Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour

Craft beer tells Burlington’s story. This 3.5-hour tour pairs up to 12 local beers with visits to three very different breweries, all reached by brewery bus with a guide handling the driving. I like the small maximum of 14 people, and I like that tastings, transportation, and a snack are included. The main caution is simple: the tour is only for adults 21 and older, and the schedule or brewery stops can change.

You meet at one of two downtown Burlington locations, then ride out with a small group rather than organizing taxis between taprooms. The experience is built around learning as much as drinking, with brewery stories, production details, guided tastings, and the chance to speak with brewery owners or staff.

Key things to know before you book

• Up to 12 beers are included, so you can sample widely without paying separately at each stop.
• Three breweries offer three different brewing personalities, from veteran-owned beers to traditional ales, lagers, specialty styles, and small-batch experiments.
• The group is limited to 14 people, which helps the guide speak with everyone and keeps the bus from feeling like a moving crowd.
• A snack is included at one brewery, with a vegetarian option available if you request it when booking.
• Closed-toe shoes are required, and you must bring a valid state ID or passport.
• The guide can make or break the outing, and past tours have been especially praised when led by Nick, Kianna, Soren, Matt, Makayla, or Frank.

Three and a half hours in Burlington’s beer country

The Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour is a good fit if you want more than a bar crawl. You are not simply dropped at three taprooms and left to order whatever looks appealing. The guide explains the people, places, and brewing methods behind the beer, then leads tastings at each stop.

That structure matters. Beer can taste very different when you know what you are drinking and why it was made that way. A guided tasting also gives you a chance to compare styles instead of settling on the first pint that catches your eye.

You meet downtown at one of two designated pickup points. Arrive at least 10 minutes early, since the bus does not function as an on-demand shuttle. From there, round-trip transportation takes care of the driving while you taste your way through Burlington’s craft beer scene.

The tour lasts about three hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough for three brewery visits without turning the outing into an all-day commitment. Daytime and evening departures are available, and both include a snack at one of the stops.

The maximum group size is 14 people. That is small enough for a more personal feel, though the actual quality of the conversation depends partly on your guide and fellow passengers. Strong guides such as Kianna, Soren, and Matt have been praised for making an effort to speak with everyone and explain beer in an engaging way.

1st Republic Brewing Co: beer with a service story

The first sample stop may be 1st Republic Brewing Co, a brewery founded by Shawn Trout and Mike Drake, both military veterans who served overseas before returning to Vermont. The brewery was named Vermont Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year in 2018.

That background gives this stop a clear identity. 1st Republic is not presented as a faceless production facility. Its taproom brings together friends, family, and beer drinkers for locally delivered food, games, and a casual gathering place.

You can expect about 50 minutes here, with guided tastings included. The stop is a useful introduction to the tour because it connects the beer to the people who made it and to the local community that supports it.

The brewery is also a reminder that local beer is often about more than tasting notes. You may hear about the founders’ military experience, their return to Vermont, and their interest in brewing, teaching, and sharing beer. That human background gives the first stop more character than a standard tasting-room visit.

A small limitation is that the schedule is only a sample. The tour can visit different breweries or change the order, so you should treat 1st Republic as a possible stop rather than a guarantee. If it is included, the taproom’s relaxed setting should suit you if you enjoy a social stop along with the beer.

Queen City Brewery: traditional styles and hot-rock brewing

Queen City Brewery brings a different approach. Founded in 2014 by longtime friends and brewers Paul Hale, Paul Held, Phil Kaszuba, and Maarten van Ryckevorsel, it focuses on traditional ales and lagers while also making specialty beers with unusual flavors and production methods.

The most distinctive beer detail here is Steinbeer. This rare style is brewed with hot rocks. The method gives the brewer less control over temperature and can create smoky, caramel notes in the finished beer.

That is exactly the kind of detail that makes a guided tour worthwhile. You can taste a beer and enjoy it on its own, but understanding how hot rocks affect the brewing process gives you something specific to notice in the glass. It also shows how brewers use older or less common techniques to create a different result.

Plan on roughly 50 minutes at Queen City Brewery. The visit should appeal to you if you prefer traditional beer styles but also like trying something outside the usual pale ales and lagers.

The possible drawback is that unusual beer is not automatically better beer. Steinbeer may be fascinating, but smoky or caramel flavors will not appeal to everyone. The strength of the stop is the chance to learn and compare, not a promise that every style will become your favorite.

Zero Gravity Craft Brewery: a Burlington brewing success story

Zero Gravity Craft Brewery adds a larger local story to the tour. It began inside American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, where Flatbread head brewer Destiny Saxon and Zero Gravity brewmaster Paul Sayler created beer for the restaurant.

For years, production stayed at the brewpub. As demand grew, Zero Gravity began distributing beer for off-premise sales in 2012. By 2014, the original brewing space had reached its limit, leading the company to move operations to a 30-barrel facility in Burlington’s South End Arts District.

The Pine Street Brewery opened in spring 2015. This stop helps you understand how a brewpub project can grow into a dedicated production operation. You get a look at the practical side of brewing: demand, distribution, equipment, and the need for more room.

