Food + Drink

Vermont Beer Tourism?

By Linda WarnerSep. 10, 2018

Beer_HillMany visitors come to Vermont for the winter snow sports. And then there is the fall foliage season with tourists arriving in droves. In the last few years, visitors have been drawn to Vermont for a very different reason…beer! That’s right, beer tourism has become big business because Vermont’s craft brews have become famous. (For example, RateBeer named Hill Farmstead Brewery of Greensboro, VT the number one brewery in the world in 2015!) The Vermont Brewers Association reports that Vermont craft beer totaled $378.2 million in overall economic impact in 2017 with $126.7 million direct to tourism. In addition, Vermont has the highest number of breweries per capita of any state.

Beer_glassHow did this phenomena come about? A number of those in the know credit Greg Noonan as the person who began the movement in Vermont. He not only founded The Vermont Pub & Brewery in Burlington, he wrote the go-to guide, Brewing Lager Beer, in 1984. Many successful brewmasters today learned the essentials under the direction of Noonan. In addition, the locavore food movement as well as the consumers’ wish for high-end artisanal products helped boost small craft breweries popularity. Just as with the locavore cuisine, Vermont brewers experiment with local ingredients to craft unique and exceptional beers.

Beer_toursThis extreme variety has helped establish the basis of the brew tour. Whether walking from brewery to brewery in Burlington, or travelling by car across the state, no two brews will be the same. At some breweries, you will need to wait in line in order to purchase the product since demand often outpaces supply. The beer connoisseur does not want to be compared to the wine snob, but he is just as appreciative of a fine product and just as motivated to explore endlessly. Vermont has become the Napa Valley of beer.

Beer_OktoberfestIn addition to Vermont brewery tours (some self-guided, some available complete with designated driver), the many brewers' festivals offer an opportunity to taste samples from multiple producers. One of the largest, the Vermont Brewers Festival, is held on the waterfront of Lake Champlain in Burlington in July. October brings a number of Oktoberfest celebrations (and participation by multiple brewers) to areas throughout the state including this October in Bennington, Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, and Mount Snow in West Dover. (See our Fall Festivals page for additional information.)

Once you've figured out which breweries you'd like to visit, find the perfect place to stay by consulting Vermont.com's lodging pages. We look forward to seeing you soon!

By Linda WarnerSep. 10, 2018
Live Like a Local.
Get The Scoop.
Sidebar Signup

Foliage-Flannels-300x250
Vintage-Sugarbush-Ski-Slopes-Snowy-Winter

Further Field Guides

Things To Do
Disc Golf … Try it. You’ll love it!
By Linda WarnerAug. 27, 2018
You’ve thrown a Frisbee haven’t you? Then you have all the skills necessary to play disc golf. Instead of throwing your disc to a friend (or your dog) to catch, you throw at a target. It’s that simple. But first, a little history. Back in the 60s, Ed Headrick was working at Wam-O Toys and […]
Live Like a Local.
Get The Scoop.
Sidebar Signup

Winter-Wonder-Vermont-Warmth-Baby-Barn-Fireplace
Where to Stay

Stunning Fall Foliage Escapes

Discover 13 of the most picturesque places to stay in Vermont during fall foliage. Whether you're looking for luxury by the lake, a mountain retreat, or cozy village inns, our guide has you covered. 
Sponsored by Stratton Mountain Resort
Check it out
Stratton Mountain Resort Fall Foliage
Where To Stay

Stunning Fall Foliage Escapes

Discover 13 of the most picturesque places to stay in Vermont during fall foliage. Whether you're looking for luxury by the lake, a mountain retreat, or cozy village inns, our guide has you covered.
Sponsored by Stratton Mountain Resort
Check It Out
Sign Up For 2024 Fall Foliage Updates
New Newsletter Signup

Featured Events

View All
magnifiercross