• Btown Brief
  • Pages
  • Best Burlington VT Breweries - Explore Top Breweries

Burlington, VT: A Craft Beer Lover’s Paradise

[Navigate to homepage or visit BtownBrief.com for Burlington's feel-good news, events, weather and discussion all in one place. Updated every Monday, Wednesday, Friday]

Burlington, Vermont has earned a reputation as a craft beer mecca, and for good reason. Vermont boasts more craft breweries per capita than any other state (about 14.7 per 100,000 adults) (Mapped & Ranked: The States With the Most Craft Breweries in 2023 | VinePair). Burlington – Vermont’s largest city – is at the heart of this beer boom. Locals take pride in their breweries, and visitors quickly sense the community spirit in every pint.

A Brew History in the Queen City

Burlington’s craft beer story began in 1988, when Greg Noonan opened Vermont Pub & Brewery downtown – the first brewpub in the Green Mountain State. Since then, craft brewing has exploded. Today, the city and its surroundings are home to dozens of breweries and brewpubs. Each brewery has its own story, and many offer taprooms, tours, and community events. The result is a collaborative beer culture that has come to define Burlington.

Burlington Breweries to Visit

Burlington’s brewery roster features a mix of established favorites and exciting newcomers. Below, we profile some of the best Burlington breweries (in Burlington, VT and nearby) known for their unique offerings and atmosphere. These picks consistently rank among the top-rated in town (THE 5 BEST Burlington Breweries (2025) - Tripadvisor) and showcase the variety of styles that make the Burlington beer scene so dynamic.

Switchback Brewing Co.

One of Burlington’s craft-beer pioneers, Switchback Brewing Co. opened in 2002 and became famous locally for its flagship Switchback Ale, an unfiltered amber ale (16 Best Burlington VT Breweries and Bars - Roaming the USA). Rather than chase every trend, Switchback focuses on a core lineup of year-round classics supplemented by a few specialty brews (5 Favorite Breweries in Burlington, Vermont - New England). That approach hasn’t kept them from innovating – their Polish-style wheat beer “Katie’s Love Poem” won a Gold at the 2022 World Beer Cup (Katie's Love Poem — Switchback Brewing Co.). Switchback’s South End taproom and beer garden on Flynn Avenue offers a laid-back, dog-friendly space to enjoy beers fresh from the source. In 2017, Switchback became Vermont’s first 100% employee-owned brewery (5 Favorite Breweries in Burlington, Vermont - New England), underscoring its local-first ethos. (Website: switchbackvt.com | Facebook: @switchbackbrewing | Instagram: @switchbackbrewing)

Foam Brewers

Located just steps from Waterfront Park on Lake Champlain, Foam Brewers has become a must-visit hub of creativity in Burlington’s brewing scene. Opened in 2016 by a trio of brewers (alumni of Magic Hat and Switchback) (5 Favorite Breweries in Burlington, Vermont - New England), Foam quickly gained a reputation for imaginative, sought-after brews – especially New England–style IPAs and sours (Great Beer Coming to a Head — Foam Brewers in Burlington, Vermont — Good Beer Hunting). The taproom’s atmosphere is hip yet relaxed, often featuring live music and local art with a beautiful lakefront backdrop. Foam’s beer menu is constantly rotating; on any given day you might find hop-forward IPAs, fruit-infused sours, rich stouts, or crisp pilsners. To complement the beer, Foam offers a menu of gourmet snacks – think local Vermont cheeses, charcuterie, and fresh breads (5 Favorite Breweries in Burlington, Vermont - New England). The combination of lake views, music, and flavor makes Foam Brewers a quintessential Burlington hangout. Foam’s quality even earned it a 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist nod for Outstanding Beverage Program (Vermont Chefs, Bakers and Beverage Producers Named James ...) – high praise in the craft world. (Website: foambrewers.com | Facebook: @FoamBrewers | Instagram: @foambrewers)

