Local Brewer Dan Tomaino’s Guide to Vermont
The tiny state of Vermont has a big reputation in the beer department. Vermont claims more breweries per capita than any other US state, its taprooms ranging from teensy Bent Hill Brewery in rural Braintree to the cavernous taproom at Long Trail Brewing Company in Bridgewater Corners. Tasting beers in-state showcases the scene’s impressive diversity.
“[In Vermont] anything you could imagine has been made into beer,” says Dan Tomaino, who for 16 years has been a brewer at Burlington’s employee-owned Switchback Brewing Co. Tomaino oversees Switchback’s cask program and also loves to play with quirky ingredients, from fresh raspberries to cacao nibs.
When visiting nearby breweries or browsing the stalls at the annual Vermont Brewers Festival in Burlington’s Waterfront Park, Tomaino looks for creative takes on the pilsners, smoked beers, and porters he favors. “Whatever you want, you can find,” Tomaino said. “It’s a smorgasbord of stuff to try.” Thirsty? These are Tomaino’s tips for trying the state’s brews, along with other things to do on a trip to Vermont.
Sample the best beers in Vermont
The state's signature style is not to be missed.
Vermont’s most iconic brews are the hazy IPAs—sometimes called New England IPAs, East Coast IPAs, or Vermont IPAs—that have been in vogue here for more than a decade. They’re aromatic and hoppy but don’t have the bitter bite seen in their West Coast counterparts. Perhaps the most sought-after example is Heady Topper by The Alchemist, a canned IPA that is made in Stowe, comes in 4-packs, and is partly famous for being hard to find. (Hint: it’s not actually that hard to find these days.) Another classic example of this style is Built to Spill, an American Double IPA made at Burlington’s lakefront Foam Brewers.
What to eat in Vermont
Beyond the beer, there are lots of traditional dishes to try in Vermont.
Craft beer is just one of this state’s famous culinary offerings. Other must-try treats include maple syrup, aged cheddar, and the ubiquitous summertime soft serve ice cream locals call “creemees.” While maple syrup is only made in March and April, some producers stay open year-round so visitors can see what it takes to turn tree sap into sweet syrup. Top sugarhouses include Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks in Montpelier and Palmer’s Sugarhouse in Shelburne.
The restaurant scene in Burlington—Vermont's most populous city—is also not to be missed. “There’s a lot to really fill up your palate if you’re a foodie,” Tomaino says. “I’m huge into Mediterranean food, so my favorite restaurant is Honey Road.” This small-plates eatery in downtown Burlington is a local darling but has also begun to draw national attention (it’s a 4-time James Beard Awards finalist). For diner-style foods, Tomaino recommends another Burlington mainstay, Al’s French Frys, which snagged its own James Beard Award when the organization designated it one of America’s Classics in 2010.
Where to stay in Vermont
Make Burlington, Vermont your base for a beer-focused trip
According to Tomaino, hop heads should make Burlington their home base. “If you’re staying in Burlington, you could spend an entire day just walking up and down Pine Street and trying different beers and ciders,” he says, noting that Pine Street’s Zero Gravity Craft Brewery is one of his favorites stops for classic beers brewed true to style. From there, it’s a 15-minute stroll to Switchback Brewing, where Tomaino works—he loves sipping their easy-drinking Karsten Premium Lager. On the north end of town, Tomaino says Simple Roots Brewing is a must-try destination. The hole-in-the-wall taproom in a shopping plaza might be easy to overlook, but as a fan of sour beers, Tomaino appreciates their tart, refreshing brews.
What to see and do in Vermont
The state has charming towns and the great outdoors to offer visitors.
Explore by bike
“A lot of the great things about the state come from our natural environment, how beautiful it is,” Tomaino says, adding that there are plenty of ways visitors can get outside without even having to leave the city (or get in a car at all). The Burlington Greenway bike path along the city’s scenic waterfront is a great spot to pedal for miles along the shoreline. In the summer months, Tomaino uses the bike path to access lakeside beaches, including Oakledge and North Beach Park.
Check out the town center
Another favorite destination is the pedestrian-only Church Street Marketplace, which boasts lots of local restaurants, shops, and galleries. “We have a great music scene here, and if you go to Church Street, there’s always something worth listening to,” Tomaino says. Fans of the jam band Phish should check out the events calendar at Nectar’s, the laid-back bar where the group played some of their first shows in the late 1980s.
Venture into the mountains
To really experience Vermont’s rural character, take some time to explore less-populated areas of the state. Start by heading into the Green Mountains and visiting Stowe, a resort town where seasonal activities include skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, mountain biking, and browsing the historic village’s boutiques. The town also boasts its own worthy beer destinations; Tomaino recommends a visit to the Alchemist and a stop at Stowe’s Austrian-inspired von Trapp Brewing for crisp lagers and pilsners.
From there, drive Scenic Route 100 through a narrow mountain pass near Smugglers’ Notch Resort—one of the state’s most family-friendly ski resorts—and head to tiny Greensboro. There, hidden down a dirt road, you’ll find Hill Farmstead Brewery, which won Best Brewery in the World six years running in the annual RateBeer Best Awards. Visiting the brewery offers a great opportunity to try brews you can’t find anywhere else. Don’t miss their Edward, an American pale ale that’s beloved locally. Non-beer activities in the area include cross-country skiing at Craftsbury Outdoor Center, summertime performances at Bread and Puppet Theater, and the quirky Museum of Everyday Life.
