Up in Vermont, breweries are huge. Specifically, breweries in Burlington VT are really up and coming! There are so many awesome places to choose from right now.
Whether you’re looking for experimental brews, a classic Fiddlehead IPA, or even a cider, Burlington Vermont breweries have it all.
Most of these breweries are within walking distance from each other so it’s a lot of fun to do a brewery crawl in Burlington. However, even if you’re just looking to go out for a single beer, you’ll definitely find some awesome places on this list.
11. Foam Brewers
Located in a historic brick building just steps from Waterfront Park and the Burlington Bike Trail, Foam is quickly becoming one of the favorite Burlington Vermont breweries.
Serving snacks that are sourced locally when possible (including Vermont Creamery Cheese) as well as some delicious brews on tap (especially their seasonal batches!), there isn’t anything that this brewery doesn’t have.
Foam was opened by three brewers who were already seasoned veterans with experience at other famous Burlington VT breweries, so the owners really know what they’re doing, even though the brewery itself is a bit newer.
The offerings at Foam are constantly in rotation, but they always have a good selection of sour beers and experimental brews.
There are also various food trucks at Foam if you get hungry. Sometimes, Foam offers live music as well.
I think that Foam is one of the best breweries in Burlington VT if you want a fun, lively atmosphere and are up for trying different brews!
10. Magic Hat Brewing Company
Some of you may have heard of Magic Hat, because they are one of Vermont’s most well-known breweries. They started in Burlington VT in 1994 and the brewery is still located in the same spot today!
Trust me when I say that Magic Hat is one of the most famous Burlington VT breweries for a reason. It’s definitely a place to check out when you’re in the area.
Even though Magic Hat Brewing Company is perhaps best known for their “#9” beer (which isn’t actually pronounced “nine”, by the way), it doesn’t mean that they don’t have other great brews.
They even have a brewery tour on Saturdays at 2 pm, so you can learn about their history and what they’ve got brewing today.
Their tours are also more of an experience than some other Burlington VT breweries. There is live music, games like cornhole, and plenty of things to do that aren’t just focused on drinking!
I’d say that Magic Hat Brewing Company is definitely one of the best breweries in Burlington Vermont for anyone who wants a fun atmosphere with more of a focus on entertainment rather than just beer. However, the beer is good too and the prices are really affordable.
Magic Hat has a full bar that serves other spirits as well, including half-price cocktails on Sundays. This makes it one of the best breweries in Burlington Vermont to go with friends who don’t love beer, since there’s something for everyone.
The brewery is located in close proximity to Waterfront Park and the Burlington Bike Trail , where you might want to grab a drink before or after your tour of the brewery!
Special events are held throughout the year, so keep an eye out for those if you’re looking for something fun to do!
9. Citizen Cider
Technically, Citizen Cider is a cider brewery, but it’s still one of my favorite Burlington VT breweries so I had to include it. I’m a huge cider fan any time of year, and based on how popular Citizen Cider is with both locals and tourists, everyone else is too.
Citizen Cider is located in an old brick foundry, which makes for a really unique and fun atmosphere. It’s comfortable but chic.
The best part about this Burlington VT brewery is that it’s actually family run and so they’re always experimenting with new brews. The owners are really involved and this definitely shows.
Even better, Citizen Cider has some of the most interesting flavor combinations I’ve ever seen. There’s literally always something new to try on tap. Who knew cider could be this interesting?
Their ciders often include ingredients such as ginger or real fruit purées, which might sound gross to some people but is delicious in small amounts (which is how they do it). It also gives these ciders a very interesting and unique taste!
Citizen Cider also has free WiFi, which makes it one of the best breweries in Burlington VT to casually hang out and get stuff done for work or school. They even let you bring your own food to enjoy with your drinks (for a small fee).
The only downside I can think of is that they don’t offer any tours at this time and aren’t open on Sundays. However, make up for this by stopping by on Saturday afternoons when they host live music and other events!
I’d say that Citizen Cider is one of the top breweries in Burlington VT if you want some new flavors while still loving an old classic hard apple cider. It’s definitely worth checking out!
8. Switchback Brewing Company
Switchback Brewing Company is one of the more mainstream breweries in Burlington VT, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth visiting!
They’re well known for having great tasting brews and their prices are really reasonable. They even have gluten-free options on tap too!
Their best selling beer is the Switchback Ale , which comes with a pretty interesting story: It’s brewed using water from Lake Champlain (which is actually where its name comes from), and it’s barely altered by the brewhouse—meaning they don’t need to use any filtration equipment or anything like that. I’d say this makes Switchback one of the best breweries in Burlington VT if you’re looking for something light and easy to drink.
The brewery is located in an old mill, which makes for a really unique atmosphere that’s hard to find anywhere else!
There are also free board games available to play with or without an order. It’s one of the best breweries in Burlington VT if you’re looking for something casual and fun for groups of friends.
Their menu changes up seasonally, which means they have some pretty delicious food options too (like baked kale chips). I definitely recommend checking this place out if you want some tasty brews at an affordable price with a cool vibe!
7. Queen City Brewery
Located in a refurbished warehouse, Queen City Brewery is by far one of the most popular breweries in Burlington VT. This place gets packed on the weekends so I’d recommend coming here during the week if you can, or at least try to show up early if you want a seat.
