In Vermont, we drink beer in the winter to fight the short days, the massive snow falls, and the seemingly never-ending cold. In the summer, however, we drink Vermont beers in celebration of lightness and warmth, of fresh fruit grown locally, of the sweet smell of mowed grass, of relaxing days on Lake Champlain, and colorful sunsets from Vermont mountain tops. From the backyard barbecue to hiking adventures in Vermont’s great outdoors to dips in watering holes and leisurely days simply lounging outside, the Vermont summer is a great excuse to try a new Vermont craft beer. Step away from the classic NEIPA and take a walk on the wild side… Get your hands on these 15 Vermont beers to drink this summer (if you can)…. From wit biers and fruited Vermont beers to shandys, sessions and pilsners, these are my recommendations for easy-drinking summer beers brewed in Vermont.

What beers are your go-to beers for summer drinking? Share in the comments below! (And remember, also drink responsibly and recycle those cans!) 

15 Vermont Beers to Drink This Summer

15. Ella – Otter Creek Brewing, Middlebury, Vermont

Ella, the hoppy lager from Otter Creek, is one of few Vermont beers to use ella hops. With hints of grapefruit and melon, the year-round brew is 5.2%ABV and 35 IBU – easy-to-drink yet with a hit of hop for the IPA enthusiasts.

14. Super Session #8 – Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, Vermont

When I think of a low-octane, boat beer or beer to throw in your pack for a jaunt up the mountain, Super Session is it. Lawson’s Super Session #8 is the ideal session beer, perfectly hoppy and crushable for your mid-day summer adventures.

13. 6 Holes in My Freezer – Drop In Brewing Company, Middlebury, Vermont

Drop-In’s 6 Holes in My Freezer is a key-lime beer, brewed with key lime, marshmallows, and Honey graham crackers. The lime-forward, creamy beer is dessert in a glass, while refreshing at the same time and not overly sweet or sour.

12. Danube, Idletyme Brewing, Stowe, Vermont

Idletyme’s blueberry Hefeweizen dubbed Danube, a Bavarian wheat, comes in at 5.5% and has the coriander and orange of a witbier blended with the subtleness of the blueberries for a refreshing fruited summer beer.

11. Bob White, Zero Gravity Brewing, Burlington, Vermont

Bob White from Zero Gravity is a classic Belgian Wit, spiced with coriander and orange peel, in a 5%ABV day drinker that’s everything you want in a locally produced Belgian beer.

10. Labor of Love – Simple Roots Brewing, Burlington, Vermont

A Kettle Sour Saison, Labor of Love from Simple Roots emits summer with its vibrant pink color and taste oozing of raspberries and lemon in a perfectly tart, kettle sour pour.

9. S’mores Stout – Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, Vermont

What could be more quintessential Vermont summer than the s’more? Four Quarters delivers in a big way with this robust, creamy mouth feel of a beer, made with marshmallows, graham crackers, and milk chocolate. Get the camp fire ready for this beauty. Who says stouts aren’t summery?

8. Kölsch – von Trapp Brewery, Stowe, Vermont

All of the German-inspired beers from von Trapp Brewery are made for summer day drinking, including the summer-session Kölsch. With so few Vermont breweries—and craft breweries at large—overlooking the pilsner, helles, and lager, I will be filling my cooler with von Trapp’s beer this summer for the ultimate refreshing craft beer.

7. Strawberry Whale Cake – Burlington Beer Company, Williston, Vermont

For an easy-drinking cream ale with a hints of pound cake and strawberries, grab Strawberry Whale Cake from Burlington Beer Company for a beer that embodies the flavor of strawberry-shortcake.

6. Dance Yrself Clean – Foam Brewers, Burlington, Vermont

Mojito- and piña colada-inspired fruit sour with lactose is conditioned on pineapple, coconut, and lime Dance Yrself Clean from Foam Brewers is a cocktail-inspired beer, packed with mint and pineapple. Lake days anyone?

5. Brother Soigné – Grassroots Brewing, Hill Farmstead, Greensboro, Vermont

I have many fond summer memories enjoying Hill Farmstead’s farmstead ale brewed blood orange, lime and hibiscus. The blush beer is tart and refreshing with a zingy dose of citrus from the lime and blood orange.

4. Fizzy – Good Measure Brewing, Northfield, Vermont

A collaboration with Noah’s Fizzy Lemonade out of Waitsfield, Good Measure’s Fizzy is a 2.4% ABV Shandy, a light sipper to help you last through a summer day of drinking. Look for it the weekend before July 4th.

3. Super Unison, Foam Brewers, Burlington, Vermont

This tart and floral sour, brewed on pink Himalayan sea salt with lime zest and hibiscus, is the perfect gose-style beer for summer drinking. Light and citrusy, Super Unison is a go-to for summer drinkers tip-toeing into the sour game.

2. Marie – Hill Farmstead, Greensboro, Vermont

Hill Farmstead’s Marie, a Munich Helles lager, is the perfect antidote to a hot Vermont summer day. Coming in at 5% ABV, Marie is a soft and refreshing easy drinker for your summer day drinking adventures.

1. Sundog Millionaire – Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski, Vermont

There’s no denying that Sundog Millionaire will be the highlight of your summer. The flavor-packed DIPA, brewed with toasted coconut and pineapple, has summer written all over it – complete with a hint of summer glimmer, courtesy of (edible) glitter. It’s hoppy with a hint of sweet and looks stunning in a glass.

(P.S. Now, you might think the glitter trend that’s popping up here and there in the craft beer is over-the-top, gimmicky or a downright bad idea, but in our world where we can use a bit more sparkle and positivity, I’ll be proudly sipping on the beauty that is Sundog Millionaire. #dontjudgeabookbyitscover)

What Vermont beers are your go-to beers for summer drinking? Share in the comments below! (And remember, also drink responsibly and recycle those cans!)