Like the other stops, Zero Gravity is scheduled for about 50 minutes. Depending on the day’s arrangements, you may see brewing equipment, learn how beer moves from grain to glass, and sample several styles.

This is likely to be one of the more useful stops for anyone curious about the business of beer. It shows that local breweries are not all alike. Some remain small taproom operations, while others grow through restaurant roots, distribution, and expanded production.

The stop can also be a favorite for people who enjoy seeing the machinery behind the drink. One particularly positive account praised the chance to see how beer is made, examine the equipment, and speak with an owner about favorite products.

What the tastings are really worth

The tour includes up to 12 craft beers. That is a substantial amount of sampling across three breweries, especially because you are not paying separately for every tasting. The value is strongest if you want variety and would otherwise spend time and money arranging several brewery visits yourself.

You may taste ales, lagers, specialty beers, and less common styles. The exact selection can change, so do not expect a fixed flight menu. The benefit is the range: three producers, different brewing philosophies, and a guide helping you make sense of the differences.

The tastings are guided rather than simply handed over. That means you can ask about ingredients, fermentation, equipment, and the choices behind each beer. Some tours may also provide a chance to talk with brewery owners or staff, although that cannot be guaranteed at every stop.

The included snack is important. Three brewery visits and up to 12 tastings can make a small amount of food very welcome. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to request it when booking.

I would still eat sensibly before the tour. The snack is part of the experience, not a replacement for a full meal. The tour provider also has a strict no-pre-gaming rule. Anyone visibly intoxicated before departure will not be allowed to join and will not receive a refund.

Why the small bus makes a difference

Round-trip transportation is one of the tour’s best practical features. Burlington’s breweries are not necessarily arranged for an easy walking loop, and driving between them after drinking would be a poor plan. The brewery bus lets you concentrate on the tasting and the conversation.

The small group limit of 14 also matters. A guide can answer more questions and keep the group together without shouting across a packed vehicle. You will still be sharing the experience with strangers, but the setting should feel more personal than a large coach tour.

The quality of the guide is especially important. Nick has been praised for being personable and well informed, while Kianna earned strong marks for her beer knowledge and for making a point of speaking with everyone. Soren was praised for being friendly and well informed, and Matt was singled out for making the outing enjoyable and explaining the breweries well.

One account described a less energetic guide who was recovering from illness. That is a useful reminder to keep expectations realistic. The brewery stops and beer may be excellent, but the guide’s energy can affect the pace and mood of the whole afternoon or evening.

Practical details that can save you trouble

You must be at least 21 years old, with no exceptions. US citizens should bring a current, non-expired state ID. If you are visiting from another country, bring your passport.

Wear closed-toe shoes. Open-toed footwear is not allowed because brewery settings can include equipment and work areas where extra foot protection is needed. Dress for the weather, since the tour operates in all weather conditions.

The experience is offered in English and is near public transportation. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the downtown meeting point on your own and return there at the end.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Minimum numbers apply, and the tour can be canceled if too few people book or if poor weather affects the operation. In either case, you are offered an alternative or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.

Who will enjoy this Burlington tour most

I would recommend this tour to beer drinkers who want context with their tastings. It is especially useful for first-time visitors to Burlington who want to reach several local breweries without planning routes, arranging rides, or guessing which taprooms are worth a visit.

It also suits couples, small groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people during a shared activity. The group size is limited, but it is still a group experience, not a private brewery tour.

You will get the most from it if you are curious about how beer is made. The stories behind 1st Republic, Queen City, and Zero Gravity give the outing more substance than a string of drinks. If you only want to sit in one taproom and order full pours at your own pace, this tour may feel too structured.

The tour is less suitable for anyone who dislikes organized schedules, cannot wear closed-toe shoes, or wants hotel transportation. It is also not a good choice if you plan to drink before pickup.

Should you book the Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour?

I would book it if you want a safe, organized way to sample Burlington beer and learn what makes each brewery different. The strongest reasons are the included transportation, up to 12 tastings, snack, small group, and access to breweries that you might not choose on your own.

The experience earns extra value when the guide is as engaging as Nick, Kianna, Soren, or Matt. Their energy and explanations can turn a pleasant tasting into a memorable lesson in Vermont brewing.

Before booking, check the departure time, confirm the meeting point, request a vegetarian snack if needed, and plan your clothing around the closed-toe shoe rule. If you are happy with a changing schedule and want a beer-focused introduction to Burlington, this is a sensible pick. If you need a private tour, hotel pickup, or a guaranteed brewery lineup, choose another option.

FAQ

How long does the Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

How many breweries does the tour visit?

The tour visits three breweries. Possible stops include 1st Republic Brewing Co, Queen City Brewery, and Zero Gravity Craft Brewery, but the schedule can change.

How many beers are included?

Up to 12 locally brewed craft beers are included in the tour.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation between the downtown meeting point and the brewery stops is included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is food included?

Yes. A snack is included at one of the brewery stops on both daytime and evening tours. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

What identification do I need?

US citizens need a non-expired state ID. Visitors from outside the US need to bring a passport.

What should I wear?

You must wear closed-toe shoes. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately for the forecast.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.