The Best Vermont Beers to Drink in the Green Mountain State

There’s little that beats a good day on the slopes—except, maybe, reminiscing about it later that evening. The best way to do so is with a beverage in hand, and for beer drinkers, few options surpass what’s currently coming out of Vermont. The state has the most breweries per capita in the U.S., and the proof is in the brewing. IPAs still reign supreme in the Green Mountain State, though a few other styles have more than earned ranks.

While only a powder day can really quench what ails, we’ve rounded up the best Vermont beers to kick back and daydream about the season ahead. 

It’s practically a cliche at this point to include Heady Topper in a round-up of Vermont’s best beers. And yet, cliches ring true for a reason. The Alchemist Brewery’s most recognized beer has routinely ranked as one of the best beers in the world.

The 8% double IPA is intended to be more fresh than bitter, and the result is a high ABV beer that’s also highly crushable (drinkers beware). The beer has a smooth, almost creamy mouthfeel, an uncommon phenomenon for such a hop-forward beer that can be attributed to a meticulous brewing process and high-quality ingredients used by The Alchemist.

Heady Topper carries with it a well-balanced mix of grapefruit, orange, and a hint of resin, and any double IPA bitterness—it’s impossible to not have any—is offset by a malty sweetness.

Since its conception in 2004, Heady Topper has been a hot ticket, thanks to early limited supplies, a weed-like, heady aroma (an intentional scent from the brewers) , and, of course, that complicated, even conflating at times taste. Twenty years later, the hype is still justified. 

The IPA market is crowded, yet somehow Zero Gravity’s Conehead IPA remains in a refreshing league of its own. Conehead is brewed with 100% Citra hops, giving the beer its signature tropical fruit flavors. The beer is so popular it has even grown to include a second, delicious IPA, the Conehead Haze.

It’s an approachable profile, intended to carry a smooth, medium-bodied mouthfeel. The aroma of citrus, mango, and pineapple is complemented with floral notes, and the aftertaste of hops is noticeable without trending into bitter.The finish is clean and crisp, and the aftertaste is pleasantly uplifting. Conehead even pours prettily; it’s a hazy, pale golden color with a frothy white head.

If the flavor profile wasn’t enough, Conehead is also highly drinkable due to its 5.7% ABV. In the age of high ABV IPAs and double IPAs, it’s refreshing to find one as sessionable as this. For those looking for a more intense hop presence and higher ABV, consider the Conehead Haze, a bolder version of the original that uses the same Citra hops as a base but then amps up the tropical and citrus notes for a fuller appearance and a richer mouthfeel.

Believe it or not, there are still plenty of beers that aren’t IPAs being brewed in Vermont. A staple in the industry since 2002, Switchback Ale is a heady, unfiltered option that’s withstood the test of time and drink.

At first sniff, Switchback offers up a blend of its caramel malts and hops, a combination that’s rich without overpowering. It’s a medium-bodied mouthfeel that pairs well with hints of citrus and those toasty malts.

In a pint, Switchback looks hazy, and that’s because…it is. It’s an unfiltered ale, which means Switchback Brewing Co. simply skips the filtration process that removes yeast and other particles from the final product. The result is that muddied appearance and a rich, complex flavor profile. The yeast and natural elements of the beer play well with the natural carbonation that creates a complex and overall lively effect. While the unfiltered approach doesn’t suit everyone’s palate, the flavor and mouthfeel add some universality that brings Switchback mainstream.

And only tipping the scales at 5% ABV, Switchback has some range in occasion, making it suitable at the bar after a powder day and alongside a hearty meal. Switchback does well in capturing Vermont’s craft beer culture, giving a local approved and time-tested alternative to the sea of IPAs available.

Technically, this beer is brewed in Connecticut. Hold on, hold on. Lawson’s Finest Liquids is still based in Waitsfield, Vt., and Sip of Sunshine is a Lawson’s classic based on their Double Sunshine IPA recipe. Given the high esteem in which this beer is held, we’re claiming it for Vermont.

While it has strong New England roots, this is the beer of choice for those looking for a break from the northeast constant cloud coverage. In a testament to its name, the IPA pours a bright golden color with a generous white head; it’s crisp, it’s inviting, it’s spring break in a can.

