular beer since they were known as Mountain Brewers, offering a golden brew with malty, mild, and sweet characteristics.
Located on the banks of the Ottauquechee River, their brewery and brew pub offer a seasonally rotating menu featuring locally-sourced ingredients and beer fresh from the source. The company takes environmental consciousness seriously, feeding all spent grain to local dairy cattle and using thermal energy from the brewing process to heat water for subsequent brewing cycles. Their VT IPA captures the essence of New England India Pale Ales with pineapple, mango, and orange flavors.
Lawson’s Finest Liquids
Lawson’s Finest Liquids is a craft brewery located in Waitsfield, Vermont, founded in 2008 by Sean Lawson. This brewery has gained a reputation for producing some of Vermont’s most sought-after beers, with its Double Sunshine IPA and Maple Nipple beer leading the charge. Beer enthusiasts can even spend the night at Lawson’s Airbnb at its original brewery location in nearby Warren, close to Vermont’s scenic Mad River Valley. The Taproom is the perfect place to enjoy freshly brewed beer, hot meals, and live music, with a great view from the patio.
They use local fresh harvests for cooking meals and maintain strong connections with charitable events and local community welfare. Their store offers excellent apparel, t-shirts, pullovers, and glassware for visitors looking to take home a piece of Vermont brewing culture.
Foam Brewers
Burlington’s Foam Brewers launched in 2016 and 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. As industry pros, the founding members cut their teeth at New England staples like Switchback and Magic Hat, making Foam represent the new class of craft breweries in the Green Mountain State. Built to Spill is a double IPA that carries an aroma of tropical fruit, citrus, and a hint of pine, with tasting notes of citrus, pineapple, and tangerine.
The brewery produces fantastic lagers, saisons, and kettle sours in addition to their renowned hazy IPAs. Their diverse lineup of beers is matched by eye-catching artwork produced by a series of local artists, making each visit a visual and liquid experience.
Zero Gravity Craft Brewery
Zero Gravity captures the wild beauty of Vermont in each beer, and the Burlington-based brewery is committed to keeping that beauty alive as a 1% for the Planet member. They’ve crafted several mission-driven beers raising money and awareness for social justice issues, including launching a non-alcoholic brand called Rescue Club in 2021. Green State Lager and Little Wolf are two beers that would be perennial choices for any party cooler.
The brewery leads with charming can designs and engaging photography that captures Vermont’s outdoor spirit. While they don’t have the same hype as some other Vermont breweries, their products are excellent and consistent. Zero Gravity has created beers that have been featured on both ‘Best Beers to Drink in Summer’ and ‘Best Beers to Drink in Winter’ lists, showcasing their year-round brewing versatility.
Four Quarters Brewing
Four Quarters Brewing in Winooski popped up in 2014, right in the midst of Vermont’s craft brewery boom, and was founded in 2014, gaining immense popularity as one of the best breweries in Vermont. They quickly established themselves with an emphasis on sours, stouts, and hoppy beers, offering everything from pickle-flavored beers to pineapple and jalapeno sour ales. Their Phaze IPA relies heavily on a fruit-forward approach with tropical aromas and mango-pineapple taste balanced with subtle malt flavors.
This microbrewery has a dog-friendly taproom that offers delicious meals and drinks, with 29 tap lines and plenty of options for non-alcohol drinkers. They offer 10 barrels full of aged stout beer, hazy IPA beer, fruited sour beer, and wines. The menu includes many housemade courses while being careful about organic, vegetable-based diets and gluten-free dishes.
Fiddlehead Brewing Company
At Fiddlehead Brewing Company in Shelburne, where green is the signature color, you can sit back and relax with a delicious Vermont beer, with its IPA standing out with its tropical fruit and citrus flavors. Their flagship beer is the ‘Fiddlehead IPA’ but many prefer their ‘Stable’ American IPA. The brewery’s commitment to quality shines through in every pour, whether you’re trying their hoppy selections or exploring their other offerings.
Folino’s Wood-Fired Pizza is next door, making it easy to grab a pizza to pair with your pint. The combination of excellent beer and convenient food options makes Fiddlehead a perfect stop for both quick visits and longer brewery experiences. Their green-themed branding reflects Vermont’s natural beauty while their brewing expertise reflects the state’s commitment to craft beer excellence.
Lost Nation Brewing
Lost Nation Brewing is all about creating Vermont beer that’s rooted in tradition yet full of character, set in a barn-like building with communal tables that perfectly reflect the down-to-earth vibe of the entire place. Their Gose stands out as a refreshingly sour beer with hints of coriander and sea salt that pairs perfectly with their sandwiches or giant pretzels. This 7,000 bbl brewery is perfect for creating any ale and lager, with every type of spirit brewed in small batches to keep the freshness intact.
The brewery’s rustic atmosphere encourages visitors to sit and share beers with friends while experiencing authentic Vermont hospitality. Their taproom is also available for private events and offers catering services. The combination of traditional brewing methods and innovative flavor profiles makes Lost Nation a standout destination in Vermont’s competitive craft beer landscape.
River Roost Brewery
River Roost Brewery in White River Junction has roots in the Magic Hat family, with former Magic Hat brewer Mark Babson as its owner and operator. The barrel-aged stouts and smoked brown ales stand out, but it’s beers like the 100 Seconds to Midnight black lager and Glimpse double IPA that have local drinkers salivating.
