Brewery Road Trip in Vermont

The history of beer dates back thousands of years, and it has traditionally been enjoyed in areas that range from Sumeria to Bavaria and beyond. In fact, in some cultures, there are beer goddesses and patron saints.

One saint, Saint Arnold of Metz, notably helped to bring an end to a deadly plague by encouraging locals to consume beer rather than tainted drinking water.

While beer has been enjoyed in cultures around the world for many years, microbrewing and craft beer are a relatively new phenomenon.

In Vermont, some of the first smaller breweries opened in the 1980s; today, you can find more than 50 breweries and craft beer pubs of various sizes and types throughout Vermont.

Given the state’s smaller size and population, the ratio of breweries and pubs to population size is significant.

Touring Vermont breweries on a fun road trip is a fantastic idea, but you should ensure that you have the proper car insurance in place before you embark on your journey.

Start comparison shopping today for the best auto insurance coverage by entering your ZIP code above!

Don’t Drink and Drive

With so many incredible types of craft beer to enjoy on your road trip through Vermont, you understandably may drink far more than intended.

A smart idea is to select a designated driver so that you can enjoy visiting the breweries and pubs throughout the area without concern.

In Vermont, you may be convicted of a DUI charge if your blood alcohol level exceeds .08 percent. The three levels of offenses and penalties are as follows:

• First Offense — License suspension for 90 days, up to two years in jail, and a fine of up to $750
• Second Offense — License suspension for up to 18 months, up to two years in jail, and a fine of up to $1,500
• Third Offense —  Permanent license suspension, a $2,500 fine, and a five-year imprisonment

These are certainly not consequences that you want to deal with, but it can be difficult to gauge what your state of intoxication on your own.

The best idea is to choose a designated driver before you set off on your tour of Vermont’s breweries so that you can have an enjoyable, memorable time.

Top 10 Breweries in Vermont

While there are dozens of breweries throughout the state, you may not have a chance to visit them all. These are among the top breweries to visit on your upcoming road trip.

#1 – Zero Gravity Craft Brewery

Established: 2004
Recommended Beer: Aftermath

Zero Gravity Craft Brewery originally opened in the downtown Burlington area in 2004, and it quickly grew in size and popularity.

In 2015, a second location opened in Burlington, and both locations offer more than 100 unique varieties of craft beer.

The Aftermath is a preferred option among locals, but with so many choose from, you may want to sample quite a few to find your unique favorite.

The Pine Street location is closed on Tuesday, and it is open from noon to 9 p.m. during the week and noon to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The Brewpub at Flatbread location opens at 11:30 a.m. daily.

#2 — Foley Brothers Brewing

Established: 2012
Recommended Beer: Fair Maiden Double IPA

Foley Brothers Brewing is a relatively new, family-owned brewery located in Brandon, Vermont. When you tour the brewery, you can learn more about how this family instills quality into each small batch of brew that it makes.

New products are being created regularly, so this is a brewery that you should plan to visit numerous times in the future.

The Foley Brothers location is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

#3 — Lost Nation Brewing

Established: 2012
Recommended Beer: Gose

Enjoying great craft beer at Lost Nation Brewing is a favorite pastime for residents in Morrisville as well as for out-of-town visitors.

Lost Nation Brewing is a popular pub, brewery, store, and restaurant, and it currently makes 19 different types of craft beer in small batches to hone in on quality and flavor.

This pub is the perfect place to go to learn more about brewing or to sample some excellent craft beers.

This brewery and pub’s tap room is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.

#4 — Hill Farmstead Brewery

Established: Early 1800s as a family-owned local tavern
Recommended Beer: Abner

The Hill Farmstead Brewery carries the same logo that the current owner’s great-great-great grandfather hung in the family tavern more than 220 years ago.

This tavern has remained in family hands in North Greensboro over the years, but the facilities and products have evolved. Today, guests can enjoy 111 different types of beer, and there are a tasting room and a shop to explore.

This brewery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

#5 — Four Quarters Brewing

Established: March 15, 2014
Recommended Beer: Fleur de Lis

Situated in the charming town of Winooski, Four Quarters Brewing focuses its efforts on Belgian and barrel-aged brews.

