Why Stowe Is Vermont’s Brewery Capital
Where the magic happens at Von Trapp Brewing.
In the Green Mountain State, world-class beer, alpine scenery and community spirit pour together.
Lovers of craft beer tend to care about the sources of their suds. They’ll roam in search of fresh brews—from IPAs to barrel-aged sours and everything that bubbles in between. And while brewers work their magic in every corner of the land, one brave little state stakes a claim as the brewery-per-capita capital: Vermont.
Take I-89 and turn up Route 100 North, and you’ll find Stowe sitting at the heart of the movement. This village, known for ski resorts and classic New England aesthetics, weaves beer into the landscape and local spirit in special ways. It’s a place where folks can learn about—and taste—some of the best craft beers in a state with outsized influence on the industry.
Stowe’s breweries authentically embody their personas. The Alchemist, makers of the widely beloved Heady Topper Double IPA, first opened as a brewpub in Waterbury (one town south of Stowe) in 2003. “The goal was to create a community space that was welcoming for everyone,” says co-founder Jen Kimmich. That goal remains a driving force.
As fate had it, the Kimmichs were opening a small production brewery up the hill from the pub in 2011 when the area was hit by a massive flood brought on by Hurricane Irene. The pub was destroyed, but they turned their energy to the production brewery. In 2016, The Alchemist added a larger brewery in Stowe—an airy building in a picturesque field. This facility houses their beer café, where pilgrims can sip hand-pulled Heady Topper alongside other canned releases. It’s a lively hangout, hosting local musicians, bingo nights, and annual events like the Heady Trotter, a four-mile footrace.
The Kimmichs and their team show their commitment to community through sustainability investments. The Alchemist is a certified B-Corp; it uses solar energy, CO₂ recapture, and onsite wastewater treatment. In 2016, they founded the Alchemist Foundation, which provides scholarships to local high-school graduates.
Vermont
Our Vermont field guide is, well, overflowing with intel on the state’s brewing scene, from the dense concentation of brewers and taprooms in Burlington to Northeast Kingdom faves like Whirligig in St. Johnsbury.
Just two miles up Luce Hill Road is von Trapp Brewing. When the von Trapp family (yes, that Sound of Music family) fled Austria during World War II, they eventually settled in Stowe and opened the Trapp Family Lodge in 1950. The family still owns and operates the lodge on a 2,600-acre property, now home to extensive trails for skiing, snowshoeing, and mountain biking—as well as the brewery. While many Vermont breweries are known for IPAs, von Trapp’s flagship beers are European styles such as their Helles lager and Bohemian Pilsner. A natural spring on the property supplies water whose mineral content nearly matches that of Plzeň, Czech Republic, birthplace of the Pilsner. Today the brewery occupies a 30,000-square-foot building with a solar-paneled roof and state-of-the-art equipment. Its bierhall immerses visitors in an alpine European feel, from Austrian-inspired food to mountain views.
Down the hill, Idletyme Brewery boasts an expansive beer garden right next to the Stowe Recreation Path, a 5.3-mile paved trail used year-round for cycling and snowshoeing.
The area also hosts exciting newcomers like Freak Folk Bier, founded by Lillian MacNamara and Ryan Miller and opened in Waterbury in 2022. Freak Folk is known for mixed-culture fermentation and barrel-aged brews, but it also produces standout IPAs and delicate lagers.
For the brewers of Stowe and its surroundings, it’s about the beer—and so much more. Stunning scenery, dedication to community, and passion for their craft prove just as intoxicating for visitors as the divine beverage itself.
WHAT TO KNOW AND WHERE TO GO
Where to Hike: Earn your beer with a hike up Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, and Camel’s Hump, a bald peak with exceptional views. Both are part of the Long Trail, the country’s oldest long-distance footpath, which traverses the length of the state.
The Northeast Kingdom: Approximately an hour’s winding drive from Stowe lies Greensboro, a town in the state’s famed Northeast Kingdom. Visit Hill Farmstead Brewery’s taproom, a legendary magnet for lovers of rare brews, as well as The Willey’s Store, a family-owned country store in business for over 125 years. Drive 10 minutes further to Parker Pie in West Glover, which has a plethora of fresh Hill Farmstead on tap.
Camping: Mountain View Campground in Morrisville offers full hook-up sites and cabins.
Plan ahead: Many of these areas do not get cell service. Even if they do, maybe just pretend that they don’t. Printing out directions in advance is a good idea, especially before venturing to the Northeast Kingdom.
Go for a Paddle: The Waterbury Reservoir has SUP and kayak rentals as well as a small beach. Though the beach area can be crowded in the summer, the reservoir is over six miles long and has over two dozen remote paddle-to campsites.
Visit the Capital: Montpelier, the smallest state capital in the country, is 30 minutes south of Stowe. Be sure to check out the golden-domed capitol building, Bohemian Bakery, and, of course, Three Penny Taproom, one of Vermont’s first craft beer bars, with an enviable draft list and tasty food.