The aroma brings a mix of tropical fruits, citrus, and pine, and at first sip bold flavors emerge of mango, pineapple, and grapefruit. Balancing it out is a somewhat subtle sweetness—that’s the malt—that blends nicely with the hop profile. It’s robust but not overwhelming. The bitterness complements the fruity notes and without one, the other wouldn’t quite land. The finish is crisp and clean, leaving a lingering hint of citrus.

Sip of Sunshine rocks a hefty 8% ABV, which is somewhat shocking given how smooth and medium-bodied the mouthfeel is. Lawson’s craft brewing prowess has basically created sunshine in a can—just drink responsibly so you don’t get burned.

Foam Brewers came on the Vermont craft beer scene in 2016 when they opened their brewery along the shore of Lake Champlain in Burlington. Since then, Foam has set itself apart by emphasizing creativity and community, collaborating with other breweries and artists to produce their lineup of beers and labels. Built to Spill is a testament to Foam Brewers’ innovation.

The double IPA carries an aroma of tropical fruit, citrus, and a hint of pine, all of which combine well with the tasting notes of “citrus, pineapple, tangerine,” per Foam (and per this reviewer). The hops balance nicely, and for a double IPA, there really is no overwhelming bitterness that can sometimes emerge in this style of beer. It’s medium bodied and a smooth drink.

The well-rounded flavor profile can mask the fact that the ABV is 8%—it’s still a double, y’all—there’s none of the heaviness sometimes found in higher-alcohol brews. It’s a beer best savored, not gulped, and the finish is clean and dry.

Topping off the can is some artwork from Jackson Tupper , a Burlington-based artist who’s bold and expressive style adds the finishing touches to a creative beer, start to finish.

Four Quarters Brewing, located in Winooski, Vt., popped up in 2014, right in the midst of the state’s craft brewery boom. Quickly, Four Quarters established itself with an emphasis on sours, stouts, and hoppy beers. They’ve offered everything from pickle-flavored beers to pineapple and jalapeno sour ales, in addition to more traditional pours. A decade later, those beers have become even more dialed in, perfected in their Phaze IPA.

Like the other IPAs included on this list, the Phaze relies heavily on a fruit-forward approach. The aroma is tropical and, upon sipping, a mango, pineapple taste is balanced out evenly with a more subtle malt flavor pairing. While Four Quarters doesn’t go overboard with the hops, they’re certainly there and provide some appreciated kick.

Because the ABV hovers around 6.5%, the Phaze retains its drinkability, especially when compared to the persistently popular DIPA options brewed throughout the state. It’s a good thing drinkers don’t have to cap it early; the mouthfeel is smooth enough to order another and the overall flavor is approachable while still lending some complexity.

And though we’ve singled out the Phaze, the unique selection at Four Quarters is worth a flight at the brewery. 

Clover was a gray cat who originally roamed the Greensboro, Vt. Hill Farmstead property. Clover is also the name of Hill Farmstead’s popular saison, aged in oak barrels and named after the feline in a nod to her “elegance, grace and patience,” per Hill Farmstead. 

It’s not the normal outlook for a brewery, but it’s a creative approach that’s served Hill Farmstead well for decades. Hill Farmstead Brewery was founded in 2010 by Shaun Hill on his family farm which has been in the family for over 220 years. That connection to the land is reflected in the creative brewing practices and philosophies put forward.

So while patience and elegance are tall orders for a beer, Hill Farmstead lives up to its own high expectations. The recipe for Clover blends three other distinct Hill Farmstead barrels of beer—Ann, Art, and Flora—that have been aged for 12 to 22 months. Over years, the ratios of each have been perfected to create a meticulously crafted ale.

Like all of the brewery’s options, Clover is a small-batch, artisanal beer that emphasizes quality, creativity, and tradition. Hill Farmstead uses as many local ingredients as possible, including Farmstead Ale Yeast and Organic Vermont Wheat. A 6.5% ABV and medium mouthfeel give Clover presence, and the time in the barrel lends smoothness and an oaky finish. 

Renoun Skis Reviews team has over a decade of ski design and manufacturing experience, and decades of combined ski-industry experience ranging from certified PSIA ski instructors to shop technicians, racers, and coaches. We also have a deep passion for and love of all things skiing. The team utilizes this experience to provide unparalleled reviews that dive deep to help guide your purchase for just about any ski-related item and help inform you of any ski-focused tips and tricks about maintenance, on-hill performance, and even the best places to enjoy your Après-Ski. Through written and video content, the Renoun Skis Reviews team is here to help inform you on all things ski-related.

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