Concentration of Vermont Breweries

Stay in Waterbury/Stowe. That is centralized to most of the breweries you will want to check out. Smuggler's Notch has the best hiking in the state. Do a day in Burlington, a day at Hill Farmstead/ Northeast Kingdom. Etc, etc.

 

Your three main options are Burlington, Waterbury and Stowe. Stowe and Waterbury are 15-20 minutes from each other. Burlington is about a half hour from Waterbury. You can use any of those as home base and hit what you want. Burlington is a "city". Waterbury and Stowe are small towns with thriving beer scenes.

Personally, I always try to stay at the Old Stagecoach Inn in Waterbury. My normal itinerary is one full day in Burlington, one day trek out to Hill Farmstead and then do stuff around Stowe/Waterbury other days / evenings.

Plenty of threads on here to go to to get more info from there. Enjoy!

 

Agree with the above - FYI, the road to Hill Farmstead is a dirt road, so if weather sucks you will probably want a vehicle with AWD or 4WD.

 

We usually stay in Stowe at the Von Trapp. It's so lovely there, and Alchemist is just down the road. Burlington is fun too. I'm too old for anyplace that has shared bathrooms (even if some rooms don't) so we never stay in Waterbury

 

If youve got some cash — stay at the Hotel Vermont. Burlington. Great location and their beer bar is stellar.

 

Stowe can be a little expensive (relatively). We actually stayed at an Airbnb in Morrisville and hit Lost Nation after going to HF and Alchemist and really enjoyed it

 

Agreed. Amazing spot.

 

Sept./Oct. is peak foliage season here, with highest rates. If you can wait until early Nov., rates drop significantly. Or, book an Air BnB as your homebase and cook your own breakfast, and save real money anytime of the year. Stowe/Waterbury really is geographically the nexus of beer meccas here.

 

Been 3 times so far, and just came back this past weekend. Stagecoach in Waterbury is my vote for your base. Great location, great people, awesome free breakfast and stumbling distance to the 3 big pubs there. You’re close to Stowe, not too far from HF, (as well as the new Lawson’s) plus there is hiking (Stowe pinnacle is amazing). Then do a night in Burlington. Tons of breweries, restaurants, great downtown, and catch the sunset at the lake. Can watch the sunset over the Adirondacks and walk straight to foam. Then finish the night at Manhattan pizza or farmhouse.

 

Just go to HF and stay in the NEK, it's the best part of VT (and by far the best beer).

 

If good hiking is of paramount importance, I'd suggest Stowe. It's such a picturesque town, especially in the Fall and there are no shortage of great hikes (Pinnacle is a favorite of mine). Breweries include Alchemist, Von Trapp, Idyltime. You'll be within striking distance of Lost Nation & Rock Art in Morrisville & Ten Bends in Hyde Park. Most of the restaurants on the Mountain Road offer expansive draft lists as well.

 

If you're driving (not sure where you're coming from) and heading north to the above-mentioned breweries (all great recs), it's a no-brainer to stop for beer at River Roost in White River Junction, and grab a bite to eat across the parking lot at Big Fattys. River Roost has fantastic beers, and Big Fattys has great beers on tap.

 

I have stayed in the NEK, Burlington, and Waterbury. Enjoyed all three. I’m staying in Stowe in November at the Golden Eagle, primarily to stay at a new place. I’ve been to the Bench in Stowe for beers, and they had a nice draft list (including Everett and Edward). What’s another spot right in Stowe likely to have two or three Hill beers on tap? Or better yet, what Stowe bar has the best draft lineup? Also looking forward to stopping at Von Trapp because I’ve never been. Is it worth a stop for a pour or two?

 

They likely won't have 2 or 3 on tap, but Doc Ponds should have Edward and maybe another HF. Great beer list and great food. Von Trapp is a must stop, great beer and amazing views. Even if you'r not eating there, get a side order of spaetzle

 

Tap25 in Stowe has quite the lineup on a regular basis.

 

I’ve been going to Stowe/Waterbury for years now and never learn anything new in these type of threads. Have to say though, I’ve never noticed or heard of Tap 25, but the place does look cool. Thanks! It’ll definitely be on my list for next time.

 

Piecasso had a solid tap list when I was there. Had an Edward while eating a great buffalo chicken pizza.