Small Group Brewery & Spirits Tour in Vermont

Six people, five stops, one Vermont flavor sprint. What makes it fun is the pacing and access: you get a small group of six plus round-trip pickup, so the day feels easy instead of rushed. One thing to plan for is that beer/spirits samples and lunch are available for purchase, not included.

I like that the focus isn’t just where to drink, it’s how Vermont makes it. You’ll meet craft producers like Vermont Spirits Distilling Co and learn what makes Vermont Gold Vodka a maple-sap story, then swing by classic Quechee General Store for the state’s food obsession essentials.

The tour runs from 10:00 am for about six hours, with short, well-timed visits and a comfortable vehicle to keep the flow smooth. Most stops include admission at no cost, but the real souvenir is what you learn and taste along the way.

Quick highlights to know before you go

• Small group size (max six) keeps the conversation going with your driver-guide
• Pickup and drop-off included means fewer logistics and more tasting time
• Maple-sap vodka at Vermont Spirits is the kind of Vermont detail you’ll remember
• Harpoon + Long Trail let you compare big-name Vermont beer styles in one day
• SILO Distillery’s barn setup makes the tasting feel more like a place than a stop
• Foley Brothers swaps on Tuesdays if it’s closed, with River Roost Brewery stepping in

A six-person route through Vermont beer and spirits

This is a Vermont craft-drinks day that actually respects your time. With a maximum of six travelers, the tour doesn’t feel like you’re being marched through a checklist. It’s the kind of small group that lets your guide ask what you’re into and then steer the day toward what matters to you—spirits, beer styles, and even the communities behind them.

You also get a big practical win: round-trip transit from your accommodation. In a place like Vermont, driving between spots can eat half your day. Here, the vehicle and the guide handle the between-stop logistics, while you focus on the fun part.

And yes, it’s a drink tour. But it isn’t only about alcohol. Expect Vermont’s food culture to show up early and often—cheese, maple products, and the sort of local ingredients that turn “a sip” into a real taste of the region.

Pickup, vehicle comfort, and the tasting budget reality

Start time is 10:00 am, and the day is about six hours total. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, with hotel pickup and drop-off, plus a designated driver/guide for the duration. That means nobody is scrambling for a ride after a tasting.

Here’s the honest budgeting part: admission tickets are listed as free at the stops, but samples and lunch are extra. So if you want to taste everything, plan on buying at least a few rounds. If you’re more of a “one or two tastes per stop” person, you can keep costs under control.

Also note the tour is offered in English, and you’ll receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. If weather is poor, the experience may shift dates or be refunded—so it’s worth keeping an eye on forecast the day before.

Vermont Spirits Distilling Co: maple-sap vodka and classic Vermont botanicals

Your first real pour comes at Vermont Spirits Distilling Co, described as Vermont’s oldest craft distillery. That matters because you’re not just visiting a new brand with a gift shop and a quick photo. You’re starting with a long-running craft operation that ties its spirits to Vermont agriculture.

The standout here is their Vermont Gold Vodka, made using 100% pure Vermont maple sap—an industry first. If you like the idea of maple as more than syrup on pancakes, this is where Vermont turns that flavor into something distilled and smooth.

They also make other spirits that lean hard into Vermont ingredients and techniques, including:

• No 14 Bourbon finished with Pure Vermont Maple
• Coppers American Gin
• Coppers Sugarwood Gin
• Coppers Barrel Gin

And they use organic botanicals plus hand-picked wild Vermont juniper berries.

The stop runs about 30 minutes, so you’ll get a snapshot, not a long seminar. Still, it’s a strong start because it sets the tone: this day isn’t only about beer.

Quechee General Store: cheese, maple syrup, and Vermont’s country-store vibe

Next up is Quechee General Store, and it’s one of those Vermont stops that feels right even if you’re not chasing souvenirs. This is where the tour earns points for variety: after spirits, you get food, and after craft production, you get everyday Vermont shopping energy.

What to expect:

• a complete collection of Cabot cheeses
• cheeses from other Vermont artisans
• the area’s largest mix of maple syrups
• “farm stand” products from local producers

It’s also noted as the first independently owned Cabot affiliate store, which adds a fun local-business detail if you care about how these relationships are built.

Your time here is about 30 minutes. That’s perfect for a quick browse, a few snack bites if you’re hungry, and a chance to pick up gifts if you’re the type who likes bringing home something practical.

One consideration: this is more of a shopping-and-sampling pause than a formal tasting room. So if you’re hoping for a guided cheese lecture, keep expectations flexible.

Harpoon Brewery: employee-owned history and beer styles you can compare

Then the tour moves to Harpoon Brewery, one of Vermont’s most recognizable names. It was founded in 1986 and is employee-owned, which is a nice behind-the-scenes detail that you don’t always get on a casual brewery stop.

You’ll get roughly one hour here, and lunch is available to purchase on-site. If you want to make the day easier on yourself, this is the best place to eat—because the tour keeps the pace steady, and you don’t have to guess where the next food stop will be.

Harpoon is especially known for Harpoon India Pale Ale, but the beer list extends into several year-round picks:

• Dark
• UFO Hefeweizen
• UFO Raspberry Hefeweizen
• UFO White
• UFO Light Force
• UFO Maine Blueberry
• selected Clown Shoes beers

There are also seasonal styles like an Octoberfest Marzen style Ale and Harpoon Camp Wannamango, plus their 100 Barrel Series one-of-a-kind batches.

