Flavors of the north:

Over the years, Vermont has blossomed in the craft libation industry, becoming a staple amongst its peers. Some of the nation’s finest offerings are found in the form of Wineries, Cider houses, Distilleries, and Breweries. The state continues to push industry standards while discovering innovative ways to serve enthusiasts. Building upon traditional methodology while creating new ways to meet the market’s demands. Producing a wide variety of liquid delights; built on quality, passion, and skill to serve the masses. The abundance of local flavor will be felt everywhere you go! Our journey will begin with the top Breweries in Vermont while hitting all our other favorite stops along the way!

As we explore this space, I’ll showcase some popular operations in our area while uncovering local favorites. You’ll get an inside look at some of my top choices while providing the resources to discover your own. There’s a spot for everyone from exciting atmospheres to more laid-back settings.

Breweries in Vermont:

Perhaps the most popular of the bunch, with ample ground to cover between the various brewing styles, personal preferences/ ideal settings, we’ll give you a run-down of what to expect. The state of Vermont comprises over 65 breweries (and counting), with many micro-breweries continuing to pop up. While ranking 31’st in the nation of total operational breweries may not be an impressive feat, the statewide standards of quality and nation-leading breweries per capita will ensure a venue you’ll find to love. With most breweries offering limited releases/ seasonal offerings, there’s plenty of variety to go around! It’s tough to pinpoint just a few, so here’s a short list of my favorite spots in the northern Vermont area. For a more extensive breakdown, check out: Vermont Beer Guide 

My top Brewery picks in Vermont:

1. Hill Farmstead: (Easily my favorite) “Hill Farmstead Brewery is the culmination of many years of travel and insight—of experience and education.” For four years straight, “RateBeer.com” ranked Hill Farmstead as the “World’s best brewer”. Located in Greensboro Bend, VT, with limited hours of operation and a by-reservation tasting room. Be sure to check out their website to stay up-to-date with their hours of operation Here

2. Foam Brewers: Founded in 2016 by an eclectic group of industry professionals with a shared appreciation for brewing, science, art, music, and culture, Foam offers some unique flavors! Located by the waterfront in Burlington, VT. With a wide variety of rotating craft offerings paired with sandwiches, slates, and snacks. Foam is a must-visit on your trip to the city! Check out their site Here

3. Ten Bends Beer: A place that hits closer to home. While being slightly overlooked by the Vermont beer “megalodons”, Ten Bends is a refreshing small-batch operation. Based out of Hyde Park, VT, you will find their tasting room with a bi-weekly rotation of new releases! More of a local gem with deep Vermont roots. Be sure to check out what’s new with Ten Bend’s Here

Honorable Mentions: 

• Burlington Beer Company: Burlington, VT
• Lawson’s Finest Liquids: Waitsfield, VT
• Frost Beer Works: Hinesburg, VT
• Lost Nation Brewing: Morrisville, VT
• 14’th Star Brewing Co: ST. Albans City, VT
• The Alchemist, Stowe, VT

Cider Houses: 

Local apple orchards throughout the state provide quality ingredients for our cider houses to produce great refreshments. The hard cider industry has benefited immensely from the growth of our local farms/orchards. Hand-in-hand creating culminations of great flavors with quality at the forefront. While fall is typically the season to explore these outlets, you can enjoy their offerings year-round! Through distribution at our local stores and more personal visits to the actual cider houses themselves. Most venues double down as bakeries, providing delicious cider donuts, apple pies, and pastries to pair with their beverages. With local nature in mind, here are a few of my favorite spots to check out, as there are countless options spread across the state: For an in-depth list of all that Vermont has to offer in the cider world, check out the Vermont cider trail Here

My top Cider houses:

1. Eden Specialty Ciders: Sticking to my territory of Northern Vermont; A diamond in the rough of the cider scene lies. Right in Newport, VT houses one of the best of its craft. With a mission to support local orchards that grow special apple varieties using environmentally sustainable practices to harvest premium products. With an array of award-winning ciders available and their tasting room open to the public, be sure to give Eden Specialty Ciders a try! Stay up to date with their operational hours by visiting their website Here

2. Cold Hollow Cider Mill: Located conveniently on rt.100 between Stowe, VT, and Waterbury, it is arguably the top cidery in the state. With offerings for everyone in the form of hard/soft ciders paired with pastries galore! It’s a place both kids and adults will enjoy! With views of the Worcester Mountain range and group tours of the orchard available, there’s plenty to see on your visit! To book a tour or discover the ideal time to visit, check them out Here

