25 Best Vermont Beers to Drink in 2026

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Heady Topper delivers a compact, aromatic rush of orange, grapefruit, tropical fruit, and dank hop character without losing its soft malt support. The bitterness stays firm, but the texture keeps the eight-percent strength remarkably controlled.

Drink it fresh and, as the can famously suggests, try it straight from the package before pouring. Sharp cheddar, spicy fried chicken, or a loaded burger all stand up to its concentrated hop flavor.

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Focal Banger narrows the spotlight to Citra and Mosaic, producing layered grapefruit, pineapple, berry, and resin over a restrained malt base. Its drier profile makes the hop definition feel especially bright and direct.

Serve it very fresh in a clean IPA glass, ideally around 45°F, with fish tacos, curry, or peppery pizza. The beer has enough bitterness to reset the palate without burying the food.

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Anna layers wildflower honey over lemon, pear, white pepper, and soft grain, then finishes dry enough to stay refreshing. Its fermentation character is expressive without turning rusticity into harshness or excessive acidity.

A tulip glass and a cool, not icy, serving temperature reveal the beer’s aroma and lively carbonation. Pair it with chèvre, roast chicken, or a simple plate of Vermont cheese and apples.

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Sip of Sunshine is saturated with pineapple, grapefruit, ripe citrus, and bright floral aroma, supported by enough malt to keep the hops expansive rather than abrasive. Its eight-percent strength arrives smoothly but should not be underestimated.

Keep every can cold and check the package date, because the freshest examples show the greatest aromatic lift. Spicy noodles, grilled pork, and aged cheddar match its fruit intensity and firm finish.

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Built to Spill pours hazy and full-bodied, with ripe mango, orange pulp, melon, and a light pine edge. The hop load is generous, yet the finish avoids the sugary heaviness that can flatten bigger hazy IPAs.

Pour carefully into a tulip and leave any sediment behind if you prefer a cleaner texture. Buffalo wings, blue cheese, or a salty smash burger provide enough intensity to meet the beer.

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Arthur combines lemon peel, hay, pepper, and a light mineral impression in a body that feels both delicate and persistent. Bottle conditioning supplies lively carbonation while the finish remains dry and appetite-building.

Use a stemmed glass and allow the beer to warm slightly as you drink; the fermentation details become clearer. Roast chicken, mussels, washed-rind cheese, and herb-driven dishes are natural partners.

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Fiddlehead IPA brings orange, grapefruit, pine, and tropical fruit over a clean malt frame. It is less plush than many Vermont hazies, giving the beer a crisp finish and broad food-friendly appeal.

Fresh cans work well with pizza, grilled sausages, or sharp cheddar, and a standard nonic pint suits the beer’s straightforward character. Serve cool enough for refreshment but not so cold that aroma disappears.

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Second Fiddle expands the brewery’s hop profile with mango, orange, evergreen resin, and a modest warming note. The malt base gives the double IPA structure while a dry close prevents the strength from becoming sticky.

Share a fresh can or pour it into a tulip alongside barbecue, spicy wings, or an assertive blue cheese. Its bitterness and alcohol are best appreciated slowly rather than treated like a session beer.

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Double Sunshine packs peach, pineapple, grapefruit, and dank herbal aroma into a strong but polished double IPA. Its fruit-forward center is vivid, while a measured bitterness keeps the finish from feeling soft or vague.

Seek the freshest limited-release cans and keep them refrigerated until serving. A tulip highlights the aroma, and spicy curry, grilled pork, or mature cheddar can match the beer’s concentrated flavor.

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Switchback Ale leads with toasted bread, caramel, and a gentle fruity fermentation note, followed by enough hops to keep the malt lively. Its unfiltered body adds texture without making the beer feel heavy.

A nonic pint and a cool serving temperature suit this everyday amber. Pair it with burgers, roast chicken, cheddar, or a pub sandwich, where its malt depth complements browning and savory flavors.

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Lush presents orange, mango, tropical fruit, and soft pine in a rounded, hazy body. Despite the name, its finish retains enough bitterness and structure to keep the double IPA from becoming merely sweet.

Freshness matters, so buy cold and drink promptly from a clean tulip or IPA glass. Pair it with spicy fried chicken, tacos, or pungent cheese to balance its aromatic fruit and strength.

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Flora Blueberry treats fruit as structure rather than syrup, combining blueberry skin, lemon, gentle oak, and earthy fermentation. The beer’s acidity stays measured, supporting a vinous finish instead of overwhelming it.

Serve it in a wine glass near cellar temperature and give the bottle a moment to open. Fresh goat cheese, duck, berry tart, or a restrained charcuterie plate will respect its nuance.

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Vienna Lager emphasizes toasted bread, light caramel, and a subtle nutty malt impression, then closes with clean lager fermentation and gentle hop balance. The result is flavorful enough for attention yet easy to repeat.

