FreshieVermont map
7 places we cover. Tap a marker for details.
Craft beer in Vermont
Where the hazy IPA was born.
Vermont's Northeast Kingdom and Champlain Valley birthed the hazy IPA. The Alchemist's Heady Topper (2003) and Hill Farmstead's saison program (2010) reshaped American craft. Despite a small population, Vermont has more breweries per capita than any other state, and a remarkable concentration of destination breweries you'd plan an entire trip around.
Places
7
With Scanner
3
Sub-regions
1
State
VT
Cities to plan around
- Burlington
- Stowe
- Greensboro Bend (Hill Farmstead)
- Warren
Notable picks in Vermont
Beverage Warehouse
WinooskiBest beer retail in northern New England. Massive selection, careful date management, and a staff that knows the local releases. Make this your first stop for stocking up before driving home.
Burlington Beer Co.
WillistonStrong DIPA program and a bigger production footprint than most VT breweries — more reliable to find in stock.
Foam Brewers
BurlingtonBurlington's most celebrated post-2015 brewery. Lakefront location, ambitious hop-forward program, and a constantly-rotating tap list.
Known for: Citra, Mosaic
Frost Beer Works
HinesburgGarth Frost's quietly excellent operation. Hazy IPAs that hold their own against any in the state, with limited distribution that makes the taproom visit worthwhile.
Known for: Citra, Mosaic in hazy IPAs
Hill Farmstead Brewery
Greensboro BendMultiple-time #1-rated brewery in the world. Shaun Hill's family farm brewery turning out reference-quality saisons, mixed-culture beers, and pale ales. Pilgrimage destination — make the drive.
Known for: Edward, Anna, mixed-culture program. Hops: Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe; some heritage Saaz and East Kent Goldings. Pale 2-Row, Maris Otter, Pilsner malt. Some heritage barley exploration.
Lawson's Finest Liquids
WaitsfieldSip of Sunshine is one of the great session-strength IPAs of the modern era. Sean Lawson's beer hall in Waitsfield is a destination in its own right.
Known for: Sip of Sunshine, Super Session, Maple Tripple. Hops: Citra and Mosaic in Sip of Sunshine
All places we cover in Vermont
Beverage Warehouse
Winooski · Across the river from Burlington
Burlington Beer Co.
Williston · Greater Burlington
Foam Brewers
Burlington · Lakefront
Frost Beer Works
Hinesburg · Outside Burlington
Hill Farmstead Brewery
Greensboro Bend · Northeast Kingdom
Lawson's Finest Liquids
Waitsfield · Mad River Valley
The Alchemist
Stowe · Northern Vermont
Date code formats from Vermont breweries
MM/DD/YY
2 breweries
DD.MM.YY
1 brewery
Common styles in Vermont
Neighboring states
- New Hampshire
- Massachusetts
- New York
FAQs about craft beer in Vermont
How many craft breweries does Vermont have?
Freshie tracks 7 curated craft beer destinations in Vermont (breweries, brewpubs, and bottle shops), of which 3 have date-code scanner support. The state has many more total breweries — the list here is curated for quality and editorial value.
What styles is Vermont known for?
The Alchemist's Heady Topper (2003) and Hill Farmstead's saison program (2010) reshaped American craft
What does Freshie do?
Freshie helps you check whether the craft beer in your fridge is still fresh. Each brewery on the list has its own page explaining how to read its date codes, plus a freshness window based on the beer style. Hop-forward beers like NEIPA fade quickly; stouts and barleywines age well for years.