by Greg B.

by Greg B.

by Greg B.

by Greg B.

by Greg B.

by Greg B.

Vermont is one of the best states to visit – or live in! – when it comes to locally sourced products, natural resources, home grown items, and local pride. You’ll find all sorts of places where you can visit and see how the delicious end result is produced, from maple syrup and cheddar cheese to world famous Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. And you’ll also find a good number of breweries, from the famous to the local hidden gem. Just like any other place of production, breweries will offer you the chance to see how the beer gets made and then sample some of the finished product!

Magic Hat Brewing Company, South Burlington

You’ve probably seen Magic Hat beer at most bars you’ve been to, especially their claim-to-fame beer, the #9. Magic Hat has a lot going on as far as brewery visits. You can hang out at the Arti-Factory, the center of the brewery, and witness the magic of brewing from the bar there. You can sample Magic Hat brews and fill a growler with one of over thirty tap selections. From there, you can actually learn what everything is called and how it’s done on a guided tour on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Check the website for a list of great events like beer dinners and tastings, and make sure to sample brews like Circus Boy, Lucky Kat and Single Chair Ale – since you’ve undoubtedly tried the #9 already.

Otter Creek Brewing, Middlebury

While Otter Creek might not have blown up on a national scale, it has certainly become a pride of the New England area and of places like New York. To give back to the large community of fans, Otter Creek offers free tastings all day, and free tours daily at 5PM. You can also stay updated on their calendar so you can check out beer dinners and pairings – Otter Creek is known for expert beer and dinner taste pairings. Check out the tasting to try the Russian Imperial Stout, the Imperial India Pale Ale, the Stovepipe Porter or the Vermont Lager.

Long Trail Brewing Company, Bridgewater Corps

Live like a local if you’re visiting, or embrace your Vermont roots if you’re a native by getting acquainted with Long Trail Brewing Company, a local hidden gem of Vermont breweries. Taking a tour and enjoying a tasting is like being part of an exclusive club of New Englanders in the know when it comes to beer – but with the pretension. Make sure in your experimenting you try Long Trail’s signature beer, the Long Trail Ale.

If you’re headed to New Hampshire, or if you’re already there and want something different to do this weekend, check out one of the state’s great breweries. New Hampshire is home to some very popular, very quintessential breweries, and all of them make great activities either as part of a vacation or a day trip.

Smuttynose Brewing Company, Portsmouth

Smuttynose is one of the most successful craft breweries in the country with some of the most diverse creative brews, so you’re in luck if you happen to be in the area to pay a visit. Show up on a Thursday or Friday for a free tour and tasting, where you’ll sample varieties like Old Brown Dog Ale, Star Island Single, Big A IPA, Robust Porter, Barleywine Ale, Scotch Ale or the “S’Muttonator.”

Redhook Ale Brewery, Portsmouth

With Redhook Ale Brewery so nearby to Smuttynose, you can make a whole day of your brewery visits in Portsmouth – not to mention Portsmouth boasts lots to do and a very scenic setting, so day could quickly turn into a great weekend trip. Redhook itself has lots to do, offering daily tours for $1.00 that include a Redhook history lesson, brewing explanations, five beer samples and a souvenir tasting class – not bad for a buck, right? Plus, once you figure out what your favorite beer is, Redhook also has a pub and restaurant right there, where events like trivia and live music happen on different nights – everything you could want, all in one place!

Tuckerman Brewing Company, Conway

For a more localized, off-the-beaten-path brewery experience, venture out to Conway for Tuckerman Brewing Company. Run by “Kirsten and Nik,” Tuckerman has a true New Hampshire, home-grown vibe. Stop by for a tour and tasting, where you can sample beers like the Pale Ale, Headwall Alt and 6288 Stout, which are sold throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Rhode Island’s tiny size doesn’t keep it from making a name for itself in the beer industry. It holds its own in New England with a few great breweries that produce beer varieties sold through Rhode Island, New England, the Northeast, and for some, even the country. Rhode Island breweries also boast the benefit of being made into a total day trip, since each one is but a short distance from a scenic activity or right in the middle of a city full of things to do.

Narragansett Brewery, Providence

Right in the middle of beautiful Providence, full of restaurants, nightlife, galleries and the Rhode Island School of Design’s museum – to name a few features – is the popular Narragansett Brewery. One of the good old fashioned names in New England beer, Narragansett, or “’Gansett,” is not just a brewery, but a lively bar, as well. Check their calendar for constant events worth the trip, like tastings, promotional events, brew launches, ping pong tournaments, game nights, live music and even galas and pageants. Narragansett is the place to go to mingle, enjoy beer-related activities and try the brewery’s lager, light beer, bock or porter.

Coddington Brewing Company, Middletown

Close to the scenic Coddington Cove and the Miantonomi Memorial Park, Coddington Brewing Company offers you the possibility of a day trip involving the great outdoors, a harbor stroll and beer. Coddington is also a restaurant, so you can balance your beer with hearty American food in a pub atmosphere – you’ll need it, as the nationally popular brewery features an impressive variety of beers, from a Barley Wine, Belgian Triple, Blueberry Blonde, Doppelbock and Chocolate Porter to a Pumpkin Ale, Raspberry Cream Ale, Scotch Heavy, Oatmeal Stout and Nut Brown Ale – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Maine may be one of the best states for brewing craft beer. Small towns perfect for promoting local craft products, great natural resources and environment, and surroundings, whether on the water or near lush wooded areas, that make the breweries must-visits for beer enthusiasts. From internationally sold to regional best-kept-secrets, Maine definitely has lots to offer in the beer arena.

Allagash Brewing Co., Portland

Speaking of internationally sold – and acclaimed – Allagash is a must not only of Maine, but of New England. The brews here are loved by everyone from beer snob to small town product enthusiast. Stop by Monday through Friday at 11AM, 1PM or 3PM for a tour and tasting, where you can sample beers like the famous Allagash White, Dubbel or Tripel. Or, be a little adventurous and test the Curieux or the Odyssey – this will definitely up you r beer snob street cred. Make sure you check the brewery’s website to see if you can catch one of their great events, like a Brewers’ Festival, beer dinner, or special tasting.

Sea Dog Brewing Co., South Portland, Topsham, Bangor

Sea Dog lies somewhere between nationally sold and praised, and locally treasured. This brewery/bar/restaurant has several locations in Maine, so you can swing by whichever location is closest to your or your vacation spot. Sit down for a filling, American dinner with a definite seafood twist that celebrates Maine’s food culture, and take advantage of the meal to enjoy a few Sea Dog brews, like the Apricot Wheat Beer, the Blue Paw Wheat Ale, the Old Gollywobbler Brown Ale, the Riverdriver Hazelnut Porter, or the classic Sea Dog Pale Ale.

Atlantic Brewing Co., Bar Harbor

Atlantic Brewing Co. is, appropriately, close to the water and perfect for a scenic day trip. You’ll be able to catch a tour and tasting daily at this local gem, at 2PM, 3PM and 4PM. Setting it apart from other breweries, Atlantic is a great visit for the whole family, since they make sodas, as well. These sodas, root beer and blueberry soda (!) are included in on the tastings, in addition to brews like the Bar Harbor Real Ale, the Blueberry Ale, Island Ginger, Special Old Bitter and Honey Bragget.