This brewery represents the evolution of Vermont’s craft beer scene, where experienced brewers strike out on their own to create unique expressions of their craft. The combination of traditional brewing knowledge and innovative techniques results in beers that both honor Vermont’s brewing heritage and push boundaries. River Roost’s location in White River Junction makes it easily accessible for brewery tours throughout the region. Their focus on barrel-aging and unique beer styles sets them apart in Vermont’s crowded craft beer market.
Bent Hill Brewery
Brewing red ales, porters, lagers, and more in Braintree, Bent Hill offers a meat-free menu and operates seasonally. This brewery combines excellent craft beer with a commitment to vegetarian dining, making it a unique destination in Vermont’s Green Mountains. Located at 1972 Bent Hill Rd in Braintree, they’re open Thursday & Friday from 2 PM to 6 PM, and Saturday & Sunday from 12 PM to 6 PM.
Their seasonal operation allows them to focus on quality over quantity, creating carefully crafted beers that reflect the changing seasons of the Green Mountains. The meat-free menu options pair thoughtfully with their beer selection, offering a different approach to the typical brewery experience. Bent Hill’s commitment to sustainable practices and quality brewing makes it worth planning your visit around its operating schedule.
Beer Naked Brewery
Beer Naked Brewery, located on top of Hogback Mountain in Marlboro, is widely regarded as one of Vermont’s most spectacular breweries, offering a range of local artisan beers, ciders, and wines while providing magnificent views of the Vermont countryside. The place is at the top of the Hogback Mountains in Marlboro, with a stunning view of the 100-mile vista. Their Maple Brown Ale, Lucid Dreams IPA, and Sour Cherry beer are popular choices that showcase Vermont’s brewing diversity.
The attached Pizzapalooza restaurant serves wood-fired pizza that’s as exceptional as its beer selection. If you’re lucky, one of their many community events, such as live music, yoga classes, and other activities, will coincide with your visit. The combination of spectacular mountain views, excellent beer, and a community atmosphere makes Beer Naked Brewery a destination that captures the essence of Vermont’s brewery culture.
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.
This brewery represents the innovative spirit of Vermont’s craft beer scene, where small operations push boundaries and experiment with unique aging processes. Their willingness to experiment with different barrel types and brewing techniques results in truly unique beer experiences. Green Empire’s commitment to innovation while maintaining quality makes it a standout choice for adventurous beer drinkers. The brewery’s focus on IPAs and sours reflects current craft beer trends while their barrel-aging experiments point toward the future of Vermont brewing.
Mill River Brewing
Mill River Brewing BBQ & Smokehouse has the mission to provide the highest quality local products while supporting the VT community and reducing their carbon footprint. Their attached brewhouse incorporates the same values as they use Vermont-grown hops in some styles of their beer. This brewery combines craft beer with wood-fired pizza and barbecue, creating a comprehensive dining and drinking experience.
Their commitment to local ingredients and environmental responsibility reflects Vermont’s values while their diverse food offerings make them perfect for groups with varying tastes. They are passionate about this place they call home and feel it is their obligation to minimize their impact on the environment while at the same time assisting others to do the same. Mill River’s combination of excellent beer, great food, and environmental consciousness makes it a model for sustainable brewery operations in Vermont.
Frost Beer Works
Throughout brewery tours in Vermont, Frost Beer Works in Hinesburg was a common point of excitement, where they are creating a buzz with their beers in the small town of Hinesburg. Beer enthusiasts love the Belgian-style Farmhouse and think the Lush DIPA is amazing. This brewery has quickly gained a reputation that extends beyond its small-town location, drawing visitors from across Vermont and beyond. Their focus on both traditional Belgian styles and modern double IPAs showcases their brewing versatility.
Frost’s ability to create a buzz in the competitive Vermont brewing scene speaks to its quality and innovation. For anyone passing through Hinesburg, Frost is a must-stop with a small tap and cooler area and a great back room for relaxing. The intimate setting and exceptional beer quality make Frost Beer Works a hidden gem worth seeking out in the Green Mountains region.
Dirt Church Brewing Co
Dirt Church Brewing Co is a newly opened brewery in the middle of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom that offers craft beer, private events, and scheduled mountain bike adventures, opening in August 2021. This brewhouse offers a wide range of beers, including IPAs, double IPAs, porters, and infused ales. Beyond great beer, they offer monthly group gravel rides on the first Sunday of every month that include miles of Vermont landscape and celebratory beer. Don’t forget to overlook the on-site chapel that you can rent for private and community gatherings, dating back to 1876.
This unique combination of brewery, adventure company, and event venue creates an experience unlike any other in Vermont. Dirt Church’s integration of outdoor activities with craft beer perfectly captures Vermont’s adventurous spirit while their historic chapel adds character and charm to the property.
Where Past Meets Present
The breweries scattered throughout Vermont’s Green Mountains represent more than just places to grab a pint. They’re the continuation of a tradition that dates back centuries, from Hill Farmstead’s seven generations of brewing heritage to newcomers like Dirt Church combining beer with outdoor adventures. With several beers named best in the world, Vermont’s brewers are heavy hitters, leading the nation in breweries and brew pubs per capita.
These mountain breweries capture something essential about Vermont – the combination of honoring tradition while embracing innovation. Whether you’re sipping a world-famous Heady Topper or discovering a small-batch experimental ale, each brewery offers a taste of the Green Mountains’ unique character. The region’s craft beer scene proves that sometimes the best things really do come from small places, where passionate brewers create liquid art one pint at a time.
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