Serve it in a mug or lager glass with bratwurst, roast pork, pretzels, or alpine cheese. A properly cold but not frozen pour lets the layered malt character remain crisp and distinct.

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Little Sip carries grapefruit, pineapple, and bright floral aroma in a softer six-percent frame. It is fruit-forward and juicy, but the finish stays composed enough to make the beer more versatile than many bigger hazies.

Keep it cold from store to glass and drink it fresh. Fish tacos, citrusy salads, grilled chicken, and moderately spicy food all benefit from its aromatic hops and clean, palate-refreshing close.

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Lost Nation Gose balances lemony acidity, soft wheat, coriander, and a light saline snap without pushing any element too far. Its modest strength and dry finish make the beer unusually refreshing and table-friendly.

A stemmed glass preserves its lively carbonation, while oysters, chèvre, ceviche, or a simple summer salad echo the beer’s brightness. Serve cold, then let a few degrees of warmth reveal the spice.

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Schwarz brings cocoa, toasted bread, and a restrained roast note to a smooth lager body. It looks substantial in the glass, yet clean fermentation and a crisp finish keep it far lighter than stout.

Serve it in a mug with smoked sausage, roast pork, mushrooms, or dark bread. The beer’s gentle roast supports charred flavors while its lager crispness clears the palate between bites.

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Elaborate Metaphor combines Citra and Amarillo hops with barley, oats, and wheat, producing citrus zest, passionfruit, melon, and wildflower aroma. The pale-ale strength keeps its soft body energetic rather than dense.

Pour a fresh can into an IPA glass and serve with tacos, fried fish, or a sharp Vermont cheddar. Its gentle bitterness and bright fruit work especially well when the food carries salt and crunch.

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Hop Wired layers juicy citrus and tropical fruit over a soft, hazy body, but it avoids a flat or sugary close. A crisp finishing edge gives the beer shape and makes each sip feel refreshed.

Drink it fresh from a cold-stored can in a clean tulip or IPA glass. Pair it with spicy noodles, grilled shrimp, or pepper jack cheese, which can meet both its fruit and bitterness.

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Scrag Mountain Pils draws attention to soft local water, pale malt, and floral-spicy hops rather than sheer intensity. Fresh bread and a light mineral impression lead into a crisp, neatly bitter finish.

Serve it cold in a tall pilsner glass with pretzels, fried fish, schnitzel, or grilled vegetables. The beer’s carbonation and bitterness make it an excellent reset between rich or salty bites.

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von Trapp Oktoberfest layers biscuit, toasted malt, and light caramel in an amber lager that remains clean and composed. Moderate hopping keeps the sweetness controlled and leaves a satisfying, balanced finish.

A handled mug is the natural choice, especially beside bratwurst, roast chicken, pretzels, or alpine cheese. Serve it cold but allow the first pour to warm slightly so the malt can expand.

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Little Wizard offers citrus and tropical fruit over a soft grain base at a measured six-percent strength. The body feels plush without becoming syrupy, and a modest bitter edge keeps the finish organized.

Fresh cans belong in an IPA glass with pizza, spicy tacos, or fried chicken. Its moderate strength makes it easier to pair across a meal than the brewery’s larger double-IPA offerings.

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It’s Complicated Being a Wizard pushes tropical fruit and citrus into a dense eight-percent frame, with soft malt and a rounded hazy texture. The beer is generous, but enough bitterness remains to preserve momentum.

Serve a fresh can in a tulip and consider sharing it, particularly alongside hot wings, curry, or an assertive cheese. The strong aroma shows best before the beer warms too far.

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Lighthouse centers pale grain, floral hops, and a light citrus lift in a clean lager body. The finish is crisp and dry, offering a useful counterpoint to the brewery’s many fruit-forward hazy ales.

Pour it into a narrow pilsner glass and serve with fried seafood, roast chicken, salty snacks, or mild cheese. Its carbonation and neat bitterness make it especially effective as a food beer.

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Uncanny Valley brings ripe citrus and tropical fruit to a seven-percent hazy IPA frame, supported by soft wheat and a rounded mouthfeel. It feels substantial while stopping short of double-IPA weight.

Keep the can cold and pour it fresh into an IPA glass with a little room for aroma. Spicy pizza, fried chicken, or sharp cheddar will balance its fruit-forward center and strength.

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Mad River Maple folds Vermont maple character into toasted malt, caramel, and a warming ale body. The maple reads as depth and aroma rather than pancake-syrup sweetness, preserving a balanced, beer-first finish.

Serve it in a tulip near cellar temperature with roast pork, aged cheddar, bread pudding, or a maple-glazed dish. A slower pour gives the malt and maple layers time to separate.