Vermont has long been one of the most brewery-rich states in the country, and Stowe pours a generous share of the good stuff. The Alchemist, the Stowe brewery behind the cult-favorite Heady Topper, runs a beer café in town with a beer garden open in the warmer months. Up on Luce Hill, von Trapp Brewing Bierhall serves Austrian-style lagers alongside wide mountain views, and Idletyme Tap & Tavern brews its own beer near the Stowe Recreation Path. Cider fans can taste their way through a flight of house and seasonal hard ciders at Stowe Cider, or stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill on the way into town for a hard cider and a warm cider donut. For anyone who’d rather swirl a glass than raise a pint, wine bars and tasting rooms around the village fill in the rest of the map.
Most of these spots are within about 10 minutes of Topnotch, and the von Trapp Bierhall is only a few minutes up the road. Hours and tastings change with the seasons, so check each producer’s website before you go. A local brewery tour is a smart way to see several in one afternoon, and nobody has to draw the short straw as designated driver. When the last flight is done, your room at Topnotch makes a very comfortable final stop on the tour.