While there are 30 different varieties to sample at this brewery, the Fleur de Lis is a must for any first-timers. This brewery is also a great place to learn about the artisanal steps that Belgian beer makers use to craft delicious varieties.

The tasting room is open Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

#6 — Bobcat Cafe & Brewery

Established: 2002
Recommended Beer: Unrepentant

The Bobcat Café & Brewery is ideally located close to the Green Mountains in beautiful Bristol, and the facility includes a brewery and bistro that serves contemporary cuisine.

There are 35 beers on tap, but one of the most popular options is Unrepentant, which is a Belgian dark ale. This venue regularly hosts special events to give back to the community.

The restaurant and brewery are open from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and from 4 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

#7 — Fiddlehead Brewing Company

Established: Unknown
Recommended Beer: Mastermind

Fiddlehead Brewing Company is an independently-owned brewery and bar in Shelburne that has 33 different brews on tap for you to choose from. Mastermind is a great option to consider, and this is an American Double/Imperial IPA product.

Many of Fiddlehead’s most popular products are served at restaurants and bars throughout the state. However, it usually creates a new variety every few weeks, making it a great place to visit repeatedly.

The tasting room is open Sunday through Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., Friday from noon to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

#8 — The Alchemist

Established: 2003
Recommended Beer: Heady Topper

The Alchemist originated in the town of Waterbury, but closed its doors in 2013 due to large crowds and traffic issues.

As of 2016, The Alchemist is now situated in the nearby, beautiful resort town of Stowe, with four acres to its name and a large, easily-accessible parking lot.

This small, family-owned facility is focused on making great craft beer, and the Heady Topper is a double IPA that is among the most popular varieties produced by this company.

To meet demand, The Alchemist brews approximately 120 barrels of fresh beer each week.

This venue is open to the public for tours, shopping, and drinking on Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

#9 — Magic Hat Brewing Company

Established: 1994
Recommended Beer: #9

Magic Hat Brewing Company in South Burlington is among the most well-established breweries in Vermont, and it provides you with an incredible experience.

Here, you can enjoy free tours and samples, a great shopping experience, and even a to-go beer to enjoy en route.

Beers here are crafted using quality ingredients and scientific processes with quality in mind.

Magic Hat Brewing Company is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m until 7 p.m. and on Sunday from noon until 5 p.m.

#10 — Otter Creek Brewing

Established: Unknown
Recommended Beer: Otter Creek Overgrown

Situated just north of Middlebury, Otter Creek Brewing is conveniently located and is the ideal place to visit for some of the best beer in the state. It offers almost two dozen types of beer currently, and a favorite option is the Otter Creek Overgrown pale ale.

This facility is environmentally-friendly and focuses on sustainable brewing practices. Otter Creek features a restaurant, a pub, and an online store for your convenience.

This venue is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Safety Tips Before Hitting the Road

Staying safe is a top priority when you are traveling through busy urban areas or along winding backroads. Taking your eyes off of the road to look at a map or GPS can be dangerous, so always map your trip out ahead of time.

If you need to look at a map along the way, pull over on the side of the road to stay safe.

– Plan Ahead

There are other steps that you can take to stay safe on Vermont roads.

For example, ensure that your car has recently received a tune-up and oil change. Verify that your tires are properly inflated and have ample tread remaining on them. You can also check your headlights and taillights to confirm that they are functional.

When accidents or breakdowns happen, you may find yourself stranded on the side of the road for a while. In some cases, your cell phone may not work in rural areas.

Therefore, always travel with an emergency kit, and know how to handle basic repair and maintenance tasks, such as changing a flat tire.

– Avoid Drinking and Driving

You can consume a lot of beer while touring breweries throughout the state.

Have a safe driving plan so that you can avoid drinking and driving.

For example, you may have a designated driver, or you can plan to use a ride service, such as Uber.

– Carry the Right Coverage

Because accidents can and do happen even when drivers are sober, it is wise to ensure that you have suitable car insurance coverage in place.

Now is a great time to update your coverage to meet your needs and to shop around for a better deal on your coverage.

Comparing three or four policies can help you to identify savings.

However, remember that you also need to read consumer reviews and confirm that a provider is financially sound before you make a buying decision.

If you’d like to compare at least three to four policies today, enter your ZIP code below and find the best auto insurance rates for you!