Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour

The most appealing part of this Burlington tour is its mix of serious beer tasting and local character. You ride between three breweries in a small group, taste up to 12 beers, and get a look at how Vermont beer moves from grain to glass. At Queen City, you may even try Steinbeer, made with hot rocks for smoky, caramel notes.

I like the small maximum of 14 people, which gives the guide room to answer questions and keep the outing personal. I also like that round-trip transport, snacks, and all listed beer tastings are included, so you can focus on the beer instead of driving or arranging rides.

The main consideration is that the exact breweries and guide can change, and the quality of the commentary may depend on who leads your group. Past guides such as Nick, Kianna, Soren, and Matt have been praised for making the day lively and informative, while one outing had a less engaging guide.

Key points at a glance

• Up to 12 Vermont beers: Tastings are included, with styles ranging from traditional ales and lagers to unusual specialty brews.
• Three brewery visits: Sample stops include 1st Republic Brewing, Queen City Brewery, and Zero Gravity Craft Brewery.
• A small group setting: The tour caps at 14 people, a useful size for questions and conversation.
• No need to drive: A brewery bus handles transportation between the downtown meeting point and the breweries.
• A snack is included: Both daytime and evening departures include food at one brewery stop.
• Plan for brewery safety rules: You must be at least 21, bring valid identification, wear closed-toe shoes, and avoid drinking before the tour.

Why this Burlington brewery tour works

Burlington is a good place for a brewery outing because the beer scene has more range than a single taproom crawl. This experience takes you beyond the most obvious downtown stops and connects you with breweries that have different stories, equipment, and brewing goals.

You meet at one of two downtown Burlington locations, then board the brewery bus with your guide and a small group. The tour lasts about three and a half hours, with roughly 50 minutes scheduled at each brewery. That timing gives you enough room to taste several beers and hear some background without turning the day into a long lecture.

I like the balance here. You are not simply dropped at three bars with a tasting sheet. The guide explains the local beer scene as you go, and the visits may include a look behind the scenes or a conversation with brewery owners. At the same time, the schedule is not so packed that you spend the whole afternoon watching the clock.

The tour is offered in English and includes mobile ticketing. It does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to reach the downtown departure point on your own. The meeting areas are near public transportation, which helps if you are staying without a car.

1st Republic Brewing: veteran-made beer and a relaxed taproom

A sample first stop is 1st Republic Brewing Co., founded by Shawn Trout and Mike Drake after their military service. The brewery’s identity is closely tied to its veteran-owned roots, but the visit is not only about the founders’ background. The taproom is designed as a gathering place for friends, families, and beer drinkers, with games, food delivered from local sources, and a casual setting.

This is a useful opening stop because it introduces the human side of small-batch brewing. You can learn about the people behind the beer, how their service shaped the business, and why sharing the finished product matters to them.

The scheduled visit runs about 50 minutes. Since this is a working brewery and sample schedules can change, you should not assume that every visit includes the same tour route or the same beers. The benefit of a guided group is that your host can help explain what is available that day and put the tasting in context.

I would pay attention to the social feel of this stop. It may be less about polished presentation and more about the brewery as a local meeting place. That makes it a good fit if you want to understand how a small Vermont brewery fits into its community, not just compare hop levels.

Queen City Brewery: traditional styles and hot-rock Steinbeer

Queen City Brewery brings the most unusual brewing detail on the route. Founded in 2014 by four longtime friends and brewers, it produces traditional ales and lagers along with specialty beers built around aging, fermentation, and unexpected flavor combinations.

The standout possibility is Steinbeer, a rare style brewed with hot rocks. The technique gives the brewer less temperature control and can create smoky, caramel flavors. Even if this is not your favorite beer of the day, it gives you something specific to remember and a clear example of how process changes taste.

This stop is especially valuable for anyone who wants to learn how brewing decisions affect the glass in front of you. A guide can connect the raw ingredients, temperature, fermentation, and aging choices with what you smell and taste. That makes the tasting more useful than simply hearing that one beer is light and another is dark.

Queen City also helps break up the tasting with a different point of view. You may find familiar ales and lagers alongside experimental beers, so you can compare the safe choice with something less expected. If you prefer only easy-drinking beer, some specialty samples may seem challenging. That is part of the point, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Zero Gravity Craft Brewery: a Burlington brewing success story

The third sample stop is Zero Gravity Craft Brewery, which began inside American Flatbread Burlington Hearth. Flatbread head brewer Destiny Saxon and Zero Gravity brewmaster Paul Sayler developed the beer program there before demand led the brewery to distribute beer outside the restaurant.

By 2014, the original brewpub had reached its production limit. Zero Gravity then moved into a larger 30-barrel facility in Burlington’s South End Arts District, with the Pine Street Brewery opening in spring 2015.

This stop gives you a clear picture of how a local beer operation can grow. You start with a brewpub setup, then follow the move to a larger production facility as demand increases. Seeing the machinery and learning what the equipment does can make the beer in your glass feel less anonymous.

The visit may also offer a chance to hear about the brewery’s relationship with the restaurant where it began. That connection adds useful context, especially if you enjoy food and beer together rather than treating beer as a stand-alone tasting.

