Popular craft breweries in Vermont: 6 places to know

Vermont may be a small state, but its brewery culture has an outsized reputation. These six breweries explain why: rural farmhouse beer, two globally familiar hop names, Burlington taprooms, precise lager, and mountain-town destinations.

The short answer is Hill Farmstead Brewery, The Alchemist, Foam Brewers, Lawson's Finest Liquids, Zero Gravity Craft Brewery, and von Trapp Brewing. They are not the only breweries worth visiting in Vermont. They are a curated starting point with active first-party locations and enough stylistic range to plan a useful trip.

1. Hill Farmstead Brewery

Where: Greensboro Bend

Hill Farmstead is a rural destination built around farmhouse brewing, hop-forward beer, and a strong connection to its land and family history. Visitor access is more structured than a city taproom, so read the current visit guidance first.

Visit Hill Farmstead Brewery's official site

2. The Alchemist

Where: Stowe

The Alchemist is closely tied to Heady Topper and Focal Banger, two beers that helped define modern Vermont hop culture. The Stowe visitor center has its own hours and service format, which should be confirmed before the drive.

Visit The Alchemist's official site

3. Foam Brewers

Where: Burlington

Foam Brewers places a rotating beer program beside the Burlington waterfront. Hop-forward beer is prominent, but the brewery also works across lager, mixed fermentation, and seasonal releases.

Visit Foam Brewers's official site

4. Lawson's Finest Liquids

Where: Waitsfield

Lawson's Finest connects Sip of Sunshine and a wider hop-forward lineup to a Waitsfield taproom. Its Mad River Valley location makes it a natural bridge between Burlington and central Vermont travel.

Visit Lawson's Finest Liquids's official site

5. Zero Gravity Craft Brewery

Where: Burlington

Zero Gravity is a strong Burlington stop for drinkers who want crisp lager beside modern ale. Green State Lager is a useful reference point, but the brewery's live list shows more range than one flagship.

Visit Zero Gravity Craft Brewery's official site

6. von Trapp Brewing

Where: Stowe

von Trapp Brewing focuses on Austrian-style lager in a mountain setting. It gives this list a clear stylistic counterweight to Vermont's famous hop-forward breweries.

Visit von Trapp Brewing's official site

How to plan a Vermont brewery trip

A sensible route links Burlington, Stowe, and Waitsfield before adding the Northeast Kingdom. Foam and Zero Gravity fit one Burlington day. The Alchemist and von Trapp share Stowe. Hill Farmstead deserves a planned rural leg with current access details in hand.

Compare the state's lager stops with pilsner vs lager, then keep hop expectations grounded with our IPA guide.

Before you go

Tap lists, hours, ticketing, food service, and release limits can change. Check every brewery's official site on the day of your visit. Bring a designated driver or arrange transportation, order smaller pours when comparing several beers, and skip any stop that makes the route rushed.

Related questions

What are some popular craft breweries in Vermont?

This guide includes Hill Farmstead Brewery, The Alchemist, Foam Brewers, Lawson's Finest Liquids, Zero Gravity Craft Brewery, and von Trapp Brewing. The list is a curated starting point, not a universal ranking.

Which Vermont city is best for a brewery trip?

Burlington and Stowe offer the easiest clusters. Waitsfield and Greensboro Bend reward a longer route, but visitors should expect rural driving and changing access details.

Do Vermont breweries require reservations?

Policies vary by brewery, location, event, and release. Check each brewery's official hours and visit page before traveling, especially for tours, rural destinations, and limited releases.

Official brewery sources

• Hill Farmstead Brewery
• The Alchemist
• Foam Brewers
• Lawson's Finest Liquids
• Zero Gravity Craft Brewery
• von Trapp Brewing

First-party visitor details were checked on September 18, 2026.