Burlington Beer Company
25 Omega Dr., Suite 150, Williston, burlingtonbeercompany.com
Creativity fuels the kettle at this airy warehouse brewery, where you might find an oatmeal-cranberry stout aged on red oak or bright IPAs brewed with pea flowers, pawpaw or dragonfruit. Frequent can and bottle releases draw the beer-loving crowds, while daily hours offer a more casual experience, complete with games of Jenga. Hungry? Snack on the pub fare — think grilled sandwiches, tacos and nachos.
Citizen Cider
316 Pine St., Suite 114, Burlington, citizencider.com
This is the spot for getting apple-sauced — responsibly, of course. The lively tasting room offers 10 ciders on draft, plus local beer, spirits and nonalcoholic concoctions.
Colchester’s Mead Hall
856 Hercules Dr., Colchester, colchestersmeadhall.com
Beowulf would feel at home among the craft meads and honey wines that flow through these draft lines. Sample a Scandinavian cheese plate, pickled herring or the Wednesday special: $4 Nordic pulled pork.
Foam Brewers
112 Lake St., Burlington, foambrewers.com
The brews are imaginative, the location — in sight of Lake Champlain — unbeatable. World-class cheese and charcuterie, live music, standup comedy, and local art make it a very happy hour indeed.
Four Quarters Brewing
150 W. Canal St., Winooski, fourquartersbrewing.com
Fancy a Belgian-style beer? Get to this Winooski brewhouse for a tasting. Occasional live bands and vinyl nights provide a solid soundtrack.
The Taproom at Switchback Brewing
160 Flynn Ave., Burlington, switchbackvt.com
Get the inside scoop on Switchback’s unfiltered ales during a Saturday production-area tour, then kick back for a pint or a hot dog in the tasting room.
Zero Gravity Craft Brewery
716 Pine St., Burlington, zerogravitybeer.com
In summertime, sip a sunset brew on a wide, west-facing deck. There are always pints of the flagship Green State Lager and Conehead IPA, but you can also match a seasonal gruit, sour or saison with a handmade pretzel or brat.
This article appears in What’s Good 2017.
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