Burlington’s South End has become a destination for Vermont craft beer enthusiasts, with several excellent breweries located within a few blocks of one another. But while Zero Gravity, Switchback and Burlington Beer Company tend to attract plenty of attention, there’s another brewery on Pine Street that deserves a spot on your itinerary.
Queen City Brewery. Local favorite: Queen City Brewery
Located directly across the street from Zero Gravity, Queen City takes a different approach to brewing than many of Vermont’s better-known breweries. Instead of concentrating on hazy, hop-heavy IPAs, the brewery has built its reputation around traditional European beer styles, particularly beautifully balanced lagers.
And in a state where everyone seems to be chasing the next juicy double IPA, I find that refreshing.
The taproom is relaxed, the beer is excellent, and you can order a wood-fired pizza from Pizza 44 next door to enjoy at the bar. Even better, it’s dog-friendly, making it an easy stop when exploring Burlington with your pup.
A Burlington Brewery That Flies Under the Radar
Queen City Brewery opened in 2014 in a renovated warehouse along Pine Street, bringing traditional European brewing styles to Burlington’s growing craft beer scene.
The brewery was founded by longtime friends and homebrewers who shared a passion for classic beer styles, particularly those found in Germany, Belgium and England.
And that influence is evident throughout the beer menu.
While many Vermont breweries have built their reputations around IPAs, Queen City has focused on beers that are often more difficult to find done exceptionally well: lagers, pilsners, English bitters, porters and traditional wheat beers.
The taproom itself has an old-school brewery atmosphere, with exposed brewing equipment, a beautiful mahogany bar and a rotating selection of more than 16 beers.
It’s comfortable and unpretentious, with plenty of regulars and knowledgeable bartenders who are happy to help you navigate the tap list.
I love that Queen City has stayed true to its approach rather than trying to compete with every brewery producing the next heavily hopped IPA.
The Lagers Are the Main Attraction
If you’re visiting Queen City for the first time, I’d start with the lagers.
Brewing a clean, balanced lager requires considerable skill and patience. There aren’t intense hop flavors or adjunct ingredients to hide imperfections, and the fermentation and conditioning process takes time.
Queen City does them particularly well.
The South End Lager is a classic Munich-style helles, with a delicate malt character and a crisp, refreshing finish. It’s one of the beers I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys a traditional European lager.
The Munich Dunkel is another favorite, with a darker color and a rich, nutty malt profile that remains surprisingly drinkable.
You’ll also find beers like Vienna Lager, Schwarzbier and Wolfhand Bavarian Pilsner, which is lagered for more than four months.
I love the variety here. You can work your way through several different lager styles and notice how much flavor can come from relatively simple ingredients.
And if you’re not a lager drinker, don’t worry. Queen City also produces traditional English ales, Belgian-inspired beers, stouts and IPAs.
Order Pizza 44 to Enjoy With Your Beer
One of the best things about visiting Queen City Brewery is having Pizza 44 right next door.
Pizza 44 makes wood-fired pizzas using locally sourced ingredients, and you can order a pie to bring into the brewery while enjoying your beer.
I love this arrangement. Queen City gets to focus on brewing excellent beer, while Pizza 44 handles the food.
And there’s something particularly satisfying about a crisp lager alongside a freshly baked pizza. Pizza 44 offers traditional pies like Margherita and pepperoni, along with more creative combinations featuring Vermont ingredients.
I’d recommend ordering a pizza when you arrive, then settling in at Queen City’s bar while it’s being prepared.
Just remember that the two businesses have separate liquor licenses, so alcoholic beverages can’t be carried between them.
A Dog-Friendly Burlington Brewery
Queen City is also a good option when exploring Burlington with your dog.
The brewery has welcomed well-behaved dogs, and its outdoor beer garden provides additional seating during warmer months.
I love finding breweries where I can bring my pups along, particularly when spending an afternoon exploring Burlington’s South End.
The atmosphere is relaxed, and the brewery’s neighborhood setting makes it an appealing stop for locals as well as visitors.
I’d confirm the current indoor dog policy before visiting, particularly if you’re planning to bring your dog during colder months.
Make Queen City Part of a South End Brewery Tour
One of the biggest advantages of Queen City’s location is how many other Burlington breweries are nearby.
Zero Gravity is directly across Pine Street, making it easy to visit both without moving your car.
Farther south, Switchback Brewing and Burlington Beer Company are located along Flynn Avenue, within a relatively short walk.
Each brewery has a different personality and beer selection, which makes exploring them together particularly entertaining.
Zero Gravity is known for beers like Conehead IPA and Green State Lager, while Switchback has built a loyal following for its flagship amber ale. Burlington Beer Company is particularly popular for its hazy IPAs and larger restaurant-style taproom.
Queen City offers a nice contrast with its traditional European styles.
I’d recommend starting here with a lager, ordering pizza for lunch and then exploring one or two other breweries in the neighborhood.
What to Know Before You Go
- Location
- Queen City Brewery is located at 703-B Pine Street in Burlington’s South End Arts District.
- Hours
- Sunday through Thursday, 1–8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon–9 p.m.
- What to Drink
- South End Lager, Munich Dunkel, Wolfhand Bavarian Pilsner and other rotating traditional beer styles.
- Beer Selection
- More than 16 rotating taps featuring lagers, ales, porters, stouts and seasonal releases.
- Food
- Order wood-fired pizza from neighboring Pizza 44 to enjoy at the brewery. Pizza 44 is closed Mondays.
- Dogs
- Dog-friendly, with outdoor beer garden seating. Confirm current indoor pet policies before visiting.
- Beer to Go
- Selected cans and bottles are available for purchase.
- Parking
- Parking is available around the Pine Street property. Follow posted signs for designated spaces.
- Nearby Breweries
- Zero Gravity, Switchback Brewing and Burlington Beer Company.
- Phone
- 802-540-0280
Queen City Brewery might not have the same name recognition as some of Burlington’s larger breweries, but I think it deserves considerably more attention.
The lagers are beautifully made, the taproom has a comfortable neighborhood atmosphere, and having Pizza 44 next door makes it easy to settle in for an afternoon.
And in a state with so many breweries competing to make the biggest, juiciest IPA, there’s something to be said for a brewery that takes pride in making a really good lager.
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