Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour

Burlington’s craft beer story makes the most sense when you taste it at the source. This small-group tour takes you to three breweries, where you can sample up to 12 local beers and see how very different brewing ideas end up in your glass. At Queen City, you may even try Steinbeer, made with hot rocks for smoky, caramel notes.

I like the included transportation, since you can taste freely without planning a drive back into town. I also like the personal scale: groups are capped at 14, and the guide can spend more time explaining the beer, the brewers, and the local scene.

The main thing to consider is the fixed pace. You spend about 50 minutes at each brewery, so this is a guided sampler rather than a long, relaxed afternoon at one taproom. The breweries can also change, and the guide’s energy may vary from one departure to the next.

Key points at a glance

• Up to 12 beers included: You taste several styles without paying separately at each stop.
• Three very different breweries: 1st Republic, Queen City, and Zero Gravity each bring a distinct story and brewing approach.
• Small group, maximum 14 people: The format allows more conversation than a large bus tour.
• About three and a half hours: The tour gives you a useful introduction to Burlington’s beer scene without taking the whole day.
• Closed-toe shoes are required: Brewery settings can include working equipment and safety hazards.
• Guides can shape the experience: Past guides have included Nick, Kianna, Soren, Matt, Makayla, and Frank, with strong praise for their beer knowledge and friendliness.

Why this Burlington brewery tour works

This is not simply a ride between taprooms. The useful part is the connection between the beer in your glass and the people, equipment, and choices behind it.

You begin at one of two downtown Burlington meeting points, then board the brewery bus with a guide and a small group. From there, the route includes three brewery visits, each lasting about 50 minutes. You receive guided tastings at every stop, and the tour includes a snack at one brewery during both daytime and evening departures.

That combination gives you structure without making the afternoon feel like a classroom. You taste as you learn, and the guide can explain why one beer is smoky, another is crisp, and another has unusual aged or fermented flavors.

The tour is also useful for visitors who want to try a broad range of Vermont beer but do not know where to begin. Up to 12 samples is enough to show the range of styles, though it is not a promise that every sample will appeal to you. Beer preferences are personal, and the point is to compare.

The company lists a maximum of 14 people. That is still a real group, but it is small enough for questions and conversation. Several guides have made a strong impression, including Nick, Kianna, Soren, and Matt. Makayla and Frank have also been praised for combining beer information with humor and personality. Guide assignments are not guaranteed, but the best version of this tour depends heavily on that person’s ability to keep the group engaged.

1st Republic Brewing brings a personal story

The first sample itinerary stop is 1st Republic Brewing Co., founded by Shawn Trout and Mike Drake, both military veterans who served overseas before returning to Vermont.

The brewery’s identity is closely tied to that background. It was named Vermont’s Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year in 2018, and the taproom is designed as a gathering place for friends, family, and beer fans. You may find games, local food delivery, and a relaxed setting built around sharing a beer.

This is a good opening stop because it gives the tour a human beginning. You are not starting with abstract talk about hops or fermentation. You are hearing how two founders built a brewery around their own experience and their enthusiasm for making, drinking, and teaching about beer.

Allow about 50 minutes here. That is enough time for a guided tasting and an introduction to the brewery, but the clock matters. If you like to linger over every beer, ask questions, or order food beyond the included snack, the schedule may feel brisk.

The exact order of stops can change, and 1st Republic may not appear on every departure. The listed breweries are sample stops, not a guarantee of the route.

Queen City shows how unusual beer can get

Queen City Brewery was founded in 2014 by longtime friends and brewers Paul Hale, Paul Held, Phil Kaszuba, and Maarten van Ryckevorsel. The brewery makes traditional ales and lagers, along with specialty beers built around less expected flavors and processes.

Its most distinctive talking point is Steinbeer. This old brewing method uses hot rocks to heat the liquid. Because the brewer has less exact temperature control, the process can produce smoky and caramel-like flavors.

You do not need to be a beer historian to appreciate the lesson. Queen City shows that brewing is not only about choosing a familiar style and repeating it. Temperature, fermentation, aging, and equipment all change the final drink. A sample here can help you notice flavors you might otherwise miss.

The 50-minute stop is likely to include several tastings and an explanation of the brewing approach. If brewery staff or an owner is available, you may have the chance to ask about operations and production. That possibility is one of the tour’s best features, but it should be treated as a possibility, not a promised private meeting.

Queen City is also where the tour may feel most experimental. That is good news if you like unusual beer. If you prefer only light lagers or familiar pale ales, some samples may be less comfortable. The guide can help explain what you are tasting, which makes the oddest beer easier to understand even if it does not become your favorite.

Zero Gravity connects beer with Burlington’s South End

Zero Gravity Craft Brewery began inside American Flatbread Burlington Hearth. Its early brewing work was linked to Flatbread head brewer Destiny Saxon and Zero Gravity brewmaster Paul Sayler.

As demand grew, Zero Gravity began distributing beer outside the brewpub in 2012. Production eventually outgrew the original space, so the brewery moved into a 30-barrel facility in Burlington’s South End Arts District. The Pine Street Brewery opened in spring 2015.

This stop gives you a clear example of how a small brewery can grow. The story moves from beer made for a restaurant to a larger production facility serving a wider market. You can follow that change while tasting the beer itself.

The South End setting also adds a different feel from a small taproom. You might see more of the production side, depending on the day’s access and the brewery schedule. The tour focuses on a guided visit, not a guaranteed full production-floor tour, so ask your guide what is available when you arrive.

