Brewing in Vermont

The U.S. state of Vermont is home to over 100 breweries, microbreweries, nanobreweries, and brewpubs that produce a wide variety of beer.

[2] The data places Vermont as third in the category of craft beer industry output per adult (21+) with $418.57 per person.

[3] The history of beer in Vermont is similar to its history in the rest of the United States – no local breweries existed from the late 1800s when Vermont passed its own local prohibition laws, several decades prior to national Prohibition, until the microbrewery explosion of the 1980s and 1990s.

On November 2, 1798, Vermont passed a law which began restricting sales of strong beer, ale, and cider.

In 1840, tax statistics published by Zadock Thompson show there were one brewery in Vermont producing 12,800 gallons of beer.

On January 16, 1919, the 18th Amendment (Federal Prohibition) which outlawed the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcohol was passed by 3/4 of US states and became law.

[13] In 2014, Wolaver's (now owned by Otter Creek Brewing Company) became the first non-GMO certified brewery in Vermont.

[19] Greg Noonan, owner and head brewer of The Vermont Pub & Brewery, and Glenn Walter, then an assistant brewer, are cited with creating the Black IPA (AKA Cascadian Dark Ale, India Black Ale, or Vermont Porter) with the initial brewing of Blackwatch IPA on December 4, 1994.

[20] The Blackwatch IPA second brewing was November 25, 1995, where Noonan was assisted by John Kimmich, who is now the owner and brewer of The Alchemist.

These brews are heavily dry-hopped and lighter on the palate, forgoing malt sweetness for levity in the quest for balance.

"[23] In 2014, Jeff Baker restated his case, saying Vermont IPAs are "bright golden and hazy (unfiltered typically) in appearance, soft in mouthfeel, dense with hop flavor and aroma, yet restrained in bitterness allowing for balance to occur between the hops and the malt.

[26] Heady Topper is a double India Pale Ale and is one of the highest rated beers on both BeerAdvocate and RateBeer.

Other beers, such as Hill Farmstead's Edward and Abner and Lawson's Finest Liquids Double Sunshine IPA, have gained national acclaim.

[28] Steve Parkes, owner of the American Brewers Guild and Drop-In Brewery in Middlebury, won the award in 2009.

[28] In 1996, Jigger Hill Brewery, which used the "Tunbridge Quality Ales" brand name, was opened by Liz Trott and her partner Janice Moran.