Queen City Brewery has some unique brews available that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. It’s definitely worth trying their experimental beers with fun twists like cucumber or beer-infused coffee.
They even have specialty pizzas available at certain times, which pair nicely with their beers. You can also bring your own food into this brewery if you want!
The atmosphere is really great too: it’s spacious but cozy and always buzzing with energy (in a good way). There are board games available for those who want something fun to play with. It definitely has a local pub vibe instead of looking like a super upscale brewery, but I personally love this.
Queen City Brewery is one of the best breweries in Burlington VT if you’re looking for something that’s truly unique and not like all the rest. They also host live music on Thursdays, which makes it even better!
6. Zero Gravity Craft Brewery & Ale House
Zero Gravity is one of the Burlington Vermont breweries that you definitely shouldn’t miss if you’re in the area!
Not only does the building look absolutely gorgeous, but the brewery also have a really cool menu that changes regularly based on the season. This means you’ll be able to try unique dishes paired with unique brews for an enjoyable experience unlike anywhere else in Burlington.
Their best selling beer is probably the Space Tea IPA, which is light and not too bitter or hoppy. However, I’d recommend trying this place no matter what kind of beer you like because their menu will always have something new and exciting available! It’s definitely experimental.
The brewery even has board games available inside so that patrons can enjoy themselves however they want. The first Wednesday of every month is Trivia Night as well, which is a super popular event!
Zero Gravity Craft Brewery & Ale House is one of the best breweries in Burlington VT if you’re looking for something truly unique and different from anything else.
5. Vermont Pub & Brewery
One of the Burlington VT breweries with the longest name (and definitely the best food) is The Vermont Pub & Brewery.
If you like fish and chips as much as I do, then this place is for you. Their batter crisps up perfectly without being too heavy or having too many carbs. It also doesn’t leave your fingers oily at all.
Their menu includes a large variety of different bar foods- from lobster rolls to salads- that pair perfectly with their brews. They even have a full brunch menu on Sundays! The best part is, everything’s super affordable and the staff are really friendly too: it’s like dining in your own living room (in a good way).
The atmosphere here is laid back and cozy. Their space is pretty big so you won’t feel crammed or uncomfortable. It’s definitely one of those Burlington VT breweries you need to check out ASAP if you want more of a pub experience with a full meal.
The Vermont Pub & Brewery is an extremely underrated brewery in Burlington VT that has some delicious grub as well as large beer selection at affordable prices. I’d recommend this place for anyone who loves good food and great drinks!
4. Fiddlehead Brewing
I love Fiddlehead Brewing Company so much, mostly because they have my favorite beer in the entire world!
Their Double IPA is unlike any other that I’ve ever had- it’s really fruity but also has a nice bitter aftertaste. It’s just hoppy enough to leave you satisfied without being too overpowering.
This Burlington VT brewery is located right on Flynn Ave by the waterfront, which means that there are plenty of restaurants around for you to grab food at afterwards!
There aren’t any tours or free tastings unfortunately, but Fiddlehead does offer happy hour specials from 4-6pm six days a week (closed on Mondays).
I’d say that Fiddlehead is worth a visit anytime though since they’re open every day except Mondays and Tuesdays.
They might not offer tours or free tastings, but I find their beer to be unique and interesting! It’s my personal favorite in Vermont.
3. Halyard Brewing Company
Just a couple of blocks away from Zero Gravity is Halyard Brewing Company, another one of the Burlington VT breweries that you definitely shouldn’t miss.
Their best selling beer is probably the Blonde Ale, but don’t worry- it’s not too hoppy or bitter! It’s perfectly balanced and the hops aren’t overpowering at all.
Halyard is definitely known for their craft ginger beers. Their Moscow Mule is perfect for the summer time and their spicy ginger beer goes great with a burger or sandwich.
2. Burlington Beer Company
Burlington Beer Company is another one of the Burlington VT breweries on Flynn Ave, near Zero Gravity.
Their best selling beer has got to be their IPA, which has a hoppy and citrusy taste that’s just right.
They also have a wide variety of snacks that you can order while you drink- from cheesy pretzels to miniature burgers! It makes it easy when you’re trying to figure out how much food to eat before going home without getting too full 🙂
I’d recommend this place for anyone who loves IPAs or other beers with strong flavors. The vibe is pretty casual and laid back so it’s the perfect spot to stop for a drink.
1. Seven Barrel Brewery
Seven Barrel Brewery started as a brewpub in Stowe VT, but they have since expanded! This Seven Barrel Brewery location is actually based out of West Lebanon NH, which means that it’s super close to Burlington.
The atmosphere is super cool, but the brewery also has delicious food options like flatbreads and appetizers for between meals if you’re not looking to drink heavily (or at all). It definitely makes Seven Barrel one of the best breweries in Burlington Vermont for foodies and it’s totally worth the drive.
As for drinks, Seven Barrel has a wide range of different beers and ciders to choose from! They also have wine options if you’re not looking to drink beer.
Their beer selection is actually pretty great for anyone who likes stouts, dark ales, or other stronger flavors.
However, they unfortunately don’t offer any free tastings or tours. This means that you’ll likely have to pay full price for everything the first time you visit.
I personally do think it’s worth it though since I find their beer and cider really unique and interesting! I’d definitely recommend checking them out if you want some drinks after dinner one night.
Leave a Reply