Zero Gravity is a fitting final stop because it ties the beer to Burlington’s changing food and arts culture. It also gives you one more chance to compare brewing scale. After visiting three different operations, you leave with a better sense of how each brewery defines itself.

The tasting format is generous, but pace matters

Up to 12 beers are included in the tour. That is a strong value when you consider that the tasting is spread across three breweries, with a guide providing context rather than leaving you to choose randomly from a menu.

You should expect a range of styles. The breweries make ales, lagers, specialty beers, aged or fermented beers, and unusual creations such as Steinbeer. The point is comparison. One stop may appeal to you for its familiar styles, while another may win you over with a beer you would not have ordered on your own.

The tour also includes a snack at one stop. That is helpful during several hours of tasting, though it is not presented as a full meal. Eat normally before you arrive, especially if you know alcohol affects you quickly.

Do not pre-game. Anyone who is visibly intoxicated before departure will not be allowed to join, and no refund will be provided. This rule is sensible, since the tour already includes many tastings and involves transportation between working brewery spaces.

You must be at least 21, with no exceptions. US citizens need a current state ID, while visitors from other countries need a passport. Bring the original document, not a photograph on your phone.

Why the brewery bus adds real value

Round-trip transportation is included from downtown Burlington. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach one of the two downtown meeting points yourself.

The bus matters for more than convenience. It removes the question of who will drive after 12 possible tastings. Everyone can take part, and you can pay attention to the beer instead of watching the clock or checking a navigation app.

It also makes the three-stop plan practical. The breweries are not treated as isolated bar visits. The ride between them becomes part of the lesson, with the guide explaining Burlington’s beer scene and the people behind it.

Arrive at least 10 minutes before the start time. Late arrivals can disrupt a small group more than they would on a large coach. Wear closed-toe shoes, since open-toed footwear is not allowed in brewery settings. Dress for the weather as well. The tour operates in all weather conditions, though poor weather can lead to cancellation and a choice of another date or a full refund.

The guides can make or break the afternoon

The strongest part of this tour is often the guide’s ability to turn tasting notes into a good story.

Nick has been praised for being personable and able to explain the breweries clearly. Kianna has been noted for making an effort to speak with everyone in the group while keeping the beer information interesting. Soren and Matt have also earned strong marks for friendly, beer-focused guiding.

Makayla and Frank have been credited with balancing detailed information and comic timing. That combination matters. A three-and-a-half-hour tour can become tiring if every stop feels like a lecture, but it can also feel thin if the guide only points out the next sample. The best guides provide the play-by-play while leaving room for conversation.

Guide names and assignments can change. One past departure received only moderate praise for the guide’s energy, possibly because the person was recovering from illness. That is a useful reminder that even a well-designed tour depends on the individual leading it.

Who should book this tour

I would recommend it to you if you want an introduction to Burlington beer without planning three separate brewery visits. It suits couples, friends, solo beer fans, and small groups who enjoy tasting different styles and talking with a guide.

It is especially useful early in a Burlington visit. You may discover a brewery or beer you want to revisit later on your own. The tour gives you a map of the local scene, then leaves you with better information for choosing what to order afterward.

It also works for people who are curious about how beer is made, not just people who want a drink. The stories of 1st Republic, Queen City, and Zero Gravity show three different paths through the brewing business.

I would be less enthusiastic if you want a slow afternoon at one brewery, a full meal, or a guaranteed production-floor tour. The schedule is structured, the stops can change, and the snack is not a substitute for lunch or dinner. It is also not a good fit if you do not drink alcohol or if you dislike tasting unfamiliar beer styles.

Vegetarian snacks are available, but you need to request that option when booking. The tour is offered in English.

Is the included package good value?

No tour price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact dollar value. I can judge what you receive for the fee: transportation between three breweries, up to 12 beer samples, a snack, and a local guide for about three and a half hours.

That package can be worthwhile because individual tasting costs, transportation, and planning time are bundled together. You are also paying for access to explanations and brewery stories, not just liquid in a glass.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need a taxi or rideshare between stops. It is also stronger if you want to sample broadly without committing to full pours at three different places.

The value is weaker if you live nearby, have a designated driver, and already know which breweries you want to visit. In that case, visiting one or two taprooms independently may give you more time and control.

Cancellation and timing details to keep in mind

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.

The tour requires a minimum number of participants. It can also be canceled because of poor weather. If that happens, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity is near public transportation, and most people can participate, though the required footwear and identification rules apply to everyone.

Should you book the Burlington Signature Guided Brewery Tour?

Book it if you want a safe, social way to sample Burlington beer across three different breweries. The combination of up to 12 tastings, a small group, a snack, and round-trip transportation gives you a useful introduction without asking you to build the route yourself.

The strongest reasons to go are the range of brewing styles and the chance to hear the people-and-process stories behind them. The main cautions are the fixed schedule, possible brewery substitutions, and the fact that guide quality can shape the day.

If those limits suit you, this is a practical choice for beer fans and curious drinkers alike. Bring valid ID, closed-toe shoes, an appetite for variety, and arrive early enough to find the meeting point without rushing.

FAQ

How long does the Burlington brewery tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

How many breweries do you visit?

The tour visits three breweries. The sample route includes 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 tour stops is included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Where does the tour begin and end?

You meet at one of two convenient locations in downtown Burlington. The tour returns to the original departure point at the end.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 14 people.

Is food included?

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

What identification do I need?

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

What should I wear?

Closed-toe shoes are required. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately for the forecast.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or an insufficient number of participants can also lead to a cancellation with an alternative date or a full refund.