Looking for a way to cool off this summer? Beat the heat by kicking back with a frosty mug of your favorite brewskie. Whether you’re enjoying one at a BBQ, beer garden or on your backyard patio, it’s a refreshing way to cool down during the warmer months.
Trips along brewery trails are popular during the summer, and one state with a large craft brewing community is Vermont. Known for its world-class skiing and breathtaking fall foliage, Vermont is also home to numerous top-notch breweries, earning it the nickname “Disneyland of Beer.” The Vermont Brewers Trail boasts over 20 breweries where you can take part in daily tours and learn about the beer-making process (and taste a few, of course). If you want the full experience, grab an Official Passport for the Vermont Brewery Challenge, a tour of all the beer-making spots in the state, and rest up at a
Vermont bed and breakfast along the way.
You can sample your favorite ale with lunch at The Vermont Pub & Brewery, the oldest craft brewery in Vermont, or enjoy a tour of the Magic Hat Brewing Co., both located in Burlington, VT. Afterward, head back to the cozy comforts of the historic Willard Street Inn. This Georgian and Queen Anne Revival offers spectacular views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains from each of the 14 guest rooms. Savor breakfast inside the marble-floored solarium where you’ll be treated to a gourmet breakfast made from fresh ingredients grown in the inn’s garden.
Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast, Battleboro, VT
Add another stamp to your Official Passport when you make a pit stop at McNeill’s Pub and Brewery located in Battleboro, VT. But, if you’d rather enjoy your pint of ale without leaving the comforts of your B&B, check out Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast. While not officially part of the Vermont Brewery Challenge, their quaint, on-site pub boasts over 30 local varieties of beer. Take part in craft beer tastings on Saturdays where they serve up a sampling of seven different drafts. Here’s the best part: After throwing back a few cold ones, you’re only a short walk to the inn’s hot tub and fireplace!
Don’t let the heat of summer burn you out. Stay cool with a tour and a taste along the Vermont Brewery Trail and a stay at a B&B. It’s one summer escape you’ll enjoy from “hops” to finish.
Want to see what else Vermont has to offer? Check out our “Vibrant Vermont” Pinterest board.
