BEEr, ciDEr, wiNE & SpiritS
BreWeries 14th Star Brewing Co.
41 Lower Newton St., St. albans, 393-1459 n Drop in for tastings and growler fills, or take a tour with the owner, Army veteran Steve Gagner. p
The Alchemist Brewery
35 crossroad, waterbury, 244-7744 n Fans arrive from near and far to score Heady Topper, this brewery’s popular IPA. p
Backacre Beermakers
Long Trail Brewing Company
Junction of routes 4 and 100a, Bridgewater corners, 672-5011 n Skiers, leaf-peepers and locals flock to this brewery for pints and hearty pub food. p
58 Broad St., Lyndonville, 626-9396 n Try Trout River’s unfiltered beers on Friday and Saturday nights, when they toss fresh pizzas to go with them. p
Madison Brewing Co.
144 college St., Burlington, 865-0500 n Vermont’s first brewpub was founded by the late Greg Noonan, a microbrewing legend. The patio is packed on sunny days, and the taps always pour interesting flavors. p
428 main St., Bennington, 442-7397 n Southwest Vermont’s first brewpub keeps ’em coming back with seasonal brews and unfussy fare. p
Magic Hat Brewing Co.
weston, backacrebeermakers.com n This brewery makes one beer only: a sour ale fermented with wild yeasts. It’s sold at a handful of nearby retailers.
5 Bartlett Bay rd., South Burlington, 658-2739 n The inside of this brewery feels like a funhouse, and there’s always whimsical brews on tap for sampling. p
Drop-In Brewing Co.
McNeill’s Brewery
610 route 7, middlebury, 9897414 n Since opening last year, this brewery’s Sunshine and Hoppiness has become a Vermont favorite. p
Fiddlehead Brewing Co.
6305 Shelburne rd., Shelburne, 399-2994 n Beer lovers line up seven days a week for growlers of this brewery’s brews. p
Foley Brothers Brewing 79 Stone mill Dam rd., Brandon, 353-1228 n This microbrewery’s Ginger Wheat beer is brewed with Vermont hops.
Harpoon Brewery
336 ruth carney Dr., windsor, 674-5491 n One of Vermont’s biggest breweries offers tours and a full menu along with its pints. p
Hill Farmstead Brewery
403 hill rd., greensboro Bend, 5337450 n Voted “Best Brewery in the World” in 2013 by the website RateBeer, Shaun Hill’s operation has developed a cult following. You can buy a few of his brews in the retail shop. p
Grateful Hands Brewing
2211 route 2, cabot, 249-4092 n Small-batch dark beers are the name of the game at this microbrewery.
Lawson’s Finest Liquids
warren, lawsonsfinest.com n Sean Lawson brews his sought-after beers deep in the mountains outside of Warren; you can find them at the Warren Store once a week, but they sell out quickly.
Lost Nation Brewing
245 wilkins St., morrisville, 851-0041 n Pilsner, red ale and gose are all part of the oeuvre at Vermont’s newest microbrewery; fill your growler or stay for a pint. p
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Trout River Brewing Company
90 Eliot St., Brattleboro, 254-2553 n This brewpub has been fermenting ales since 1992; you can find them here or in bottles throughout Vermont. p
Northshire Brewery
108 county St., Bennington, 681-0201 n From its robust ales to balanced weisse, this microbrewery has something for all tastes. Tours by appointment only.
Norwich Inn
325 main St., Norwich, 649-1143 n This microbrewery located inside an inn specializes in English-style ales. Try one in the on-site pub. p
Otter Creek Brewing/ Wolaver’s Certified Organic Ales
793 Exchange St., middlebury, 388-0727 n They’re passionate about suds at this microbrewery, and Wolaver’s Oatmeal Stout is an able local alternative to Guinness.
Rock Art Brewery
254 wilkins St., morrisville, 888-9400 n Ridge Runner Barley Wine and the infamous Vermontster are brewed at this Morrisville microbrewery, where you can drop in for tastings. p
Switchback Brewery
160 Flynn ave., Burlington, 651-4114 n In 2012, this brewery made its fans very happy when it began offering its yeasty signature brew in bottles.
Trapp Family Lodge
700 trapp hill rd., Stowe, 253-8512 n Austrian-style lagers take time and care to make, but the brewers here are patient. You can sample their efforts in any of Trapp’s eateries — and at area restaurants, too. p
Vermont Pub & Brewery
Whetstone Station Restaurant & Brewery
36 Bridge St., Brattleboro, 490-2354 n The brewery is supposed to come on line in 2013, but an eclectic selection of craft beers is already on tap. p
Zero Gravity Craft Brewery at American Flatbread
115 St. paul St., Burlington, 861-2999 n One of the perks of eating wood-fired pizza here is sampling the house brews, which are beloved among local hopheads. p
Cideries Champlain Orchards
3597 route 74, Shoreham, 897-2777 n This sustainable orchard makes delicious hard and ice ciders, including the popular Pruner’s Pride.
H Citizen Cider (see p.132) 6D Laurette Dr., Essex Junction, 448-3278 n On Friday nights, this cidery invites the neighbors for music, ciders and camaraderie. p Eden Ice Cider Company
1023 Sanderson hill rd., west charleston, 895-2838 n Eleanor and Albert Leger are Vermont’s first ice-cider makers, and their elegant libations are sold far beyond the state.
Newhall Farm
384 weld cemetery rd., reading, 342-1513 n Though closed to visitors, this hilly farm yields heirloom apples for rich, luscious ice ciders.
Whetstone Ciderworks
marlboro, 254-5306 n The cider maker here sources heirloom apples for polished, dry ciders.
Woodchuck Cider
153 pond Lane, middlebury, 388-0700 n The original Vermont-grown cider now has global reach; this is where it all started.
distilleries Appalachian Gap Distillery
88 mainelli rd., middlebury, 989-7362 n This distillery plans to produce whiskey by late 2013.
Caledonia Spirits
46 Buffalo mountain commons Dr., hardwick, 472-8000 n Honey lends a subtle sweetness to this distillery’s gin and vodka; both have detailed followings among mixologists. p
Dunc’s Mill Artisan Rums
Barnet, 745-9486 n Owner Duncan Holaday designs stills for others, but uses his own on maple- and elderflower-flavored rum.
Flag Hill Farm
135 Ewing rd., vershire. 685-7724 n This farm turns out balanced fruit wines, hard ciders and pomme de vie.
Green Mountain Distillers
192 Thomas Lane, Stowe, 253-0064 n Fancy some local vodka — or perhaps some maple liqueur? This distillery makes ’em both, plus gin; whiskey will follow soon.
Saxton’s River Distillery
940 Saxton’s river rd., Saxton’s river, 659-4903 n The rich Sapling Liqueur was one of the first in the state. For some, it’s still the best.
Shelburne Orchards
216 orchard rd., Shelburne, 985-2753 n Vermonters are eagerly awaiting this orchard’s first batch of apple brandy, due out in 2013.
Smugglers’ Notch Distillery
276 main St., Jeffersonville, 309-3077 n This father-and-son team started with vodka, added a gin and now sells barrel-aged rum, too. Try ’em all in the tasting room. p
Vermont Spirits
route 4, Quechee, 866-998-6352 n They produce crisp, elegant vodkas here: One is made from milk sugars, the other from maple sap. p
WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey
Shoreham, 385-1093 n Rye fans splurge on this smoky whiskey from the Addison County distiller.
7 NightS: thE SEvEN DayS guiDE to vErmoNt rEStauraNtS & BarS | 2013-14 | SEvENDaySvt.com