Burlington has come a long way from the days when finding a great Vermont craft beer meant tracking down a delivery of Heady Topper or knowing which bar had Hill Farmstead on tap.
Today, you can spend an entire afternoon exploring Burlington’s breweries without leaving city limits. And the variety is impressive. Juicy IPAs, crisp lagers, experimental sours and traditional European styles, with plenty of beers that don’t fit neatly into any category.
I’ve been following Vermont’s craft beer scene for years, and Burlington remains one of my favorite places to explore it. I love that the breweries have developed such different personalities. Some have beautiful waterfront views, others are more industrial, and a few are as much about the food and atmosphere as the beer itself.
If you’re planning a Burlington brewery tour, I’d focus on seven stops: Foam Brewers Local favorite: Foam Brewers, Switchback Brewing Local favorite: Switchback Brewing Company, Burlington Beer Company Local favorite: Burlington Beer Company, Zero Gravity Local favorite: Zero Gravity Brewing, Queen City Brewery Local favorite: Queen City Brewery, Mothership Brewing Local favorite: Mothership Brewing and Upper Pass Beer Co. Local favorite: Upper Pass Beer Co
Here’s what makes each one interesting and how I’d plan a day around them.
Foam Brewers: Waterfront Beers With Some of Burlington’s Best Views
If I’m recommending one brewery to someone visiting Burlington for the first time, Foam Brewers is usually near the top of my list.
Located right on Lake Street, across from Waterfront Park, Foam combines excellent craft beer with one of the best brewery locations in Vermont.
The brewery opened in 2016 and quickly developed a following for its hazy IPAs, double IPAs and experimental releases. Its beers often have creative names and artwork, and the tap list changes frequently.
I love sitting outside at Foam during the summer, particularly around sunset when the Adirondacks are silhouetted across Lake Champlain. The patio is a popular gathering spot, and the brewery regularly hosts live music and events.
Foam also offers cheese and charcuterie boards, along with other snacks, but I’d plan on eating a full meal elsewhere if you’re particularly hungry.
What to Try: Look for the rotating IPAs, a pilsner or one of the limited sour releases. The selection changes regularly, and cans and bottles are available to bring home.
Address: 112 Lake Street, Burlington
Switchback Brewing: A Vermont Classic With a New Smokehouse
Switchback has been part of Burlington’s beer scene since 2002, and its flagship Switchback Ale remains one of Vermont’s most recognizable beers.
I’ve always thought Switchback deserves credit for making a balanced, approachable beer that doesn’t rely on extreme hop bitterness or unusually high alcohol content to be interesting.
The brewery is also 100% employee-owned, something that sets it apart in Vermont’s craft beer industry.
Its South End location has grown considerably over the years, and the Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse now serves Southern-inspired barbecue alongside its beer selection.
Think smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs and maple cornbread. There’s also a dog-friendly outdoor patio, and the brewery hosts regular events.
It’s a great option if you want a substantial meal rather than simply sampling a few beers.
What to Try: Start with Switchback Ale, then explore its seasonal releases or nonalcoholic offerings.
Address: 160 Flynn Avenue, Burlington
Burlington Beer Company: Hazy IPAs & a Full Brewery Restaurant
Burlington Beer Company, often called BBCO, has become one of the city’s most popular breweries since opening in 2014.
Originally located in Williston, the brewery moved its public taproom and restaurant to Flynn Avenue in Burlington’s South End.
The space is large and modern, with an expansive bar, several dining areas, a seasonal beer garden and plenty of room for groups.
BBCO is particularly well known for its hazy IPAs, including It’s Complicated Being a Wizard, Little Wizard and Elaborate Metaphor.
But there’s plenty beyond IPAs, including lagers, pale ales and seasonal releases.
The kitchen serves a full menu, with dishes like pretzel bites, burgers, sandwiches and shareable appetizers. It’s one of the breweries I’d recommend if you’re planning to stop for lunch or dinner.
There’s also a casual counter-service taproom with arcade games, which makes it a fun option for groups.
What to Try: It’s Complicated Being a Wizard if you enjoy double IPAs, or Little Wizard for something a little lighter.
Address: 180 Flynn Avenue, Burlington
Zero Gravity: A South End Beer Hall With Great Food
Zero Gravity has been brewing beer in Burlington since 2004 and remains one of the city’s most established craft breweries.