3. Stowe Cider: If you have not already satisfied your cider fill, this is a must-try! Located directly down the street from Cold Hollow Cider Mill is where you’ll find Stowe Cider. A more lively scene, with a large taproom and regularly scheduled live music/events during the warmer months. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available, with a great variety of hard cider to sample. Some styles are available year-round, while others rotate through the seasons. You’ll be impressed with their style and selection!  Check them out Here

Vermont wine and spirits:

Hand in hand with breweries/ cider houses come two similar avenues of Vermont’s alcohol industry. Distilleries/ wineries scattered throughout the state provide great options for you to explore. Oftentimes paired with local foods to create a blend of two worlds while offering tours of their production process.

Distilleries:

Many great distilleries have hit the scene in Vermont over the years. With variants ranging from Whiskey, Vodka, Brandy, Rum, and Gin. Typically distilled with local ingredients while applying a Vermont spin, Infusing notes of maple, apple, rye, and oak to showcase the flavors of the north. Most distilleries have tasting rooms that provide indoor/ outdoor venues to pair. These fine spirits can also be found at pop-up events, farmers’ markets, festivals, and in your local VT liquor stores. Below is a short list of my favorite distilleries to check out!

My top distilleries:

1. Mad River Distillers: Offering Brandy, Rum, and Whiskey. Based out of Warren, VT, with tasting rooms in Waitsfield, VT, and Burlington, VT, where they pair spirits with cheese, cider, and local food options. Go check them out Here

2. Smugglers’ Notch Distillery: (A personal favorite) Father/Son operation, located at the foot of Smugglers’ Notch in Jeffersonville, VT. Providing a wide variety of Gin, Vodka, Bourbon, and Rum. Three separate tasting rooms that vary in hours: located in Burlington, VT, Waterbury Center, VT, and their home base in Jeffersonville, VT. For more info and to see what’s new, check them out Here

3. Green Mountain Distillers: Located in Morrisville, VT. With top-notch Vodkas, maple/ honey liquors, gin, and seasonal offerings. Just a stone’s throw away from Stowe, VT, is where you’ll find the headquarters/tasting room! While Green Mountain Distillers are rebuilding their website, be sure to check them out on social media to stay up-to-date on their operational hours!

Wineries: 

Not typically thought of as “wine country,” Vermont is emerging on the scene. More vineyards are popping up throughout the state as our wine industry has been able to develop traditional standards. The cold climate creates challenges for particular grape variants, but growers in Vermont have been able to adopt practices from a place of a similar environment; Burgundy, France. Thanks to the cold climate, our vineyards are also able to produce a later harvest of unique dessert wines. A northern blend of “Burgundy” wine alongside our pristine landscape will provide an experience worth longing for!  

My top choices:

1. Due North Winery: The name says it all, Due North. The northernmost winery in the state is located near the Canadian border in Franklin, VT. A small family-owned operation with wine tastings on Sundays throughout the summer, and every serving grew right in their vineyard. Each season brings its flavor, while Due North specializes in developing wines that showcase the varieties of grapes grown in our climate. Discover their wines and ideal times to visit; check them out Here

2. Snow Farm Vineyard: Located on the beautiful Champlain shores of South Hero, VT. Its picturesque landscape and rich 104-acre farmland with over 200 years of agricultural history while functioning as Vermont’s first commercial grape vineyard. The history, knowledge, and flavor are just the beginning of your experience. For tastings, tours, and hours of operation, check them out Here

3. Shelburne Vineyards: With their tasting room open 6 days a week in beautiful Shelburne, VT, you have to try them! Since its opening in 1998, Shelburne Vineyards has been committed to elevating Vermont’s wine region and culture. As wine growing in Vermont remains a challenge, Shelburne Vineyards has been dedicated to mastering its craft and have won awards in the Vermont wine region for two decades. Be sure to swing by their website to learn more about their operation Here

Conclusion:

Whether headed up for a weekend trip or searching for a new spot to explore, be sure to give one of these options a try. The growing libation industry is an important part of Vermont culture and overall community growth. Continued dedication, a wealth of knowledge, and resources help inspire visionaries to continue innovating standards to shape the industry. Without dedication to their crafts, we would not be able to enjoy their achievements. Stay tuned as I intend to provide more in-depth features on some of these specific locations, and be sure to show your support by following the journey/passing along the missions each one of these fine establishments is on! Cheers!