3 Best Sights in Burlington, Northern Vermont

Acclaimed brewer Todd Haire spent 13 years at Magic Hat Brewing Company and another two years at Switchback Brewing Co. before opening his own Burlington operation alongside fellow co-founders Bobby Grim, Sam Keane, Jon Farmer, and Dani Casey in 2016. Since then, Foam has gained international praise, including a spot as one of the world's 10 best new breweries—bestowed by BeerAdvocate—the year they opened. The brewery sources more local ingredients than just about any other beermaker in the state: all their beers have at least a portion of local hops, all the barley is grown regionally in New England, and all the wheat is grown in Vermont. Some limited edition brews even incorporate produce, in a collaboration with area organic farms. A limited menu of charcuterie and bar snacks is available for noshing either in the family-friendly taproom or on the outdoor patio with stunning views of the Lake Champlain waterfront. Attached sister restaurant Deep City has the best brunch in town.

Switchback may not get as much press as other more famous craft Vermont beers, but its classic unfiltered ale is a solid, respected brew that's well worth exploring at the brewery and an expanded tap house and beer garden, added in 2024, in Burlington's buzzing South End. In addition to superfresh beer right from the source, beer-filled cocktails and a menu of perfect-for-pairing bites, the space hosts regular events and live music throughout the year. Employee-led Askew Beer Co. holds down a few experimental taps, too.

What started as a single tap in a pizza restaurant has turned into one of Burlington’s most successful and hippest breweries, thanks to frothy gems like Conehead and Green State Lager. Its shiny brewery in the South End Arts District is always buzzing—starting first thing in the morning with coffee and amazingly crispy, tender waffles flavored with brown butter, sea salt, and, of course, Vermont maple syrup. And yes, you can get a beer with that. Tasty complements continue throughout the day, with items like bratwurst, crispy cheddar curds, and foodie-friendly bistro bites, paired with Zero Gravity's popular favorites or taproom-only offerings, like bottle-conditioned brews and unusual co-ferments. Sink into the cozy couches in front of the fireplace, or watch the brewers at work through large windows behind one of the two bars.