John and Jen Kimmich founded The Alchemist in 2003; the Heady Topper IPA from this Stowe brewery (35 miles from Burlington) sparked the entire haze-IPA.
Tip: Same-day Heady-Topper four-packs sell out by midday on weekends; arrive at open.
Johannes von Trapp opened the brewery at the Trapp Family Lodge in 2010; the Bierhall opened 2016, a mile from the lodge, serving Austrian-style food.
Tip: Bierhall is dog-friendly outside; lodge dining rooms separate.
Stowe Cider's Shakedown Street taproom serves dry preservative-free ciders alongside barrel-aged and fruit-forward releases. Barbecue and gluten-free menu;
Tip: Closed Mon-Tue; verify Friday music lineup on the operator site. The Tips Up dry cider is the gateway pour into the cellar series.