Whether you have babies, young kids, or teenagers in tow, taking the family into a bar atmosphere is no longer as taboo as it once was. In fact, many U.S. breweries have started offering family-friendly elements. Think large spaces, nonalcoholic specialty drinks, kid-approved food and exciting games.
If there’s any state in the nation that offers a judgment-free brewery experience, it’s Vermont. With Vermont’s brewery count quickly growing, beer-centric businesses are jumping on the family-friendly bandwagon.
Although there’s no shortage of breweries in the Green Mountain State, some are better than others when it comes to welcoming kids. To help you out, we rounded up the 7 best kid-friendly breweries in the Burlington area where you can drink your hoppy IPAs and smooth porters, while your kids snack on popcorn.
It’s worth pointing out that these places also make great date night spots when you need some quality one-on-one time with your partner, too. All you need to do is lockdown your babysitter or nanny and head out on the town for a flight — or two!
Long Trail Brewing Company
Address: 5520 US-4, Bridgewater Corners, VT 05035
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone: 802-672-5011
One of the largest breweries in the state, Long Trail is a sure best bet for a kid-friendly brewery in southern Vermont. It sits along the Ottauquechee River on a large, landscaped site. Take the kids on a quick tour to see the brewing and bottling process from the observation deck. Then, head outside to the Adirondack chairs or the outdoor deck and order some food. Send the kids over to the shallow creek to skip stones or wade in the water while you wait for food to arrive. You can safely watch what they’re doing nearby while sampling Long Trail’s famous brews. Try the six-beer sampler to see what you like best! Long Trail’s warm, familial vibe in a beautiful spot makes this one a winner for breweries to visit with your kids.
von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall
Address: 1333 Luce Hill Road, Stowe, VT 05672
Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Phone: 802-253-5750
The uniquely beautiful spot, tucked into the hills of the famous Trapp Family Lodge, is a must-do for families with children. The new von Trapp Brewery, opened September 2016, is a wide open space that emits a rustic, Bavarian feel. Kids and adults will love watching the brewing process from the upstairs viewing area. Order the kids some home-brewed root beer while you enjoy your pint of Golden Helles Lager, and then take in the mountain views from the back patio while the kiddos spin circles in the grass.
Fiddlehead Brewing Company
Address: 6305 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT 05482
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, noon – 8 p.m. | Friday, noon – 9 p.m. | Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Phone: 802-399-2994
Growler and Growlette coozies are back! Available now in the tasting room. #SoManyColors pic.twitter.com/nSAtRphZi0
— Fiddlehead Brewing (@fiddleheadbrew) May 5, 2017
Its location in the heart of Shelburne Village is one of the many reasons families with kids frequent Fiddlehead Brewery. The brewery tasting space is small — just a room with a couple of taps and big glass windows — so you won’t be hanging out for long. But that’s OK! Next door to Fiddlehead is Folino’s Pizza, a rustic pizza joint dishing out some of the best pies in town from its wood-fired oven. Grab a pint or growler from Fiddlehead, and then take the family next door for pizza and beer. The kids will be busy eating pizza and playing outside while you enjoy your beverage.
Idletyme Brewing Company
Address: 1859 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Phone: 802-253-4765
For a kid-friendly, casual brewery, consider a stop at Idletyme. It’s a European-inspired brewery in a building with a very cool history. It was an 1830s blacksmith shop that then became a cider mill before becoming a youth hostel and finally a brewery. Idletyme’s location along the Stowe bike path makes it a great pit stop after a family bike ride. The menu, with standard kid fare (chicken fingers), plus lawn games (corn hole) will keep your brood occupied. That’s great for you, as you’ll be busy tasting your way through a diverse beer selection. The Double IPA is crisp with fruity aromas that comes highly recommended.
Otter Creek Brewing Company
Address: 793 Exchange St., Middlebury, VT 05753
Hours: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Phone: 802-388-0727
The mission of Otter Creek is to “provide great beer for everyone, at anytime.” This directly correlates to the atmosphere of the brewery: a fun, friendly place for all ages. While you sip on a seasonal brew, your kids will enjoy watermelon limeade and mac and cheese. If the weather allows (you never know in Vermont), the outside patio is a comfortable place to chill.
Zero Gravity Craft Brewery
Locations:
- Brewpub at Flatbread: 115 St. Paul St., Burlington, VT 05401 | P: 802-861-2999
- Pine Street Brewery: 716 Pine St., Burlington, VT 05401 | P: 802-497-0054
Hours:
- Brewpub at Flatbread: Open daily, 11:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- Pine Street Brewery: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, noon – 9 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, noon – 10 p.m. | Closed Tuesdays
One of the best ways to ensure your kids will stay occupied while brewery hopping is to choose a place that offers kid-friendly food. Both of Zero Gravity’s locations do just that. The flagship site, the Brewpub at American Flatbread, is more restaurant than a brewery. Grab a table and let the kids chow down on pizza while you sip on a pint of Conehead. Its newest location, on Pine Street in the south end of Burlington, is more brewery than restaurant. Here, kids will enjoy the outdoor patio and bottomless bowls of popcorn. Plus, SoYo Frozen Yogurt and a playground at the nearby elementary school are good escapes if they need a break.
Burlington Beer Company
Address: 25 Omega Drive #150, Williston, VT 05495
Hours: Monday – Thursday, noon – 7 p.m. | Friday & Saturday, noon – 8 p.m. | Sunday noon – 5 p.m.
Phone: 802-863-2337
The atmosphere at the BBC is warm and friendly. Everyone is welcome here: kids, grandparents, even dogs. The warehouse setting makes the vibe chilled out and cool. Table games like Connect Four, mini Nintendo and ping-pong will keep the kids busy while you have a pint (or two). Even though BBC’s spot in a business park isn’t ideal, the nearby trampoline gym and Whale’s Tail Park make it a good stopover after a day of entertaining kids. Beer flights are super affordable ($5 for four tasting glasses) and give you a great overall feel for the rotating beer selection.