Zero Gravity can be a strong final stop because it brings together the day’s main themes: local roots, increased production, and the practical work required to make beer at a larger scale. Still, the exact order of the breweries can change, so treat this as a sample route rather than a guarantee.

What the tasting format is really like

You can taste up to 12 locally brewed beers during the outing. That does not necessarily mean 12 full pours, and the supplied details do not specify the size of each sample. You should expect a tasting-focused experience rather than an evening built around large pints.

That distinction matters. Twelve beers over three and a half hours can be a lot, even with small pours. Eat the included snack, drink water when available, and pace yourself. The tour operator has a strict no-pre-gaming rule, and anyone visibly intoxicated before departure can be refused entry without a refund.

The variety is one of the best reasons to book. You may move from traditional ales and lagers to specialty beers with smoky, caramel, aged, or fermented character. If you already know what styles you like, ask the guide for comparisons. If you are new to craft beer, use the tasting as a chance to notice what changes from one brewery to the next.

The guide is important here. Strong guides such as Nick, Kianna, Soren, and Matt have been praised for friendly conversation, clear beer knowledge, and making an effort to speak with everyone in the group. One less successful outing had a guide who seemed subdued, possibly because he was recovering from illness. That tells you something practical: the breweries provide the setting, but the guide shapes much of the experience.

Transport, group size, and the pace of the day

The brewery bus is a major part of the value. You can sample beer without assigning a designated driver, calling several rides, or trying to coordinate transport between breweries. The bus also keeps the group together, which helps the tour run on time.

The maximum group size is 14 people. That is small enough for direct questions and conversation, though it is not a private tour. If your group fills the vehicle, expect a shared outing with other beer fans.

You need to arrive at least 10 minutes before the start time. Since the tour uses two possible downtown meeting points, check your confirmation carefully and do not rely on finding the location at the last second. Hotel pickup is not included.

The tour runs in all weather, so dress for the forecast. Brewery spaces can be industrial, cool, or busy, and open-toed shoes are not permitted. Closed-toe shoes are required for safety. This is a small rule, but forgetting it could end your tour before it begins.

Food, dietary needs, and practical comfort

A snack is included at one brewery stop on both daytime and evening departures. The information provided does not specify the exact snack, so do not treat it as a full meal. If you need a vegetarian option, request it when booking.

I would eat a proper meal before or after the tour, depending on your schedule. Beer tastings can feel stronger on an empty stomach, and a small snack may not be enough to replace lunch or dinner.

The tour is intended for adults age 21 and older, with no exceptions. US citizens must bring a current, non-expired state ID. Visitors from outside the United States must bring a passport. Bring the physical document required for entry, not just a picture on your phone.

Is the tour a good value?

No tour price is supplied here, so I cannot judge the exact cost against other Burlington outings. I can say what you receive for the price: transportation between breweries, a local beer guide, up to 12 tastings, and a snack.

That package can be a better value than paying separately for several tastings and arranging rides. The real value rises if you care about the stories and production methods, not just the amount of beer. A self-guided afternoon may cost less, but it will not necessarily give you access to brewery owners, behind-the-scenes areas, or a guide who can explain why one beer tastes different from another.

The small group also matters. If the tour is full, you still get a shared experience rather than a private guide, but the 14-person limit is more personal than a large coach outing.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you want to sample several Burlington breweries without driving, especially if you are curious about how beer is made. It suits couples, small friend groups, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and anyone who wants a planned afternoon rather than a list of taprooms to find alone.

It is also a good choice for beer drinkers who like variety. Queen City’s Steinbeer, 1st Republic’s veteran-owned story, and Zero Gravity’s growth from brewpub to larger facility give the route more substance than a basic tasting crawl.

I would think twice if you dislike group activities, want guaranteed access to one specific brewery, or prefer to drink only full pours of familiar styles. The itinerary can change, the guide can vary, and the tour asks you to follow a set schedule.

Book early enough to account for the confirmation window, which can take up to 48 hours and is subject to availability. The tour needs a minimum number of participants and can be canceled for poor weather or low enrollment, with an alternative or full refund offered in those cases.

Cancellation and booking details

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Bad weather or too few participants can also lead to cancellation by the operator. In that situation, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour?

I would book it if you want three different brewery perspectives in one outing and value the convenience of included transport. The strongest parts are the small group, the broad tasting lineup, and the chance to learn about brewing rather than simply order beer.

Go in with sensible expectations. You are not guaranteed the exact three breweries, a particular guide, or a specific beer. You should also plan around the ID, footwear, age, weather, and no-pre-drinking rules.

For a first visit to Burlington’s craft beer scene, this is a practical choice. It gives you a guided introduction, leaves the driving to someone else, and offers enough variety to help you decide which brewery deserves a return visit.

FAQ

How long does the Burlington brewery tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

How many breweries will I visit?

You will visit three breweries. Sample stops include 1st Republic Brewing Co, Queen City Brewery, and Zero Gravity Craft Brewery, but schedules 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 meeting point and the breweries is included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at one of two convenient locations in downtown Burlington. Your booking information provides the specific meeting details.

What identification do I need?

US citizens must bring a non-expired state ID. Visitors from outside the United States must bring a passport.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 21, with no exceptions.

Are snacks included?

Yes. Both daytime and evening tours include a snack at one brewery stop. A vegetarian option is available if requested when booking.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather or too few participants, you will be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.