Vermont Beers are Liquid Gold

One of the many things Vermont does well, along with cheese, farmer's markets, syrup, and skiing... is beer. From cideries to breweries to sours and everything in between, Vermont's beer selection has something for everyone. In 2011, 2012, and 2014, the Brewers Association ranked Vermont with the largest number of breweries per capita. The Brewers Association also examined output in 2020 of the craft beer industry by state and the state economic contribution per capita for adults over 21.

The Green Mountain State's economic impact on sales was a whopping $363,041,000!! That not only creates jobs for those living in the area, but it brings a hefty monetary return to the community. The first brewpub wasn't established in Vermont until 1988 by a brewer named Greg Noonan, who was finally granted permission to open the Vermont Pub and Brewery; from there, beer-making in Vermont took off. Now there are so many options that it's hard to know where to start! So let's dive in! 

Prost! 

The first Oktoberfest was held in Munich to celebrate the marriage between Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12th, 1810. The first beer tents for these events popped up in 1818, and as the tradition continued, it soon spread across the world, inspiring others to celebrate agriculture, community, and gathering with friends for a refreshing beer. Heading into fall, Oktoberfest events are popping up all over the state, so let's start our Vermont beer journey off with some classic German-inspired brews. 

• If you are looking for a traditional German-style lager, there is no better place to stop than Trapp Family Lodge Bierhall in Stowe. The classic Helles, Vienna, and Dunkel brews are just a few of the options you can enjoy while looking out onto the beautiful property with rolling hills all around and noshing on some delicious Bratwurst or Schnitzel.  

• Zero Gravity Brewing Company's Green State German-Style Pilsner is also a huge crowd pleaser with a crisp and perfectly balanced taste that makes for easy drinking. Their spacious tasting  room at the production brewery is conveniently located on Pine Street in Burlington, making it an ideal spot to stop and relax after cruising around town or pop in and grab some cans to go before heading out for a weekend adventure. 

• If you are looking to try a German-style beer with a bit of twist, crack open a Lost Nation Gose. This German wheat beer "integrates sea salt and coriander" to balance the wheat beer taste with the tart taste that comes from the kettle souring process. Super easy to drink, refreshing, unique, and the brewery is located right next to the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail so you can take your brew out on an excursion! 

Pucker up!

Some people shake their heads when you order a sour beer at a brewery, claiming "it's not actually beer," but hey, sours still have hops and still go through a fermentation process. Unlike IPA's, they use wild bacteria and yeast to achieve their tart, crisp flavor during the brewing process. Many brewers also add different varieties of fruit to give it a sour taste, thanks to the acidic qualities many fruits possess. So who has mastered the art of the sour? Foam Brewing on Lake Street in Burlington often carries unique and delicious sours, and Hermit Thrush on High Street in Brattleboro also has a large selection of these lip-puckering goodies. 

Now let's talk ciders. 

They are, in fact, not beers because they contain no malt or hops, but instead, fermented fruit - usually apples. Here are a few of our favorite spots to sample these refreshing beverages! 

• If you all remember the first time you tried a cider, it was probably from the classic Woodchuck Cider House in Middlebury, Vermont; they have been perfecting the art of cider-making for thirty years! They offer traditional cider flavors like the original Amber Red Apple, the tart and tangy Granny Smith, and a few newer flavors like Pear and Raspberry. 

• Citizen Cider, located on Pine Street in Burlington, offers diverse flavors in their downtown tasting room. This cidery carries some of the most iconic Vermont ciders like Dirty Mayor and Unified Press, but also carries show stoppers like the honey and apple blended B Cider. This creation allows you to drink the "full circle of life on the orchard." That's because it captures the natural process of apple trees needing bees for pollination, bees needing the apple trees for sustenance, and both come together to make this harmonious beverage. 

