When people think of Burlington, Vermont, a few things first come to mind. The city is where Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was founded. The area is dotted with ski hills that draw visitors from across the country. In the spring and summer, Burlington is also a premier hiking destination because of the vast green wild spaces surrounding the city.
Burlington is also one of the most important cities for America’s craft beer movement. Vermont Pub & Brewery was opened in 1988 by Greg Noonan, who is one of the most important figures in American craft beer. Noonan in 1986 published a book on homebrewing instruction that became an iconic reference guide for craft brewers nationwide. Since the late 1980s, craft breweries have blossomed in Burlington and its surrounding area.
Vermont is home to many breweries responsible for beers that changed the craft beer industry, and the state remains incredibly fond of craft beer to this day. The state ranks first in the number of independent breweries per capita, according to the Brewers Association.
Burlington has always been and continues to be a premier destination for craft beer lovers everywhere. For travelers looking to stop at some of Burlington’s many breweries, here is a helpful guide of the best breweries in Burlington.
Jump to:
Best Brewery With Food in Burlington
Best Brewery in the South End
Best Brewery to Find an IPA
Best Brewery in Essex
Best Cider in Burlington
Best Brewery in Downtown Burlington
Best Dog Friendly Brewery in Burlington
Best Brewery for a European Beer
Best Brewery in Shelburne
Best Brewery to Drink on the Patio
Other Breweries and Craft Beer Bars in Burlington
Burlington Brewery Map
1. Goodwater Brewery
BEST BREWERY WITH FOOD IN BURLINGTON
The team over at Goodwater Brewery really knows how to utilize their beer. Goodwater Brewery keeps a wide variety of styles available throughout the year, making it a great stop for beer tourists who like lagers as much as they like IPAs. The brewery’s kitchen further puts its beers to use, including beer in the recipes for some of its dips, sauces and soups. Try pairing a beer with a dish that uses that beer as a key recipe!
740 Marshall Ave, Williston | www.goodwaterbreweryvt.com
2. Zero Gravity Craft Brewery
BEST BREWERY IN THE SOUTH END
Burlington’s South End area has grown into a cultural art hub for the city. Visitors to the South End district can find art galleries, music venues and Zero Gravity Brewing. The environmentally-focused brewery keeps core IPAs and pale ales on throughout the year, with seasonal rotations including goses, saisons and more. Zero Gravity Craft Brewery even has a large, expertly crafted patio to spread out on during the warmer spring and summer months.
716 Pine St., Burlington | www.zerogravitybeer.com
3. Frost Beer Works
BEST BREWERY TO FIND AN IPA
While Vermont is well known for its New England IPAs, there are few breweries throughout the state that dedicate as much focus to the style as Frost Beer Works just outside of Burlington. Frost Beer Works keeps a handful of IPAs on as the brewery’s core beers, including a couple of imperial and double IPAs. The brewery further puts out several special releases throughout the year to explore the IPA style, with triple IPAs and West Coast IPAs available at times.
171 Commerce St., Hinesburg | www.frostbeerworks.com
4. 1st Republic Brewing Co.
BEST BREWERY IN ESSEX
Veteran-owned and operated 1st Republic Brewing Co. is found just east of Burlington in Essex. The brewery whips up all styles of beer for customers and regularly features dark beers like porters to go along with sour ales, pale ales and lagers. Visit 1st Republic Brewing Co. during the evening to catch some live music and a rotating selection of food trucks.
39 River Road, Bldg. 6, Essex Junction | www.1strepublicbrewingco.com
5. Citizen Cider
BEST CIDER IN BURLINGTON
Found just north of Burlington’s famous Five Sisters neighborhood, Citizen Cider is the best place to stop if you’re looking for a hard drink other than beer. Founded in 2010, Citizen Cider makes dry ciders, ciders co-fermented with other fruit, seltzers and dry hopped ciders that blur the line between beer and cider.
316 Pine St., Ste. 114, Burlington | www.citizencider.com
6. Vermont Pub and Brewery
BEST BREWERY IN DOWNTOWN BURLINGTON
Burlington’s first brewery and an iconic American craft beer landmark, Vermont Pub and Brewery remains a hot spot in the heart of Burlington. The brewery has produced quality craft beer for decades and brews up IPAs, Belgian-style ales, lagers and more. Vermont Pub and Brewery further operates a full kitchen and offers plenty of patio space for hungry guests.
144 College St., Burlington | www.vermontbrewery.com
7. Weird Window Brewing
BEST DOG FRIENDLY BREWERY IN BURLINGTON
Located in South Burlington, Weird Window Brewing has a large patio space to bring your leashed furry friends on a sunny day. The brewery consistently keeps multiple IPAs and stouts on tap to enjoy and features some daily beer specials throughout the week.
82 Ethan Allen Drive, Ste. A, South Burlington | www.weirdwindowbrewing.com
8. Queen City Brewery
BEST BREWERY FOR A EUROPEAN BEER
Burlington is chock full of breweries that serve IPAs, and for good reason. But if you’re not a fan of the style—or just looking to try some other beer styles—there is no better place to check out than Queen City Brewery. The brewery, located nearby Zero Gravity Brewing on Pine Street, specializes in European ales and lagers. Whether you’re looking for a Munich Dunkel, Schwarzbier, English ESB or Scotch ale, Queen City Brewery has you covered.
703 Pine St., Burlington | www.queencitybrewery.com
9. Fiddlehead Brewing Co.
BEST BREWERY IN SHELBURNE
Shelburne is a community found just south of Burlington’s city limits, and home to Fiddlehead Brewing Company. The Shelburne brewery’s core beers are its speciality IPA and double IPA, but be sure to also check out some limited release beers from Fiddlehead Brewing Company when you visit.
6305 Shelburne Road, Shelburne | www.fiddleheadbrewing.com
10. Foam Brewers
BEST BREWERY TO DRINK ON THE PATIO
Found on the shore of Lake Champlain, Burlington’s Foam Brewers offers a view few other breweries can. The brewery’s patio looks out onto the Great Lake and is a particularly great spot to watch the sunset with a beer in hand. Foam Brewers makes spectacular beers to accentuate the experience, including a robust line of flavorful IPAs.
112 Lake St., Burlington | www.foambrewers.com
OTHER BREWERIES AND CRAFT BEER BARS IN BURLINGTON
Black Flannel Brewing Co.
Burlington Beer Company
Four Quarters Brewing
Green Empire Brewing
Mad River Distillers
Simple Roots Brewing
Switchback Brewing Co.
Vermont Tap House