Zero Gravity Craft Brewery

Zero Gravity Craft Brewery is a Burlington success story that literally grew out of a local restaurant. Founded in 2004 inside the popular American Flatbread restaurant (16 Best Burlington VT Breweries and Bars - Roaming the USA), Zero Gravity built its name on finely-crafted, food-friendly beers. (You can still enjoy a Zero Gravity pint with your flatbread pizza at the original location.) In 2015, Zero Gravity expanded beyond the brewpub and opened a large 30-barrel brewery and beer hall in Burlington’s South End (5 Favorite Breweries in Burlington, Vermont - New England). The airy Pine Street taproom features a beer garden and sometimes food trucks, creating a family-friendly spot to sample their latest offerings. Zero Gravity’s brewing philosophy balances tradition with Vermont flair (16 Best Burlington VT Breweries and Bars - Roaming the USA). Many beers put a modern twist on classic styles – the Green State Lager (a crisp pilsner) and Conehead IPA (a single-hop wheat IPA) are two popular flagships (16 Best Burlington VT Breweries and Bars - Roaming the USA). Zero Gravity was even voted Best Craft Brewery in Vermont in 2023 (Best craft brewery 2023 | Drink - Seven Days), cementing its status among local favorites. Whether you visit the bustling Pine Street beer hall or grab a four-pack of Conehead to go, Zero Gravity delivers a quintessential Vermont craft brewery experience. (Website: zerogravitybeer.com | Facebook: @ZeroGravityBeer | Instagram: @zerogravitybeer)

Burlington Beer Company

Known to locals as “BBCO,” Burlington Beer Company has made waves with its boundary-pushing beer lineup and lively brewpub atmosphere. Founded in 2014, BBCO quickly drew a following for its creative brews – it was even named one of America’s best new breweries in 2016 by Thrillist (5 Favorite Breweries in Burlington, Vermont - New England). In 2022, Burlington Beer Co. opened a 180-seat restaurant taproom in Burlington’s South End – a converted historic warehouse that provides an impressive stage for BBCO’s ever-evolving beer lineup. If variety is what you seek, BBCO delivers in spades. They brew an astonishing range of styles – up to 75 different beers each year (16 Best Burlington VT Breweries and Bars - Roaming the USA) – from hazy IPAs and double IPAs to fruited sours, porters, and barrel-aged rarities. Despite the focus on beer, Burlington Beer Co. also puts serious thought into food. The brewpub’s full kitchen offers an eclectic menu to pair with the beers (16 Best Burlington VT Breweries and Bars - Roaming the USA). (Expect creative twists on pub fare, with global influences.) It’s a popular spot for events like trivia nights and beer yoga, and it’s no surprise BBCO was voted Best Brewpub in Vermont in 2023 (Best brewpub 2023 | Burlington Beer Company | Drink - Seven Days). For a one-stop taste of the Burlington beer scene, BBCO is a top choice. (Website: burlingtonbeercompany.com | Facebook: @BurlingtonBeer | Instagram: @burlingtonbeer)

Other Notable Breweries and Brewpubs

Beyond the spots above, Burlington’s beer lovers can also explore smaller producers and nearby taprooms – from Four Quarters Brewing in Winooski (known for experimental ales) to Queen City Brewery in the South End (traditional German- and English-style beers (16 Best Burlington VT Breweries and Bars - Roaming the USA)), plus the popular Citizen Cider taproom and the city’s original Vermont Pub & Brewery.

Brewery Tours and Final Pour

Brewery bus tours (for example, City Brew Tours) are available if you’d like to sample multiple Burlington breweries with a knowledgeable guide (and no need to drive) (The Burlington Signature Brew Tour - City Brew Tours Burlington). Of course, you can always create your own walking route downtown – several breweries are only a short stroll apart.

In the end, Burlington’s beer scene offers a bit of everything. This roundup of the best breweries in Burlington, VT showcases the passion and diversity that make the Queen City a craft beer destination. Plan a visit and enjoy a taste of Vermont’s brewing excellence.

Sources: