Vermont has no shortage of incredible craft breweries. In fact, I’d argue that our little state has one of the most impressive beer scenes in the country, particularly when you consider how many exceptional breweries are packed into such a small area.
But with so much attention going to names like Hill Farmstead Local favorite: Hill Farmstead Brewery, The Alchemist Local favorite: The Alchemist Brewery and Lawson’s Finest Liquids Local favorite: Lawson’s Finest Liquids, some of Vermont’s smaller breweries don’t get nearly as much recognition.
Enter Freak Folk Bier Local favorite: Freak Folk Bier in Waterbury.
If you’re a serious craft beer enthusiast, put this small brewery on your list. And if you’re someone who plans brewery visits around trying beers you can’t easily find elsewhere, you’ll be particularly happy here.
Freak Folk specializes in small-batch, mixed-fermentation beers, barrel-aged creations and experimental styles that go well beyond the typical Vermont IPA lineup.
The brewery is small, the beer selection changes frequently, and the experience is deliberately focused on what’s in your glass.
There are a few things to know before visiting, though. No dogs. No kids. Limited food. And if you want to try their beer, you’ll need to make the trip to Waterbury.
A Small Brewery With a Serious Brewing Pedigree
Freak Folk Bier was founded by Lillian MacNamara and Ryan Miller, two experienced brewers who wanted the freedom to experiment with fermentation, blending and styles that weren’t necessarily being produced by larger breweries.
The project began in 2018 at Queen City Brewery in Burlington, where MacNamara worked as head brewer. Their early releases focused on mixed-culture beers, many aged in oak barrels and bottled in limited quantities.
Those first releases quickly developed a following among craft beer enthusiasts. By 2022, Freak Folk had opened its own brewery and taproom on Stowe Street in downtown Waterbury.
And while the brewery has expanded beyond its original barrel-aged offerings, that experimental approach remains central to what they do.
I love seeing brewers take the time to create something different rather than simply chasing whatever beer style happens to be popular that year.
Freak Folk produces IPAs, pale ales, lagers, farmhouse ales, mixed-fermentation beers and barrel-aged releases. Some are relatively approachable, while others are more adventurous.
The brewery has also experimented with ingredients like marigolds, wildflower honey, fruit and botanicals, often incorporating them into beers that spend months aging in oak.
It’s a fascinating approach to brewing, particularly if you’re interested in the process as much as the finished product.
What to Drink at Freak Folk Bier
One of the things I’d recommend when visiting Freak Folk is not arriving with a particular beer in mind.
The tap list changes frequently, and that’s part of the fun.
You might find a crisp German-style lager, a hazy double IPA, a farmhouse saison or a beer that’s spent years developing in oak barrels.
A few releases to look for include:
- Skeleton Key
- A West Coast-style pale ale and a good starting point if you prefer something hop-forward but don’t necessarily want a double IPA.
- Zygote
- A double IPA for those who love Vermont’s hop-heavy beer tradition.
- ‘Til Death Do Us
- A Festbier that offers something different from the brewery’s experimental ales.
- Heaven Torn
- A Munich Dunkel, perfect for anyone who enjoys a darker, malt-forward lager.
- Signet
- One of Freak Folk’s more interesting mixed-culture releases, aged in oak and conditioned on marigolds. It’s a good example of how the brewery incorporates floral ingredients into its beers.
- Joie de Vivre
- A blended mixed-culture beer incorporating barrels aged for one, two and three years. This is the sort of bottle I’d be particularly interested in trying.
And then there’s SLOP, a series of smoothie-style sour beers with flavors that have included strawberry creemee and passion fruit-peach.
The contrast between a traditional German lager and a strawberry creemee sour tells you quite a bit about Freak Folk’s range.
I’d ask the bartender what’s new, what’s drinking particularly well and which releases are unlikely to be around for long.
An Intimate Taproom in Downtown Waterbury
Freak Folk’s taproom is located at 28 Stowe Street, right in downtown Waterbury.
It’s a small space, originally opening with approximately 21 seats, and the atmosphere is considerably more intimate than the large destination breweries many people associate with Vermont.
You won’t find a sprawling beer garden, elaborate food menu or an afternoon of organized family activities.
The focus is on the beer.
And I think there’s room for more breweries like that in Vermont.
I love a good brewery with outdoor seating, live music and food trucks, but sometimes I want to sit at a bar, talk about beer and try something I haven’t had before.
Freak Folk is designed for that experience.
Its downtown location is another advantage. You’re within walking distance of some of Waterbury’s best restaurants, including Blackback Pub, Prohibition Pig and The Reservoir.
So you can enjoy a few carefully chosen beers at Freak Folk and head somewhere else for dinner.
No Kids, No Dogs & Limited Food
There are a few important things to know before planning a visit.
First, Freak Folk is strictly 21 and over. That means no children, including infants.
Second, dogs and other pets aren’t permitted. The brewery is explicit about both policies, with no exceptions.
I know that’s going to rule out a visit for some families and dog owners, particularly in Vermont, where many breweries have become popular places to bring the whole family.
But Freak Folk has chosen to maintain an adults-only taproom focused on beer tasting and conversation.
Food is also limited, so I wouldn’t plan on making Freak Folk your lunch or dinner destination. Eat beforehand or take advantage of the excellent restaurants within walking distance.
If you’re visiting Waterbury specifically for Freak Folk, I’d plan a little time to explore downtown while you’re there.
Want Freak Folk Beer? Visit the Brewery.
Another reason Freak Folk has developed such a dedicated following is that its beer isn’t widely distributed.
Unlike Vermont breweries whose cans you’ll find in grocery stores throughout New England, Freak Folk primarily sells its beer directly through the Waterbury taproom.
That means if you want to try a particular release, your best bet is to visit in person.
There are limited cans and bottles available to purchase for home, including barrel-aged mixed-culture beers and selected IPAs.
The brewery also offers draught beer to go in 750-milliliter swing-top bottles for certain releases. You can bring your own clean swing-top bottle or purchase one at the brewery.
Availability changes frequently, and some beers are produced in very small quantities.
I’d check the current retail list before visiting, particularly if you’re hoping to bring home something specific.
And if you see a bottle you’re interested in, I’d pick it up while you’re there rather than assuming it’ll still be available on your next visit.
Make Freak Folk Part of a Waterbury Beer Afternoon
Waterbury has become one of Vermont’s strongest craft beer destinations, and you could easily spend an afternoon exploring its breweries and beer bars.
Blackback Pub is one of my favorite places in town for a diverse tap list, particularly if you’re hungry for its bacon and blue cheese pub nachos.
Prohibition Pig is another popular option for house-brewed beer and a substantial meal, while The Reservoir has long been part of Waterbury’s craft beer scene.
But Freak Folk offers something different.
It’s smaller, more focused and particularly appealing to people who enjoy seeking out limited releases and less conventional beer styles.
If you’re visiting Stowe or traveling through the Mad River Valley, I’d make time for a stop in downtown Waterbury.
Just arrange a designated driver if you’re planning to sample more than one brewery.
What to Know Before You Go
- Location
- Freak Folk Bier is located at 28 Stowe Street in downtown Waterbury, Vermont.
- Hours
- Wednesday through Sunday, 2–8 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Check for holiday or special-event changes.
- Age Restriction
- Strictly 21 and older. No children or infants.
- Dogs
- No dogs or other pets permitted, with no exceptions.
- Food
- Very limited food options. Plan to eat before or after visiting.
- Beer Selection
- Rotating draft beers, including IPAs, lagers, farmhouse ales, mixed-culture beers and barrel-aged releases.
- Beer to Go
- Selected cans and bottles are available at the taproom. Draught fills are offered for certain beers in 750-milliliter swing-top bottles.
- Distribution
- Freak Folk beer is primarily available directly from the brewery rather than through regular retail distribution.
- Parking
- Downtown Waterbury has public parking and street parking within walking distance.
- Nearby Restaurants
- Blackback Pub, Prohibition Pig, The Reservoir and other downtown Waterbury restaurants.
- Phone
- 802-560-7170
If you’re someone who plans trips around visiting breweries, Freak Folk Bier deserves a spot on your Vermont beer itinerary.
I love that Vermont’s beer scene continues to have room for small producers willing to experiment, particularly when the results are beers you aren’t going to find on every restaurant tap list.
And with Freak Folk, visiting the brewery is part of getting to experience what they’re making.
For serious craft beer enthusiasts, that’s a pretty good reason to head to Waterbury.
The places in this guide, on the map
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Directions to Hill Farmstead Brewery (opens in a new tab)
Brewery · Greensboro, VT
Get a bottle of a barrel-aged stout to enjoy on site... and cans to go! Bring a cooler.
- Directions to The Alchemist Brewery (opens in a new tab)
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Directions to Lawson’s Finest Liquids (opens in a new tab)
Brewery · Waitsfield, VT
Order a beer and settle in for the afternoon; the Waitsfield taproom is a destination of its own.
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Directions to Freak Folk Bier (opens in a new tab)
Brewery · Waterbury, VT
Don't expect to bring your kids, dogs, or take a lot of beer home with you. The selection of beer and food…
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