Beer samples are available for purchase, so you can build your own “comparison flight” between styles. The value here is that Harpoon acts like a reference point for what Vermont beer can taste like—so later, when you hit Long Trail, you’ll notice the differences more clearly.

SILO Distillery: barn distilling, local grain, and sustainability that’s part of the story

SILO Distillery is where the day gets more atmospheric. The description of a barn distillery isn’t just marketing language—everything is done start to finish in their barn distilling setup, including a real silo tower that makes the space feel intentionally Vermont.

SILO focuses on small-batch spirits made from Vermont-grown grain and local ingredients. Their process begins with grain selection from Grembowicz Farm in North Clarendon, Vermont. That’s a clear supply-chain detail, which is exactly what I want to hear on a spirits tour: you’re not just touring a brand, you’re touring ingredients and partnerships.

They also bring sustainability into the practical side of distilling:

• they recycle water used throughout distillation
• they send spent grains to farmers for feed

You’ll have about 30 minutes at SILO. It’s enough time to take in the barn environment, ask questions, and taste if you choose. It’s also a good “reset” between breweries—less crowds, more calm.

Foley Brothers Brewing (or River Roost): small-batch experimentation in a cozy setting

Foley Brothers Brewing is part of the family-run Neshobe River Brewing Company. The vibe here is described as at-home and personal, which fits the tour’s overall style. This microbrewery uses a 15 barrel brewery and brews in small batches, with a reputation for experimenting with new recipes.

If you like IPA styles, this stop is positioned for you—Foley Brothers notes its IPA and a great beer selection.

Timing matters here because Foley Brothers is closed on Tuesdays. If your day hits Tuesday, the tour swaps this stop for River Roost Brewery in White River Junction. If you’re choosing a date, that’s worth knowing so you’re not mentally locked into one name.

This segment is about 30 minutes, with beer samples available for purchase. That short window means you’ll want to decide quickly what you want to try—don’t overthink it. The point is to leave with a few solid tastes and a sense of how Foley/River Roost differs from Harpoon.

Long Trail Brewing Company by the river: trail-inspired Vermont beer closing act

The final stop is Long Trail Brewing Company, inspired by the 273-mile hiking trail that travels through the Green Mountains. This is one of those “Vermont identity” breweries, the kind that tries to mirror the outdoors in the beer approach—and it’s been doing it since 1989.

You’ll have about 45 minutes at Long Trail, and this is where the pace usually feels most relaxed. Long Trail is right near a river, with a cozy bar seating area and friendly staff. If you want one last guided chat before the ride back, this is a good place to ask questions.

They’re known for:

• Long Trail Ale (flagship)
• Trail Hopper IPA

And their general theme is making beers worthy of Vermont roots, from small-batch recipes to the beers most people recognize.

Beer samples are available for purchase. This is a great stop to try something you didn’t get at Harpoon or Foley, especially if you’re building a day-long comparison in your head.

Then the tour wraps up by returning everyone to the original pickup locations.

Price and value: what $359 actually buys you

At $359 per person for about six hours, this isn’t a cheap beer run. But it’s also not a generic tasting bus tour.

Here’s why the value can make sense:

• Pickup and drop-off included saves you time and eliminates parking and driving stress
• Air-conditioned vehicle keeps the day comfortable
• Admission tickets are free at each listed stop
• The group is capped at six, so the guide can actually interact
• You get stops that mix spirits + cheese + major brewery + distillery + microbrewery + another flagship brewery

What you still pay for is mainly your consumption choices:

• beer and spirits samples
• lunch (available for purchase)

So the cost fits best if you’re planning to taste more than a single beer and one cocktail. If you’re a light taster, the same tour might still be worth it for the guided structure and access, but your per-taste value will depend on how many add-on purchases you make.

Who should book this Vermont brewery and spirits tour

This tour is ideal if you:

• want a small-group Vermont day with minimal driving
• like mixing beer and spirits rather than sticking to one category
• care about Vermont ingredients, like maple-sap vodka and Vermont grain
• want an easy, guided route that hits major names (Harpoon and Long Trail) without skipping the smaller producers

It can also work well as a couples outing or a friends day, as long as everyone is on the same page about spending a little extra for samples and lunch.

Should you book Vermontology’s Vermont beer and spirits day?

I’d say book it if you want a smooth, guided Vermont tasting day that goes beyond the usual brewery-only route. The included pickup, the cap of six travelers, and the mix of craft distilling + craft beer + Vermont food shopping make it a strong fit for first-time visitors and returners who want to see what’s new.

Skip or reconsider if:

• you want zero extra spending beyond the tour price (samples and lunch cost extra)
• you’re only interested in one category, like breweries only
• you need a long, sit-down tasting at each stop (this is shorter visits by design)

If your dates are flexible, keep an eye on the weather requirement for good conditions, and remember that the Foley Brothers stop can change on Tuesdays.

FAQ

How many travelers are in the group?

This tour is limited to a maximum of six travelers.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about six hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:00 am.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included.

Are beer and spirits samples included?

No. Beer and spirits samples are available for purchase.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is available for purchase on-site during the Harpoon Brewery stop.

What is the tour price?

The price is $359.00 per person.

Does the tour always stop at Foley Brothers Brewing?

Not necessarily. Foley Brothers Brewing is closed on Tuesdays, and the tour visits River Roost Brewery in White River Junction instead.