• Stowe Cider on Mountain Road in Stowe recently revamped their tasting room, host live music events, offer fire pits outside to gather with friends on chilly nights, and boast a large selection of unique cider flavors. Some Stowe Cider favorites include the super dry and ultra-refreshing High and Dry, the always funky Brainwaves cider that comes in a few unusual flavors like key-lime pie or gummy bear, and the seasonal sweetheart that everyone loves, Strawberry fields made with strawberries, mint, & lime. 

Hey Hey IPA!

When we talk about Vermont IPA's, so many names readily come to mind. Alchemist, Foley Brother's, Lawson's,  Ten Bends, and Hill Farmstead are just a few of the popular brewers. Each possesses unique characteristics in taste and brewery style that make them special. Here are three that not only take their IPA's seriously, but that take supporting their community, land, and environment seriously as well.  

• Alchemist Brewery began in a little corner of Waterbury Village and has since expanded to its new location on Cottage Club Road in Stowe. This destination brewery attracts folks looking for an epic IPA or to join for one of the many events they host on the property. Still, some people might not know that the company focuses much of its energy on social and environmental responsibility as beer making. 67% of the electricity at the Alchemist is produced by solar, they recycle roughly 800 malt bags weekly, and the brewery's output level for Biological Oxygen Demand of water is less than an average family of four. The Alchemist is also a proud member of the BCorp community, which means they are obligated to produce their goods in a way that considers the impact they make on the environment, the community, and their employees. LOVE IT! 

• Hill Farmstead also produces its brews focusing on the environment, sustainability, responsibility, and respect for resources and tradition. The stunning family-run brewery and farm is located in the rolling hills of Greensboro Bend and offers visitors a peaceful destination to take in nature's beauty while sipping on beers like Susan or Edward, named after members of the family. Hill Farmstead Brewery was founded in 2010 on the brewer's family property, making Shaun Hill the 7th generation to produce on this majestic land in Vermont's beautiful Northeast Kingdom.

• Lawson's not only created the famous Sip of Sunshine IPA (perfect for a lazy river float or apres ski beverage!), but they also have created several other tasty IPA's like Little Sip, Triple Sip, Kiwi, and Hopcelot. The brewery also organized six Social Impact Programs (SIP) that support the local community, celebrate and support the environment, and lift up their employees and support staff. 

If there's ever a time that you might feel guilty about having another beer or buying that extra four-pack, these thoughtful and talented IPA producers make sure you can feel good about that beer you're drinking. Not just because it tastes fantastic, but because it's helping so much more than just your buzz. 

Join the Party!

Now that you have a decent lay of the beer land here in the Green Mountain State, let's get you set up with some events that you can attend to share in the joy and celebration of this delicious Vermont craft! 

• On September 25th, Lawson's Finest Liquids will be hosting the Killington Brew Fest, highlighting stunning autumn foliage, live music, fabulous food, and over 80 of the finest craft beers in the region. But before you book your ticket, take note that the event will be held at the base of Pico Mountain this year vs. Killington's base area.  

• Saturday, October 2nd, the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium's second annual Brewfest hosts an outdoor event that features great beer, local food, and live music. You'll also be able to explore the property's galleries or take in a planetarium show. Enjoy beers from multiple breweries, and chat with makers about the ins and outs of foraging, fermenting, and tasting.

• October 9th is the 23rd annual Mount Snow Oktoberfest in West Dover, VT. They'll have German and domestic brews, authentic German fare and bratwurst, and some classic Oom-pah music to add to the scene! Assuming safety protocols allow, they will also showcase their annual games like the keg toss, yodeling contest, and stein holding. 

There are so many great events where beer is celebrated in the green mountain state, so if you're looking for more places to celebrate, connect to the link here for a more extensive list of fall-focused events and beer tasting festivities! 

*These beer choices are based on many of our office favorites, and we know there are SO many more brewers that deserve a tip of the hat. However, we also realize that we might not have gotten much work done this month if we had researched them all! So let’s raise a glass to all Vermont beer and whatever brew is your go-to. Prost!