by Courtney Iseman
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.
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