Craft beer and Vermont go hand in hand. Each July, the Burlington waterfront transforms into one of the country’s most scenic beer gardens. Backdropped by the Adirondacks and just steps from Lake Champlain, the Vermont Brewers Festival brings together thousands of beer lovers for an unforgettable celebration of Vermont’s brewing culture.

This year, the festival returns for its 32nd annual event on July 18-19, 2025, hosted by the Vermont Brewers Association (VBA). Tickets are on sale now, and with limited sessions and a 6,000+ crowd expected, it’s best to purchase your tickets in advance.

Aerial shot of Vermont Brewers Festival in Burlington VT.

More Than Just a Beer Festival

What makes the Vermont Brewers Festival special? It’s one of the few festivals in the country created for brewers by brewers. This hands-on involvement creates a welcoming, community-driven experience featuring:

  • Craft beer from 36 breweries per session (including new and iconic breweries)

  • Pour sizes in 3, 6, or 9 ounces for sampling variety

  • Festival-exclusive brews using custom hops blends to commemorate VBAs 30th Anniversary

  • Non-alcoholic options with the same great taste

  • Food vendors, games, music, and riverfront views

  • A special Fermentation Tent with expert panels and local fermented foods

 Sean Lawson, Lawsons Finest Liquids and Scott Gawitt, Vermont Pub & Brewery team up to brew a Burly Irish IPA for Vermont Brewers Association's 30th Anniversary

Collaboration Brews to Celebrate The Vermont Brewers Association’s 30th Anniversary 

2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Vermont Brewers Association, and brewers are honoring the milestone with something special: statewide collaboration beers. Each participating brewery is using a custom hop blend developed by VBA and partnering with others to brew festival-exclusive styles.

Expect standout collabs that reflect the depth and diversity of Vermont brewing. One example? A special Burly Irish IPA brewed by industry icons Sean Lawson and Scott Gawitt, both past VBA Presidents, as a tribute to Vermont’s brewing roots. With a nod to Greg Noonan’s legacy (he founded the legendary Vermont Pub & Brewery in Burlington) and brewed on the original 7-barrel system at Lawson’s Sugarhouse Brewery, this collab connects past and present in every pint. 

Vermont and Canadian Craft Beer Enthusiasts celebrate at Vermont Brewers Festival in Burlington VT

Cheers, à la Canadienne

New for 2025, the festival will offer at-par ticket pricing for Canadian attendees. That means $60 CAD gets you in, no exchange penalty. With longtime support from Quebec beer lovers, the VBA is raising a toast to the cross-border community that’s helped shape Vermont beer.

Zero Gravity pours a pint at Vermont Brewers Festival in Burlington VT.

Who’s Pouring?

This year’s lineup includes:

  • Zero Gravity, (Burlington, VT)

  • Twisted Horn Brewing (Londonderry, VT)

  • The Tropic Brewing (Waterbury, VT)

  • Hill Farmstead Brewery (Greensboro Bend, VT)

  • Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers (Framingham, MA)

  • Maine Beer Company (Freeport, ME)

  • Brasserie Dunham and MESSOREM (QC)

  • And dozens more.

Festival Details

  • Dates: July 18-19, 2025

  • Location: Waterfront Park, Burlington

  • Tickets: $60 in advance / $65 at the door (if available)

  • Sessions: Three total, over Friday and Saturday

Vermont Brewers Festival attendees enjoy a craft beer in Burlington VT.

Come Thirsty, Leave Inspired

Vermont Brewers Festival is one of the most anticipated events on the craft beer calendar. Raise your glass to tradition, innovation, and the community that is the cornerstone of Vermont’s brewery scene. Cheers!

Tickets and info: vtbrewfest.com