Its Pine Street Beer Hall is a bright, welcoming space with communal seating, a covered outdoor patio and a full kitchen.
I’ve always been a fan of Zero Gravity’s Green State Lager, particularly when I’m in the mood for something crisp and refreshing rather than another IPA.
Conehead IPA is another longtime favorite, and the brewery produces plenty of seasonal and limited releases.
The food menu is substantial, with sandwiches, burgers, wings and vegetarian options. The beer hall even opens in the morning for coffee and waffles, which isn’t something you’ll find at many breweries.
I love that Zero Gravity works just as well for a casual lunch as it does for an afternoon beer.
What to Try: Green State Lager or Conehead IPA. Check the current tap list for rotating releases.
Address: 716 Pine Street, Burlington
Queen City Brewery: Traditional European Beer Styles
If you’re someone who enjoys traditional European beer styles, Queen City Brewery deserves a stop.
Located across Pine Street from Zero Gravity, Queen City opened in 2014 and has developed a following for its lagers, English ales, Belgian-inspired beers and other classic styles.
While Vermont is known for its hazy IPAs, Queen City has taken a different approach, focusing on beers that showcase traditional brewing methods.
The taproom has a relaxed, old-school pub atmosphere, with plenty of seating and a rotating list of more than 16 beers.
I love finding a brewery where I can order a Munich Dunkel, a German pilsner or a Scottish ale instead of another double IPA.
And if you’re hungry, Pizza 44 is located right next door. Grab a wood-fired pizza to enjoy with your beer.
What to Try: South End Lager, Munich Dunkel or one of the rotating European-style ales.
Address: 703-B Pine Street, Burlington
Mothership Brewery: A New Name for a Burlington Original
One of Burlington’s newest brewery names has some of the city’s oldest craft beer roots.
Mothership Brewery officially launched its name in 2026, but the brewery itself has been operating inside American Flatbread Burlington Hearth since 2004.
Originally part of Zero Gravity Craft Brewery, the small brewing operation on St. Paul Street became independent from Zero Gravity in 2022 before adopting the Mothership name.
Today, Mothership focuses on traditional lagers and ales, with a rotating selection of beers inspired by brewing traditions from around the world.
The brewery is located inside American Flatbread, so you can enjoy a freshly brewed beer alongside one of the restaurant’s wood-fired flatbreads.
I think it’s a fun addition to a Burlington brewery itinerary, particularly if you’re spending time downtown rather than exploring the South End.
And I love the history behind it. Burlington’s beer scene has changed considerably over the past two decades, but this little brewery has been part of it from the beginning.
What to Try: Americana, a classic American lager, or Yonder IPA.
Address: 115 St. Paul Street, Burlington
Upper Pass Beer Co.: Burlington’s New North End Brewery
Upper Pass Beer Co. is one of the newest additions to Burlington’s brewery scene, although the brewery itself has been around for more than a decade.
Founded in Tunbridge in 2015, Upper Pass built a loyal following for its hop-forward beers, particularly First Drop American IPA and Cloud Drop Double IPA.
In May 2026, Upper Pass opened a new brewpub in Burlington’s New North End, taking over the former Simple Roots Brewing location in the Ethan Allen Shopping Center on North Avenue.
I love seeing a Vermont brewery with rural roots establish a neighborhood taproom in Burlington, particularly in the New North End, which doesn’t have nearly as many brewery options as the South End.
Upper Pass is known for its IPAs, but the brewery also produces lagers, dark ales, sours and experimental small-batch releases. The Burlington location gives the team room to experiment with beers that may not be widely distributed.
The atmosphere is relaxed and neighborhood-focused, with food offerings, occasional live music and events. It’s a good stop if you’re exploring the northern end of Burlington or spending time near the Lake Champlain waterfront.
What to Try: First Drop IPA, Cloud Drop Double IPA or Cashmere Hoodie, a lower-alcohol pale ale with citrus and berry notes.
Address: 1127 North Avenue, Suite 8, Burlington
How I’d Plan a Burlington Brewery Tour
I’d divide Burlington’s seven breweries into three areas rather than trying to visit all of them in one afternoon.
