5 Craft Breweries to Try Near Stowe, Vermont
von Trapp Brewery
Despite its size, the small ski town of Stowe, Vermont has no shortage of places to drink some of the state’s best craft beers — including several taprooms that carry coveted crafts from Hill Farmstead brewery, like local pizza joint, Piecasso. But if it’s a brewery you’re after, here are four breweries and a cidery in and around Stowe that are worth exploring while spending time here.
The Alchemist
Food: no
Kid friendly: yes
Dog friendly: yes
Whenever I mentioned I was on a mission to try all of the breweries in Stowe, locals inevitably asked “have you been to The Alchemist?” By far the most famous brewery in Stowe, The Alchemist is best known for its cult classic, the Heady Topper double IPA, and is a must-visit for any beer nerd or IPA aficionado.
Although The Alchemist doesn’t actually sell pints of beer (it’s more of a beer shop than a bar), each visitor is allowed a generous sample of each of the three beers they have on tap that day. So swing by, grab a few samples, and stock up on as many tall boys as you can handle.
Prohibition Pig
Food: yes
Kid friendly: yes
Dog friendly: no
A 15-minute drive away in neighboring town, Waterbury, Prohibition Pig is probably just as well known for its southern-style smoked meats as it is for its craft brews.
Situated in a pair of old Vermont-style houses on main street — the front building home to a full-service bar and restaurant, the back a brewery with a beer bar and a simple taco-centric food menu — Pro Pig creates a cozy, rustic atmosphere perfect for escaping a cold winter day. On tap, they have a variety of their own brews and guest beers.
If you come here, come hungry, because that pint of New England style IPA deserves a side of poutine.
Idletyme Brewing Company
Food: yes
Kid friendly: yes
Dog friendly: no
Inside Idletyme Brewing Company, the vibe is less drink-among-the-brewing-equipment and more full-fledged bar and restaurant. With both a casual bar and a seated dining area, Idletyme is a family-friendly option for beer lovers who want a pint and a meal.
They’re known for their Bavarian weizens but have a wide variety of beers on tap. And, if you go for the flight, they’ll serve it up to you on an old-fashioned, wooden ski.
von Trapp Brewery and Bierhall
Food: yes
Kid friendly: yes
Dog friendly: no
As we drove up to von Trapp at dusk on a snowy December evening we were instantly transported to the mountains of Austria. Inside the brewery, even more so — which was the intention of the von Trapp family, who originally moved to the States from Austria in the 1940s.
Although the von Trapp family has been welcoming guests to their lodge since 1950, it wasn’t until 2010 that they added a brewery. Unlike the hoppy IPAs dominant in most other New England breweries, von Trapp focuses on clean, crisp lagers and pilsners reminiscent of (you guessed it) Austrian beer. Brewed with the water from a spring on site, all four of their main beers have won awards and — in my non-professional judgement — go down very easy after a day outside.
Stowe Cider
Food: small snacks
Kid friendly: yes
Dog friendly: only on the patio
Technically, brewery number five isn’t a brewery but a cidery, serving 24 varieties of house-brewed ciders (did you even know there could be that many?) on tap.
Located in a no-nonsense warehouse, Stowe Cider’s tasting room is a festive cluster of picnic tables and barrels nestled among towers of cider cans and brewing equipment.
Even if you’re usually not a fan of cider, Stowe Cider has something for everyone — from the ultra-sweet and fruit-forward, to dry, crisp and refreshing. Stop by on a Saturday for live music, and grab a flight — you’ll need one to explore all of their cider options.
