Vermont makes exceptional beer. It makes more exceptional beer per capita than almost anywhere in the country — the state has one of the highest craft brewery densities in the nation, and the quality is consistently high across the board. Alchemist, Hill Farmstead, Lawson’s Finest, Fiddlehead, Zero Gravity, von Trapp, Foam, Citizen Cider — these names circulate in serious beer conversations far beyond New England.
For two days every July, the majority of Vermont’s craft breweries gather on the Burlington waterfront for the Vermont Brewers Festival — the state’s largest and most anticipated beer event, running since 1994. If you have any interest in craft beer, and you’re in Vermont in mid-July, this is not optional.
What It Is
The festival runs Saturday and Sunday on the Burlington waterfront, typically the third weekend of July. Two tasting sessions per day: afternoon (noon to 4 p.m.) and evening (6 to 9 p.m.). Each session is ticketed and capacity-limited, which keeps the experience manageable — crowded, but not overwhelming.
Admission includes a souvenir tasting glass and a set number of tasting tokens. Additional tokens are available for purchase. The pour sizes are small — this is a tasting event, not a volume event — and the idea is to work through a range of breweries rather than settle into one.
Breweries: 50+ Vermont craft breweries, cideries, and select out-of-state guests. This includes heavy hitters (Alchemist usually pours here), mid-size regional favorites, and smaller producers you may have never heard of who turn out to be highlights.
The venue: The waterfront lawn between the ECHO Center and the ferry terminal, with Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains as the backdrop. On a clear July evening, during the 6–9 p.m. session, this is as good as outdoor events get.
How to Approach It
A few strategies that make the experience better:
Go to the evening session. The Saturday evening session, 6–9 p.m., is the best version of the festival — light quality on the lake is extraordinary, temperatures are cooler, and the energy of the crowd is different than the afternoon. It’s also the most in-demand session; buy tickets early.
Have a plan but stay flexible. The festival publishes a brewery list in advance. Identify five or six you genuinely want to prioritize, hit those first, then let the rest of the session be exploratory. The best discoveries often happen at booths you weren’t expecting.
Eat before you arrive. Food vendors are present but lines are long. A proper meal before the session means you can focus on tasting rather than managing hunger and lines simultaneously.
Stay in Burlington overnight. The Saturday evening session ends at 9 p.m., which is the right time to transition to Burlington’s bar and restaurant scene rather than drive 90 minutes back to the Upper Valley. Hotel Vermont, The Courtyard, and a range of well-reviewed rentals make this easy.
Getting There from the Upper Valley
From Woodstock or Quechee, I-89 North runs directly to Burlington — 90 minutes without traffic. On festival weekends, expect some additional time on the Burlington approaches. The waterfront venue has limited adjacent parking; garages on Cherry Street and St. Paul Street are the most practical options, with a ten-minute walk to the venue.
Burlington is worth a full day or overnight beyond the festival itself. Arrive Saturday morning, spend the afternoon on Church Street or kayaking on the lake, attend the evening festival session, stay over, and take Sunday to explore at a slower pace.
Notable Vermont Breweries to Know
If you’re new to Vermont beer, a primer on who to look for:
The Alchemist (Stowe) — Famous for Heady Topper, arguably the beer that started the Vermont IPA conversation. Not always at festivals, but when they pour, the lines form fast.
Hill Farmstead (Greensboro Bend) — Considered by many beer professionals to be among the world’s best breweries. Their saisons and IPAs are benchmark examples of the styles.
Lawson’s Finest Liquids (Warren) — Sip of Sunshine and Super Session are two of the most sought-after IPAs in New England.
Fiddlehead Brewing (Shelburne) — Consistently excellent, more approachable to find than some of the above, with a rotating lineup that rewards attention.
Foam Brewers (Burlington) — The best brewery in Burlington proper, with an adventurous tap list and a great waterfront location.
Zero Gravity Craft Brewery (Burlington) — More food-forward, excellent lagers and session beers alongside bigger offerings.
Planning Details
- Dates: Third weekend of July (check vtbrewfest.com for exact 2025 dates)
- Sessions: Saturday and Sunday, afternoon (noon–4 p.m.) and evening (6–9 p.m.)
- Tickets: $55–70 per session; purchase well in advance
- Venue: Burlington Waterfront, between the ECHO Center and the ferry terminal
- Drive from Woodstock: ~90 minutes via I-89 North
- Recommended: Saturday evening session + Burlington overnight
Vermont’s craft beer scene is one of the legitimate reasons to visit this state. The Brewers Festival is the single best way to understand the full breadth of it in two hours.