Start in the South End, where Queen City Brewery and Zero Gravity are almost directly across from each other on Pine Street. Continue toward Flynn Avenue for Switchback and Burlington Beer Company. These four breweries are close enough to explore on foot, with several good options for lunch or dinner.
For downtown Burlington, visit Mothership Brewery inside American Flatbread on St. Paul Street, then head toward the waterfront for a beer at Foam. If the weather cooperates, I’d time Foam for sunset over Lake Champlain.
Finally, head to the New North End for Upper Pass Beer Co. It’s farther from the other breweries, so I’d plan this as a separate stop, particularly if you’re exploring the Burlington Bike Path or nearby beaches.
With seven breweries producing very different styles, there’s plenty to explore without trying to squeeze everything into one day.
What to Know Before You Go
- Best Area for a Brewery Crawl
- Burlington’s South End has the highest concentration of breweries, with Zero Gravity, Queen City, Switchback and Burlington Beer Company all within a relatively short distance of one another.
- Best Brewery for Lake Champlain Views
- Foam Brewers, particularly during warmer months when the outdoor patio is open.
- Best for Traditional Beer Styles
- Queen City Brewery and Mothership both focus on classic brewing traditions alongside rotating releases.
- Best for Food
- Burlington Beer Company, Zero Gravity and Switchback offer substantial menus. Mothership is located inside American Flatbread, making it another good option for a full meal.
- Best for Hazy IPAs
- Foam Brewers and Burlington Beer Company are particularly popular for their hop-forward releases.
- Best for a Neighborhood Taproom
- Upper Pass Beer Co. brings another brewery option to Burlington’s New North End.
- Beer to Go
- Most Burlington breweries offer cans, bottles or other packaged beer for purchase. Selection varies, particularly for limited releases.
- Dogs & Kids
- Policies vary considerably by brewery and seating area. Some allow dogs on outdoor patios, while others restrict pets because of food service. Check individual policies before visiting.
- Parking
- Street parking and brewery parking lots are available throughout the South End. Downtown Burlington has metered parking and public garages.
- Transportation
- If you’re planning to visit several breweries, walk between the South End locations or arrange a designated driver. Don’t attempt to drive between stops after drinking.
- Hours
- Brewery hours vary by day and season, so check each brewery’s website before visiting.
Burlington has one of the most interesting brewery scenes in Vermont, particularly because there’s so much variety within a relatively small city.
I love that you can spend an afternoon drinking traditional European lagers at Queen City, move on to hazy IPAs at Foam and finish with a wood-fired flatbread and a beer at Mothership.
And if you’re visiting Burlington for the first time, I’d recommend building in time to explore the neighborhoods around the breweries, too. The South End’s art studios, waterfront views and independently owned shops are all part of what makes Burlington such a fun place to spend a day.
Which Burlington brewery is your favorite? And is there one you’d add to this list?
The places in this guide, on the map
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Directions to Foam Brewers (opens in a new tab)
Brewery · Burlington, VT
Go for sunset! Enjoy one of Burlington's best breweries with a western view. Walk the Burlington Bike Path before or after.
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Directions to Switchback Brewing Company (opens in a new tab)
Brewery · Burlington, VT
The South End brewery is a great stop for unfiltered beers, a relaxed taproom with live music often and a dog-friendly atmosphere.…
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Directions to Burlington Beer Company (opens in a new tab)
Brewery · Burlington, VT
Go for a casual lunch with friends or a group; the appetizers are good for sharing. Try a variety of beers from…
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Directions to Zero Gravity Brewing (opens in a new tab)
Brewery · Burlington, VT
Zero Gravity isn't just beer... it's also a coffee and waffle bar, and a full restaurant. Make it part of your Pine…
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Directions to Queen City Brewery (opens in a new tab)
Brewery · Burlington, VT
A laid-back brewery for lager lovers... If you get hungry, order takeout from Pizza 44 and eat at the bar. Don't miss…
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Directions to Mothership Brewing (opens in a new tab)
Brewery · Burlington, VT
The brewery may be "new" in name for Burlington but the owners have been making beer in the American Flatbread location since…
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Directions to Upper Pass Beer Co (opens in a new tab)
Brewery · Burlington, VT
Go for a flight! In the summer months, sit outside of with the big garage doors open. The ambiance is an industrial…
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